quantum18

I'm of the opinion that you get what you pay for and 4100 isn't out of line for a great RX-7. I think a lot of people on here would be upset with the price that I paid for my car (4900). Yet I've had it since April and had nothing but fun driving it. The only difference is mine isn't a daily driver, it never sees the bad weather and will be garaged through the winter. Even though my 7 sits the majority of the time all it takes is a turn of the key to the on position and a pull of the choke and then start and VRRRRROOOOOMM! A local import mechanic who works mainly on VW's, MG's, Porshes, Volvos, and the ocasional Aston Martin said that she would rather get a 12a engine, because although she doesn't have much experience with rotary enines she had a SE come in and had a terrible time getting it running properly becuase the injectors were bad. That's the only time I've ever heard anything bad about the -SEs. Generally they're the most coveted of the 1st generation RX-7s. That's all I've got and Good Luck.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

I highly recommend the 1st generation rx7s. I got my first one about two years ago and drove it more than 30,000 miles before it got rearended a few weeks ago. I got a good, quick settlement ($3,800 for a stock 84 GSL in good shape) and about two weeks ago bought another, this one an 85 GSL in almost as good shape ($1,600 on ebay). The two cars are perfect compliments, all the same accessories, both with brown leather interiors, so they function well as parts cars for each other. So while I'm driving the 85 I'll restore the 84 and go back and forth as needed (in fact I recommend having more than one RX7!) I drive it to work every day, more than 100 miles round trip, and just got back from a trip to Florida to visit my folks (800 miles round trip). Remember, this car is new to me, but I have a lot of confidence in the 7, in good repair they are extremely reliable. Could say lots of other good things, like it's fun doing the auto mechanics and easy to learn how to fix things, especially with the help of the forum community (I'm a biochem professor, rather inept at car mechanics, but if they'll accept me, they'll accept anyone). So you get the idea. Go for it, if you haven't already!

Ray

MRGSL-SE

I got an 85 GSL-SE my brother's friend gave it to me last year with about 163k on it and now the car has 168k and still runs strong... i've done things here and there... it did died once on me... BUT it was
MY FAULT... I did something to the trottle body and about 3 months pass by without a hitch... then i drove her hard without letting her warm up and poof she just died, but woke up after 20 mins. later... I reversed what i did and now runs strong as ever again...

THAT GSL-SE you found should be a keeper... if you got the $$$ go for it... its not easy to find one...

carsaregood

thanks for all the great replies everyone! unfortunately, i was too late with this car, as i received an email from the now ex-owner informing me that it has already been sold...

but that's ok.. i'll find another one, its a good thing afterall, i'll get more time to think about it, learn more about the car, etc.

i was also looking into getting a datsun 510... they are smog exempt!! that's a huge plus... but anyway thanks again everyone, i've been a member of this forum for less than a day and already its been very very informative. i'm definitely sold on these 1st gens.

Tmann26

I drive mine everyday, even in the ice and snow, talk about fun. Goind down the highway at 55, punching the gas, and getting squirrly is what it's all about. Since the day I bought the car, she's done nothing but purr like a kitten, until I hammer down and she roars like a lion.

'85 GSL 302

I drive mine and it's great. In my experience NA Rotory motors are VERY relyable as long as you maintain them properly. I have seen over 10 12a's with 250,000 miles and still going strong. The worst ones burn a little oil and thats it. Our clubs race car has 210,000 with the last 30,000 nothing but pure race miles and it runs awesomely. Provided this car is in good shape, and starts right up, doesn't burn much oil, it'll take care of you. As for the price, unless it's in MINT condition I'd talk them down. It's not worth that much uless it's completly flawless IMO.

Hey Tmann26, imaging your car with 2.5 times the horsepower and 3 times the torque. Now THAT'S fun to drive in the snow.

pratch

My present woes notwithstanding, I have much love for my 85 GSL as a daily driver. The TII seats, a nice stereo system (only 100W, but small cabin permits nice, clear loud sound), glass sunroof...

