I want a 2nd gen but......
01-25-02, 12:46 PM
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I want a 2nd gen but......
Alright, here's the deal, I'm interested in a 2nd gen NA preferably a 89-92, but I have some questions. I'm plannin on eventually finding one with 60k Miles or less, so how reliable are these cars? How many miles can a rotary go if well taken care of? How many miles will it go if I buy one that wasn't so well taken care of? Also I had heard on the 86-89 models that the computer and soldering connections were a problem. Is this much of a problem on the 89-92 and was it really much of a problem on the 86-89 models. This will be my only means of transportation, so I need it bo be fairly reliable. I understand a 11 or 12 year old car is not going to be perfect, but I don't really want something that is going to be in the shop every month. So anyways, I would appreciate any information you could give me on your experiences of ownership. Thanks in advance!
01-25-02, 01:02 PM
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hambre y sueño
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a non-turbo will go a LONG way especially if it is highway miles.
These cars LOVE to be driven and hate being parked. So hell yeah they are realible, just get one in good shape. Also do NOT ever take your car to a mechanic, and be ready to get familiar with the car and the rotary engine.
These cars LOVE to be driven and hate being parked. So hell yeah they are realible, just get one in good shape. Also do NOT ever take your car to a mechanic, and be ready to get familiar with the car and the rotary engine.
01-25-02, 01:40 PM
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Search for one, then buy it.
I've had my car for about 8 months now. It has about 180,000 on the body/drivetrain/interior and about 80,000 on the engine. Not a single problem yet, works beautifully and pulls hard. All that matters is that the previous owner took care of it (didn't overheat and changed oil) and that you do the same. Love the car and it will love you back.
Also, while I would never take my car to a normal mechanic, I do know of one rotary only mechanic who gives me advice and supplies me with parts. I'd recommend finding someone like this so you can get the car properly checked out before you drop any cash.
By the way, if you can find a better car for under 3k (I paid about 2k for mine) that handles this well and goes this fast, buy that instead. But since you probably won't find that, get the 7.
I've had my car for about 8 months now. It has about 180,000 on the body/drivetrain/interior and about 80,000 on the engine. Not a single problem yet, works beautifully and pulls hard. All that matters is that the previous owner took care of it (didn't overheat and changed oil) and that you do the same. Love the car and it will love you back.
Also, while I would never take my car to a normal mechanic, I do know of one rotary only mechanic who gives me advice and supplies me with parts. I'd recommend finding someone like this so you can get the car properly checked out before you drop any cash.
By the way, if you can find a better car for under 3k (I paid about 2k for mine) that handles this well and goes this fast, buy that instead. But since you probably won't find that, get the 7.
01-25-02, 01:43 PM
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They are quirky at best. I tried to simply reground the battery, and fried the whole electrical system! Be VERY careful with it! Treat it right, do LOTS of research, and then make a decesion! I love mine, when it runs! And it is a 1991!
01-25-02, 01:46 PM
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Re: I want a 2nd gen but......
Originally posted by brokily
Alright, here's the deal, I'm interested in a 2nd gen NA preferably a 89-92, but I have some questions. I'm plannin on eventually finding one with 60k Miles or less, so how reliable are these cars? How many miles can a rotary go if well taken care of? How many miles will it go if I buy one that wasn't so well taken care of? Also I had heard on the 86-89 models that the computer and soldering connections were a problem. Is this much of a problem on the 89-92 and was it really much of a problem on the 86-89 models. This will be my only means of transportation, so I need it bo be fairly reliable. I understand a 11 or 12 year old car is not going to be perfect, but I don't really want something that is going to be in the shop every month. So anyways, I would appreciate any information you could give me on your experiences of ownership. Thanks in advance!
Alright, here's the deal, I'm interested in a 2nd gen NA preferably a 89-92, but I have some questions. I'm plannin on eventually finding one with 60k Miles or less, so how reliable are these cars? How many miles can a rotary go if well taken care of? How many miles will it go if I buy one that wasn't so well taken care of? Also I had heard on the 86-89 models that the computer and soldering connections were a problem. Is this much of a problem on the 89-92 and was it really much of a problem on the 86-89 models. This will be my only means of transportation, so I need it bo be fairly reliable. I understand a 11 or 12 year old car is not going to be perfect, but I don't really want something that is going to be in the shop every month. So anyways, I would appreciate any information you could give me on your experiences of ownership. Thanks in advance!
i've had my 91 n/a for almost 3 years now and the only things i've had to do are change the oil and plugs...and i put in a new O2 sensor. i drive it everyday, runs perfect, and revs up strong. its only got 28K on the rebuild (98K body) and just had the compression tested in sept and its strong as ****
hehe...if you're interested in one of the most perfect 91's non-turbo's you'll ever find, it might be for sale in the spring...
