General RX-7 Questions
05-29-02, 04:56 AM
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General RX-7 Questions
I've been researching 2nd Gen RX-7s for weeks (probably even months) since my mom said she's been looking into buying me one. I have a few questions about them that I haven't seen on these forums yet (nor do I have the time to look, its 2:29am here).
1) What generally will I have to fix if I buy a used RX-7? I know everything can't be perfect but what is most likely (90%) going to be broken? I have a feeling most of the problems people have come from poor care of their cars. I read the post about used RX-7s but those things were all too broad. I want to know for sure what I'll have to look into fixing.
2) Is there anything you can do about the electrical system? I know it's buggy and lots of people have problems with it but is there a new one you can buy or something?
3) What is the best year for 2nd gen RX-7s overall? If I have a choice between an 88 with over 150k miles and an 86 with a rebuilt engine at 20-30k miles what should I get? Anyways, what year is the best (if they were all at the same mileage)?
4) Is there any place online I can learn about car engines (especially rotary engines) in an easy way? I know if I get this car I'm going to have to work on it myself so for someone with little to no knowledge on cars what's a good place to learn online?
5) Are there any other cars in the 88-93 year range that are comparable to the RX-7 in terms of looks and speed?
Thanks, I hope somebody answers this.
1) What generally will I have to fix if I buy a used RX-7? I know everything can't be perfect but what is most likely (90%) going to be broken? I have a feeling most of the problems people have come from poor care of their cars. I read the post about used RX-7s but those things were all too broad. I want to know for sure what I'll have to look into fixing.
2) Is there anything you can do about the electrical system? I know it's buggy and lots of people have problems with it but is there a new one you can buy or something?
3) What is the best year for 2nd gen RX-7s overall? If I have a choice between an 88 with over 150k miles and an 86 with a rebuilt engine at 20-30k miles what should I get? Anyways, what year is the best (if they were all at the same mileage)?
4) Is there any place online I can learn about car engines (especially rotary engines) in an easy way? I know if I get this car I'm going to have to work on it myself so for someone with little to no knowledge on cars what's a good place to learn online?
5) Are there any other cars in the 88-93 year range that are comparable to the RX-7 in terms of looks and speed?
Thanks, I hope somebody answers this.
05-29-02, 08:06 AM
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1. Here's a link to a thread covering stuff that breaks.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=48813
2. It's not a problem with the system per say, more so of problems with connections and connectors.
3. Varies upon opinion. 86-88 have a mechanical OMP, less wieight and less power, while the 89-91 have electrical OMP (more prone to failure) 200-300 pounds more weight and around 20 more HP. I'd pick 89-91 just because they SHOULD have less miles (but not always).
4. www.howstuffworks.com and search for "rotary engine"
5. Sure, but for the money, RX-7s are hard to beat.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=48813
2. It's not a problem with the system per say, more so of problems with connections and connectors.
3. Varies upon opinion. 86-88 have a mechanical OMP, less wieight and less power, while the 89-91 have electrical OMP (more prone to failure) 200-300 pounds more weight and around 20 more HP. I'd pick 89-91 just because they SHOULD have less miles (but not always).
4. www.howstuffworks.com and search for "rotary engine"
5. Sure, but for the money, RX-7s are hard to beat.
05-29-02, 08:16 AM
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Greek Power
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1) You could have a perfect car, or you could be fighting problems all day long. Same thing as with any other used car. Search and check before you pay 
2) You cannot "buy" a new electrical system. You can change various bits, and you can restore/repair a big chunk of the rest, but you'll need to be handy with a DMM, a soldering gun/iron, wire cutters and electrical diagrams.
3) The main area of problems for the RX7 is the engine (of course). If not properly maintained, it can fail after a short period of time. If the engine is rebuilt, then you have a better shot at making this a daily driver that will last a long time. A newer car will always be better, but a "newer" rebuilt engine means a lot too...
