My son's girlfriend needed some cash for school and decided to give up her 1982 RX-7. It was hergrandmother's (so rarely driven) and she took it when she started college. She used it as a daily driver, until about a year ago, when she traded it to me for tuition. I've been storing it in my garage, thinking she would come back for it, but it seems she's moved on. Is there a market for these cars? Should I shine it up & put more miles on it myself? (It has only 68,000 miles now) It runs fine, has some minor crunching in on a rear wheer well where she mis-judged a garage door, and the paint is kind of tired-looking.Do nothing& sell, fix it up & sell, fix it up & drive? Take it to a Mazda dealer for a tune-up? (hoses, etc. must be kind of old) It had the original tires on it when she started driving it in 2003. Nice shape inside, some cracking & peeling of the door vinyl. And how do I know if it's a CoupeS, GSL, or Gran Coupe??It's kind of cute, but I don't know that I would drive it much. I drive a stick & this is an automatic; also not having power steering is something I'd have to get used to. Any wisdom would be appreciated!

 

Hi sashas_mom. Welcome.
I'm sorry that noone has gotten back to you thus far regarding your question. I myself havebeen rather busy trying to "clean up" this site, so I apologize forme.

I'm sure there's a market for this car as it sounds like a great fixer-upper. Somebody will want it to restore... and as you describe it, it wouldn't be that hard for someone knowledgeable about these cars. Only drawback is the auto, imo.
As they say, the better it looks, the more it'll sell for. A Mazda dealer (or any kind of dealer) is probably not where you want to take this car.
I would clean it up as best you can, make it shine, then make a list of all your concerns and have your favorite, trusted mechanic look it over, then post it on Craig's List, and/or eBay motors.

Just my.02.

 

ya know you could always change it from an automatic to a standard. costs a bit but well worth it if you love stick. id say restore it lol. would be a beautiful car once its done. get someone to do it. may cost alot but if your wanting to sell it you will get ALOT more then you paid to restore it. depending on how well the restoration looks afterwards

 

The car wouldnever be worth what it would cost to have someone else "do it."It would have to be a labor of love. BUT,someone might buy it with the intention and knowledge of restoring it themselves andend up w/a really nice car in the end.
I think to point is moot anyway. I'm not sure sashas_mom will be back. Too bad.

 

Hi all! My objective was to find out if this is a car that a non-tinkerer could drive regularly without worry, or if I need to have a network of buddies on speed-dial who stock & install impossible-to-find parts. The car runs fine & looks passable, but it is 26 years old. Thanks!

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Ah!! Proven wrong again... thankfully!!
Hey, Welcome back sashas_mom!!
Oh, so YOU want to drive it? I think I and the others here were under the impression you wanted it to go to a good home.
That's a nice lookin' 1st gen RX-7!!
To answer your question w/my "opinion" as you said, it is 26yrs old. It's liable to need things soonr than later.
Would I drive it for the fun of it? Hell ya'!! Drive it until it begins to give you problems. Then either learn how to fix it, or if you don't have the $$ or the interest, sell it.

Nice lookin' car though.