Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 3rd generation RX-7's => Topic started by: davegttph1 on May 09, 2005, 12:28:30 PM

Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: davegttph1 on May 09, 2005, 12:28:30 PM
Hi guys, Im looking at a few rex\'s for sale. Ive got an idea of budget in mind but it all depends on a few things. now Ive seen a few at about the 4kish mark, even up to 5k that look clean but all about 60k miles. so I was thinking I could buy 1 at that price run it til it dies and be able to afford  a rebuild. is it wise? or would it be best to get 1 already done? Im estimating £2k for a rebuild but maybe up to £3k???

if I buy 1 for say £4500 would you say I\'ll be lucky if all it needs is the engine sorting? would it be fair to guess its more than just engine probs? proper dog? maybe even crash repaired?

In other words would I be wasting my time?

thanks

Dave

p.s any rotary specialists in the midlands area? most seem to be london or south coast.
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: gsb876 on May 09, 2005, 03:13:35 PM
Hi bud,

Closest expert to the midlands is probably Pip @ WGT engineering based in Northwich.

You can get a decent RX for £5000 just take your time and find the right one. Justr check for usual things like service history and the general condition. I think Freddy was selling a rx on here for approx £4500 and it was a very decent one, so keep looking dude.

Rebuild normally around the £2.5K - £3K mark.

Gurj
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: JamesFD3 on May 09, 2005, 04:36:54 PM
Be careful with buying RX-7\'s around this sort of price,there are tidy ones on the cheap but also alot of thrashed,abused and clocked cars out there.Many coming over have had a prang at some point in there life.Tired ones can be bought for peanuts in Japan while genuine low mileage original cars are quite sought after and command higher prices.

Look at as many as you can,and try to drive a good one or perhaps chat up a friendly member on here to let you have a go.

Do your homework and buy with your head,not your heart.

Best of luck!
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: scientist1968 on May 10, 2005, 12:28:00 PM
if thats all you want to spend, make sure you see plenty of them to get a real feel for what a good one looks like.

Go to one of the well known dealers that advertise on this site and look and drive a car for twice that money. It will give you a bench mark.

If you are a compentent mechanic and enyoy working on/modding cars go for budget end of the market. But be informed first.
if you are a novice with limited cash....get one from a well known specialist with a warranty....or it will bleed you to death.

i got a very clean \'95 one recently with a year old engine rebuild (all reciepts) for £7k, but i am still diagnosing a boost problem (low secondary boost).
 Most i saw for 5k were dogs (tatty/accident damage/poor running etc), one or two were worth a gamble. i looked at about 14 cars total from 5 to 10k.

Good luck.
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: davegttph1 on May 10, 2005, 12:31:44 PM
well my budget realistically is £7500.... but we have an idea of what we want for that sort of cash.... thats why I thought maybe £4500-5000 on something not perfect but have some cash to play with if its in need of engine work
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: gsb876 on May 10, 2005, 04:14:26 PM
If your budget is £7500 then you can easily get a already rebuild rx for that price dude.

Have a look around //www.autotrader.co.uk but do ask for the receipt of the rebuild and exactly where it was rebuilt.

Gurj
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: davegttph1 on May 10, 2005, 04:28:12 PM
Tell you what there isnt many for that budget thats been rebuilt (within around 120 miles at least anyhow....)  you\'ll be suprised. we was chatting last night anyhow, think we might cool off a bit for a couple of weeks (we go on holiday first week in June) so we\'ll be deadly serious about buying something as soon as we get back... get the hols out of the way first I think (womans idea :rolleyes: )
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: gsb876 on May 10, 2005, 06:25:51 PM
A 2 min search later,

12 month MOT, full engine rebuild in 2003 with 20K on it, £6500
tel: 07976 327948

You might have to travel alittle bit but come on you cant have everything, if you dont wanna travel then you\'ll never get what you\'re looking for dude :(
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: davegttph1 on May 11, 2005, 10:43:14 AM
not that I dont want to travel BUT I cant go further than an hour or so drive away during the week as it\'ll be getting dark, weekend is the only other time but the misses works weekend on weekend off. so if I see a car I have to wait for 2 weeks sometimes before its a decent time to have a look... Seena nice one for £6k.... its done 55k miles though and no rebuild. very clean car... but its 3 1/2 hours away... I\'ll travel if I think is worth a look but the earliest I can see the car is 21st of this month.... so Im gonna be at the back of the queue....

If that makes sence
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: davegttph1 on May 11, 2005, 11:07:12 AM
Just found that car on autotrader. 97miles away :(

like the look of the top car in this advert. reasonable ish price too

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?page=2&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=MAZDA&model=RX7&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=4000&max_pr=8000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=ng31+8jj&miles=100&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: gsb876 on May 11, 2005, 01:04:12 PM
Looks nice bud, ring and ask for the mileage and then you\'ll get a better idea of possibly why its quite cheap ???

Sorry didn\'t wanna seem like i was having a go just that you can find a bargin if you are willing to travel alittle bit:)
Title: Buying a cheap rex
Post by: davegttph1 on May 11, 2005, 02:38:48 PM
No no no, I know you wasnt having a go... I asked a Q and you answered honestly :) I know there are stuff out there... atm travelling is a prob, only saturday every other week is good for us. Im sure the car Ive just shown will be 60k miles and no rebuild... thats my guess anyhow ;)