What to do?(classic Mazda content)

Hey guys,

I have never posted on the classic side of the site before,but here goes.

I currently own a nice solid 74 Mazda REPU(rotory engine pickup) that I have had for 6+ years,and enjoy very much. My 6 year old son loves the truck as much as I do,and I dream of possibly someday restoring it with his help along with his 2 year old brother. Lately though I have been contemplating selling it. Not because I want to,or need to,but because we as a family cannot enjoy the truck. It only seats two people,and to me that isn't fair to either one of them. My thoughts so far have been to find an old Pre-RX-7 rotary car with a rear seat(preferably a wagon),and sell the truck,but I am really having a hard time parting with the truck mainly because I know how solid it is,and I amnot sure I can find a coupe/sedan/wagon of that vintage in the same shape in my budget range($5-6k).

I have found a few cars I like,but one of them isn't my favorite body style(1978 RX-5 Cosmo),and the other(1976 RX-4 coupe)is in really bad need of paint,and is in Colorado(I am in MA). I don't mind doing work on a car,but with two young kids,wife,career,and big mortgage I don't have a lot of time/money to get into a complete project. I know if I decided to restore the truck it would get a bit time/money consuming,but I already have a solid base that is known. On the other hand though I know even when I am done with the truck if I decide to restore it I still can't enjoy it as a whole family unit. What would you guys do?

I am not married to the idea of a classic Mazda,but it is my first choice. I like wagons for some odd reason,and ultimate performance is not my top priority. I want something different,cool,but not ultra odd. I would rather a car that isn't a total project like I said,but I am not afaraid of getting a bit dirty. My requirements are rear-wheel drive,and manual transmission,or easily tranformed to manual if it is auto.

My friend who is into Triupmhs is trying to get me to buy a Triumph Stag,but I don't like their styling,and I have never been a British car fan. I like 70-80's Japanese styling. Any input on this would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Chris

74 REPU Stella Green 79 RX-7 GS Spark Yellow

http://web.mac.com/cdirado/iWeb/Diradosite/74-REPU.html

We discussed this on the board a month or two ago. Tom (who has two kids) and I (no kids) have also discussed this same topic at the office. Personally, I'd vote for the family-friendly classic. Share the hobby with the family.

For some Japanese classics that seat four, how about a Datsun 510, early Celica or Corolla, or early Civic? A Mazda RX-2, 3 or 4 could also be cool. Some of these cars are getting hard to find, but they're still out there.

By the way, I hate to vote against the truck. I just think it's nice to get the family involved.

I am sorry if this was covered,you can remove the thread if you want.

No, I'm totally cool with opening another thread on the topic. (Overbearing message board moderators are a pet peeve of mine.) I just meant that it seems to be a common question.

Also, what about a Mini? They're big in Japan, even though they're not Japanese.

What ever you do it sounds like you should check out japanesenostalgiccar.com they have a

really nice site for nostalgic stuff... Im not saying leave here!!! stay w/us it would be cool to see pics of your ro pick up here too. I just posted a pic in readers rides of my new parts chaser...

I have been to JNC,and I am a member. Part of my problem also is my location. Massachusetts is not a hot bed of classic japanese cars if you catch my drift. I was lucky to find my RX-7 local,but it is really an oddity in this region to have a car like it survive un-restored.

If you are really, really, really lucky, you may be able to find a RX-3 wagon. One of the local Hispanic drag racers did a pretty nice restoration on one. For what it may cost to buy a clean one from out west and ship it, it may still be worth doing. There simply aren't any left around here as you know. This is the only RX-3 of any kind I've seen in 20+ years.

I have a '92 Toyota pickup "farm truck" (actually, my daily driver right now). Great little truck - 30 MPG, reasonably quick, hauls just enough, and can kill a deer at 45 MPH :() I was looking for a little wagon before I bought the truck since I thought I would want things inside. Now that I have the truck I am really glad that I do.

My vote is, of course, keep the truck! But I also understand practicality. I have no kids, just two dogs, so a little pick up works for me.

I would vote for a Datsun 510 (?) wagon. I like the boxy style of that car. But one of the best wagons I have ever owned was a Volvo 145... not fast, not quick, but a tank that ran and ran and ran usually with several bikes on top and camping gear in the back.

