afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

I was looking for a car and I spotted a '91 turbo rx-7. It looked nice, so I decided to look into the car. I found this forum and many other sites that have begun to turn me onto this car. I don't know much about rotary engines or turbos, but i am very interested in them. First, what should i do to make sure the car in is good running condition before buying it? Any specifics? Also, the car is stock, and I will be wanting to upgrade it; what are some good first upgrades that will give an increase in power? I'm glad i found this board.

- Matt

rx7_turbo2

First thing you are going to want to do is get the car compression checked.

As for modifications, the most popular first mod i think is to either yank out the cats or go with a high flow cat and then a cat back of your choice.

vaughnc

They're a blast to drive, especially the 89-92 series Turbo TIIs.

One of the best supercars ever made - perfect 50/50 balance, EXTREEMLY tight grip, beats the stock 5.0 Mustangs.

Also makes a great classic car that is starting to go up in value for the emaculent ones.

Did I mention it has a BAZILLION bodykits and TONS of accesories available?

It's one of the most supported classic/supercars out there.

Diddo on the compression test. Look for one that has had an engine rebuild lately as well. That will give you lots of years of troublefree engine life. Most people buy them in goof/fair shape to save money, but emmaculent shape will be cheaper in the long run (but cost more initally).

Some rx7 performance sites have staged upgrade pages that make it easy. Here's an "everything" site that gives you an idea of what's available. http://www.rx7.com/cgi-local/2catalog.cgi?cat=15

The stock Turbo II engine's can make 400 reliable HP and even more with some work. The 20B 3 rotor engine's good to about 700 reliable HP and more with work.

First mods are usually performance catback exhaust, air intake, etc... The stock fuel system's good to about 250HP with minor mods - but you'll want to get some boost, air/fuel, coolant temp, and exhaust temp guages first to make sure you don't run the engine lean and kill it.

Other mods are swapping to a front mount intercooler, larger turbo's, larger/more fuel injectors, etc...

Hope this give's you a good starting point. They are LOTS of sites online that walk through all the basics, peformance recommendations, accessory quirk support, etc.. Spend a few days looking over this stuff for a more solid foundation.

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

Thanks guys, looks like i'll have to spend some time sittin on the computer to look this stuff up. I'm used to working on older british cars, so this will be a new experience for me, but a fun one at that. The guy is asking 6,700 dollars for it, but it has some dents in the door, some rust on the exhaust (i will replace it anyway), and the paint isn't the best. If the car does have a strong engine and turbo, how much do you think the car is worth, how much would you pay for it? Thanks for all the help.

-Matt

vaughnc

Oh sweet.

I thought you were like a 17yr old car newbie looking at an import.

You'll have a blast working on these if you've worked on british racing cars.

And they have a very britsh feel in the ride if you ask me - very stiff but smooth.

These cars are excellent for autocrossing, dragging, and several other events.

Let us know how it goes. For $6700 - I'd expect it to be good/excellent shape (below mint/emaculent) with low engine miles, a rarer TII like a 1992 model, or have mods but in fair/good shape.

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

Well, you were right on one part, I am young - 16, but that doesn't mean i don't know anything about cars so don't hold it against me. My dad is a british car nut and he has owned a tr3 and an austin healey 3000, he still has the latter. Him and I rebuilt the healey a while ago and i have also helped others when rebuilding some british cars. I have been under the hood of many older classics, and a few european cars, but nothing japanese and especially no rotarys or turbos. But there's always a first for everything. I was originally looking for a tr6, but the rx-7 caught my eye and the rotary engine looks interesting. The car has 75,000 miles on it, should the engine still be in good shape? I understand these japanese engines (especially rotarys) can last a while. I am going to call the guy who is selling it this weekend and possibly go for a test drive. One more question, i currently drive a 2001 miata and i love the transmission on that car, are the transmissions in the rx-7's as smooth as the miata's? Mazda sure has that part of their auto making right.

-Matt

RX7boy

Hey, I am young too (15) but I guess I know more about cars than most people. I'm also looking for an RX7 but there are only a few TII's out here so I might just go ahead and buy an N/A.

Red2ndgen

Hey, I was just reading your posts and i'd say go for it. This is my first car and i love it. This especially weird cause i've alwayse been into big chevys but you cant beat this car the look, sound, rareity. I got my 86 GXL for 3000 and the engine is good but it needs some exause and a decent paintjob(when touched up the mismatched the paint). Oh and by the way my dad has an austinHealy 3000 too. Weird

vaughnc

The turbo II tranny is bullet proof and pretty smooth. I do the old 2 finger shifts all the time.

Even the 300-400HP modded cars use the OEM trans. It's designed to handle 4500-5500 rpm launches.

If it really only has 75K - your in for a treat. Just make sure it hasn't been sitting for 6 months without cranking. And be sure to get the thing compression tested (can't stress that enough).

The only thing that hurts these engines getting the air/fuel mixture on the lean side by modifying incorectly.

