poor_red_neck

Ok, this is my first post....

Howdy ya'll... I have always been a fan of domestic V8 cars, but the 2 imports that I always liked were the 3rd gen RX-7 and late supras.

Well, I'm 16 years old, about to be 17 in June, and I need a car. I don't have much money to spend, and I picked up an autotrader, nothing but crappy 4 cyl civics, and such. I HATE the fact of being a ricer (sorry, just a red-neck thing) BUT like I said, I like RX-7s. I have much respect for the rotary engines, etc. So giving up and about to buy a 89 civic , I goto autotrader.com.... I find a 1989 white RX-7 (non turbo i guess, i dont know anything about RX-7s really) convertible for $4000 (US). I want a semi-fast car just for the fact of having power incase I need it. My parents had a 97 mustang GT and I HOPED I was going to get that car, but 1) I sure as hell cant afford the insurace, and 2) THEY SOLD IT! That pissed me off, they NEVER drive the thing and I was hoping I could get it. If I didnt have to pay a car payment, I should have been able to pay the insurance by scraping my pennies. Well, money is tight at home right now, and I'm currently home shooled so I work full time, then go home and do my school thing in the evening.

Well, as I continue to randomly ramble... I'll make it blunt. Is a STOCK 89 7 ok in speed? I don't plan on racing, burning rubber all the time or just showing off. I'm definately not going to put on a "Coffee Can" exaust that is typical with ricers (GOD I HATE THAT SOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) I hope to purchase a Nissan 350Z sometime in the 'near' future. I got to test drive one, SWEET car, but can't afford it at the moment. I got a carfax report on the car, pretty clean, minor rear end damage, but repaired my a mazda cert. repair place and is fine now. The interior (which is blue EWW!)is in OK condition, it wasnt treated or protected from the sun, but I dont care.

Is this a good buy for the money? I have yet to drive the car or look under the hood or anything like that, they're 125 miles away. With this price, is it sounding OK? or does it sound like somethings really f**ked up?

Thanks for ur input in advance,
Jonathan

rx_7_driver

they r asking way to much for it


btw, would not recomend u buy it, if it is an auto

-Shawn

Ed88convert

If it's the one on carfax with 155,000 miles that's probably too much cash. You can probably get them down a few bucks. I bought an 88 with 67K for $ 3,300.00 out of Huntsville, Alabama on Ebay.

Don't get in a hurry, but during the Spring the price of convertibles goes up up up!

poor_red_neck

no....

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...ar=1987&color=

I had to call the guy to get a VIN, but it check out on carfax.

poor_red_neck

well damn, i guess that is the one

155k

poor_red_neck

and no, its a manual. I hate autos...

rx_7_driver

well mine is a 90 vert and had 133k on it when i got it over a year ago i only paid 2500 for it. they r asking for to much..... i would wait and try to find a cheaper one, r a coupe


-Shawn

poor_red_neck

WOW THATS CHEAP!!!!!!...

I dont really care about it being a convert... did they make turbo rx7s in 89-91?? If so, is it worth it? Im limited to my area (no more than 100 miles from raleigh NC, maybe charlotte, and greensboro) but the rx7 is looking like the way to go for the money.

Anything to look for if I see one 1st person... I have NO experience or anything for a rotary engine, how they sound or anything. So if it makes a weird noise while shifting or anything like that, please tell me, so i dont look like an *** telling the guy it sounds messed up.

Nobody commented on speed:
How is it stock? Speed wise, I dont really plan on putting any mods on it, unless I come attached to it. It will probably be a while before I buy another car, so I just might put some mods on it, but later down the road.

Where's some good places to look? I can only think of ebay motors (which is REALLY sketch to me, plus auctions suck) autotrader.com. Im checkin out my news papers.... no 2 gen rx7s for sale, just 3rd gen all over 20k.

Thanks for the help so far,
Jonathan

RX7_ZRO

I own an '89 Vert myself...everyone else on here will tell you that they're slow (hey guys, at least I can put the top down :tongue: ) anyway, they're decently fast. I've had mine up to 110 or so...that was fun

Yeah, everyone else is right though, $4K is just a bit too much...the only reason my loan on mine even totaled that high is b/c I had to pay off an old loan too

As for off the line accelaration...let's just say I'm not gonna try to pull one over on a Camaro or nothing, the verts are not race cars, unless you mod it of course. They weigh about 3100 lbs, where as the coupes only weigh about 2800 on average (anyone feel free to correct me on that if you know better), so there's a weight difference to tell you the Vert's aren't quite as quick as the coupe models....they're fun though...hope you find a decent one

poor_red_neck

hmmm, wow, 3100 lbs, thats pretty damn heavy....

did they make a coupe in 89? I like the looks of the 89 vs the 90 or even 88, although there isnt much difference.

