Maybe the experience of an older fart will be helpful. As one of the older frequenters of this forum I consider 59 mature enuf to objective.

I bought my 1st RX in 1990. It was a new GTU NA manual. All work was done at dealership cuz I simply did not have the time or equipment to handle it and frankly had the bucks if repairs were necessary. It died from Michigan road salt in 2001. The chassis had 314,000 miles on it. I had a Mazda rebuilt put in at about 218,100. Prior to that it had multiple brakes, one drive shaft, one clutch and one battery. That was it. It was simply the most reliable, fun, inexpensive to maintain vehicle I have ever owned and god knows I have had a few. Changed the oil every 3K, that was the sum of the routine maintenance. I never got to flush the radiator, brake fluid, tranny or differential.

Two weeks after the GTU was put to sleep, I picked up an exceptional '90 GXL with 93K on original rotary. Now at 114,00 and not a single problem (if a funky BAC does not count). I now maintain it my self at 1/2 the recomended maintenance schedule and it is a charm.

Tell your dad that if he helps with it I suspect he may be bugging you to use it more than you care to hear.

 

what happened to the car from road salt? chassis split in half while you were driving?

 

you could always go with the educated and always mature "Rotary's pwn joo" but then he'll prolly send you away.........

 

jon88... significant rust rocker panels, fenders, and around the sun roof. Sun roof so bad that there were large holes. Made no sense repairing. Blew radiator hose and said it was time to be merciful. Picked up a southern car in immaculate condition. Garaged now over the winter. It is a pleasure car not daily driver.