I found an S5 FC for sale with 167,500 miles, If I get it should I expect a rebuild in the next 6 months? I'm also looking for some general advice on an FC with that high mileage, should I stay away?

 

If the price is right go for it! Na's can last a good while if they're properly maintained, do a compression test and if it comes out good buy it and do a full tune up. and you should be good.

 

Its $1500

 

Do a compression test, it's the easiest way to tell the condition of the engine.

 

1500 is a decent price for a beater, i know a guy who bought a s5 na w/170k miles a corksport exhaust, intake, hose job, custom hood scoop, rims and paint is good and he paid 1800 bucks for it. Just do a compression test or have someone in norcal look at it with you.

-Andrew

 

I have 220k on mine right now and it is still kicking strong as far as the motor goes

 

Why wait for it to die to do a rebuild?

My car was in almost the exact same condition, 158k on it and it ran strong.

Some idiot ran a red light and hit me, totaled the car (well, according to insurance it was totaled... it was only body damage, no frame, and the car drove fine... I'd still use it if it wasn't cheaper to buy a whole new shell).

So I decided I'd take the entire CAR minus the frame and body panels basically... and put them in a new shell.

In the process I rebuilt the engine, since I would have it out... it was a good time.

So you should expect that if you're HAMMERING on the car for the next 6 months that the engine MIGHT go out. Compression test it and see how it's doing. If the compression is getting low, rebuild it! Don't let it throw an apex seal out and cause all kinds of damage to your otherwise re-useable rotor housings! (S4 is a different story, the housings apparently wear more on average and should probably be replaced anyway on a high mileage rebuild... that's according to Kevin, and I'll take his word on anything for this car haha)

If you daily drive it and you're nice to it? Last you a looong time. =) Keep those oil changes up.

--Gary

 

i got an auto gxl with leather and all, for 500 dollars, sat in a garage for 13 years, it flawless, going to swap in the motor and tranny for my current rx7. Here in CA, Rx7s are a dime a dozzen, so shop around.(e-bay?) I would'nt spend any time on a comp. test unless in dosent run right, The most important thing to notice is smoking, A large puff when it is first started in normal, but warm it up and drive it , between first and second, get the rpms above 6000, if it smokes then, you need a rebuild. Ive been fixing rx7s professionally for years now, smoke is the first sign of a problem. A compression test is a waist of time if it idles smooth. I have never seen an original rotary last more than 150k, keep that in mind, these engines dont last as long as we would like them to.

 

How do you do a compression test? I recently bought an 88 convertible with 180K miles and want to check it out...

 

Mine was running strong with 158k.

I've seen people with over 200k N/A running fine.. and I've barely been into RX-7s a year, if that. Only owned one for four months.

--Gary

 

I bought mine 6 months ago with 187k on it.Its a white gxl very sexy.Runs great and i sometimes drive the hell out of it. So i say if it idles normaly go for it get a tune up and enjoy!Oh and i paid a thousand for mine so thats not a bad price.

 

No offense, but for someone who says they have been professionaly rebuilding rotaries for years, you dont seem to know what youre talking about. Youve never seen a rotary last more than 150k? My 88 Turbo2 had 148k miles on it, and still ran fairy strong, even when the previous owner modded it without and FCD or fuel pump, and was hitting fuel cut daily. Ive seen/owned dozens of N/As with well over 150k and running strong, original engine. Saying a compression test is a waste of time is just wrong. Yes, smoke definately is a bad sign, but is usually more indicative of a leaking coolant seal than a low compression engine. For the few minutes it takes to do a proper compression test, it can save the potential buyer alot of headaches.

 

now thats real bs. i had 4 rx7s and all of them had over 160k original and still smashin strong. right now i have a s5 with 161k original. are you sure your a pro

 

Damn I wish I never sold that Seven. I blew the tranny beating on this car everyday for 2 years and threw a TII tranny and blew doors off 5.0. Mustangs. Car did'nt smoke and always idled like the car was kept at room temp. This car was definitely in the low 14's. I wonder who owns it now. One thing I always did was change the oil regularly though. I think that has alot to do with rotary engine life.

 

Changin oil effects the life of any motor...