This past December, I managed to get a hold on a 40th Anniversary Edition as my very first car (21 M). I absolutely love this thing, but the guys who had it before me treated it like absolute garbage.

​​​​​​The car refuses to start, and I don't know if it's the starter motor or if the seals have gone bad. I have people telling me to give up on it, but I don't want to. Any ideas on how to get her drivable again???

Note: when I try to start it, it makes a wiring sound, but there is nothing from the engine like a standard start-up would be like.

 

Hi, welcome to the site, you might need a hand from a 2nd person to turn the key.
A few things first battery voltage, before trying to start and while cranking/starting.?
Does the car have fuel getting to the engine?
Spark from the sparkplug leads, when you cranking the engine?
Then you'll need a OBD2 code reader for any codes?

start with these , and well go from there : )
hope this helps.

 

Video would help a lot. Definitely make sure the battery is fully charged. Is the engine turning at all? It could be flooded.

You really really want to read all of rx8help.com starting with the New Owners page.