Hey, I'm new to the board and this is my very first post, which is ironic because it's about my first car. I am working this summer and at the end I should have enough for a car. I've done some looking around and am very interested in an RX-7. The problem is that I'm really having a hard time finding them! I live in Oklahoma but I'd really just like to find the car first and worry about transport later. Ideally I'd like to find an 89 Turbo II. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to look? Any advice you have would really help! Thanks.

 

Make sure you know what you are getting into These are great cars but if anyone says the turbo's are reliable, they have never owned one While for the most part they will work great there are little things that like to go wrong so if you think you will be strapped for cash once you buy it, don't mod it until you are ready to fix a few things As far as finding one I would just hop on Autotrader.com or Cars.com and see if there is anything out there. Also check the for sale ads on this forums and www.nopistons.com/forums/ and www.teamfc3s.org/forum .

 

be sure you are comfortable working on rx-7s or any car for that matter ... this isnt a car to take to jiffy lube or whatever to get the oil changed, and most shopes will convince you , you have a blown motor when you may just have a vaccum leak ... DONT GET THIS CAR UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK ON IT

seriously

 

I don't really have any experience working on rotary engines, but I certainly wouldn't look on it as a chore Is there a way I could learn more about working on them?

 

Best of luck on your search.....
There are 2 T2s at a local used dealer here in San Antonio.
The first is an 87 that has been there for a couple of months if not longer for $4500. I looked at it but at that time they wanted like $6 or $7k. It sounded good at that time.
The other is a 90 T2 with "Yoka Hamas"(ie Yokohamas, that is how they spelled it). Haven't seen that one.

If you want to check out the listing use www.autotrader.com and put the zip code as 78253 and within 50 miles.

 

Unless you are very good with mechanicals and electricals, do not buy an RX-7 as your first car. Learn on something simple and reliable like an old Honda or Toyota or something.

 

But don't even the most basic 4 cyl. engines have over 40 moving parts? I mean I do have some automotive knowledge, I did the work on my moms 220 HP supercharged New Beetle (come on its sweet). I want to learn about cars and I don't have alot to spend, and I love the RX-7. Would it be possible for me to learn enough to do the work myself?

 

READ READ READ READ... study the problems and fixes on this board like its school is the only way youll learn about the cars... then of course you must have field experience... i guess youll get that when you get the car if you get the car... i learned so much about rx7's a year before i even got mine... i still dont know THAT much but i do know enough to know what to look for or how to pose a question about whats goin on with mine... good luck man and READ

 

if you have automotive experience then it shouldnt be too bad ... it helps to have a friend locally that knows more (like me)

 

best of luck finding a 7..dont feel left out i started out with an 7 and i love it...havnt had anyproblems other than geting a paint job

good luck

-dom

 

That's completely irrelevent. Those "over fourty parts" you'll never see unless you heavily modify the engine. Just because a rotary engined RX-7 has less moving parts inside the engine doesn't mean it is more reliable then a basic four banger Honda or Toyota.

Don't you mean turbocharged new beetle? They don't come with superchargers from the factory.

The initial investment for an RX-7 is cheap, however once it starts breaking little things, or blows the engine or trans or the like, it's not so cheap anymore.

Unless your parents will pay for everything that goes wrong, stick with a simple little (and slow) car for at least a few months while you learn what is going on. I've never been left stranded with a Honda, but I have with an RX-7. That's not something you want in a first car, especially if you can't fix it.

If you must, get an S4 (86-88) N/A. Parts are cheaper and easier to find, and the car is a bit more reliable overall from not having to deal with the punishment of a turbo.

 

GO FOR IT!

Theyre really fun cars to have as a first car - assuming you are in high school - they arent reliable, but are a lot of fun and, as long as you dont blow the motor, most parts can be bought second-hand. make sure you check compression, theres a lot of tired cars out there im sure. Since youre in HS, one problem is they are difficult to park in - no room for anything!

 

Go ahead. I just got my '91 Coupe a month ago and I'm 16. I've already fixed most of the problems I just need to get my A/C working, a paint job, and a few interior things replaced and I'll be good to go! I don't know about getting a turbocharged model... RX-7s have relatively low mpg, and TIIs need high octane gas, 91-93 octane if I'm not mistaken. Whereas the N/A model takes the lowest octane available (87). Seeing you're still in high school like me, are you willing to pay the extra $0.20 per gallon? And, I think the N/A has enough oomph anyways... Plus, turbo models are harder to find. In the end, it's all your decision.

 

they arn't "hard" to work on, they just require alot of maintence. the rx-7 was my 1st car. 1 n/a and 1 TII. there nice, considering how old they are.

 

My first car was a mini-van. I bought a 85 gsl-se after driving for a few monthes. Loved the car, but I wanted a turbo FC from the begining. I bought a 89 TII at 17, and love it too. People say it may be a bad car becuase of the high maintence, but if you want to learn, and aren't afriad to get your hands dirty.....go for it. You can find write-ups on alot of major jobs, and if you can't just get a haynes manual and figure it out. There are always places like this that can help you if you get into a jam.

 

We'll I'll start by saying they are really nice cars. Although I can't say from experience, I look forward to the one I am trying to purchase now. Do yourself a favor and buy a box of the blue rubber nitrate gloves from a local auto store and you are good to go haha. Keeps the hands nice and clean.

I think the obvious thing with the TII as opposed to the N/A version is the wear on the engine being much higher. BUT the one mistake you will regret is buying a car that you don't really want. So if you want a TII and are willing enough to work on it then get one, don't just "settle" for an N/A because it is easier to find or whatever. Make sure you get what you will be happy with.

With that said, be prepared to spend a little money when you get the car, if you do, because whenever you buy a car it usually requires some kind of maintenance. Find a reputable shop maybe and have them inspect it before you even buy the car. Make sure everything is a go and be sure to tell them to give you info on anything that may need repairs or replacements in the near future.

And most importantly learn about your car. Knowing it from front to back will be invaluable. Plus you'll have to take into consideration that it is a rotary engine which isn't all that common. Which leads to my question for those that have these cars. How easy is it to obtain parts? New and used. I know with Acura/Honda's (which I currently have) parts are very easy to come by although much of it is fairly expensive.

 

Turbo IIs can be quite reliable, if they are treated right.

 

Cars.com sucks... either that or the people on it are idiots.

 

wtf is "Needs neather cord"

 

it means it needs a neater cord in the car.... no j/k i have no idea must be "car idiot" talk... you know the way people talk when they think they know about their car but dont even know its a rotary

 

Start off with a healthy N/A FC - Most TII's that you'll find with original motors probably don't have much life left in them. We'd hate to see you buy your first car and have the motor let go after 6 months of hard driving. Any FC you'll find will need some work but the N/A should be an easier starting point...once you have your car cash saved up start looking around and test driving a few of them. They are really fun cars...

 

Parts are pretty cheap and availible, less availible then Honda parts but generally cheaper overall.

 

probably 'heater core'

nothing major

 

turbos can be reliable if they are treated right, but odds are, unless you're buying the car from someone who knows what they're doing, it wasn't treated right.

in the FAQ's at the top of this section there are links to "how to buy..." I found them to be VERY useful when i bought mine.

 

I currently own one. It was my first car, and mine has been plenty reliable in the time I've had it.