"Junk"...more like ignorance most likely
12-15-06, 06:08 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: kenosha, wi/chicago, il
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Junk"...more like ignorance most likely
Does anyone else ever hear someone say..."oh thoes cars are so problematic" or "oh man you're in for a ride with that"...anything along thoes lines. A few of the techs who I work with are giving me **** about the car and how they are frowned upon. This is no way intended to start a flame war like most forums would, please lets be mature. I am asking for personal opinions, or if anyone else ever hears this. It isn't directed towards mine, but them in general. We all work for Toyota/Lexus...obviously, not Mazda. Most likely just ignorance or the fact most techs are not that up to par with rotaries.
-Ray
-Ray
12-15-06, 06:20 PM
#2
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: LOS ANGELES
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NA rotaries are reliable if you take care of it. The turbo models are not the most reliable cars in the world.
I have over 200K on my GSL-SE stock motor. Been boosting 20K of it.
I have over 200K on my GSL-SE stock motor. Been boosting 20K of it.
12-15-06, 06:35 PM
#4
haha^
its all about them not understanding somthing.
To be honest i used to think the same thing, that rotarys were a peice of **** that breaks down all the time when really the owner is a peice of **** that needs putting down...
untill u understand what it is u will never have faith in anything..
now im just as much as a rotahead as anyone on the forum
since i understand now what the problems are and how to solve it ild chose my 7 over any car unless its worth more than 10k ill take it haha
its all about them not understanding somthing.
To be honest i used to think the same thing, that rotarys were a peice of **** that breaks down all the time when really the owner is a peice of **** that needs putting down...
untill u understand what it is u will never have faith in anything..
now im just as much as a rotahead as anyone on the forum
since i understand now what the problems are and how to solve it ild chose my 7 over any car unless its worth more than 10k ill take it haha
12-15-06, 06:41 PM
#5
Full Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let's face it-- most cars that are 20-30 years old have a few problems. If you're talking about an old Mustang or Camaro or such, there are hundreds of manufacturers making replacement and performance parts. There are even shops that will compleyely strip it and build it back better than when it was new. If you're talking RX7, you're pretty much on your own. I think it's great that there are a large number of people who love these cars enough to keep them on the road, and to build some of the unbelievable cars I've see from members of this forum, and many of them do it on a shoe-string budget. Keep it up guys!
- David
- David
12-15-06, 06:56 PM
#6
Retired Moderator, RIP
iTrader: (142)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 0
Received 131 Likes
on
114 Posts
I got an N/A..Tell you the truth I may be No "spring Chicken" anymore,But I do take care of the car.I also Drive the car HARD!..I have had ZERO problems with it...I had more problems with my old Oldsmobile,than this car.So if people say that Rotary engines are Crap..Maybe they are Smellin Themselves!(they are Full of it!).Only advice I can give is that If you are Going to Hop into it and Not Care about Oil.belts,brakes.coolant,etc..don't Buy one..
12-15-06, 07:00 PM
#7
Why do you care what a tech sais about your car. If you had a car that could do 12's but looked ragged out would you care?
My car has a messed up paintjob, exhaust leaks with a racing beat header "loud", and is only a 100hp engine with 79 rotor housings.
I dont care what people say about my car because I love the smoothnes of the engine, and I love that it is unique.
Thats what comes with the packadge of being unique. Were a minority in a piston world.
love life and live it, dont waste energy on some guys.
My car has a messed up paintjob, exhaust leaks with a racing beat header "loud", and is only a 100hp engine with 79 rotor housings.
I dont care what people say about my car because I love the smoothnes of the engine, and I love that it is unique.
Thats what comes with the packadge of being unique. Were a minority in a piston world.
love life and live it, dont waste energy on some guys.
Trending Topics
12-15-06, 07:22 PM
#9
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: kenosha, wi/chicago, il
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why do I car what a tech tihnks? I am a Master Certified Lexus tech, I work side by side with these guys. I can give a rats *** what they say, I was asking if anyone else ever got that response out of curiousity. As I said, ignorance makes people say ignorant things, obviously.
12-15-06, 07:22 PM
#10
Ray, you will find a lot of that attitude, particularly from mechanics. rotarys got a bad reputation in the beginning that still carries forward to this day. Some of it stems from problems the very early rotarys had, think 6 mm apex seals, some stems from ignorant owners that try to treat a rotary like a piston engine.
i.e., you don't granny drive them, you don't over heat them and you change oil every 3k. Those 3 things will help a rotary live a long life. The complexities of the 3rd gen twin turbos and poor choice of target market for the RX8 has renewed some of the bad reputation.
The other thing they don't understand is how so few of parts can run and produce the power it does. Many seem baffled by the simplicity of a rotary and in turn think it must be complex and problematic. Personally, I like to keep the rest of the world thinking as such, more fun that way.
i.e., you don't granny drive them, you don't over heat them and you change oil every 3k. Those 3 things will help a rotary live a long life. The complexities of the 3rd gen twin turbos and poor choice of target market for the RX8 has renewed some of the bad reputation.
