Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats.

- Insert BS here (https://www.miataturbo.net/insert-bs-here-4/)

- - 1991 RX7 *Free* (https://www.miataturbo.net/insert-bs-here-4/1991-rx7-%2Afree%2A-33685/)

Should I bother taking it? A mechanic here at work has it sitting in his backyard. He changed the radiator in it 5 years ago and the owner got deported. He drives it around once in a while, but has yet to file lean on it. Dent free, sun roof, non-turbo, 5 speed, has power everything. Doesn't smoke or use water, and it starts up pretty fast. Our mechanic was going to crush the car and use the engine for a sand rail.

I'd take it in a heartbeat. But that's a given.

Why wouldn't you want it if its free? Especially if it runs and sounds like its in good shape.

If you have the space I say take it before someone else does.

Ill come take it off your hands.

No lean = no title. Make sure your paperwork is in order if you take it.
--Alex

Lien.

Anyway, you don't have to have a title to make it a track car. ;) But really, paperwork can be taken care of, filed, etc. Doesn't stop you from getting it.

*edit* Here's some further information for California:

Quote:

To conduct a lien sale
If the car in question is valued at $4000 or less, and is on your property, you may be able to conduct a lien sale in order to get the title to the vehicle. Since, in essence you have been storing the car, you have a claim against the owner, which is what a lien sale is all about.

Get the correct form. In California the form is INF 1126 (Registration Information Request for Lien Sale).

The DMV will send you the complete vehicle history report for you with any registered or legal owner(s) of record, and known interested parties, like, for example, banks that may have loaned the owner money to buy the vehicle, or local parking offices who may be due monies for unpaid parking tickets.
At least 31 days, but no more than 41 days before the sale date, fill out and submit Form 668, Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued $4,000 or Less.

You must send this form by registered mail to the address on the form.
Anybody, including the owner, can oppose a lien sale. If your lien sale is opposed it will all go to court.

The original owner will then have to pay to release the vehicle, and then sell it to you in the regular way, by transferring the title.

On the sale date, the vehicle must be available for inspection at least one hour prior to the sale. A lien sale is a public auction so anyone may appear and bid. Sealed bids are not allowed.

If you get no buyer the car may be yours.

Complete the Certification of Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 168A) showing you as both the buyer and seller.

Remove and destroy the license plates on the vehicle.

Within five days ((Vehicle Code §5900)), submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form to the DMV. You will need the following information:
A description of the vehicle or vessel including the vehicle license plate or vessel CF number.
The vehicle identification number or vessel hull number (VIN number).
The vehicle make or vessel builder.
The model year.
New owner's name and address.
Vehicle odometer reading as of the sale or transfer date
Date of sale
Seller's or lessee's name and address
Once you receive approval you must register and title the car in your name for the legal transfer to be complete.

Get him to sell it to you for $1.

that is the only thing that has my held up is the lien. We don't know if the original owner ever made it back to the states or not. Plus not knowing if a 91 RX7 is really worth it.

A friend recently had the paper work handled for an old VW by a company in Las Vegas. He wrote out a bill of sell to them, and they got the title in Nevada. Then they "sold" him back the car for their service fee which I want to say was less than $150. He took it to the county, and they titled and registered it in Texas just like they would with any other car. I can get the name of the company if you like.

Disclaimer: I don't know how legal this is, but I assume since it was trouble free there isn't a problem. My uncle said hotrodders use services like this all the time to get titles for old cars.

If you can move it, take it.

The only time I'd ever turn down any free sports car -regardless of legal condition- is if:

a.) couldn't move it

b.) couldn't store it

I'd take it just for the backstory. "The previous owner was deported" should set up a theme that would work nicely at a LeMons event. :D Wouldn't even have to worry about trivialities such as title or registration.

I was offered a free RX-7 with a similar background... no title. I couldn't justify getting it and putting time and money into getting it running without the possibility of titling it. I don't have a tow vehicle or a good place to store it outside of my garage so I passed. Cheap RX-7's are pretty common, so I figure I can always get another one with less legal hassles.

A $1 sports car wouldn't be a bad start for a GRM $20xx challenge either.

My instructor at my last HPDE drove a gutted, caged, and turbo'ed '91 RX-7. It got around the track pretty quickly. The FC tends to get overshadowed by the sheer awesomeness of the FD, but they have potential.

If you decide not to take it, then get it anyway and give it to me!!

I'd LEAP on that. Free is free. You could part it and scrap what you don't need.