And he's found one that suits his fancy. He wants to make sure that everything is in working order when he goes to check out the vehicle, so what does he look for?

It's a 93, manual, with 93,000 miles. Clean title. It's got new paint so that won't be an issue. Motor/car is stock except for a Greddy Ti Exhaust and a Veilside kit. I told him not to be coerced into believing that it was never modded, but that really doesn't bother him either way so long as the motor is working like it should be.

What should he look for, as far as problems go? I suggested he spend the $90 or so dollars to make an appointment at a local Mazda dealership to get a once-over (as I've done with every pre-owned vehicle I've ever bought), but I wasn't sure how much a dealership could tell from what they'd inspect. With my Porsche (bought with 110,000 miles) I had a Porsche mechanic do a compression test on all cylinders - would something like this be necessary?

I'm just looking out for a friend. Thanks for any input that you can give.

Edit:

I'm currently working through: http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=68640

 

Taking an FD to an dealer is a waste of $90.00, how many of them do you think they have worked on in the last 10 years? He would be better off seeing if one of these Texas based shops would look at it. He should also have a few grand always liquid, FD ownership is a costly hobby.

http://www.gothamracing.com/
http://www.rx7.com/contact.html

 

Gotta agree with Expo.
There's a ton of rotary talent here in TX. I realize gotham and rotary performance are a long way from you, but well worth their inspection.
Where is the car located?

 

North Houston. I'm sort of advising him against the FD at this point but if he does choose to go that route I sure as heck want him to buy one that won't die on him. He's in Houston, car is in North Houston, owner said he's free to take it to a dealership to have it inspected but I have serious doubts about the owner letting him drive it to a reputable shop.

He's wanting to buy a sports car that won't get much use, and only in good weather, as he goes to Bucknell (frozen wasteland for lots of the school year). He ships all his stuff up there, which means he doesn't need space to carry stuff in the car.

The owner started at 14.5k for it, and is now desperate to sell after several months/several inquiries but no sale. I think he's down to 8,400.

 

pics anywhere?

 

have a compression test done at a proper rotary shop, if 90k is on the original engine then chances are it might not be to far away from a rebuild ($2000 - $3000). Plus the maintenance costs, i say if he gets it for 8,400 and has about $3-$4500 to spend to get in running right especially in texas weather I say sounds like a good deal and get it.

 

dealerships aren't too helpful for 14 year old cars.

FD specific shops are much better. I would recommend a compression test. 90k on the original motor means the PO took good care. My 94 FD lasted 83k on the stock apex seals.

A rebuild will be more than likely be in order and good preventitive mantience. Also looks at either new turbos or rebuilding the current ones.

What state of tune is the car in? Modded? Single turbo conversion? That kinda stuff would be helpful, too.

 

he said the motors stock besides a body kit and the greddy exhaust, BUT you never know, the owner might have tickered with it in the past and just reinstalled the stock parts. I'd bet if there's an aftermarket exhaust then in the past it had other aftermarket equipment.

 

OP of this thread: http://www.houston-imports.com/forum...d.php?t=373903 is a bit too quirky for my tastes, after asking repeatedly about yes/no rebuild he just dodges the question. I've already told my friend to pass on this and be patient, but since he's looking for an FD eventually he needs to know what too look for.

Thanks again for all of the replies!

 

hmmm, my friend is also looking for a FD here in FL.

 

that thing is hideous, what is that body kit...

 

veilside.

 

NEVER RACED!!!!! yeah right. if you buy that then you will have to fix it to.

 

If the car legitimately runs 8400 bucks is an amazing price. Even if the car is going to need a couple grand put into, the car looks like a solid starting base and your friend could save another one of these cars from being completely riced out.

 

Pics arent working for me. Getting red X's

 

Sorry about that, I wasn't hosting them.

 

His craigslist listing expired.