fc tougemonster

A couple of days ago I posted that I was looking at a GXL and I just wanted to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I make any decisions. The car has 162,426 miles, has a new clutch and driveshaft, mechanic owned and stored winters, and good compression. I just want to know how long it would be before I had to do a rebuild and how much it would probably cost to rebuild? I would be rebuilding it myself with a couple other RX guys. Thanks.

bigdaddyp

I have heard of NA cars going well over 200k

fc tougemonster

So would this be a good buy for 1500? I'm on a budget so I was considering not buying it because of the mileage.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

rather opaque question.


how many licks can you get out of a tootsie pop? it can go another 100k or it could crap out tomorrow, no one can seriously answer this question so they will all just be VERY rough guesses. i can't count how many people bought a car and blew it up the next day or even a week later regardless of mileage.

surfmon

iTrader: (6)

i bought my NA with 210xxx on the original motor

you never know

fc tougemonster

alright cool I just didnt know if the rotary engines were only good for about 200,000, or that's what I've heard but I guess it just comes down to maintaning the engine. keep the suggestions coming the more info I have the better. Thanks!

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

ive heard up to 400k on an original engine, the cooling system is probably the most troublesome, if it overheats even once with a fair amount of miles you are done.

fc tougemonster

wow 400k miles! what type of regular maintanence should I do to get a long life out of the engine?

lchaidez

iTrader: (4)

yea, its like kararck said how the cooling system can be the troublesome to cause your engine having a short life.

as far as the maintanence ... your regular maintanence should do it. Just take good care of it, and im pretty sure it'll do the same for you.

edit: my car is still hanging in there with over 120k miles. Just gotta dedicate yourself to your car.

arghx

iTrader: (3)

overheating is your biggest worry. Replace hoses (especially that one that goes to the firewall, that one always breaks. do a search), make sure water pump is in good shape.

Get an aftermarket water temperature gauge. the stock ones aren't that great, especially the 89-91

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

First, read this: http://aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm and do a compression check with a piston tester to see what that's like. Make sure its cold, then start it up and look for any smoke at all. White smoke on startup means that the coolant seals are starting to go, which is a bad thing. You are one slip-up from overheating the car and killing the engine for good if thats the case.
That said, it likey has at least a year or two of life left, possibly more. Either way, its a good idea to set aside a rebuild fund for when it does happen.
My car died of coolant seal failure at 215k. There's one guy on here that had like 380k on his original motor and it was still running fine. There's also people who's engine doesn't even last to the milage of that engine. If it all looks good, and its a godo price, then go for it.