4) Dont forget http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/
5) As I understand, over there you can find a decent SX200, SX400, or even a Supra for more-or-less the same amount of money...
2) You cannot "buy" a new electrical system. You can change various bits, and you can restore/repair a big chunk of the rest, but you'll need to be handy with a DMM, a soldering gun/iron, wire cutters and electrical diagrams.
3) The main area of problems for the RX7 is the engine (of course). If not properly maintained, it can fail after a short period of time. If the engine is rebuilt, then you have a better shot at making this a daily driver that will last a long time. A newer car will always be better, but a "newer" rebuilt engine means a lot too...
4) Dont forget http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/
5) As I understand, over there you can find a decent SX200, SX400, or even a Supra for more-or-less the same amount of money...
05-29-02, 08:55 AM
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OOOh and don't forget to make sure that he provides documentation on the rebuild. I had a guy try to pass off a motor with 163K miles off as a rebuilt with around 40K...
05-29-02, 09:20 AM
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get the 86 with less miles... and run premix 
OMP are the devil!
a 240sx is similar to an rx7, Except it doesn't have a rotary so it sucks
and howstuffworks.com is awesome website.. I love it!
OMP are the devil! a 240sx is similar to an rx7, Except it doesn't have a rotary so it sucks
and howstuffworks.com is awesome website.. I love it!
05-29-02, 10:12 AM
#7
knowledge junkie
The above pretty much covers it. Which model are you looking to get?
My favorite ones are the convertible, 89-92 Turbo II, 88-90 GTU-S, 88 10th Aniversary Turbo II, and 91 Infini Turbo II (japan only).
Here's a welcome package for you:
Hey welcome to forum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey welcome to the forum.
The best thing about the rx-7s is the car is 100% designed as a TRUE sports car - not a
"sports coupe" or "sports sendan."
The Turbo II is a SUPERCAR and is the tuners DREAM CAR. Mazda designed the car with 450HP in mind but detuned to 200/180 ft-lbs torque. What that means is you can GO NUTS designing a porsche killer for little $$$.
The rotary engine is PERFECT for a sports car. Mazda designed the rx-7 to take 130% advantage of it. That means you get lightweight HIGH OUTPUT performance, UNLIMITED REVING (there's nothing to break), small engine means sweet aerodynamics = low drag. Handlign is the BEST part of the rotary experience. The chassis has rear steer like some porsches, so you can kick some serious butt around the corners. The car handles & drives so well - it inspires you to push the car beyond what you think it's capable of
Best of all, the rx-7s have an international following from tuners, manufacturers, and enthusiest. That means you have a wide selection of performance upgrades, accessories, bodykits, coffeytable books, toy models, and knowlegable people.
a few pictures:
My favorite ones are the convertible, 89-92 Turbo II, 88-90 GTU-S, 88 10th Aniversary Turbo II, and 91 Infini Turbo II (japan only).
Here's a welcome package for you:
Hey welcome to forum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey welcome to the forum.
The best thing about the rx-7s is the car is 100% designed as a TRUE sports car - not a
"sports coupe" or "sports sendan."
The Turbo II is a SUPERCAR and is the tuners DREAM CAR. Mazda designed the car with 450HP in mind but detuned to 200/180 ft-lbs torque. What that means is you can GO NUTS designing a porsche killer for little $$$.
The rotary engine is PERFECT for a sports car. Mazda designed the rx-7 to take 130% advantage of it. That means you get lightweight HIGH OUTPUT performance, UNLIMITED REVING (there's nothing to break), small engine means sweet aerodynamics = low drag. Handlign is the BEST part of the rotary experience. The chassis has rear steer like some porsches, so you can kick some serious butt around the corners. The car handles & drives so well - it inspires you to push the car beyond what you think it's capable of
Best of all, the rx-7s have an international following from tuners, manufacturers, and enthusiest. That means you have a wide selection of performance upgrades, accessories, bodykits, coffeytable books, toy models, and knowlegable people.
a few pictures:
