want to buy a 1st gen.. questions/ideas
02-14-13, 01:00 AM
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want to buy a 1st gen.. questions/ideas
New to the forum, probably gonna get hate for this, but i litterally just joined.
So basically i want to buy an rx7, & had a few questions
1. I don't know which model to get. insurance is an issue, as i need to find a job, but i need a car to get me back and forth to school every day.
2. is insurance expensive on them? I'm 16, living in new mexico, but it could be under my moms name because i know that will make it alot cheaper. driving record is clean.
3. are they expensive to maintain? :/
any help is appriciated.
So basically i want to buy an rx7, & had a few questions
1. I don't know which model to get. insurance is an issue, as i need to find a job, but i need a car to get me back and forth to school every day.
2. is insurance expensive on them? I'm 16, living in new mexico, but it could be under my moms name because i know that will make it alot cheaper. driving record is clean.
3. are they expensive to maintain? :/
any help is appriciated.
02-14-13, 01:07 AM
#2
Sin City Rotary
They are older like another car and how the prevous owner took care of it will impact how much fixing you end up doing ....
Last edited by 13x; 02-14-13 at 01:11 AM.
02-14-13, 01:16 AM
#3
1. In a nut shell, the more letters in the name the higher end the car. S < GS < GSL < GSL-SE. S and GS are more the basic carbureted and rear drum brake models, GSL is still carb'd, but has rear disc brakes and a LSD, GSL-SE is the top end w/ a fuel injected 13B, more common wheel bolt pattern, bigger rear disc brakes...
2. Insurance is pretty much the same as a similarly aged car, regardless of vehicle type. When i switch my insurance between vehicles for summer and winter, it cost the same whether its an 89 Toyota Camry or my 82 Rx-7
3. All depends on you own ability to do your own work. Just like with every vehicle, the more stuff you can properly do yourself, the cheaper it will be overall to maintain. The only difference between an Rx-7 and anything else is that w/ a Rx-7 its more crucial to regularly check oil level. Other than that maybe a little more little things will need to be taken care of/or may fail or wear out just due to the vehicle age (the newest 1st gen rx7 you will find is still 28 years old)
2. Insurance is pretty much the same as a similarly aged car, regardless of vehicle type. When i switch my insurance between vehicles for summer and winter, it cost the same whether its an 89 Toyota Camry or my 82 Rx-7
3. All depends on you own ability to do your own work. Just like with every vehicle, the more stuff you can properly do yourself, the cheaper it will be overall to maintain. The only difference between an Rx-7 and anything else is that w/ a Rx-7 its more crucial to regularly check oil level. Other than that maybe a little more little things will need to be taken care of/or may fail or wear out just due to the vehicle age (the newest 1st gen rx7 you will find is still 28 years old)
02-14-13, 01:22 AM
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1. In a nut shell, the more letters in the name the higher end the car. S < GS < GSL < GSL-SE. S and GS are more the basic carbureted and rear drum brake models, GSL is still carb'd, but has rear disc brakes and a LSD, GSL-SE is the top end w/ a fuel injected 13B, more common wheel bolt pattern, bigger rear disc brakes...
2. Insurance is pretty much the same as a similarly aged car, regardless of vehicle type. When i switch my insurance between vehicles for summer and winter, it cost the same whether its an 89 Toyota Camry or my 82 Rx-7
3. All depends on you own ability to do your own work. Just like with every vehicle, the more stuff you can properly do yourself, the cheaper it will be overall to maintain. The only difference between an Rx-7 and anything else is that w/ a Rx-7 its more crucial to regularly check oil level. Other than that maybe a little more little things will need to be taken care of/or may fail or wear out just due to the vehicle age (the newest 1st gen rx7 you will find is still 28 years old)
2. Insurance is pretty much the same as a similarly aged car, regardless of vehicle type. When i switch my insurance between vehicles for summer and winter, it cost the same whether its an 89 Toyota Camry or my 82 Rx-7
3. All depends on you own ability to do your own work. Just like with every vehicle, the more stuff you can properly do yourself, the cheaper it will be overall to maintain. The only difference between an Rx-7 and anything else is that w/ a Rx-7 its more crucial to regularly check oil level. Other than that maybe a little more little things will need to be taken care of/or may fail or wear out just due to the vehicle age (the newest 1st gen rx7 you will find is still 28 years old)
thing is i don't know anything about rotarys, i suppose i'll have to get some help with that part if something fails.
really appriciate the help.
02-14-13, 06:36 AM
#5
Waffles - hmmm good
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If your expecting a 30+ year old car to be a DD, your going to be constantly disappointed.
