2nd Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 2nd Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

Driving from Lakeland to Denver: how will it effect my car?

Old Mar 2, 2018 | 09:06 AM
  #1  
Paul Carter's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland
Driving from Lakeland to Denver: how will it effect my car?

Right now I drive a 87 rx7 gxl, It has never failed to surprise me and continues to be one of the most reliable cars in the family, and that's saying something.
Everything is in good shape, every single feature works, and it has 106k miles.
I have an event I need to go to and I really hate flying, at the same time I love driving.
So here is my question: from Lakeland Florida to Denver Colorado, can I do it with my rx7? What should I prepare for? Anything I need to look out for when driving other than the usual (oil check at every fill-up, temperature, tires, etc.)? What should I do to prepare my car for the trip?
any advice is appreciated

Last edited by Paul Carter; Mar 2, 2018 at 09:17 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2018 | 08:37 PM
  #2  
Acesanugal's Avatar
Winter Rotary
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 14
From: Athens, Georgia
It's just a car. An old one, however.. all you really must do is check that everything is in order before you leave... brakes, tires, belts, hoses, etc.

Could the engine blow? Yes. Could the alternator die? Yes. Could you develop an electrical problem? Yes. Could the fuel pump die? Yes.

Will they? Probably not. Just be willing to accept that you may either be stranded for a few days if something simple but essential fails.. or having it shipped all the way back home from wherever it leaves you if the engine lets go.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2018 | 11:45 AM
  #3  
roTAR needz fundZ
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 31
From: Freeland, MI
Originally Posted by Acesanugal
It's just a car. An old one, however.. all you really must do is check that everything is in order before you leave... brakes, tires, belts, hoses, etc.

Could the engine blow? Yes. Could the alternator die? Yes. Could you develop an electrical problem? Yes. Could the fuel pump die? Yes.

Will they? Probably not. Just be willing to accept that you may either be stranded for a few days if something simple but essential fails.. or having it shipped all the way back home from wherever it leaves you if the engine lets go.
And this goes for ANY car, i don't care how new, used, babied or butchered it is, anything can happen

My personal opinion, if your having to drive that far, rent a car. It saves the miles on your car(s), and if something happens, you make a phone call, have them come tow it and bring you another one so you can continue on
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2018 | 12:17 PM
  #4  
insightful's Avatar
rotorhole
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 680
Likes: 70
From: retired rotorist
but its a little more prone to happen with these cars, but that's never stopped me from going on long trips anyways.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2018 | 01:22 PM
  #5  
Rotary Alkymist's Avatar
My mom lets me redline
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 600
Likes: 132
From: Cornwall, ON
I say live on the edge and take the 7. If you break down even better, makes for a better story haha. Think about it... rent a Hyundai Elantra or take the Rx-7? Just be prepared as mentioned above. Also, drive it like you're far away from home. No burnouts at Walmart.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2018 | 10:23 AM
  #6  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,837
Likes: 3,234
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
freeway driving is about the easiest thing to do to a car. since its a long trip, you should start with fresh oil. and you do want to look at the stupid stuff, like tires and belts.

you want to make sure the cooling system is at 100%, if you watch the old top gears, most of the failures they have are in the cooling system.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2018 | 10:28 AM
  #7  
Jager's Avatar
Tear you apart
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 38
From: Bemidji Minnesota
Originally Posted by lduley
And this goes for ANY car, i don't care how new, used, babied or butchered it is, anything can happen

My personal opinion, if your having to drive that far, rent a car. It saves the miles on your car(s), and if something happens, you make a phone call, have them come tow it and bring you another one so you can continue on
I agree with this man.

When I do sales calls, I never use my own vehicles. I rent one for $80 a day (typically for 3-4 days at a time), and let them burn up their brakes, miles, tires, etc. Plus if something comes along as Iduley has stated, you just get a new one.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2018 | 03:35 PM
  #8  
Red95FD's Avatar
red89fc
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 28
From: Cincinnati Ohio
The Rx7 loves the highway!! Have fun and keep oil in it.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 02:17 AM
  #9  
clokker's Avatar
Cake or Death?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 64
From: Mile High
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
freeway driving is about the easiest thing to do to a car.
J9 is correct.
You say your car is in good shape, so it shouldn't even break a sweat on a long highway trip like this.
Mine has made several trips of 3500+ miles in under 2 weeks and the worst that ever happened was a blown turnsignal bulb.
My theory has always been that if you treat it like a baby, it will act like a baby.
The second gen is primarily a GT car and you'll be using it as intended, so gas her up and go.

Be prepared for how slow it'll feel at Denver's altitude, I always enjoy the extra friskiness I feel when at sea level.
Also, once you get up here you can run the lowest octane fuel at the pump. I run 85 octane year round here in Denver.

Last edited by clokker; Mar 5, 2018 at 06:42 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 01:17 PM
  #10  
BenRX's Avatar
‘88 GTU
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
From: Denver CO
If you're worried about the engine life, you could always have a compression test done for peace of mind?
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 02:24 PM
  #11  
Jager's Avatar
Tear you apart
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 38
From: Bemidji Minnesota
I don't think these cars just blow up on a whim. Check fluids, give yourself a pat on the back and take a drive.

God damn.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RotaryStage
SE RX-7 Forum
43
Dec 10, 2008 01:33 AM
Mandingo
SE RX-7 Forum
2
Nov 5, 2008 01:52 PM
boostin13b
Mountain RX-7 Forum
11
Dec 17, 2005 06:56 PM
cwsttu
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
May 8, 2004 10:59 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:22 AM.