'86 RX7 GLX 94k miles $1,500 good?

[Braves]

I work @ an infiniti dealership and there was a dark grey '86 Mazda RX-7 GLX with 94k miles (5 speed) brought in from a trade-in. Dealership paid 1.1k, i was told i could get it for 1.5k. The guy has all the papers, it's in excellent condition except for a worn car bra on the front (hopefully i can take that off) and a couple minor scratches on the bottom of the back bumper. Also, how would this affect my insurance rates? If my dad put his name on the car, how much of a hit would my insurance rates take, being i'm 16 and the car is a coupe. Thx for any info

 

[UberDave]

I don't really like the earlier models of the rx-7. However, sounds like a good price? Be careful about that engine.

 

[Braves]

i'm not looking to drive this car hard, i'm a beginner at stick shifting and I basically just want this as transportation to and from school. I'm not looking to race or push the car to it's limits =/

 

[shaddow]

Seems like a good deal, depending on what state you live in, insurance rates for teenagers vary but i would expect insurance
to be fairly high for that car. 94k for a car that is 16 yrs old is really good........

 

[thedarkwolf]

Its an okay deal. Do a search on autotrader for your area and see how many other from around that year go for $1500. I was considering a turbo model but I also look at the n/a models just for the hell of it and see a lot for around $1500 near me.

 

[goodoptics]

I wouldn't personally touch anything with a rotary engine in it, proned to be problematic.

 

[Cyberian]

Try to look at the old ROs, and see if the apex seals were ever changed and if so, when.

And the dealer you work for is gonna whack you $400 for doing nothing to the car? Nice dealership!

 

[mithrandir2001]

Buy a mountain bike.

The $1500 for the car won't kill you. The insurance, maintanence and repairs will.

 

[Braves]

haha i had no idea that rotary engines tend to die at 100k miles. I just knew the RX7 was a performance car and it had less miles then my parents car and looked okay so I thought it was a great deal I guess i'll continue my search

 

[Peetoeng]

Since you work there, ask the mechanics to do compression test. 2nd Gen (86-91) RX-7 is prone to flooding problem due to fuel injection leak. It's rather rare to find mechanics that'd rebuild rx-7 engine and it will cost you $1500. But if the compression test is ok and no flooding problem, it seems reasonable price, not a great price tho.

There are plenty rx-7 afficianado sites. Google google!

 

[Vette73]

What was the last year for the Carb. RX-7, because if it is Carb. RUN. F/I is ok though, if taken care of.
A shop I worked at had one of those, RX-7, in for work and we traced it back to a bad carb and it was a freaking arm and leg at the dealership.

But find out about the seals, and how well the motor is (compression test!!)