A friend cued me in about an 85 GSL-SE for sale that was coming through the shop he worked at for some work (idk what though) and I got to check it out. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN. NO rust at all, except a minor spot of surface rust in the bin area. Now, it has 105k on it, and I was wondering how long the 13B would hold up as a daily driver. My dad wants to get it because of its condition (very good to excellent) and price: $2000. five speed, all options, GSL-SE. How long would it last? It seems to have been taken very good care of.

 

I have a 13B with > 200,000 kms on it, still going strong. Regular oil changes help a great deal. $2,000 for an SE well cared for is an excellent deal.

 

N/A Rotaries last a good 200k when taken care of....some have lasted 300k. 1st gen rx-7's are the most reliable out of the 3 generations and you BETTER BUY IT if its in damn good condition and only 2K.

 

2k for a clean 100k mile se is a good deal.
if it has been taken care of there is no reason that motor wont last 200-300k.
one of the very best motors mazda ever built, imo.

 

eh.... i personally think the 12A used in the series 1 thru 3 RX-7's are the best motors mazda ever built....But i am talking based purely on a BIASED opinion and not on facts lol

 

There is a 13B SE motor with over 400,000 miles in Las Vegas

 

Haha, well I was just wondering because my dad who is normally opposed to any sports car is actually kind of...excited about this car. I wanted to know the reliability factor on it. I also have two other leads, one on a nicely modified, extremely clean '85 GS, and an 87 GXL, modified also. The GSL-SE is the cheapest of the three, so that will play a role in my decision. My car got wrecked and I have about $4,000 to get a car with, so I'm looking at FC and FB's.

 

notice how i did not say it was the very best.

 

LOL!




but back o the thread starter....GET THE CAR DAMMIT!!! AND POST SOME PICS OF HER!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET OWNING AN FB! Maybe an FC (**cough...cough...CHEAP PLASTIC INTERIOR...cough...cough**....damn cough lol) but for sure not an fb

 

As soon as the insurance check comes through...ahhh, finally. a real car to drive. Not some FWD econobox (96 Accord) but a real, true car.

 

yea fc's suck!!!

 

from what ive seen, the SE's 13bs last about 180-190k on average. some go more, some go less, just depends on how well taken care of they are. As far as daily drivers, if your has been upkept well, then should provide as a great daily. Just keep up on all of your fluids, oil changes, ect, and you will be good to go.

PICTURES PLEASE!!

 

Buy it! That's a good deal. If I saw one like that I'd buy it, even tho I have too many cars already.

 

The GSL-SE has the longest life rotary engine Mazda has ever built. Of course the only thing you can make such statements about is averages, but 250k is not unusual for a well maintained SE engine. You can have good luck or bad luck with any of them.

The reason for the long life is that the 84-85 SE engines are the first rotaries with oil injection directly into the chambers, and the last rotaries with the 3mm apex seals. Later engines have the direct oil injection, but use the thinner apex seals, which are less robust. I know some rebuilders who machine out the later model rotors to install the 3 mm apex seals.

The fact is that rotaries are less tolerant to low oil level or overtemp conditions than most piston engines.

As for the price, I paid $1500 for a 1984 GSL with a dead motor, but it was in exceptional condition and had only 60k miles - I think it was a good deal. You would spend more than that to have a high quality interior restoration.

As for the FCs, I would not want to own one if I can have a nice FB. The FC is more complex and heavier. The FB has much better visibility in all directions, which I think is important driving in traffic.

 

Besides the engine reliability factor, realize that the car is exceptionally easy to work on compared to newer cars. I have both a 93 Toyota Camry and an 01 Dodge Neon... BOTH are always a nightmare to try to fix anything on it. In the event you have issues with the RX-7, the simplicity of the car makes it very easy for a lot of shadetree mechanics to fix themselves.

As long as you are religious about taking care of the motor, running certain oils and being overly cautious about maintenance the motor can and probably will last a very long time. My SE is at 247k miles and running very strong. I do oil changes every 2k miles with Castrol GTX 20/50, half quart of marvel mystery oil and run K&N oil filter, flush the coolant yearly etc. Every year I also run some seafoam to clean out that carbon buildup. I'm probably being overly **** about it but so far the car's motor has run flawlessly since I got it. The only thing I HAD to do was replace a clutch pilot bearing and I did that by myself with a crappy little jack and a set of sockets. Realize the car is 20 years old though and other parts will probably wear out while you own it.

I would say, for the money you are getting a good car and a GREAT RX-7

 

GET IT! at $2000 it is a steal! i got my SE for $800 and it had lots of rust and average mileage. Get it! you will regret it if you dont, rust free FBs are very rare

 

I am lucky-I am looking at two rust free ones right now. As soon as I can get pics, I'll post up. I'm checking out the 85 GS tommorrow afternoon. That one's been fairly modified, but I am 100% sure on its condition. I have to call the GSL-SE's owner but he is out of town until the 2nd. I might be able to get a pic because it's in a fenced area right up the street (the shop it's at) but I'll see. It's silver with the original rims. I have no reason not to believe it's been taken care of.

 

Good finds. Stay away from the FC. They're like the unholy spawn of a Ford EXP and a Porsche 944. and they won't be as fondly remembered or collected as the SA/FB before them or the FD after them.

Seen any old mid to late 70's Mustang II's around lately? That's what I'm talking about.

 

This is the GS I am looking at to buy tommorrow. http://www.cardomain.com/id/31rx7

 

i am planning on buying a 1985 Rx7. r there any major mechanical problems with the engine? i need to kno soon cuz the guy will give it to me for $1,200.

 

What? But if you want to know generalities, the 12A is reliable if taken care of. check for rust!

 

I spent 2 years looking for a clean Se before I found one. And that was about 11 years ago. It had 90k on it when I got it, I sold it last year with over 165k on it and it still ran strong. My present Se that I picked up just recently has 181k on it.
The compression was 120PSI front and rear. I just took it for a drive early this morning and got back a couple hours ago. I put over 550 miles on it and it ran like a swiss clock.

If you have a choice between a Se and a GS, there is no choice but the Se.
The Gs has rear drum brakes on it without a limited slip diff. A 12a motor with alittle over a 100HP. 13 inch wheels with the 4X110 bolt pattern that is hard to get wheels for.
The Se has a motor with 135HP. 14 inch wheels with a 4X114.3 bolt pattern that there are alot more wheel choices. It has 4 wheel disc brakes and brakes that are larger then any of the 1st gens. It has a limited slip diff. If it has the P/s on it, it is a speed sensitive steering system. And it comes standard with all the bells and whistles. It has the front mount oil cooler verus the beehive questionable oil cooler. It is the Cadillac of 1st gen Rx7's.

 

Well, an LSD has been put into the GS. DCOE, no OMP (premix) various mods, etc, etc. I would like the GSL-SE but want to drive both before doing anything.

 

I'm not going to slam you that hard because you just joined the forum. But this is called thread jacking You need to start your own thread. And patience is needed in buying a car. Make the seller sweat alittle.

 

You could add every option there is to the GS. You can even put the Se suspension under it. But in the end it is still a GS, not a GSL-SE