Hey guys, im a kid (16) and thinking about getting an rx-7 project car. i already have a car that i can get around it so i dont want a daily. i dont have a ton of money so i was think of getting a broken one. although i know a cheap rx-7 will almost all the time have a broken apex seal. although i wont be getting one in the near future i want to know if i shouldn't go with a broken engine. how hard would it be to remove the engine out of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen, although i dont think ill be able to get a 3rd gen for cheap? can yall give me some guidness? should i get a rx-7 with a broken apex seal or start out with a cheap piston type car (like an mx5 or something like that)

 

I didn't even have my own car at 16. If you have a car already how much more do you want?

 

I'm not sure what exactly your asking, so... 1st up, sounds like you like RX7's. Cool, me too. So since you're a young dude with little money should you get one with a broken motor, and just find a used motor somewhere to swap in. Or just get a Miata.

Is that about right? Well if you really want an RX7, that you might be able to find parts for when it breaks,.... hmm thats tough. Maybe an FC (2nd gen).

If you want a 3rd gen and your a teenager, you better be a trust fund kid.

And if you're OCD and want to spend the next 10 years on a wild scavenger hunt for parts, then the 1st gen's the ticket.

But if you want something fun to drive on a high school budget and easy to get parts for, then yes.... a 10 yo 100k mile VW GTI is the car for you.

 

Maxwedge is right on the money. Getting an RX-7 with a bad engine isn't the same as getting a Honda or VW or any mass produced car with a bad engine. You can't just go to any pick-n-pull and get parts. At one time this was true for an RX-7 but not any more. Getting a running RX-7 is still cheaper.

Now, some might flame me for this, but if you're adventurous and know your way around engines and cars, then a piston engine swap might be fun. It's still going to cost some money though.

I've been building my RX-7 for the last 20 years. Almost done. I have the money, my excuse is my laziness.

 

Truth. Many of the regulars here, with 10, 20, 30 years experience in RX7's are "still building" their cars. These cars are more difficult to get parts for, and find experienced mechanics for, than just about anything else you could afford. You'd be better off (on a high school budget) with a more modern "hot hatch" type car. I love RX's but there's a lot more bang for the buck in a GTI, WRX, Civic si, 350z, Miata, etc w/ 100k for $3000- $5000.

Instead of an RX7 with a bad motor, that'll sit next to your parents garage for the next 10 years.

Vroom Vroom!

 

thanks to all who responded to this post. i got the answer that i didnt want to hear but expected. to answer some questions i have a hand-me-down from my mom that i drive to school, i want a cheap car that i can toy around with, build my mechanical skills and not be afraid to abuse it a little. i so so sad with i could join this community but i might have to wait until i actually have a self supporting job. thanks for all the feedback

 

i have had Rx7's since i was 18, and i think they are good starter cars. they are simple, easy to work on. the cars are picky, and parts are interesting, if you let them, the car will teach you to be smarter and a better mechanic
its also not the car where you just replace stuff until your problem is fixed, you need to actually diagnose stuff, which is a very useful skill in real life. if you want a car where you just throw parts at it, the E30 BMW is a good choice.

as far as mechanical stuff, here are some of the records for some jobs
engine pull: 15 minutes
transmission removal 30 minutes
drive car into stall, pull engine, rebuild engine, put back, drive car out: 11 hours

 

At 16, new to cars, you were setting those records? I don't think so...

Point is, in this day and age, a 35yo car built with obsolete parts and requiring specialized knowledge and a wealth of mechanical experience to keep running is going to be an albatross around his neck.

Reading some into his situation, he just needs reliable transportation that won't break his 16yo budget. We all admire his choice to look at Rx7s, but we were all a LOT younger back then, and there were more parts available and cars and owners out there driving them...

 

Howdy, I’m 17, and currently own a first gen. I would advise against it unless you are ok working a lot and really love the car. I was mechanically knowledgeable before the car, fixing 2 strokes and having basic manufacturing/machining skills. Insurance is not cheap, since it’s an old 2 door sports car insured to practically a kid. Maintenance is very important, and you need to instantly be ready to drop 1k plus if the engine goes wrong. I completely pay for everything on the car, but luckily have reliable transportation other than the rx7. If you want to though, learn to do your own labor and stay motivated. I payed for the clutch to be put in, and I’m now realizing I could have done a lot more by myself with that money.

 

of course not. the point was that these cars are easy.

 

These cars ARE EASY. However, finding parts is not. I'd say go for something easier, just because of your age and experience. It's a real downer to learn a skill, go to apply it and you can't because all the parts are dried up and now the car is sitting til you find parts.... I'm young and eager to gain the knowledge and skillsets too, but when I saw an RX7 and I saw the rotary engine running it, I fell head over heels and knew THAT is exactly what I want..... Now I'm no noob either, Dad and I have built a couple trucks, a blazer and a full blown show car lowrider, all chevy. So i think you should evaluate your skills, interests, and more important desire to own an old car. ie. what car, why that car, can I benefit from sed car, can sed car benefit from me.....

 

I completely agree that the car is mechanically simple and easy to work on. But you cut your teeth on them when they were new and parts were easy to find. I learned the same way on Escorts, Rabbits and Rangers in the late 80's. When you could buy anything, new or reman, right off the shelf at the dealer or (usually) Napa.

But now that our cars are 35-40 years old, and you can't even get rebuilt calipers, It would be a totally different case for this young man.. Thats why I recommended something more modern (but still used and cheap) like 10yo VW or Subaru. Parts are still plentiful and cheap, and he can learn all about brake work, oil and filter changes, master cylinder replacements etc etc....

You know as well as anyone the lengths you go through to restore and repair these cars. You need a community of fellow enthusiasts, and a lot of time searching and waiting, to find parts and restore them. He'd have an infinitely easier time restoring a '65 Mustang or '67 Camaro. And even easier with a 2005 GTI. Vroom vroom, easy easy, cheap cheap. Spend his time and money on girls and life instead of an old man hobby car.

 

I must agree with the bit several people stated about 7s being easy but not finding parts. I have bought 3 ignition switches for an SA and have had to send 3 back because they sent me an FB ignition switch 3 times. Did find an SA ignition switch this morning though came with a parts car. You'll want a few of those if you get an RX-7.
i have two 79s and an 80 between the two running cars my one parts SA isn't enough for either one of other cars