The Rx-3. You can easily drive it for a while as a classic beater and if the body bothers you too much flip it for at least (probably more) than you paid.
The Rx-3. You can easily drive it for a while as a classic beater and if the body bothers you too much flip it for at least (probably more) than you paid.
I DD a BMW with the passengerside floor being made up of rust and carpet.. I vote RX3
RX3 by a mile.
Based on the response, if you get the RX-3, drive it for a bit and then decide to sell it, there are at least 3 people here who would give you $1500 for it.
Hey guys, thanks for all the advice. I've been thinking about this pretty much non-stop since last night, but I decided to let this one go. I just can't give this car the time it deserves right now and don't really need another beater even if it is super cool, rare and fun.
If you guys are still interested, you can check out the listing here: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3088056247.html
Keep in mind the body really does need LOTS of work. Also, I called the owner back today and he said he has another buyer lined up for the weekend since I didn't want it, so don't be too surprised if you don't hear back from him.
1978 Mazda Rx-3 SP - $1000 (Marietta)
Date: 2012-06-19, 4:10PM EDT
1978 Mazda Rx-3 SP, body rough (no rust), but runs GOOD:
8,500 rpm six-port motor; professionally rebuilt 5-speed transmission, 10,000 miles ago; new tires.
Lots of extra parts, including:
5 alternators, 5 starter motors, 3 carbs for parts, extra transmission for parts, plus much other misc parts.
I bought a car from Georgia once that was "all rusted out". Rust was some color on the corners (note: it still had corners) and a pencil eraser sized hole in one of the fenders that had clean metal all around it.
I don't fathom how a body could be rough but not rusty, as long as the car is still car-shaped.
Is the RX-3 orange?
In reply to Knurled:
I wrote a little in my 1st post on this thread; basically a pretty good amount of accident damage.
In reply to Mazdax605:
Yeah orange with the black vinyl graphics from the SP package.
So....
It looks like I am buying this. I hate spending half the purchase price of the car on gas but what can you do?
Damn I just got pics of it Greg!!!! Looks pretty ratty, but I still want it. If you pass let me know.
It does look pretty rough but I think I can make it work alright. So far finding parts appears to be a giant PITA but we shall see. Might make it to the challenge but will certainly be an "also ran".
Fortunately I am heading to Atlanta for the weekend to visit my friends at Garage Zero and hitting up the Coke Museum so I wont have to claim most of that mileage on my challenge budget.
Sniped!
Congrats on the buy, and now it's official:
Saw that this week. The only thing that stopped me from snatching it up was the pair of Porsches I have eating up project storage. For what it's worth, the car is worth double that (easy) in parts.
In reply to Greg Voth:
Yeah finding parts was the big problem that really stopped me too. I was going to get in touch with some contacts I have at Downing Atlanta and see if they still had any fiberglass molds from Jim Downing's RX-3s. Then I decided I really didn't need another huge project...
Here is a picture. It doesn't show the worst side which is the passenger front corner. Don't fret I will get the stripe package back on the side.
I have a lead on some fiberglass fenders and a hood down in Miami. The car comes with early model chrome bumpers. I am more worried about finding the front valence, light buckets, and bumper filler piece.
Any leads would be appreciated.
Awesome! I would totally buy that in a second for $1000.
Me too
Problem is I am going to be $2000 in the car by the time I get it and register it down here. That and I already have way too many cars.
Nice buy!
I was about to suggest trying Australia for parts...but RX3 stuff is going for silly-money on Ebay.
500 bucks for a grille? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mazda-RX3-12A-Front-Grill-Grille-Chrome-/280897783768?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4166d007d8#ht_1208wt_710 
...$200 for light surrounds, if you get desperate. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAZDA-RX3-PLASTIC-HEAD-LIGHT-SURROUNDS-set-2-/251088009439?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7602f8df#ht_2174wt_698
Holy crap. That is awesome!!!! And running?
Wow it IS pretty scruffy,, but sooooo much potential. Do want.
In reply to Greg Voth:
I am so glad you are buying cause once I saw that picture. I was considering calling to buy it.
I did contact them, congrats Greg, hope to see it in July.
Nice score. Looks rough but the price is right. Rockauto and ebay have a lot of the grubby bits for cheap. EXCEPT for the front brake rotors - those seem impossible to find so make sure not to warp them. Pads and such are dirt cheap though. Occasionally trim bits will show up on http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/forum
Thanks guys. I have been picking around trying to find parts. Not too much available for uncrazy prices.
I called the guys this morning on the fiberglass parts. Looks like my cheapest way into fenders. Might be able to sell or trade the hood off for the other pieces I need.
I understand that I can swap the front stuff over to 1st. gen stuff for brakes and what not. I might do that since I have an abundance of 1st. gen stuff laying around.
The 1st generation Rx-7 struts change the geometry a bit from what I remember. Or would have for my earlier style 808 anyway.
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