Expect to spend a several hundered dollars if you find a nice example replacing all the rubber
parts (I mean all), refurbing fuel sender, fuel pump, ignition, carburetor. Replacing shocks and
tires. Maybe doing the exhaust as well. If you do this all upfront then it might be a decent DD.
If not expect to not drive it often and risk being stranded on a regular basis.
I know I just painted a pretty sad picture but lets face it, these are old cars and need a lot
of attention usually because they have sat or had issues that forced them off the road.
Any model would be fine but the newest is probably your best bet, 85.
Insurance for any 16 year old is going to be expensive even for an old sports car.
No more expensive that any other 30 year old car. Parts are fairly easy to get and not too
expensive but its not as cheap as an old chevy or honda.
Expect to spend a several hundered dollars if you find a nice example replacing all the rubber
parts (I mean all), refurbing fuel sender, fuel pump, ignition, carburetor. Replacing shocks and
tires. Maybe doing the exhaust as well. If you do this all upfront then it might be a decent DD.
If not expect to not drive it often and risk being stranded on a regular basis.
I know I just painted a pretty sad picture but lets face it, these are old cars and need a lot
of attention usually because they have sat or had issues that forced them off the road.
Any model would be fine but the newest is probably your best bet, 85.
Insurance for any 16 year old is going to be expensive even for an old sports car.
No more expensive that any other 30 year old car. Parts are fairly easy to get and not too
expensive but its not as cheap as an old chevy or honda.
02-14-13, 03:43 PM
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it helps to have some mechanical aptitude, or problem solving skills, when mechanics open the hood and see a rotary engine, they turn into stone.
the 1st gen is one of the most reliable cars Mazda has ever made, but they are all really old. i DD'd a number of 1st gens from 1993-2005, and i miss it, they are a lot of fun.
as alternatives, the Miata, is the next best car Mazda built, and its newer, and parts were cheaper to start with.
the Rx8 is worth a look too, its got a bad reputation, although its not actually true. it is fun in the same way as the 1st gen too, but everything is better, except the mileage
the FC is too complex, and needs too much work to get running right, and its not as fun as the 1st gen once you do get it running.
the FD is fun in a straight line, and nice to look at, but other than that its lame, boring, and incredibly expensive.
the 1st gen is one of the most reliable cars Mazda has ever made, but they are all really old. i DD'd a number of 1st gens from 1993-2005, and i miss it, they are a lot of fun.
as alternatives, the Miata, is the next best car Mazda built, and its newer, and parts were cheaper to start with.
the Rx8 is worth a look too, its got a bad reputation, although its not actually true. it is fun in the same way as the 1st gen too, but everything is better, except the mileage
the FC is too complex, and needs too much work to get running right, and its not as fun as the 1st gen once you do get it running.
the FD is fun in a straight line, and nice to look at, but other than that its lame, boring, and incredibly expensive.
02-14-13, 03:52 PM
#7
^fuuny, cause the only cars a certain designer at mazda designed, were only the SA/FB Rx-7 and the NA/NB Mx-5/Roadster/Miata (both came from the same person, strange huh?
of all the RWD mazda's ide ever want to own/work on/drive would be a S2 FB or a 1st or 2nd gen Miata
of all the RWD mazda's ide ever want to own/work on/drive would be a S2 FB or a 1st or 2nd gen Miata
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02-16-13, 08:17 AM
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i mean it all varies on the car, these are all broad assumptions, i bought my 85 gsl for $500 from the original owner after it had been in storage for 12 years. got it home that night poured some oil down the carb and it started right up, after a new fuel tank, pump, filters, carb rebuild i was on the road. (had the owner stored the car properly the car i wouldnt have had this issue) this set me back about $150, i got it registered and inspected, insurance for me 21 yr old is about $60 and not an issue.
i since replaced the tires and all the hydraulics, mind you over the course of a couple years. (although those two i would recommend doing right away ive had calipers lock up and clutch master fall on its face both luckily in my driveway).
i daily my car every day, recently had to take my dad to and from work everyday in downtown houston traffic and was getting about 19 mpg. (no my math is not off, the car is completely stock. and that wasnt on the highway)
all in all every car is different, i havent even put what i paid for the car back into the car yet and ive been driving it since 2009. there out there you just have to find the "right" one and be smart about replacing some old stuff that will fail eventually or wait for it to fail. which the same could be said about car thats on the road. GL
it running well and being structurally sound are youre main concerns anything else is simple car knowledge, and carries over.
i since replaced the tires and all the hydraulics, mind you over the course of a couple years. (although those two i would recommend doing right away ive had calipers lock up and clutch master fall on its face both luckily in my driveway).
i daily my car every day, recently had to take my dad to and from work everyday in downtown houston traffic and was getting about 19 mpg. (no my math is not off, the car is completely stock. and that wasnt on the highway)
all in all every car is different, i havent even put what i paid for the car back into the car yet and ive been driving it since 2009. there out there you just have to find the "right" one and be smart about replacing some old stuff that will fail eventually or wait for it to fail. which the same could be said about car thats on the road. GL
it running well and being structurally sound are youre main concerns anything else is simple car knowledge, and carries over.