01-25-02, 02:21 PM
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Well, judging by your post, money is a concern. Money was (hell, IS) a concern for me, too. Luckily, my '7 isn't my daily driver... but...
keep in mind that you're buying, at newest, a 12 year old car. Things will break in any car that old, even Hondas (omg, he said the "H word!"
). Rotaries LOVE to be driven, but require a little bit more diligence in their care. The same type of care, but a little bit more of it.
N/As are bulletproof, unless you fail to care for them. TIIs are time bombs, but FAST time bombs No, really, an N/A can go 220+ thousand miles before it'll die, and a Turbo can go 160+ thousand. Not too shabby. The 86-88s are lighter, and IMO, more "80s", with the black side-strip, etc. The 89-91s are marginally faster, and look better, but have the "mouse belts" (thank you Ralph Nader!).
You say you've heard of the cold solder problems and want to know how common they are. Let me put it this way: when I'm talking to RX-7 owners, trying to get them to join the local club, I say, "...and I can tell you why your clock doesn't work right, and your windshield wipers don't work in intermittant." I've never gotten a "Huh?" So yeah, the problems are common to every car. I find the 89+s to be a bit better, but I think it's just because they're newer.
But to not buy a '7 because of those problems would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It's a simple problem to fix, if you're willing to get your hands dirty. I'd also recommend buying one from someone who knows what they've owned - chances are that they've driven the car the way it ought to be driven, and taken car of it like it ought to be taken care of.
...and to wrap this essay up, I think that getting one's hands dirty is the key to owning and enjoying an RX-7. Not many mechanics can or are willing to work on these cars, and the sorts of problems you're going to run into aren't the sort you'll want to pay any mechanic to work on anyway. I'll also say that for the ~$3k you'll spend on a good-condition RX-7 N/A, you'll be getting a car that's hard to beat - because it's got it all.
Brandon
keep in mind that you're buying, at newest, a 12 year old car. Things will break in any car that old, even Hondas (omg, he said the "H word!"
). Rotaries LOVE to be driven, but require a little bit more diligence in their care. The same type of care, but a little bit more of it.N/As are bulletproof, unless you fail to care for them. TIIs are time bombs, but FAST time bombs
No, really, an N/A can go 220+ thousand miles before it'll die, and a Turbo can go 160+ thousand. Not too shabby. The 86-88s are lighter, and IMO, more "80s", with the black side-strip, etc. The 89-91s are marginally faster, and look better, but have the "mouse belts" (thank you Ralph Nader!).You say you've heard of the cold solder problems and want to know how common they are. Let me put it this way: when I'm talking to RX-7 owners, trying to get them to join the local club, I say, "...and I can tell you why your clock doesn't work right, and your windshield wipers don't work in intermittant." I've never gotten a "Huh?" So yeah, the problems are common to every car. I find the 89+s to be a bit better, but I think it's just because they're newer.
But to not buy a '7 because of those problems would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It's a simple problem to fix, if you're willing to get your hands dirty. I'd also recommend buying one from someone who knows what they've owned - chances are that they've driven the car the way it ought to be driven, and taken car of it like it ought to be taken care of.
...and to wrap this essay up, I think that getting one's hands dirty is the key to owning and enjoying an RX-7. Not many mechanics can or are willing to work on these cars, and the sorts of problems you're going to run into aren't the sort you'll want to pay any mechanic to work on anyway. I'll also say that for the ~$3k you'll spend on a good-condition RX-7 N/A, you'll be getting a car that's hard to beat - because it's got it all.
Brandon
01-25-02, 05:33 PM
#7
knowledge junkie
TIIs do run a slight premium over the life of the car. Less than the 3rd gens, more than the 2nd gen NAs.
Keep in mind the TII is a SUPERCAR whereas the NAs are a fast sports car. Even 3rd gen owners like the feel/handling of the TII better.
Just buy one in good shape with "recently rebuilt engine," "new engine," or "low engine miles. Alternately get a dirt cheap one with a blown engine and do the rebuild yourself.
Keep in mind the TII is a SUPERCAR whereas the NAs are a fast sports car. Even 3rd gen owners like the feel/handling of the TII better.
Just buy one in good shape with "recently rebuilt engine," "new engine," or "low engine miles. Alternately get a dirt cheap one with a blown engine and do the rebuild yourself.
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01-26-02, 07:09 PM
#9
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Just buy one. I've driven lots and lots and lots of different cars....Corvettes, MR2s, Trans Am, Camaros, BMWs, Miatas, Porsches, and Hell even a couple of Ferraris, and I can honestly say that my 87 TII is one of the most fun cars I have ever driven....in the top 1%. Its not necessarily the fastest or quickest or best handling or smoothest or have the most power, its just the BEST, pure and simple.
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