About to buy a 91 for the GF, had questions. (PICS)
 

Hey guys,
Its been a while since i sold my TII, and wasn't planning on getting another rx7 for a while, but we came across a good, and wanted everyone's opinion. I don't know too much about the NAs, but we found a 91 NA in mint shape w/ only 80k miles. Below are the pics. My question is will the car be realiable for HER. remember its for my GF and i won't be able to fix all the things that my TII went through. Post your thoughts if the car and my GF will get along. She's good with cars, ie... oil changes, but the RX7 is a whole beast.
http://a.im.craigslist.org/f5/8c/ovw...WbrlikpIUi.jpg
http://b.im.craigslist.org/sh/W4/h1n...LGY6VbP4rz.jpg
http://b.im.craigslist.org/Ce/QI/GBm...x8KMKubFuT.jpg
http://b.im.craigslist.org/BH/0z/DJS...YUVISk9VD6.jpg
BTW he's asking 4 grand. its a 5sp. not sure on what model, but it has a Sunroof.
everyone is telling me the NAs will last forever, i just want to make sure. Any maintiance needed around 80k?
Thanks.

I would not get a girlfriend an RX-7 unless she was a true gearhead (and/or we were getting married, and I was going to be around to maintain it).

A S5 NA should be fairly reliable as far as RX-7s go, but it's still a long ways from a Honda or Toyota. NAs do *not* last forever unless very well maintained from day one. Also, $4k for a NA... it had better be in near factory shape.

Also, 80k miles isn't the big issue, 15 years old is. If I were to buy a FC for a girlfriend (as already stated, I don't think it's a good idea), I'd go through and probably spend another $500-$1000 replacing things. All the coolant lines, the pulsation damper, the oil cooler lines, brake pads, and possibly suspension stuff (depending on how bad it was).

-=Russ=-

My S5 N/A was pretty reliable.. never left me stranded. At 190k the coolant seals started to let go. But till that point only thing that need to change was starter and alternator. It has been a really fun and reliable car. But for 4k I think thats a bit to much. Try to get it down for 3k ish.

I will never recomend or buy a 7 any 7 for a girl again. Just to much work involved. I mean hell just view my blog in my sigi and you will understand. Like syonyk said unless we are getting maryd and she is just an enthusiest I would not do it again. get a miata you can get mint ones for 5k that will run forever.

Id buy it, but like was said do a mega full tune up.

replace all the hosed and lines in the engine bay, all belts, fluids, everything. brakes etc too.

its the small stuff like leaky coolant lines that wil bite your ass in the end.


aswell, if you do end up buying it, id strongly reccomend getting her a pod with a water temp, oil pressure, and oil temp gauge. maybe and a/f instead of the oil temp or something, but yeah, just let her knwo what numbers are good so she can kep an eye on em

^ I do not see why a 450$ AF gauge is needed on a stock NA. Be far cheeper to jsu have the injectors cleaned.

i have had my 1991 na since may, put lots of miles on it, city and highway, it has about 159000 miles on it and the only problems that i have had with it so far are the heater hose popped so i replaced that and then the thermostat went bad, other then that its been very reliable and not too bad on gas either.

Thanks for the replys guys. I'm gonna give the car a serious look over. And we've decided that 3700 would be the highest we'd go. As for everything else, as long as we keep up with regular maintance i don't see why this car won't last. A majority of my friends own Rx7s, and the only ones with out a bag full of problems are the NA guys. Also...
Iceblue, sorry to read about all the problems you encountered, however the car was turbo.. i think my girl will be able to handle the 7. if not... i guess i can always buy it from here... hehe

overheating is a much bigger issue than detonating

old injectors are more likely to just make the car flood

Hey man, girls drive 7's too! Just know she'll have to check the oil and keep it topped off often... you know all the lookouts, you owned a TII! If she wants it... it looks to be in nice shape... the price is a bit high in my book for an NA, but maybe not in yours... know what they say, a car is worth what any buyer will pay! Good luck!

Josh