02-17-13, 04:36 AM
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i mean it all varies on the car, these are all broad assumptions, i bought my 85 gsl for $500 from the original owner after it had been in storage for 12 years. got it home that night poured some oil down the carb and it started right up, after a new fuel tank, pump, filters, carb rebuild i was on the road. (had the owner stored the car properly the car i wouldnt have had this issue) this set me back about $150, i got it registered and inspected, insurance for me 21 yr old is about $60 and not an issue.
i since replaced the tires and all the hydraulics, mind you over the course of a couple years. (although those two i would recommend doing right away ive had calipers lock up and clutch master fall on its face both luckily in my driveway).
i daily my car every day, recently had to take my dad to and from work everyday in downtown houston traffic and was getting about 19 mpg. (no my math is not off, the car is completely stock. and that wasnt on the highway)
all in all every car is different, i havent even put what i paid for the car back into the car yet and ive been driving it since 2009. there out there you just have to find the "right" one and be smart about replacing some old stuff that will fail eventually or wait for it to fail. which the same could be said about car thats on the road. GL it running well and being structurally sound are youre main concerns anything else is simple car knowledge, and carries over.
i since replaced the tires and all the hydraulics, mind you over the course of a couple years. (although those two i would recommend doing right away ive had calipers lock up and clutch master fall on its face both luckily in my driveway).
i daily my car every day, recently had to take my dad to and from work everyday in downtown houston traffic and was getting about 19 mpg. (no my math is not off, the car is completely stock. and that wasnt on the highway)
all in all every car is different, i havent even put what i paid for the car back into the car yet and ive been driving it since 2009. there out there you just have to find the "right" one and be smart about replacing some old stuff that will fail eventually or wait for it to fail. which the same could be said about car thats on the road. GL
it running well and being structurally sound are youre main concerns anything else is simple car knowledge, and carries over.
02-17-13, 07:42 AM
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I'm only 19 and I DD my 85 GS. I got it a few years ago when i turned 16 and have been driving it since. I have NEVER had anything fail on me while i was driving it (careful preventative maintenance helps achieve this). Be prepared to spend some money, buying the cheapest part will not cut it with these things. Getting frustrated is a typical affair as well, a lot of the parts for these cars are discontinued and are hard to come by. Also working on them can sometimes be a pain depending on how much rust the car has. And if where you live is anything like around here, Mechanics run away from these things. They are practically afraid of the damn things. After all of that though, you will love it. Nothing beats driving these cars. Just my 2 cents.
02-17-13, 02:37 PM
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for some reason the normal aftermarket parts in the 90's were completely useless.
02-17-13, 02:38 PM
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^fuuny, cause the only cars a certain designer at mazda designed, were only the SA/FB Rx-7 and the NA/NB Mx-5/Roadster/Miata (both came from the same person, strange huh?
of all the RWD mazda's ide ever want to own/work on/drive would be a S2 FB or a 1st or 2nd gen Miata
of all the RWD mazda's ide ever want to own/work on/drive would be a S2 FB or a 1st or 2nd gen Miata
02-18-13, 10:42 PM
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Insurance is always more for 16 year olds especially on a sports car. If it's modified they might not even cover any claims so consider not hitting anything and save the crazy driving for the track or autocross
02-18-13, 11:11 PM
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but modifications make rates higher? or just claims you're liable for
02-21-13, 08:48 PM
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My insurance says they won't cover claims if my car has been modified. So basically my insurance is just to show the police if I get pulled over. I don't know the legalities of all that.
On another note when getting your first gen. try to avoid rust...makes thing real tough when you go to try and start replacing things. Rusty bolts snapping off etc..Try and get the cleanest car your $ can afford, don't be impatient something nice for the right price will come along and the longer you can hold out the more you'll have to put in.
Patience and scrutiny are your best virtues in purchasing a classic vehicle on a budget
On another note when getting your first gen. try to avoid rust...makes thing real tough when you go to try and start replacing things. Rusty bolts snapping off etc..Try and get the cleanest car your $ can afford, don't be impatient something nice for the right price will come along and the longer you can hold out the more you'll have to put in.
Patience and scrutiny are your best virtues in purchasing a classic vehicle on a budget
Last edited by Adam12A; 02-21-13 at 08:51 PM.
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