I have been kicking around the idea of a, say, 1991 RX7. I have read a lot around here about the life span of a rotary, and that has me a bit nervous. Is a 1989 - 1991 RX7 too old to expect reliability? I don't want to mod (well, maybe a little - but only a little). I don't want a car that I have to do a $1500 enging transplant. I don't want a car that will be in the shop every month. I just want a fun car that I can zip around town in.

 

Rebuilt engines should last just as long as new, espically when done by a good shop (Atkins, KD, Pineapple) Make sure that the car you are looking at has had a rebuilt engine, then ask to see the receipts. Basic old car stuff is also an issue. Rust, old wiring, old suspension/brakes. You can find some real cherries out there, as well as some real heaps.

 

yep... that's rico... he knows his stuff! hahaha, man, i've been reading this 2nd gen stuff a lot lately, and i see you everywhere rico! dayam! hey, are mazdatrix good rebuilds? i'm looking at an fc with a 'c' streetport, any input?

 

I would say a Mazdatrix rebuild is good by their reputation in the rotary community, but I have never talked to anyone w/ one. For a "poor college student" I would suggest talkin to Kevin, a.k.a. hyptyz7 here on the forum. He quoted me $1400 for a street port and rebuild for my 91. If you got the cash ($4k) I reccomend an Atkins "E".


I really know very little, I just talk a lot and listen twice as much.

 

hahaha... well, the fc already has the c porting... i'm going to take a look at it on friday... it's from a guy on this forum who auto-x's it... his name is joe breese... i don't remember his forum name tho...the car looks NICE tho...

btw, poor college students get more loans and grants than rich college students!

 

Yes we do!! How else do you think my poor bitch *** is gonna have 2 FCs? Shoot me a link bro, I'd love to see some shots of your soon-to-be-FC

 

I bought my N/A fc about 3 years ago with 90K miles. It now has a little over 120k and has given me little problems. A few electrical things, alternator, battery,....thats pretty much it. Anything that has been a major problem was caused by me doing something stupid I have done any and all work on the car myslef, I think youll find it (at least a N/A) a very easy car to work on once you learn about it.

 

Mine had 96k on the clock. A year and $2k in mods later and she has 101,011 miles, and she popped. That's waht happens I guess.

 

www.socal7s.org/breesej it looks so shiny... btw, this is the first rotary i'm looking at... any tips on what to look for besides the stuff on aaron cake's website?

 

Looks really clean Beautiful car!! I'd sugest on getting a compression check done 1st, but If it has a rescent rebuilt it should turn out ok. Make sure the temp gauge stays steady about 1/3 the way up, and that it doesnt leak oil or coolant, and you should be ok!

P.S.: 600 posts woohoo

 

Beautiful, just gorgeous. Actually, on a S5, the temp gauge goes up halfway.

P.S.: 4035 posts booya!!

 

cool, thanks, i'll have to remember that... and btw... 144 posts!!! waitaminit.... ok, nm, scratch that. hehehe

 

Basically, you just never know what you're getting with any used car, so its hard to make a definitive statement like "yes, a 91 NA is going to be really realiable...don't worry".

Engine lifespan depends on how it was maintained and driven. So unless you know all the owners and their driving/maintainance habits, there is no clear-cut answer.

Your best bet is to find out as much about these cars as you can, through the forum etc, have someone who knows these cars check it out with you, then make a decision based on that info.

Personally, if I was buying a Rex, the 'engine transplant' scenario would always be in the back of my mind. Its just the nature of these cars...

 

Perhaps I should clarify. I expect a car that old to be that old. Previously, though, I always thought the rotaries were more reliabe until I started to read around here. I expect to have to take care of things, but I was looking for feedback and reliability of a high-mileage rotary.

 

I bought my 89 GTU with 169K miles. original owner had every record.....i mean EVERY record. I have got all oil change and tune up slips for the past 13 years.

This thing runs awesome and still has great power at all RPM's.
Only paid $1500
But, I will be getting a Pineapple engine(like the warranty) before it has a chance to go.
Good luck getting that car it is georgous!

 

2nd Gen. too old? I would say no.

I own two 1st gens....'83 GSL and a '85 GSL-SE.

The '83 is running strong as ever!

The '85 was running until I took everything out of the engine bay so I can get a 20b in it.

 

Higher mileage rotary's are iffey. Watch any non turbo car over 130k miles, and any turbo over 100k miles.

 

what you should know is :

THEY'RE STILL PRODUCING for this car!!!!! This bodykit just came out. People still drop 3 rotors into the older r100, rx-2, rx-3, rx-4, rx-5, repu, rx-7, etc... There's a large following on these cars, so there's people producing & buying still.

Here's a few kits that just came out:

 

how to get that hood.............

 

OMG THAT GUY HAS SOME MASSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER ON THE FRONT TIRES

 

Pro drifters do silly things