Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Queries / Hints and Tips on purchasing a rotary => Topic started by: od404 on October 05, 2007, 03:40:30 PM

Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 05, 2007, 03:40:30 PM
Hi all,
 
I\'m currently looking for an RX7 to purchase and although initially I was looking to import a car, I didn\'t want to put all my eggs in one basket (so to speak).  So I\'ve been looking at adverts for cars in this country for a 7, preferably standard and in black and with a budget of about £8k.  
 
I\'ve come across http://pistonheads.com/sales/246216.htm (http://pistonheads.com/sales/246216.htm) and was wondering if you guys (being more experienced with these cars than me) had any opinions or advice to give me?  And if anyone here knows the car then that would be even better (but a bit of a long shot).
 
Thanks
 
Steve
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: elford_tim on October 05, 2007, 04:13:54 PM
Looks like a reasonably nice car (although I think the price is a bit on the high side). I\'d want to see a compression test with very good compression for that kind of money, and a wad of receipts from a reputable specialist.

All in all you buy FDs on condition, not on age.
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: lockwood77 on October 05, 2007, 04:31:15 PM
Unless you want a 96+ car, I don\'t think you\'ll need 8 grand.

I know you said preferably standard (for insurance reasons?), but if you aren\'t restricted to unmodified cars, this looks like excellent value to me: http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43337

If you want to do modifications yourself, my recommendation is to buy a car with as many done already as possible, it\'ll save you a fortune! ;)
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 05, 2007, 04:45:39 PM
Quote from: lockwood77Unless you want a 96+ car, I don\'t think you\'ll need 8 grand.
 
I know you said preferably standard (for insurance reasons?), but if you aren\'t restricted to unmodified cars, this looks like excellent value to me: http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43337 (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43337)
 
If you want to do modifications yourself, my recommendation is to buy a car with as many done already as possible, it\'ll save you a fortune! ;)

Unfortunately its insurance that is holding me back from a modded car right now, although I can get away with some mods, just nothing that increases the power by too much.
 
Can\'t view the link you posted as I\'m not a fully paid up member yet (guessing that\'s the reason?).
 
@elford_tim:  If you think the price is a bit high, what would you have said it should go for?  I\'m not adverse to a bit of bartering, but not really knowing the car and market as well as most on here it\'s hard for me to put a figure on it.
 
Cheers for the replies so far guys :)
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: elford_tim on October 05, 2007, 05:04:52 PM
Well, put it this way - my (black) FD came from a well-known UK rotary specialist with a brand-new rebuild. It\'s a \'92 and possibly not as nice as the one in the pictures (but I guess I could make it look as good) and if I\'d taken it bog-standard, I would have paid 5k for it.

The car above may or may not need a rebuild in the near future (hence the comment about the compression test) and it looks like a private sale.

If it is as nice as it looks like in the pictures and have very good compression, I\'d say 4.5k-5k is what I\'d consider it to be "worth". It\'s possibly worth 5.5k but only from a trader with a decent warranty backup that would cover an engine rebuild and is a bit longer than the time it takes you to reach the end of said trader\'s driveway.
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: johnf on October 05, 2007, 05:05:05 PM
As Elford Tim says and I\'m sure most would agree the \'what it\'s worth\' would hinge round the engine condition. compression etc.

So if you don\'t want any possible suprises I\'d pay to have an indepndant specialist give it the once over - or say you\'ll pay the asking price [assuming you\'re happy with that] if he pays for the report.

I see you\'re in Daventry so I can\'t think of any local specialist except Hurley in Coventry

Good luck


John
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: thetera on October 09, 2007, 06:44:47 PM
As said the price depends on the compression test - if its 7.5s or more then I\'d say offer 5200 and put the rest in an ISA for WHEN the engine goes pop ;)
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: johnf on October 09, 2007, 08:51:13 PM
od404

Go the extra bit and buy mine

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43416
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: tomotadahira on October 09, 2007, 09:50:39 PM
I\'m selling mine soon mate. Details to go up soon, looks much like what you are after. Mail me if you like on   fc3smaniac@googlemail.com
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 09, 2007, 10:07:52 PM
Thanks again for the replies.  I\'m still deliberating as it seems I can get away with some mods on my insurance after having a good chat with them.
 