It's just a joy to drive. Mechanical secondaries, free-flowing performance exhaust... I just love my car. When I'm driving it, it's great. I get looks, compliments, and even though I'm married I get plenty of "those looks" too Until I had engine problems, I had a reliable car that I've owned for over a decade now. If everything moves forward as possible (get freelance jobs this month) I'll probably just buy a new engine and "reset the clock" as it were and have a decade of fun to come

bliffle

I tell my wife that when you own an old car you've only got a half car, so you need two! That way you have one to drive and one to fix.

I had a bendix failure the other day on the 85, so I drove the 83 'til I got time and stuff together to prop the car up and go underneath and replace the bendix lowcurrent lead. Saved a towing fee and a lift fee.

B

yety1

My first car when I came to Ca. in 1995 was a 1984 gsl-se that cost me 900.00 plus tax and license. it had 105 k at that time, My SE have a 1/4 millon miles on the odometer and still runnin like a champ ( my nightmare is every 2 years for the smog check) you probably are not gonna believe it but I have now 4 rx7 2 1984 1 1985 and 1 1982. The SE has been stolen twice and once vandalized and sent to a tow truck yard, and all of them the car come back to me ( the 1st one in pretty bad shape, The sob's were having a party on the car and wrecked it, the police found a lot of bottles of spirits on the floor) the 1982 was a bargain on e-bay i got it for 300.00 since it was damaged on the front end it just need hood, bumper, headlights, fenders, valance and brackets. I've been using my past 3 weekends working on it. the 1985 is my DD and I love it, couple nights ago, coming from LA to Orange County a 2000 an something SUV was racing me!!!! yes it was kind of tailgating me. and provoking to race him. and guess what?? the rx 7 with more than 18 years on the body and 159k on the odometer fully stock and zero modifications beat the bully ( I was afraid of the Highway Patrol's finest) this cars are like girls, they are so delicate and sometimes temperamental, cause you don't know what is going on with them, rotary entusiast are a very special croop we are something apart I think.
My daughter is into the rx7 scene and she is only 3 years old she said the her car is the 1984 GS auto. cause there are inside of the car her favorite toys like Dora the explorer and Scobby Doo. this one is very special cause is a mix of sporty sensation and the comfort of the a regular sedan, sometimes I think I'm driving the gsl std and I'm making shifts. is also fully stock with a lot of upgrades for my parts bin, like a premium ( even when it's an old clarion) sound system. and electric windows. originally it came with a radio only and manual windows. unfortunatly It did not pass the smog check so I' workin on it, gathering info from the forum trying to get some input and find out what can I do to fix the car.
anyway hope you get the point. beauty is on the eye of the beholder and for me this cars are awesome (even when mazda did not use the best materials)

HMSS013

I have no ambition to drive anything else... I've driven MANY cars in my life (and im still young) and nothing feels like an FB. It responds. My drummer friend (and his "double-pedal" feet) mest around with the accelerator and you can clearly define every touch. The pickup is INSANE. I have FEW problems with my Rex and, when its all said and done, I always park with a smile. Piston engines feel "far away". Like your not really driving the car in comparison. With rotors... GOOD rotors... its like for that moment... its an extention of you.... and you cant F*%$ with that.

BrianHeston

My only complaint about the Rx7 as a DD is the gas mileage.

I bought my '82 GSL for $500 + Tax & License back in May last year. It had just shy of 78K on the clock then and just over 90 on her now.

Here's a true testament to the reliability of the rotary: My car sat at least 4 years before I bought her, then with the help of some friends I spent about a month getting her running. She ran with a rusty gas tank that caused me to change the fuel filter about every thousand miles, until about a month ago. And now for the part that may get me killed: I didn't change the oil when I got her, and I still haven't.

I know, I'm a lazy bastard. And that this is straight admission of rotary abuse, but she still runs as strong as the day we got here running, if not stronger.

That, my friend, is a reliable car.

