Some day soon I'll have one.

I have been into cars for 20 years. Ive had at least 20 cars, im 33 now. From '68 chargers, some toyotas, some datsuns, etc.

I decided I want a toy on the side so i can keep my current car garaged with low mileage. I been looking at both the 240Z and the RX-7. I want an RX-7 more. I'll be reading for days here learning about some basics to this car. I did an engine swap in one when i worked at a shop in my early years. I'll see if i can dispell myths that Ive heard about the 12As only lasting 100k or so before they need a rebuild. I want a car with crappy paint, so i dont have to worry about dings. But I want a solid engine and killer interior. I do all my own work pretty much, so I'll end up sinking money into it no matter what I get. I was all set to only get a GSL-SE just for the extra horsepower. But I'll read up and see if maybe the carb versions can be better for various reasons.. maybe more simplicity.. more manual control. Looking to spend between $2500-$3000 for the car I describe above. I am only interested in Gen 1 cars.

 

Crappy paint and killer interior? Might be tough.

12a generally is more durable and the cars are lighter. 13b has more power.

Personally, I am biased towards the 12a because of my weight-reduction addiction, and I love the sound of carburetors. Plus I'm too poor for a GSL SE =P

Finding a good RX-7 for under 3,000 will not be the least bit hard.

 

In that price range you should get something very decent. If you take care a stock rotary engine it will last a long time. People who do not know about these engines and do not take care of them is just like anything else, it won't last long. A race engine is another story; although, I read folks on here put alot of miles on them also. It all depends on how hard you beat the snot out of the motor and with all that it will still take a licking. 1st gens in general are easy to work on and just like any other car if you don't maintain them, well you know

While you are reading, a great start would be a history lesson on the achievments of the rotary engine on the track. Looky here.

 

get a 84-85 GS or GSL model, swap in 13b and carb it, less weight, simplicity and just as much fun. also the gray/black interiors are one of my personal fav's of any car of its time.

search around, theres tons of info on building up a fun little Rex here.

 

thanks for all the advice. These things are hard to find too. I'm on ebay and a local "craigslist" every day. There are only like 15 total, none of which I am interested in.

The paint doesnt have to be crap. but i spend all day worrying about getting dings on my new car, so i dont want cherry paint if i can help it. i had an 82 626 once, (POS), and the paint was very poor. I thought Mazdas are known for crappy paint in the early 80's.

I prefer a blue or even a white RX-7, I dont like the silver too much, I had a 2002 silver SE-R Spec-V before my Jetta.

so youre talking about getting a 84-85 with a 13b, then take out all the EFI, go with carb? Isnt the EFI more smooth and powerful? I suppose you can get killer carbs too. I'll read up on that too. Its good that I'm here BEFORE I get my car, cuz i got a lot of reading to do.

i was mostly into stereo work in 2002-2003. Heres a page of all the audio work i did if anyones interested:

http://sicily.globat.com/%7Emarkgera...om/sounds.html

 

good interior, crappy paint. Thats mine to a T. They are out there.;

 

the 84-85 cars with 13b's are the GSL-SE models, which also came with the limited slip diff and a lot of other goodies, however if you just want a fun car, i'd suggest getting a GS or GSL of the same year and swapping the 13b over, its less weight and more fun. as for putting a carb on, ya it has its disadvantages but so do 20+ year old EFI systems that arent the greatest in the first place.

really depends how dirty you want to get with the car and how much work you want to do. im just speaking on what i've done personally (well im still working on it actually) but im on my 3rd FB Rx7 now, SE's being 300'ish pounds heavier than a GS with a bunch of options you'll probably never use unless you plan to use this as your only car, you may aswell slap a carb on it, headers, exhaust, etc.. i know many people will disagree with me, but i have my doubts in the early EFI systems of these cars, they seem rather problem prone. atleast with a carb it will simplify things. i guess thats my point.

anyways, g'luck on finding a car. maybe post up a few examples of what you're looking at and we could get a better idea of what you're after.

- Murray

 

this fricken MINT one if it werent so expensive...


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...560724349&rd=1

its sooo perfect... so sweet.. so beautiful..

 

5k is a tad high.. you can usually pickup these cars for half that. altho damn that is a fine example!

 

thats why that guy has ZERO bids...


i'd offer him $3500 cash..

 

see if you cant reach him personally, see if you cant strike a deal

 

i cant offer him $1500 less than hes asking under the table. that would just **** him off.

 

well hes not going to get that asking price on ebay. let him sweat a bit i guess....

 

Check those three including a targa for $500

 

check www.recycler.com for SOCAL area. Or post a WTB in the west forum

 

decent one for cheap so far. 30 mins drive for me..

i dont care if anyone swoops it.. i dont know if its good enough condition for me yet..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...561616184&rd=1

 

i might throw a $1500 up, but i doubt that would even hit the reserve. its actually not too bad a specimen.

 

does this statement seem accurate to you pros?

"This vehicle runs great but if not driven often, will smoke until the oil seals run in. I understand that this is normal for the early RX-7s. The car was recently smog tested and passed the California required dynomometer smog testing. The smog test report is available for your information."

 

he says that keypad in the center console is some factory engine managament computer? Anyone heard of this?

 

The Q/A section of the auction actually says it's a Driving computer... I assume it's something like you put in various Average MPH and trip distance and get estimate time and **** like that back...

 

That's a pretty good looking '79, but with your budget you ought to hold out for a GSL-SE. I don't know of anyone regretting a GSL-SE.

 

Heres you another one and this one is in mint condition.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...560598177&rd=1

 

holy crap thats a nice one!! But I wouldnt really deal w shipping from there.. Would prob cost an extra $500 minimum..

also.. keep in mind.. the money I save on the car.. can be extra money to be put INTO the car.. i plan to sink money into this for 2-3 years once i get it.

daMN!! i just checked a shipping quote, $1200 to ship it here to California!

 

ya I was the one who submitted that question.. LOL


i have the high bid.. but i dont know how far ill go on this one.. i aint gonna drop $2500 on a car like that.. maybe not even $2000. i need better.

 

Lol, mine has some bad paint and a very clean interior. Except for a few minor things.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture030.jpg