Glazedham42

I ran across a local car lot today just doing my usual looking around, and much to my surprise the guy is selling an 87' Rex. It looks a little beat up on the inside, some of the upholstery is ripped and stuff, and it has this ugly wood mazdaspeed shift ****.

Anyway, the car has roughly 130K, brake pedal travel of like 2 feet, and an exhaust leak. He replaced the rear tires which were, as he put it, "slicker than a peeled onion." You've gotta love those Indiana hicks.

The car does have a nice Mazdaspeed spoiler, a sunroof, and the guy did put two new tires on. I guess my question is, would the car be worth $1500? It has obviously been run hard as the back tires were bald, and the fronts were perfect. The engine sounds like it is sputtering when it warms up, but maybe it's supposed to. I know nothing about rotaries. Could it also be because of the exhuast problems? I'm looking for sort of a project car, or maybe something that I could improve and resell for profit.

Anyone know how I can find out what model this thing is? I know there's a coupe, a luxury coupe, SE coupe, sport coupe, GXL coupe, and turbo coupe, but I don't know how to tell the difference. Blue book is like $2800 if I've picked the right model.

Also does anyone know what insurance on that @#$% would be? I'm almost 19, so I imagine that it would be outrageous right? I've also considered an MX-3, would the ins. company consider this a sports car, if it was the v6?

Glazedham42

This is pretty close to what the one I've found looks like... My find might even be a little worse....

Glazedham42

This is almost identical to what I found..... Minus the queer and the ugly giant spoiler....

Makaveli

Okay that was funny

but seriously, the car that you're talking about is NOT worth 1500 from the way that you described it. Maybe a 1000 flat if you're looking to keep it for fun, but it'll be hard to repair it and still make money on top of it.....

good luck

Esquire

One of the major problems with rotary engines is that they wear quickly. Considering the miles on the car and the fact that you say it's "sputtering", then the engine would probaly need a major tune up(I have no idea how much it would cost for a rotary engine, or what would be done.). But... if you can get the price down a couple hundred and you're looking for a good project car, then I say go for it.

But ultimately it's your decision.

VagaBond-X

basically it would need a rebuild...I've seen alot of FC's last longer than 130k...but depending on how hard the car was beat up on while driving...who knows....oh and if its the Turbo II, then there should be a nice hood scoop on the hood. unless some got an aftermarket hood, with a hood scoop...and no turbo...or you can pop the hood and right at tp of the engine should be the Turbo II intercooler...

but a Turbo II won't be selling for that low...unless the motors and turbo is dead

but looks like an alright deal if you can get it a couple of hundred lower

THEGOLDPRO

the problem with rotary engines over 100k is the apex seals blow on them, i know because i owned a 1986 rx7 same modle. you can tell the trim level by the rims on it, if the car has power windows, or even the electronic suspension. a little button near the shifter. if its a base its probably a gxl. no power, no sport suspension, and defentually no turbo, i would say an rx7 in that shape is worth 600 bucks. high miles, ripped seats exhaust leak. and not to mention the bald tires. pretty good sigh of a hard driven car. in my opinion i wouldent buy it from a dealer, cause they try to rape you reguardless. buy private you have a better chance to bargin with the guy.

UCSBgeek

Anybody an mx-3 owner here? What about the insurance costs? Those cars are cute

Glazedham42

Yeah, that's what I wanna know, 'cause I've really been thinking about getting one. I really like them, but I'm afraid the insurance would consider it a sports car and jack up my rates. Anyone know how the insurance companies classify cars, and judge what type of rates to run for them??

Bomber

I was looking at buying a MX3 before I bought my Protege. I found out that the car is a little tight for the leg room. If you have anyone who is 5' 10" or bigger it would be a chore for them to fit in. At least that is what I think. Just my 2 cents.

semtex

there are ALOT of mx-3 owners in my general area and they all look rounf my age (16-19) and everyone has a part time job, so i would assume that the insurance might not be that bad, but considering a 2 door u never know, call ur insurance company and just ask them theyll tell you what you wanna know.

EZ as 123

LOL, right on !!