with the stock motor, i really had no problems, even when it was all worked driven hard daily, now that i ported and bigger turbo and all that good stuff, it seems like theres always something wrong if its running or not, i cant win

 

when i first got the car about a year ago it hadn't been looked after too well. first the alt belt snapped and took all the other belts with it, then the top rad hose went, then the lower. radiator cap went next, then the ht leads, then the alt. i replaced all of this within the first 3 months of owning the car. i've now just finished renewing those annoying little coolant o-rings between the lim and block. fingers crossed thats it for a while. (i know it wont be because its cold outside, i dont have an indoor garage and i'm skint at the moment ) all this and not once have i regretted buying a 7

 

I dont know what you guys are talking about, I've had my 7 for a year and I have never had ANYTHING go out on me. This car is hella reliable.

 

If you guys would do some "spring cleaning" on your cars, it would'nt give you trouble. I know of some people that never change any fluids and expect a 15 yr old cars to be reliable.
When you get into your engine bay, pop off the manifold and change your hoses and check all your wiring and connectors for corrosion. Check for error codes while you're add it, check the TPS and all fluids. It's minor things that will keep a car running as it should. I drive my TII everyday although not a far distance but it runs as it should even though it has some extensive engine "reworkings".
It's common sense fluids need to be replaced and changed but people don't do it. I change trans. , coolant w/mineral water and brake fluid yearly and oil monthly. Fluids are cheap and shouldn't be neglected.

 

My 89 GXL N/A becides changing the oil filter replacing the plugs and a couple of belts (she changes her own oil if you get my drift) she hasn't left me stranded at all. And all of this at 217,000 miles.

 

other than a few mounting brackets, and exhaust that needed replacing due to rust, i haven't had anything break down on me. of coarse i've only had it for 6 months, and the guy before me did replace a few things to get the car working he says, only obvious one to me is the alternator. but right now i drive it daily and have no problems.

 

I'm going to quote my boss on this one:

Fast, Cheap, Reliable - Pick Any Two

 

my T2 always starts, my oil cooler lines leak now that's it, oh my AC only works part time....

 

all of my na's run or have run great. clutch and brake master cylinders have gone out on all my 5sp rx7s, but properly taken care of they seem to be pretty solid. my 91 coupe took a year of absolute hell at college and i only changed the oil once. of course there are plenty of little non essential items that have to be fixed but the cars have never let me down. just replace what needs to be replaced and pay attention to essential systems and they do just fine. become fasinated with the car and learn about it, thats the best way to make sure your motivated to work on it and keep it healthy.