wolf_walker

Or are they all weekend toy's now?

I'm thinking about getting into an RX-7 of some sort and it'll be a daily driver, and I drive a lot. I've been in 80's Euro cars for ten years now so I'm not afraid of old cars and there quirks, and I'm big on preventative maintenance by nature. I've found a nice looking 85 SE 5spd with slightly over 100K that runs well with a nice interior and fresh paint. I've read a lot in the last month or so and talked to the few people I know locally that are into rotarys.
Any thoughts?
Thanks..

jonjonwells

I used mine as a DD for almost 2 years before the engine blew. Had no major problems. Had an alternator go out on me, but other than that, just routine maintenance. And I pulled mine out a yard for 300 bucks, one tune up later, tadaa.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

You can daily drive it if you keep her maintined like any car. My friend has been daily driving his 7 for 4 years with just little problems. Go for it, you will be happy you did.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

not really easy to answer your question. i believe you either love Rx-7s or you don't. that said, contrary to popular opinion, they are very reliable cars. one of two major scenarios will play out if you want to keep it going day-in and day-out: either leave it relatively stock or modify with knowledge (and a heap of common sense). either way ... diligent maintenance is a must - particularly oil system and cooling system.

Jonny2x4

i used mine as a dd until i ran out of temp tags. Just gotta license it now but i have to paint it first. damn cold weather making it impossible to paint my car. but it was good while i drove it no problems.

$150FC

Mine's a DD. 'Till I get something else and a wad of cash to blow. It's fine except the damn thing shakes.

neofreak

I daily drive my SA, FD on the weekends.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

110 miles a day, five days a week, 2,200 miles a month, 25,000 miles a year, 84 GSL stock, very reliable and manuevers great in highway traffic.

Ray

dayton

i used to dd mine in atlanta... and i loved it, never had any major prolems either... i had a fan belt come apart one time and it took out my upper radiater hose, but i knew it needed to be replaced so that was my own fault... my poor baby was thristy after all that drama...lol did i ever mention that i love my car???

K-Tune

iTrader: (26)

with my 12A car i DD'd it for around a year and it never ONCE let me down.

Landon303

iTrader: (25)

daily drive a 83 stock w/ 63K. i dont like to though, cuz im constantly paranoid it'll be wrecked by some idiot, or banged up in a parking lot (the car is damn close to mint). but i figure either drive it now & enjoy it, or dont drive it at all, and that is the case. so i just drive it. very fun car, & REALLY reliable

wolf_walker

Good stuff guys, I'm glad to hear such positive things, and it jives with what I've read elsewhere about the faulty assumptions people make about reliability.

j_tso

iTrader: (2)

If the engine is in good shape and you keep it up, it'll last. Make sure every other part of the car is good like brakes, suspension, etc.

I DD mine which I bought just over a year ago. The engine was good, but needed everything else replaced. The only time I was stranded was when the battery needed to be replaced. I've put in a new radiator, alternator, hoses, shocks etc.

Find member Trochoid's signature, it has all the factory manuals that show how to do a tune up.

d0 Luck

i don't like any of my 1st gens being daily drivers. they suck and mine's always ran in tip top condition w/ 0 problems.. the only thing nice about them for me to justify making it into a dd is of the way mine's looked; subtle Pacifica IMSA GTU body kit. for me, they were good for 2x a week before i'd get pissed off since i'd smell like gas every time i get out of the car.

so i sold mine's and never looked back.. i'm now rocking a d-bridgeport RX-4 coupe and couldn't be any happier.

clbsinvaders

Pretty soon, I'm getting one as a DD too. GSL-SE, 105k. got some extra cash on hand if anything goes wrong with it. from this, i don't think it will. Of course, every car needs a little TLC now and then.

OnlyOnThurs

I have been daily driving mine since April of 2004 andi have not looked back! I love my 1982 GS! I love the 12A (it sounds like an angy bee whne you get on it lol) and the car itself in general. It handles great, it looks classy and she puts a smile on my face everytime i drive her. I just did an suspension upgrade now i am about to do a brake upgrade. I am preparing her for the occasional autocross. Oh and the A/c works great on this car!

blwfly

iTrader: (4)

iv had 2 rx7s in 10months one died to age factor plus then i crashed it ran for 2months with a blowin apex
the other i killed in 6 months cause i was having to much fun doing donuts every day
right now im rebuilding a bp12a for summer
so myn will be a weekend thing now since the sevens to small to haul my concrete tools

FIBREMAZ

I used to drive my 7 daily when it was bone stock. I had two people reverse into my bumpers and my stereo stolen in broad daylight. Now that it is shmick I don't leave it parked for more than a couple of minutes.

Naegleria_Fowleri

I daily drove my 1984 GSL for 6 or 7 months this year, never failed on me at all. I had a start go out on me, which was replaced by cheap rebuilt starter that went out on me, but other than that absolutely no problems with it at all. I did end up blowing the engine, but before you go saying "those damned rotaries blow up all the time" it was due to my own stupidity - and I'll leave it at that.

Oh, and in that amount of time I put on nearly 20,000 miles on it.

Nicholas P.

iTrader: (1)

Mine is only for a daily driver..... Its just a car.............................

JKM

I alternate between my SE and my Miata as daily drivers. The 7 has it's quirks since it's an old car, but it's been nice and reliable. The only major issue it has is that it has the dreaded oil cooler leak that is common in SE's, but I hope to have that fixed soon. Beyond that mine doesn't have power steering so it's a bit of a pain in parking lots, but feels oh so good when you are at speed.

The only reasons I don't DD it all the time is because it is LOUD (straight pipe), and the Miata gets much better gas mileage.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

When people tells me that my daily driver (SUV) is a gas guzzler, I always give them the "WTF Look." Then I tell them that the 4 gas guzzlers are parked at home.

nick812

My 80 was my DD for a year and a half before I spun a rear rotor bearing. It was a street ported 12A with a dellorto.

steve84GS TII

Although Ive split driving between the 7 and the Samurai about 50/50 in the last 2 years,I drove the RX every day as my only 4 wheel vehicle,for 8 years beforehand.4 years with various engines and upgrades,and 4 years after going EFI turbo....then the widebody and paint 2 years ago.

The previous statement about staying either mostly stock,or making intelligent performance mods,is right on the money.There are some good,simple mods you can make to the car,to bring it into the 21 Century,improve milage and tighten the "feel". Stuff like direct fire ignition,short throw shifters,light flywheel,tighter shocks,steering box adjustments,window tint,H4 headlights and entertainment electronics.All of those items compliment the 1st gens naturally sporty nature,without changing it into a trailer queen,or tempermental "project" car.
But if you yearn for big HP gains,then its tough to retain that everyday driveability and simplicity,since making more power usually means sacrificing powerband and torque.......unless you go EFI/turbo and keep it sane.The GSL-SE is a great choice,as its fully loaded and makes very broad,torquey power.The EFI can be a little pickey,but thats true of many mid 80's EFI cars.

wolf_walker

Picky EFI. I have daily driven LH-Jetronic and K-Jet. I fear no 80's EFI

And I'm not looking for any big power, exhaust and carb tuning maybe, worry about that stuff later. Anyone ever stuck one of those Holley Pro-Jection TBI setups on a rotary? I've used a bunch on homebuilt aircraft and motorhomes with great success, but that was before stuff like Megasquirt was popular.