I would imagine a MAJOR reason why Ma. is not a hotbed of classic Japanese cars is the RUST factor. Frankly, I'm surprized you own a REPU. My brother owned one (he lives near Philly) and rust was a problem, tho his truck eventually died of bad seals (I guess he didn't know any good Mazda specialists). Living in a state where rust is not a problem, I have seen RX-4s (wagons and sedans...no coupes) in the past, but all have gone to that happy parking lot in the sky. Findng an RX-5 Cosmo may be problematic in the extreme. A dealer that is north of you (in Canada) may be able to help. Silkroadautos.com has a varied selection of Japanese vehicles (from sports cars to minivans to SUVs) and what they don't have they will get. Importing something Japanese from Canada may be tricky, but you might want to look into it. Their inventory had a late model Cosmo, up until a few months ago (they may still have it) and if the idea is scary, looking at their inventory is fun....even if you never buy. How about a Mitsubishi Delica minivan, set up for offroading with AWD and DIESEL powered?

That dealer in Canada is a wee bit far away from me,and I am not sure importing a car from Japan through Canada is in the budget. The Cosmo they have is great,and I would love to own it,but importing a car that new would be tough to do in my opinion. If it was over 25 years old then it wouldn't be an issue,but that one is only 18 years old.

My REPU has survived manily because it was a southern truck(GA),and it has lived its life with me in a garage away from the snow,and the salt. I know someday if I do sell the truck that I will regret it,but I can't keep both it,my RX-7,and a new car financially,or space wise in the garage.

Those vans that silkroad sells are very cool,and tempting,but again importing,and paying those prices are not going to happen.

I guess maybe I have been a bit spoiled by getting my RX-7 the way you see it short of the wheels,and tires for $2000 from the original owner,and the REPU for a good deal as well the way you see it. Maybe finding another car like that is impossible,but that is what I would like.

Ultimately it is your hobby car/truck. My guess is that you want to keep it. So keep it and restore it as a family project when the time comes. Work out the family driving needs some other way.

Cheers Ron

Yep... Silkroads looks liek a decent dealer with some neat stuff... but you'll notice all of the vehicles are at least 15 years old, and thus fall under Canada's 15-year rule vs. the 25 year rule here in the states.

Still... almost tempting to buy one of those cool Skylines, leave it there and go visit it a couple of tiems a year until it turns 25...

How rare is a Datsun 510 Wagon? I assume they made them as wagons,right? Is there anything to look out for in old Datsuns aside from the obvious rust?

The hardest thing about a 510 is finding a good example. It seems like they all disappeared a few years ago.

Suburu brat rear jump seat with seat belts ?

Yeah they made a 510 wagon. That's what I learned to drive in.

I like the Subaru Brat,but I like the 1st generation one,and they are really rare it seems. I am not sure I could get away with a two year old in the rear seat though,and I might get away with my 6 year old,but he is small.

510 wagons are occasionally unearthed. Since they were used mostly as mommy or grandma grocery getters they didn't get the abuse of the sedans so may have survived longer. The wagon does not, however, have the independent rear suspension of the sedan.

That's interesting. Does the wagon run leaf springs?

Back on topic, I will suggest a Datsun 260Z 2+2, or an 80's 280zx 2+2. Only downside is that they do look a tad awkward in coupe form; much prettier as two seaters.

Here is one that is local to me and I would be more then willing to go check it out for you.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/861119371.html

A little high $$$$ I think... it has been for sale a few months. I think a 5K offer brings it home.

Or this gem out of NYC..... http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/834675388.html

One pretty ride.

I have spoken with the guy who owns the RX-4 Wagon in the Bronx,and it sounds like it was just a polished up turd,but I could be wrong. The paint looks pretty decent,but from talking to the seller it sort of turned me off.

I have seen that RX-3 for sale on CL for a while,and I agree it is too high on the price,and I don't dig the hood scoops.

There is a 74 RX-4 in Gettysburg,PA right now on ebay that looks decent without an engine,but that is easy enouh to fix. Anyone in the Gettysburg,PA area want to look at a car for me?

Chris

What about a Datsun 710? Is it a car that there are no parts available? Is it a real dog? There is a 74 710 coupe on fleabay right now that is local to me,and looks clean,but I have no knowledge of any Datsun's.

Chris

The light blue one? If so, wow. I don't know if I have ever seen one that nice.

Thats the one. Clean unit,eh? Are these models to avoid? How lame is an automatic in a small 4 cylinder car like that? Is the price way out of wack?

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I saw one for sale. It's neat and unique, but I'd wonder how much demand there will be when you want to sell it. That might be my biggest concern.