John, can\'t view the link (again I think because I\'m not a fully paid up member yet).
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 09, 2007, 10:27:39 PM
Actually to expand on "deliberating!, I\'ve been speaking to the owner of this car http://pistonheads.com/sales/257959.htm (http://pistonheads.com/sales/257959.htm)
 
Seems a better deal to me, and seeing as I can actually get insured on it (and for a reasonable price) I\'m begining to consider it, but I\'ll gladly consider the offers you guys have made (Lockwood, John and Tomotadahira).  
 
If you want email me the details to stephen.garrett AT gmail.com
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: rico2k_uk on October 09, 2007, 10:57:08 PM
i have a UK spec rx7 for sale - mucho cheapness in insurance compared to japs ;)

has had only a few mods ;)
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 09, 2007, 11:10:55 PM
Send me some details then :)
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: rico2k_uk on October 09, 2007, 11:12:59 PM
np.. whats your email addy?
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: interloper393 on October 09, 2007, 11:50:37 PM
thats about as far as u cn go on twins lol.. thought u wanted a standard one :P.. n wheres this been hiding, im in wishal a fair bit n never seen it :S
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 10, 2007, 08:36:13 AM
Rico: my Addy is stephen.garrett AT gmail.com
 
Interloper: Originally I was looking at a standard car, but having re-spoken to my current insurers I managed to get their quote down to a point where I could justify.
 
Power-wise that\'s about as far as I\'d want to go for the moment anyway.
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: thetera on October 10, 2007, 12:13:25 PM
Quote from: od404Actually to expand on "deliberating!, I\'ve been speaking to the owner of this car http://pistonheads.com/sales/257959.htm (http://pistonheads.com/sales/257959.htm)
 
Seems a better deal to me, and seeing as I can actually get insured on it (and for a reasonable price) I\'m begining to consider it, but I\'ll gladly consider the offers you guys have made (Lockwood, John and Tomotadahira).
 
If you want email me the details to stephen.garrett AT gmail.com

That seems like a really good one, especially as it has a street-ported engine and some nice parts fitted, I\'d go for that one personally :yes
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: lockwood77 on October 10, 2007, 12:19:54 PM
That\'s the one I linked to on here. Not sure why you can\'t see For Sale threads?
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 10, 2007, 02:20:19 PM
Quote from: lockwood77That\'s the one I linked to on here. Not sure why you can\'t see For Sale threads?

Ahh right, well that gives me even more confidence in the car then.  I\'m hoping to go see it in a weeks time.  Fingers crossed everything is in order :)
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: AussieRXFan on October 15, 2007, 04:09:21 PM
Hey mate, I am in the exact same position with insurance etc being from OZ. Anyway the first car you posted from piston heads, i actually checked it out a couple of weeks ago and it seemed fine but as others have said maybe a bit too much for a stock RX. It has been well looked after though and the dude that owns it was pretty cool. The second RX for £7k is a better deal if u have the cash. I have also been interested in that one, but insurance wouldnt touch me and its too far from london. All the best, btw i think ive found my new car, just have to make the deal and it will do the job. Cheers
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: johnf on October 15, 2007, 11:47:48 PM
John, can\'t view the link (again I think because I\'m not a fully paid up member yet).

Try this

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/262699.htm
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: od404 on October 30, 2007, 09:08:25 AM
Quote from: od404Actually to expand on "deliberating!, I\'ve been speaking to the owner of this car http://pistonheads.com/sales/257959.htm (http://pistonheads.com/sales/257959.htm)
 
Seems a better deal to me, and seeing as I can actually get insured on it (and for a reasonable price) I\'m begining to consider it, but I\'ll gladly consider the offers you guys have made (Lockwood, John and Tomotadahira).  
 
If you want email me the details to stephen.garrett AT gmail.com

A little update...

Two weeks ago, I travelled up to Scotland to view the car and finally ended up buying it :rolleyes:

All I can say is WOW, the whole package is so smooth and really puts my tracked out Civic to shame. :3gears-rh

 I couldn\'t be happier
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: Martiny on October 31, 2007, 04:06:03 PM
Hey, congratulations, welcome to Rotary ownership.

Enjoy the car !!
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: cjle17 on November 01, 2007, 05:52:20 PM
I actually have another stock black 1993 FD being rebuilt by Hayward Rotary, in really top notch condition that will be available for sale towards the end of November once the rebuild is complete.

If one of you guys is interested, the rebuild is commencing next week and the engine can be built up stock or with a street port to suit the new owners requirements.

Please PM or email for further details.

Regards

James
Title: Opinions and Advice on a car...
Post by: Mobilemick on November 10, 2007, 08:12:29 PM
FC on ebay finishing soon :) :)


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120178694025&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=002