The other thing they don't understand is how so few of parts can run and produce the power it does. Many seem baffled by the simplicity of a rotary and in turn think it must be complex and problematic. Personally, I like to keep the rest of the world thinking as such, more fun that way.
12-15-06, 07:28 PM
#11
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: kenosha, wi/chicago, il
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trochoid, you have the best answers. Our great complex minds must think along somewhat the same lines. 
BTW, have you been up to date on my other thread? If you could either post up in there or PM me about what you think of the latest technical response I got. I do what he said frequently for conventional piston engines quite regularly, however not sure if for a rotary. He makes it sound as if it would need a rebuild, however it didnt smoke before they mixed the gas with 50wt. And now the 50 is out and it no longer smokes, I assume she's good. Good. Back on topic now.
-Ray
BTW, have you been up to date on my other thread? If you could either post up in there or PM me about what you think of the latest technical response I got. I do what he said frequently for conventional piston engines quite regularly, however not sure if for a rotary. He makes it sound as if it would need a rebuild, however it didnt smoke before they mixed the gas with 50wt. And now the 50 is out and it no longer smokes, I assume she's good. Good. Back on topic now.-Ray
12-15-06, 07:32 PM
#12
7-less
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: No. Virginia, USA
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only thing I've heard of them is that they are very expensive to maintain. Which I find very true as I've still to get new tires, power steering pump, power window motors, rear window wiper motor, all new steering parts, and new suspension. I haven't heard anything else about them being P.O.S.s
Personally, I love my 7. Its engine is so smooth at all RPM, that's what I love most about it. My old Chevy 4.3L was rough compared to this thing. Then again, that 4.3L had over 220K miles on it. My rotary only has 191K so far. Still runs great.
Personally, I love my 7. Its engine is so smooth at all RPM, that's what I love most about it. My old Chevy 4.3L was rough compared to this thing. Then again, that 4.3L had over 220K miles on it. My rotary only has 191K so far. Still runs great.
12-15-06, 08:04 PM
#13
Originally Posted by 85 FB
The only thing I've heard of them is that they are very expensive to maintain. Which I find very true as I've still to get new tires, power steering pump, power window motors, rear window wiper motor, all new steering parts, and new suspension. I haven't heard anything else about them being P.O.S.s
That's not a correct statement.
You have 191k on a 21 year old car. There will be many things that can wear out on a 21 year old car.
Maintenance is based on criteria such as oil changes,15k,30k and 60k services.
Which in our case is inexpensive compared to most.
Tires,steering and suspension components are all wear items. Now if those items on you car minus the tires of course have lasted for 191k. That tells you that the components last a long time and are of better quality than most.
The other above mentioned components have also gone a considerable amount of time and mileage
Personally, I love my 7. Its engine is so smooth at all RPM, that's what I love most about it. My old Chevy 4.3L was rough compared to this thing. Then again, that 4.3L had over 220K miles on it. My rotary only has 191K so far. Still runs
great.
That's not a correct statement.
You have 191k on a 21 year old car. There will be many things that can wear out on a 21 year old car.
Maintenance is based on criteria such as oil changes,15k,30k and 60k services.
Which in our case is inexpensive compared to most.
Tires,steering and suspension components are all wear items. Now if those items on you car minus the tires of course have lasted for 191k. That tells you that the components last a long time and are of better quality than most.
The other above mentioned components have also gone a considerable amount of time and mileage
Personally, I love my 7. Its engine is so smooth at all RPM, that's what I love most about it. My old Chevy 4.3L was rough compared to this thing. Then again, that 4.3L had over 220K miles on it. My rotary only has 191K so far. Still runs
great.
But even today and the 30 years I've been around the Automotive business off and on it was not that they said the cars were a piece of ****. It was they were still asking the old question. Do they still have problems with the engines and those funny seals?
12-15-06, 08:23 PM
#14
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SF BayArea
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been hearing those comments from the ignorant ever since the RX-2 came out. I think people are just eager to sound Really Knowledgeable when any new thing comes out so they seize on whatever scandal they can. I just tell them that all it needs is oil and water: keep the cooling system working good, and oil it well, including adding 2-cycle to the tank.
12-15-06, 09:00 PM
#15
It's obsessive
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Cape Breton(NS) and Regina(SK)
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yupp ive had it many of times, "isnt that unreliable" or "hey man youll be losing all your money over that peice of junk" , but the good compliments dominate the bad by a long shot, i have one guy at the gas station that stops me everyday when i walk home from school past the station, just to ask how my rex is doing, and alot of people know me as the guy who owns a rx7 lol
12-15-06, 09:13 PM
#16
Originally Posted by 85 FB
The only thing I've heard of them is that they are very expensive to maintain. Which I find very true as I've still to get new tires, power steering pump, power window motors, rear window wiper motor, all new steering parts, and new suspension. I haven't heard anything else about them being P.O.S.s
Personally, I love my 7. Its engine is so smooth at all RPM, that's what I love most about it. My old Chevy 4.3L was rough compared to this thing. Then again, that 4.3L had over 220K miles on it. My rotary only has 191K so far. Still runs great.
