I've seen a few reliable Alphas, but they all had mechanics as owners. I drove Rabbits for many years, and would still be now were it not for bad mechanics. Driving a Honda Civic Si now. Hopefully it won't need a mechanic for a long time! Tows the 17 very nicely, and handles better in the rain than any other car I've driven, including Subarus and Jeeps. Jake, a friend just got a 1980 RX7 with 47K original miles. It still looks like it could be on the showroom floor. Any idea about what a fair price would be?
Hmmm...not really. I've not stayed in close touch with the Rx-7 community for about 7 years. I bought my GSL-SE (the only 1st generation body style with the fuel injected 13B engine, limited slip dif, and four wheel disc brakes) for a steal at $2000 - probably worth $5k. I would say with 47k and the right buyer an '80 is probably worth $3000? But then again...I was never a fan of the rear bumper and tail light combo that they ran up until the 81 model...maybe it's worth more. Say, I'm getting rid of the two I have here - one has many performance items on it that would be applicable to your buddies '80...both are mostly parts cars. One engine will probably run well. The other is carbon locked (likely rebuildable). I put myself through college rebuilding rotary engines in my own
shade-tree
shop.
No but I did own a Range Rover. <img src=
alt=
/> While it never let me down it was the most anxiety creating thing I've ever owned. Went a lot better with a much modded Ozy 4.5l P76 but the transmission was a disaster.
I agree the TF was a great car but my preference is for the earlier TC. Much more tradition and possibly the most raced car of all time.
Is that a TC? Berny, it looks more like a TD (model between the TC and the TF), except that it has wire spoke wheels (added?) and all the TD's came
as standard
with
solid
steel wheels. It has the
tapered
to the grille bonnet similar (but slightly different as the TF sloped from the windscreen down to the grille as well as from the doors into the grille on the sides, completely unlike the straight bonnet of the TC) but the TF also had the headlights set into and part of the front fenders. This one has "stand alone” headlights like the TD and TC. I can only repeat, the TF was (and still is) the greatest “chick magnet” ever made (who cares about racing when you can draw any chick you like?)
1.8T is a gas engine. I don't think the diesel is 1.8L... maybe 2.0L?
I'm not worried about the power of the engine, but the power of my brakes. When I do a lot of towing I tend to go through pads pretty quickly.
Jake is real close, for the 1980 RX-7, the S top price is $3,200, a GS $3,400. Owned a '79 GS-SE, nice cars Brian, real performers, 51/49 weight distribution (gas hog too). Things that go wrong at 40 to 50K, fuel pump (electric), distibutor plate (that the points mount on), and brakes. What a breeze to work on though, excellent engineering.
I will admit that I've always been too chicken to go faster than 65 or so while pulling the boat. I imagine passing a tractor-trailer and watching in the rear view mirror as the boat goes airborne as it hits the wind shadow of the tractor. I have a vivid imagination that keeps me at 65.
My brother had an RX-7 with the 13B. Nice car. I considered buying the new one but the styling is a little too rice for my taste.
Darryl,
Agree on the TF.
Regards,
Phill
It's a TC, my bro's first car. That's him at the wheel circa '55.
I towed my H16 home from the beach while a hurricane was coming ashore. It was flying a hull -er, wheel- all the way down the causeway!