RX7_ZRO

actually, most of the Rx's were coupe's...the '89-'92 models will look the same vs. the '86-'88 models...and the turbo models went from '87 to '92 as well. Finding you a coupe will be infinitely easier than finding a vert, I think, although the chances of finding a TII in good condition are probably about the same as finding a decent Vert (I think, not sure of produciton numbers). But yeah, $3K or less sounds more reasonable...less if you can manage it

RX7_ZRO

oh, BTW, the Vert may be heavy, but it's still fun
I can slide like nobody's business when it rains

goblues24

just know thta you will have to get a new top and the only decent one is the mazda..others have many fitting issues..thats 1500 to 2000 plus the engines are good but if it goes its another 2-3 grand..so basically try to hold out for either one with a new top or a new engine...or take your chances. i opted for one with a new engine from a reputable rotory shop(pettit)..there are some cars cheap that may last awhile but your gonna be waiting for it to go out basically, cuz the people that can maintain a rotory to go 200,000 miles...most likel;y wont sell em. i have a vert that i recently bought but only cuz i also have antoher car that i know will run every day..my 300zx. its tough for you to put that much money into a car that you might not be able to afford to maintain. your kinda young so you may not want to put yourself in that position...but i love my vert and it is a great car to have hands down..once you pop the top and take it for a spin youll want it no questions asked so just keep in mind the cost of maintaining before you fall in love...cuz you will..especially if its not an auto!!

good luck hope this helps.

awitte

The 'vert is quick, but not fast. I think the '89 engine is rated at 160HP, and replacing the intake and three cats can bring that up close to 200 for less than $500.... The 'verts are just a blast to drive, though! ;-D

Bukwild

I bought a 88 vert with 85k for $2200 missing a window switch and needing a paint job. Don't buy a auto.

Mr. Eccentric

Get a coupe instead. Less hassle, easier to find, less money, better performance.

poor_red_neck

Ok, I thought rotary engines were more reliable, lasted longer than a traditional cylinder car. So on average, how many miles before it just quit going?

Actualy, this is kinda weird, because I can only find convertibles for sale, 1 coupe, 90k, 5k!!!! (had a turbo I think, but I dont give a crap about that.)

A buddy of mine has a '90 coupe, red, N/A, 5spd, he wont let me drive it and hes been on vacation, so I havent seen him push the car 'to its limits' or have I ridden with him. Thats what made me think of the rx7 for my first car... looks to be a good deal for the money.

Soo....
how many miles on the engine before it gives out, on average.

Does anyone know a site with alot of photos of a 88-90 coupe or convertible? Theres a few good ones on ebay, so I can see the car, but not good ones.


Thanks everyone,
Jonathan

GarageBoy

turbos are quicker and faster (by a lot) The problem is, they die because they are poorly maintained

poor_red_neck

Ok, I just talked to my friend on AIM with the 2nd Gen RX-7....

He told me that the rotary is ok, but they will seize really easily if overheated for almost any time. He rebuilt his motor and its almost new, after being rebuilt. His gets pretty hot easily. If he pushes it at all, it'll overheat. He wouldn't give me much more details... he's a little preppy bitch

Uggg, NOTHING EVER WORKS RIGHT!!! NOTHING GOES TO PLAN!!!!!!!!

I was hoping I was going to get an OK car performance wise for not alot of money. If I cant push it, I might as well just turn into a friggin stereotypical ricer and just get a prelude

So what's the limit typically for a rotary? Just a quick drag race? Can i even come close to redlining it without sh*ting my pants worrying its gonna burn up?

Oh, PS


lol - Sorry in advance, I know I'm going to offend somebody, just a joke, no hard feelings or anything.

Ericdrivesrx-7

I have an 89 convertible in very nice condition that I am selling. PM me if interested. 5-speed Black

GarageBoy

You can redline it like crazy, it wont burn up. just upgrade radiators and DO NOT LET YOU ENGINE DETONATE! 1 ping will knock it out (no pun intended)
The 1991 Mazda 787 won LeMans that year. It was a 4 rotor and it lasted 24hrs of constant red line abuse

awitte

You're kidding, right?

Yes, overheating a rotary will kill it faster than most anything else, but rotarys LOVE to be redlined, early and often. More than any other car on the roads, the rotary NEEDS to be redlined, and will hate you if you don't....

If your friend can't figure out what's wrong with his, tell him to ask here on the fourms or get a Civic....

A/.

Rotary Dawg

Well rotaries run hot, and that's just the way it is. Even if the cooling system is totally stock, if it's working well rotaries should not overheat on the street or doing "quick drag races". Heat is a factor, but don't worry too much about it unless you wanna race on 100 degree days on a road track. BTW, I think your preppy friend needs to look into his cooling system!

I drive a 90 vert myself, and frankly I wouldn't drive any other FCs other than the Turbo II. If you're really interested in buying a FC convertible, here are a few basic things you should look out for:

1. Buy a 89-91 (series 5) model. These babies are significantly faster and better than older, 86-88 models. I am not going to go into what makes the s5's better, but if other forum members would like to fill this young man in, feel free to do so.

2. Find a seller that knows what he is driving, and knows how to take care of these babies. This might seem weird, but many people don't even KNOW they're driving a non-piston powered car. Chances are, if they don't even know what they are driving, they wouldn't have known how to take care of it.

3. Check for leaks on the top. Water usually leaks in from the side seals of the window. This you can fix by replacing the rubber seals, but if the top itself is leaking, don't buy it unless it's next to nothing. Replacing the top (with a good top) is extremely expensive.

That's all I can think of right now...hope this helps.


4.

poor_red_neck

What do you mean 1 ping out? Well, thats good news about it being red-lined More info please?

Oops, I was typing this message as you posted your message rotary dawg.... THANKS FOR THE INFO!

awitte

Check this link, if you haven't already....

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=167617