$2000 Reliable Rotary?
 

So here I am, in a pickle. I finally sold my 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet and I want to show my 240SX driving pal how a FR should be done. I'm looking for a sec.-gen. RX-7, but I'm limited to $2000, $2500 tops, that I can pay up front. I had a shot at a black GTU, but it was sold long ago. My question: How hard will it be to find another GTU? Will it be in any kind of decent condition for the amount of money I can spend? I live in the deep southeastern corner of Alabama, and the cost of living is quite low, so my chances seem good. Any comments or suggestions are all up in the appreciated.

Start poking around at the local used car lots. An S4 NA can be had pretty cheap. I got my Sport (early version of the GTU) for $1,800 in near perfect condition and 118,6xx miles on it, and I think I overpayed a little bit, but I had to get this one. Look to spend about $1,200-$1,800 for a nice FC, and put some money into maintainence after you get it, and it should last you quite a while. I think there is a thread of things to look at while buying an FC in the Archives. Good Luck

Welcome to the rx7club

i bought my 86 GXL for $900 with 108K miles. all mint interior/exterior except for a torn seat, and some minor scratches. it was flooded, they thought it was battery cabels. the vaule shot up about another $1000-$1500 after i got it started.

there's all kinds of deals to be had out there in the rotary world

as long as your not after a turbo you can find what you want for what your lookin to spend, my advice is to buy from someone who knows whats going on, a used car lot would be the last place ide go if I was expecting something reliable witha rotary

If it was cared for, NA rotaries are very reliable.

On the front page of this website www.rx7club.com , down near the bottom, there's a for sale section. Check in there under "cars for sale". If you're not seeing what you're looking for, then make a post in there saying what you're looking for. You may want to check out the first gens, too. They can be had even cheaper than the 2nd gens, and yeild an equal power to weight ratio and they corner like a madaman.. Both are fun cars :)

Also, if you have any mechanical prowess and are looking to get deep into Rx7's, you can probably pick up an N/A with blown coolant seals for around $1k or so. It would take some research, tools and time to do the rebuild--but as soon as you situate yourself with the design of the engine bay/motor internals, these things are (IMO) fun and easy to work on. :)

Plus it helps that this forum is available for free and in it you'll find the answer to any possible question you could possibly have regarding these cars.

I just picked up a running 87 TII with a clean body and nice interior for $250

ive gotten....
87 running t2 for $700
86 sport, no interior $100
79 90K miles,running $100
89 gtu,with new motor for $800
87 base /w 95% compT2 swap $500

deals are everywhere!! u just have to keep yer eyes open!!!

I'm not even going into what I've gotten some of my 7's for... lol

You can find them very cheap though... Especially if like stated above, you have any desire to rebuild it yourself... You could essentially have a running TII for well under $2000... :)

i got my 88 rx-7 for free!!!
needed a new wheel bearing ($30.00)

I wouldn't get a lower-optioned model unless it is a real steal or in excellent condition for the price. An 89 GTU (not the same as the rare GTUs) didn't have an LSD, power options, or the larger brake rotors.

If you want a good N/A I'd say you should get an 86-88 GXL or an 88 GTU. All those come with the 4 piston brakes, a limited slip differential, and 5 lug wheels.
The 89-90 GXL didn't come with a limited slip.

base model N/A's are the lightest and consequently fastest N/A's (tehcnically). power crap sucks anyways.

Bah I'd rather get a highly optioned N/A and rip interior and power options out than get a shitty base model and have to go through considerably more hassle to swap in better brakes and an LSD.

Then again, I've got an '88 GTU, which is the best of both worlds :cool:

I have a S4 base model with the 5-lug swap... It's not N/A though... :)

99% of the power options don't work by now. LSD = $50 - $80 for a full rear end and rear brakes, extra $50 for front brakes. Add $200 to make sure all is good.

;o! Its not that hard. That and I love my base model FC, the brakes aren't that bad (since its like not like its nearly 300HP like my old TII) and LSD is something that can be changed. Its not that big of a deal to me.

Plus it weighs 2450 with full interior.