Personally, I love my 7. Its engine is so smooth at all RPM, that's what I love most about it. My old Chevy 4.3L was rough compared to this thing. Then again, that 4.3L had over 220K miles on it. My rotary only has 191K so far. Still runs great.
12-15-06, 09:22 PM
#17
7-less
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: No. Virginia, USA
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn, do I feel f****** stupid now. Got confused over maintenance. I heard "expensive to maintain" I think "regular maintenance" not "rotary specific maintenance". 
And, RX7doctor, you need to watch how to use those "quote" brackets. If you notice in your reply to mine, it seemed as if I had said extra even tho I didn't. Very confusing as to who's saying what, know what I mean?
And, RX7doctor, you need to watch how to use those "quote" brackets. If you notice in your reply to mine, it seemed as if I had said extra even tho I didn't. Very confusing as to who's saying what, know what I mean?
Last edited by 85 FB; 12-15-06 at 09:30 PM.
12-15-06, 09:33 PM
#18
And, RX7doctor, you need to watch how to use those "quote" brackets. If you notice in your reply to mine, it seemed as if I had said extra even tho I didn't. Very confusing as to who's saying what, know what I mean? [/QUOTE]****, after yesterdays ordeal with sentence structure, grammar, etc.. I'm paranoid even to post anything, in fact I think I now am suffering from an inferioity complex.
Damn. I hope I spelled everything correctly
[/QUOTE]****, after yesterdays ordeal with sentence structure, grammar, etc.. I'm paranoid even to post anything, in fact I think I now am suffering from an inferioity complex.Damn. I hope I spelled everything correctly
12-15-06, 10:07 PM
#19
Originally Posted by 85 FB
Damn, do I feel f****** stupid now. Got confused over maintenance. I heard "expensive to maintain" I think "regular maintenance" not "rotary specific maintenance".
And, RX7doctor, you need to watch how to use those "quote" brackets. If you notice in your reply to mine, it seemed as if I had said extra even tho I didn't. Very confusing as to who's saying what, know what I mean?
And, RX7doctor, you need to watch how to use those "quote" brackets. If you notice in your reply to mine, it seemed as if I had said extra even tho I didn't. Very confusing as to who's saying what, know what I mean?
I usually try to demystify the rotary to those who don't know about them, on the other hand, some days it's more fun to inject some voodoo bs into the conversation and let them walk away wondering wtf was he talking about.
12-15-06, 10:21 PM
#20
Old [Sch|F]ool
Originally Posted by RayJNeal
Does anyone else ever hear someone say..."oh thoes cars are so problematic" or "oh man you're in for a ride with that"...anything along thoes lines. A few of the techs who I work with are giving me **** about the car and how they are frowned upon. This is no way intended to start a flame war like most forums would, please lets be mature. I am asking for personal opinions, or if anyone else ever hears this. It isn't directed towards mine, but them in general. We all work for Toyota/Lexus...obviously, not Mazda. Most likely just ignorance or the fact most techs are not that up to par with rotaries.
-Ray
-Ray
I work on cars for a living. I drive an RX-7 because I don't want to have to work on my own stuff too.
12-15-06, 10:33 PM
#21
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SF BayArea
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, I think the 7 is one of the cheapest cars to maintain and repair. Aside from the engine, everything is standard, and parts are cheap, partly , I suppose, because they're shared with products in the Ford line, like the Escort. Rockauto has most of the consumables. As for the engine, which is the only exotic part in the car, it should be reliable, and there are many outfits that rebuild engines. And Mazdatrix, among others, has OEM parts..
12-15-06, 10:43 PM
#22
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: kenosha, wi/chicago, il
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PeeJay. I own an a 01 WS6 that runs 11.61 @ 122. I also have a DSM that just put down 613hp on a GT35R full Garrett. I also work for a living, I am a Master Certified L1/L2 as well as Master Toyota/Lexus tech. We work in an awesome field. !! I look forward to a long beautiful relationship with this little car. Take care..
-Ray
!! I look forward to a long beautiful relationship with this little car. Take care..-Ray
12-15-06, 11:03 PM
#23
I love the design and characteristics of a rotary engine. I have always enjoyed high revving, smooth engines. When I first learned of the rotary I was imediatly hooked. Does that mean that I think rotary engines should be in every SUV or family sedan on the road? I think not. I think rotary engines are a perfect example of an enthusiasts engine. They are unique, involving, and can be manipulated to make large amounts of power.
I think a piston engine will generally take more abuse then a rotary. It is logical, considering the design........does that make rotarys crap.... of course not!
I think a piston engine will generally take more abuse then a rotary. It is logical, considering the design........does that make rotarys crap.... of course not!
12-16-06, 12:18 AM
#25
www.ohiorotaries.com
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I'm still in high school. My friends are like "well, you're an idiot. you'll replace apex seals all the time and need to change the oil every weekend". Since I got one, my friends are now turned onto them. Just tonight I hear, high revving, compact, reliable racers! I was smiling and quite happy!! Now they know what racing beat is, what an OMP is, and the differences between the 12A and 13B. For driving, I hear about little annoying parts breaking, but that isn't any different from my DD, a 96 Accord.