Begin the onslaught of "How dare you" now...
Brian Heston

Cloud

The mileage isn't great - my mildly modded 82 is getting 21 mpg right now, but my old stock 85 gsl got 25 mpg pretty easily.

Reliability is amazing.

Ease of upgrading, excellent.

Comfort sucks (be honest...it's not designed to be a commuter), but I could care less - I'm more than willing to live with a firm, taut RX7 ride over a tuna-can-SUV.

The prices should be cheap. I have less than 2500 in my DD 82, and it has a LOT of aftermarket stuff on it and is close to "done" to many people. (not to me, though - the stockport motor is nowhere near powerful enough)

Get a clean first gen, and you'll love it. It may not be the perfect DD to some people...but to many of us, we wouldn't give up our rexes for ANY other car.

BadAssRX-7

i loved my 83 l.e as a daily driver, ok on gas, fun to drive, eazy to maintain. not as fun as the bike but then again bikes arent made 4 snow,rain, and bumper to bumper summer traffic and you can get a lot of **** into a 1st gen. lets see odd things i have had in mine... a dish washer(2 times) huge computer desh broken down... i had to keep a arm on it so it didnt fall out the hatch... it was not centered in the car so i had to hold it down in 2 deers( white tail) yes at the same time... doe and a button or a 10 pointer with head out the hatch so the tint didnt get trashed(oh the looks i got going down the road. you can hual with a fb... the hitchs are hard to find but u can tow with them. i have a 4x8 box trailer i moved from denver to Atl in had all my crap...stoped in ohio for a reunion and loaded a 16 hp john deere lawn mower in it. i figure 2500 or a little less and i got writen proof even with a trailer a foot taller than my car and almost the same weight you can hit 3 digets..... dammit.... for a while my 81 gsl was all i needed its a non greese truck. now i do have a truck but its slow and handles like a tank so i miss the 7....dam i need to finish this t2 swap

jimtesla

85 GSl-SE here........

I drive only when its clear no rain..... So its usually all the time......Mine is white with red interior.......Leather..

When it is 100 plus the ac works great......Got a solution for you guys.......I replaced my cracked windshield.......and had it tinted before I put it back in.....Like all the high end BMW's and Mercedes........

It is a really big difference........Stays alot cooler......and the glare is greatly reduced.......as well as the lights at night.........

I have a 1999 Intrepid with 200hp of comfort as my back up.........but I will pick my SE anytime for the fun factor.......I love taking the longer way to work and all canyon routes............

Hands down great Daily Driver........ask the 5.0 clown on the Santa Suzzana Pass yesterday.......when we got to the dual lane section I went right around him.....my car drives great in the corners......He gave me a thumbs up....when he fiannaly caught up to me.........traffic..........

I have sooooooooo much fun in my stock set up........

Get the SE...........

Jim

Mr_Rx7_Au

HOW DARE YOU.........

bliffle

I've got 3 so I always have one on the road. Today I drive the 85GSL: AC works good and it's peppier since I replaced the cat and 6 months of MMO. The blue 83 needs a factory thermostat which comes in tomorrow, and the red83 needs a smog check, which I'll do after changing plugs and running a little more 10% methanol thru it.

You gotta have 2 so one is always roadworthy.

B

Dan H

What mods can be done to improve gas mileage other than basic routine maintenance? I hear low-mid 20's highway but would like to get high 20's at least. I do more highway driving than in city to commute to college.

I'm only wondering because I wanted a 240SX next year as a daily driver but due to the "drift" scene, the price will go up. So now I'm considering an SA/FB as a daily driver (and they're dirt cheap too!) My '87 auto BMW 325e is not exactly fun to drive and will be passing it along to my sister so I can buy a more fun SA/FB. Plus, it will be a nice compliment to my Turbo II.

So yeah, back to the question, what can be done to improve mileage? Free flow exhaust? What else? (Keep in mind, not really interested in upgrading for power if it will reduce my mileage or reliablity.)