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Trade-Ins & Negative EquityDiscussionCommunity Starter

1993 Mazda RX-7 — trade has positive equity — apply it or take the money?

BoxerMechanicish467Community StarterFeb 13, 20261993 Mazda RX-7 TouringCalifornia
1993 Mazda RX-7 Touring, about 250,000 miles. My trade is worth more than the payoff. I am deciding whether to use the equity in the next purchase or keep the transactions separate. What are the practical pros and cons? I am in California. What would you check next?
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21 replies

WeekendPilot706Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
I would start here: I would not send a deposit before I have seen the 1993 Mazda RX-7 and the title situation.
BoxerMechanicish467Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
Update from me — I asked for a buyer’s order and finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines.
PistonDaily680Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
Small add: a written buyer’s order is worth more than a phone promise on a 1993 Mazda RX-7.
RoadHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
Before you spend money, keep sale price, trade, and financing on separate lines so a “good payment” cannot hide a worse car price.
PistonDaily680Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
If it were mine, get insurance quotes before you fall in love with the 1993 Mazda RX-7 — that flipped a deal for me in California.
BoxerMechanicish467Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
OP update: I got two more quotes in writing for the 1993 Mazda RX-7 and the OTD gap is bigger than the advertised prices suggested.
CleanDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
I would start here: I would not send a deposit before I have seen the 1993 Mazda RX-7 and the title situation. That is from a 1993 Mazda RX-7 in California, so take the climate with a grain of salt.
SunBeltGarage401Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
I would start here: get insurance quotes before you fall in love with the 1993 Mazda RX-7 — that flipped a deal for me in California.
GarageMechanicish119Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
If it were mine, get insurance quotes before you fall in love with the 1993 Mazda RX-7 — that flipped a deal for me in California. That is from a 1993 Mazda RX-7 in California, so take the climate with a grain of salt.
BrakeDIYerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
Before you spend money, keep sale price, trade, and financing on separate lines so a “good payment” cannot hide a worse car price. That is from a 1993 Mazda RX-7 in California, so take the climate with a grain of salt.
PistonDaily680Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
I would not stop there. if one piece of the deal looks too good, look at add-ons, doc fees, and rate.
BoxerMechanicish467Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
OP here. I am still looking, but I am waiting on the inspection notes before I send any money.
PistonDaily680Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
One thing that mattered for me: keep sale price, trade, and financing on separate lines so a “good payment” cannot hide a worse car price.
SunBeltGarage401Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 14, 2026permalink
If it were mine, get insurance quotes before you fall in love with the 1993 Mazda RX-7 — that flipped a deal for me in California. That is from a 1993 Mazda RX-7 in California, so take the climate with a grain of salt. Happy to compare notes if your setup differs.
SunBeltGarage401Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
I would start here: if one piece of the deal looks too good, look at add-ons, doc fees, and rate.
HighwayGuy68Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 16, 2026permalink
I would not stop there. I would not send a deposit before I have seen the 1993 Mazda RX-7 and the title situation.
CleanDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
If it were mine, if one piece of the deal looks too good, look at add-ons, doc fees, and rate.
GarageMechanicish119Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
One thing that mattered for me: a written buyer’s order is worth more than a phone promise on a 1993 Mazda RX-7.
GarageMechanicish119Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
Before you spend money, compare the out-the-door number on the 1993 Mazda RX-7, not the monthly payment.
RoadHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 15, 2026permalink
One thing that mattered for me: compare the out-the-door number on the 1993 Mazda RX-7, not the monthly payment.
TrackMechanicish862Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 16, 2026permalink
Fair, but a written buyer’s order is worth more than a phone promise on a 1993 Mazda RX-7.
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