bjford

Hey all,

I hope I'm following all the forums rules when asking this question. I tried searching for a post like this one, but the search isn't working (database error?), and after scanning through about 10 pages, I got lazy and decided to just make a new post

This fall I plan on purchasing my first car (My dad's 02' Passat and my brother's 89' 3-series arn't cutting it for me... though our 04' Suburban is quite nice...). I think the rotary engine is very sexy, and I really like all three gens of Rx-7. However, I like the first gen Rx7 the best, and am wondering if it would be practical for a first car. I'm looking into a 84 or 85 GSL-SE specifically, but am also interested in second gens as well.

Thanks a lot!

anthrax

Welcome to the forum


An '85 GSL was the first car I ever owned.

It is great!!

Mine was extreamly reliable, it looks great, drives even better then it looks, and you never ever get stuck drving your friends around...

Dan H

Yeah, its a good first car. Fairly reliable, inexpensive and easy to maintain, not too powerful (non SE) to get you into any real trouble. Overall fun car!

Stop by www.barotary.com sometime since you're in the area.

z-beater

84 GSL-SE was my first car. Still got it...it now has 180k on the clock with minor problems.

bjford

Thank you all very much for your responses.

What are probably the most common problems you have all had with first gens? Also, are rotary housings/rotors expensive to replace?

DAVID GRIMES

If grammar and spelling are any indication of your intelligence, you will have a wonderful time with a first gen 7. Well written. And welcome to the forum !

797

yea its a sweet car, and very unique too! You wont see many other people driving a first gen rx7 around. Just make sure you find a good solid one that runs well and has few minor problems to begin with.

rxseven07

the first problem i had with my se was the oil cooler was cracked, got a new one from a 88 donor car, fit right in. and my batter cables need to be replaced. also my fuel injection was sucked ***, so i ripped it all out and put a weber in there... im very satisfied, but the environment isnt...

bjford

Thank you all for your replies.

My utmost concern about purchasing a 1985/84 Rx-7 GSL-SE is that it will die once I buy it, or be extremely unreliable. I understand you have all had good experiences with this car, but it is after all 20 years old, and problems on old cars are more than likely to occur. Simply put, how do I know an rx-7 will be a reliable car for me, and how do I care for an rx-7 GSL-SE if I get one?

Thanks.

Hades12

You will never know unless you put in a just rebult motor and replace eveything that can fail with new parts.

My first 7 lost the motor the morning I put the tag on it. I have owned about 6 running cars sence then and none of them have had a major problem.

bjford

Do rx-7s rebuild well? I've heard that buying a rebuilt engine can be unreliable.

Hades12

depends on how the engine failed. What people generaly do on the SE is change over to the 2nd gen 13B. I have only owned one rebuilt engine, It was pulled down before it failed and streetported and put back together, Owned it a year now but have only put about 1000 ish miles on it.

bjford

Hmm

If you know, how are 2nd gens as first cars?

Hades12

Dog Butt Ugly, is all I know about them.



How old are you?

bjford

Seventeen. Eighteen in the fall, but I before to get a car before then for commuting (I'm sick of the bus, but I don't want to get a 1992 Sunfire or a 1989 Honda Civic like some of my friends... I want something a little more fun).

Hades12

Do you like to work on your own car? Want to be a little different? Have cash to work on a car? dont mind the gas mileage? then a 7 is a great car.

For me the 7 is a weekend car, (10 MPG) I have a 97 Del Sol for the drive to work.

All my cars are in the site in my Sig.

bjford

Definately not-- and I'm very glad you've addressed this, because this is EXACTLY the answer I was looking for.

I'm not looking for a car to work on. I want a sexy car, but if it means fixing it up, no, because I cant' afford that. I'm taking 15 units at my community college, and will be working 20-25 hours a week. I can't afford to have a car that will fall apart or needs to be worked on. I need a reliable car, but not a ugly car.

My brother has had good experiences with his 1989 3-series bimmer, which is another consideration for me (I would get a e36 though). I have at the most about $6000 to spend on a vehicle, and that's if I borrow money. I would prefer to spend less than $4500, which I know gives me limited options. Again, I absolutely need a car this fall for commuting.

Thanks.

NOTE: I will be able to afford the gas mileage of a 1984 GSL-SE, though.

Hades12

Not saying the car will fall apart, and a $4000 SE is going to generaly be a VERY VERY nice car.
My experence is with Sub 1k cars.

DAVID GRIMES

I second that ! The 2nd gens resemble hammered dogshit.

ch0g0nda

As hades said above, a $4000 SE is going to be in tip-top condition.

Hell minus a gasket leak around the right tail light my old $500 (CDN that is) '84 GSL was trouble free; minus the clutch (worn).

83rx-7

I purchased my 83LE back in 98 for a measly $2,100 and I can safely say I have not had any real problems with it, ILOVEIT!!!. They are excellent cars, and a lot of fun to drive, parts run a little expensive but if you take care of it, it will take care of you. A 1st Gen RX7 will be a great investment; however like some of my fellow rotorheads have alluted to make sure is in good condition. For $4K you should get an excellent 7. Visit my site and take a look at mine. The outside is basically the way I got it except for the chrome fender moldings. The inside I did a few things to it, but I 'll let you see for yourself. http://www.cardomain.com/id/83rx7le

wisconsinrx7

I've had 2 first gens. Wish I would have never sold the first. Purchased my current one with 160k on it in february. Body is sold and interior is great, runs well. If the one you buy was well cared for you should have few problems. If you can, find out how often previous owner changed oil. Its very important to change oil every 3000 miles. I use GTX 20W/50. Clean oil is important for the apex seals.

Personally I like the first gen body style better but that might be just sentimental.

stevepaigeRX7

My 1st Gen is an 83 GSL with a 169,000 on it and it runs quite well. I bought it last year with the intention of putting a remanufactured 12a in it, changing out the interior and getting a new paint job. It's been almost a year and I finally get to start getting some things done. My point is that in the meantime, the car has held up beautifully. I get between 20 and 22 mpg (no mods...yet) in town and about 27-28 on the highway. Nothing is falling apart. I did have to remove a little rust, but that was no big deal...just about 2 hours last weekend. I have to admit that I knew the people who owned it and they always did the regular maintenance on it. They wouldn't have sold it ($500.00!!) but my Mom said that after driving it for 17 years (it was my brothers first) she just couldn't drive it anymore! I mean she's 72!! The suspension and the 5 speed were finally getting to her. Anyway... if it has been taken care of, they will run reliably for quite a while.

Steve

PaulFitzwarryne

You get what you pay for. A sub $1k will see you working on it most weekends. However, a GSL-SE in good condition is a great car and well worth buying particularily if low mileage. Fuel consumption is not that bad unless you drive flat out all the time.

Rebuilt engines are usually very reliable and good for at least 100k miles.

The rotary engine was initially built for all types of car and had to be totally reliable. Later when Mazda were trying to produce luxury sports cars, as in the Gen 2 and even more in the Gen 3 the set-up became complex, unreliable and few mechanics understood them. Fortunately the Gen 1 is almost bullet proof in comparison, both in the carb 12A or efi 13B versions. By 1984 they were both reliable and getting more civilised, in addition to being sporty.

My recommendation is buy a Gen 1 as a good looking practical daily driver.

stevepaigeRX7

This car is my daily driver. I put over 300 miles a week on it without a hitch! And it's fun to find the unsuspecting v-tekker with his front wheels spinnin!



Steve