Hey guys, I have an e30 325i ( BMW 3 Series from 84-91 ) and they are great cars. Awsome cars actually. However this was my first car and a auto and a 4dr at that.

I am turning 17 now, but I drive since age 12 in manual tranny cars ( In south america there are no rules to be followed ), so I have some experience driving ( over 25k miles easily )

Now I saved up for a 2nd car. My '89 325i has been in the family since day one, and my dad wants it back before I can start modding it, so I'm on the quest for another car.

2nd generation RX-7s look like great cars, and affordable for what I earn.( Note: I am a european car fan, so for an asian car to get my praise means a lot ) I have already read the how to buy article and looked up some websites, but I'm still unsure if it's the right way to go. ( Sure seems like so )

Anyways, I'll be in this forum more often, the community looks very friendly and maybe I'll get an FC.

By the way... anyone in Miami, FL here?

Take care guys,
Erick

 

Hi, you will love the FC. Look at my sig.

I own an automatic E30 also as my daily driver. All I can say is drive an FC. The FC makes my BMW feel like a tank. The FC out accelerates, out brakes, and out handles it. Even looks better too. Its a great enthusiasts car and I would recommend one if you don't mind having less seats.

 

Hey nice to hear that. Even though I have an obssession for e30s and I can praise yours for a good while heh.

Although there is space in my head for more than 1 car

By the way, I've heard that rotary engines are really expensive to maintain. Is this true?

 

If it makes you feel any better, in the late 80's Porsche liked the FC so much that they were in negotiations for Mazda to build the 924/944 replacement based on the RX-7 747 (FC) platform.

If it wasn't for the recession in the early 90's (which almost killed both Porsche and Mazda all together) and a complete restructuring of Porsche's BOD you would have seen the USA and Euro entry level Porsche that was built by Mazda with a Turbo 4 cyl from Porsche.

 

Wow that's awsome.

But how expensive is it to maintain an FC?

 

its not too bad... mostly normal maintenance... you just have to keep up with it... coolant, plugs, oil, filters

if the engine blows then its gonna cost to get it rebuilt... but its the same with any engine...

depending on if you go turbo or n/a you will have different lifespans on the engine, with the n/a's generaly lasting quite a bit longer

i think the only thing that would be hard would be finding a good shop if you dont want to work on it yourself... but other than that they arent really any more expensive to maintain than other cars... and probably a bit cheaper than your bmw

 

I would say all that is true vectorminds, if you find a car with lower miles or has been kept up properly...

 

you said you were a fan of european cars right? well guess what, the guy that build one of the first rotary engines, senor FELIX was from germany, and was all up in that **** late 1940's creatinga working prototype, so basically teh engine was assembled and created for teh most part in germany and then bought by the professional japanease or chinese whatever people who made it run and perform better but the early and working design was made in germany so tru tru ( i know all u bastards are gonan say that the models of a rotary engine were made ages ago, but u know Dr. FELIX WAS THE MAIN MAD Scien tist taht made it all possible )

 

Thanks for all the information guys. Surely seems that the FC has it's european side too, and that's awsome. Didn't expect that.

I'm going to research more about the car itself so I can be 100% sure of what exatcly the car is and if that is exatcly what I want.

Please feel free to add any more comments I should know about FC3S ( Coupe models right? No interest in convertible here )

Erick

 

the fc is a great car. I just bought mine a few days ago and its great. Such a fun car to drive. Just some info for you its a 91 NA with 72k original engine but still has some lttle things that need to get fixed like wipers and antenna. Something to look forward to if you pick one up.

 

I have driven a lot of cars in my life (even some very high end rides) and my 87 TII is the best hands down when you take every thing into account handling, price, pucker factor

 

Wow it all sounds awsome, but I'm still intrigued with the fact that a rotary engine is so hard to see.... I can't shake off the thought that there is something to it... but the more I research the more I seem to be proven wrong.

Why are rotary engines so rare in the automobile industry?

 

Until next month, when the RX-8 stirs things up.
(250HP from 1.3L NA with full emmssions controls & good gas mileage.)

 

Rotary never took off like it should have because of relatively higher emissions and fuel consumption in the 70's when they were in Mazda economy cars. They found thier niche in RX-7's but the sports car market dried up (damn SUV's!) in the 90's.

Hopefully like SureShot stated RX-8 will stir up some interest and show the benefits of the technology. Its reliable, simpler and more power efficient. If the RX-8 is successful Mazda needs to do in put in the the Miata and something else and a sedan to put it over the top.

 

So how's the fuel consumption on the FC RX-7?

 

About average 17/24

I usually get a little worse mileage.

 

And what's the gas tank capacity?

And your average is based on an agressive style of driving to granny-style driving?

 

Nah, thats what Mazda says the mileage is.

Mines got like 12 in city and 17 average on highway. But it did need an oil change, air filter change, spark plugs, and possibly a new 02 sensor.

 

the fc's r an awesome car man u will have fun if u get one, look a my sig. not bad for a NA and got more to do!! but my first 7 was a 1st gen, i liked it so much i had to get a 2nd gen, and workin on getting a 3rd gen if i can find one!! anywho the maintaince isnt really any diff then other cars!! the 7's r a redline car so dont be scared to drive it in the high RPMage!! very fun enjoy if u get one!!

BTW and never overheat a rotorary could be hazardous down the road!! PEACE!!

 

Can anyone else share their experience with gas mileage in their FCs? even if your car is heavily modded I want to hear it, so that way, I know the future gas consumption and the far distant modded future gas consumption

 

Turbos are extremely hard to stay off boost. I hit 5psi at like 2900rpm in 2nd gear barely on the throttle. It pisses me off But after driving my turbo ii for like 10 minutes getting into another car is annoying. Less fun to drive and less comfortable than my FC.

 

your gas mileage really just depends on what has been done to the car and how you drive it. you shouldn't base the car on the gas mileage but on the pure enjoyment you will recieve from this car. FC's rock I would buy a 86-88 NA, they would appear to be more realiable and get better mileage since thats your thing. lates matt22

 

Hey I just bought a 91 NA fc last monday and after having the car for a week I have 1/6 tank of gas left and have 170 miles so far. This is a combination of 70% city driving (fairly spirited) and 30% highway. Hopefully I can reach 250 miles by the time the gas light comes on. Maybe my fuel gauge is a little faulty, I recall this as a somewhat common problem with rx7s.

 

Thanks for your input. Sounds like less than I can do in my e30, but I drive 50% aggressive and 50% granny-like

Also, it's 90% on the city and 10%highway

 

If I'm trying hard to squeeze the miles out of a tank I can get about 23 maybe 24 mpg, but if I'm driving more agressive my car seems to only get about 15 mpg. I think that's somewhere around the norm.