Josepi

16 years old. PLEASE do not buy that car. 5000 dollars is a good asking price, seeing that the exhaust needs work (is it rusted to the point of exhaust leaks? If it is and it needs inspection, it will fail and you will be out more cash getting it to pass inspection. Also here's the biggest thing. Your 16! My god, please get a NA, get used to handling and driving. My friend thought he was invincible back in the day and totalled his 1st car after a year. It would be a shame to take a good car and have it destroyed. I'm not saying that you would do the same thing, just get a few year exp driving, (your insurance rates will go down too!) Im 23, and with NOTHING on my record I pay insurance around the range of 1200 dollars a year. If your on your parents insurance, and you get a ticket (which is NIIICE and EASY to do with a TII) you run the risk of the insurance company dropping you. If your interested in RX-7s, by all means get a good running 1st gen, get used to the mechanical issues. Get used to the perfect handling. For about 3-4K you could buy a NICE 84-85 GSL-SE w/13B motor, do some mods to it and your up around 160HP, around 30 HP away from the TII. NAs are more forgiving of missed shifts and high revs, as your first car, you think it won't happen but it will. Nothing like shifting into 3rd at 60. Think POP on engine. The turbos cost a little bit more to upkeep, and if your turbo goes, then your left with a NA that runs like you scooped up roadkill into the intake. Do some other research like on autotrader and ebay, you'll see that a majority of 89-91 TII's have replaced motors. This is always due to incorrect maintence. Ask if the owner has installed a turbo timer, keeps the car running and oil circulating till it cools down, if not, the HOT oil gets stuck in the turbo and is somewhat bad for the bearings. Hope this doesn't sound pessimestic, I just would hate to see someone as young as you drop a whole lot of money and have fun for a few months, pop a motor, and be out of car and money. Check out replacement costs on engines and turbos. Know what your getting into. Wait and see if the car doesn't sell, he may lower the price.

The Ace

Dont know about the age remarks (I'm quite older ), but I bought my '92 TII a week ago, and I already LOVE IT !!!! Nothing like the Rex TII for overtaking, jealous looks on everybody's faces, very good HP/torque output and overall times. Got to be carefull with the engine, I'll give you that, but other than that, the car is a beauty

Cannt wait to start the mods (already K&N in, MP3 player going in today, downpipe + catback soon to follow...!! )

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

Well, i talked to the owner and i test drove the car with my dad. The oil has been changed religously every 3000 miles and all other regular maitenance has been performed. He is the only owner and he has never had any trouble with the car. He has let the car cool down after running to cool the turbo and he has owned other rx-7's in the past, so he knows about the cars. I am going to get it compression tested today, but i feel confident it will be good. As for insurance, i already checked on the rates and i am willing to pay the cost. Being 4th in my class helps . I am a good driver, i get to drive my parents '01 miata pretty much whenever my dad isn't using it and let me tell ya, i dont feel invincible in that little car and i wont in the rx-7 either. I am already used to good handling by driving the miata, i think it would just be fun to have a little more power. I know how to respect a car, and i am confident that i will take good care of it. The rust on the exhaust is more of a cosmetic thing right now, but once i save enough money, i'll probably replace it. I am also keeping 1000 dollars (and i will slowly add to that) aside for repairs if (when) anything goes wrong. I also want to learn about these engines as i am a very technical person. I build and fly r/c helis and planes and i work on other cars also.

Josepi

Blue Book Private Party Report
Virginia • August 21, 2001

1991 Mazda RX-7 Turbo Coupe 2D




Engine: 1.3L Rotary Turbo
Trans: 5 Speed Manual
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
Mileage: 77,600

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Equipment
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Compact Disc
ABS (4-Wheel)
Leather
Sliding Sun Roof
Rear Spoiler
Alloy Wheels



Consumer Rated Condition: Good
"Good" condition means that the vehicle is free of any major defects. The paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems. In states where rust is a problem, this should be very minimal, and a deduction should be made to correct it. The tires match and have substantial tread wear left. A clean title history is assumed. A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail; however major reconditioning should be deducted from the value. Most recent model cars owned by consumers fall into this category.


Private Party Value $5,435
Private Party value represents what you might expect to pay for a used car when purchasing from a private party. It may also represent the value you might expect to receive when selling your own used car to another private party.


Sounds like the condition you describe yes? 6700 is too much IMHO, specially when this thing says 54. Good luck.

Josepi

Oh ya, be sure to ask if it has been sitting for any extended period of time as mentioned above. Trying to think of anything else that can help ya out!

vaughnc

Good luck. A few thoughts to keep you safe since your new to driving a SUPERCAR (the miata's a roadster).

The TII has a blind spot, so always turn your head to look back before changing lanes. And for heaven's sake - use your blinkers and change lanes slowly. Also extend your mirrors to where you can BARELY see the side of the car - that reduces the blindspot.

Also - people will not see you on the road (especially SUVs) and will pull into you without signaling. So use your horn and watch out for that. The "lunch" crowd on the road is the worst about that.

Don't pass stopped/slow traffic too fast or you can kiss the TII goodby. People will yank out into your lane without warning especially at intersections.

When turning left at a stopsign or off a sidestreet - look both ways 4 times (yes 4 times) before turning left. I crashed 2 cars not following that advice

Other than that - don't do what some idots on this board do. They "bait" fast cars to race on the freeway @ 100+MPH.

You also will be tempted to pass idots in left/fast lane driving slow by pulling into the next lane over. This is EXTREEMLY dangerous because your already doing 70+MPH - and some idot pulls into the same space your pulling into. Either that or the traffic your pulling away from stops suddently and you miss it (since your checking your left mirror) or you yank out to avoid it and hit someone. At 70MPH - your dead.

Don't mean to seem like an AHole - but driving a supercar without taking it easy or using restraint and good judgment can be very dangerous.

Other than that - enjoy - it's a friggin supercar.

Find some nice curvy backroads with plenty of view and have fun.

Jerk_Racer

It sounds like you've got your head on straight. Age and maturity do not always go hand in hand. $6,700 sounds good for a '91 in pretty good shape. If you can bring it down anymore, all the better. The KBB price listings are worthless on cars like the '89~'91 T2. It doesn't reflect the demand from enthusiasts like us that are out there. It is good if you want to know what a '96 Ford Taurus is worth, but not a '91 T2. Going by the Blue Book I know I paid too much for my '89 T2, but I also know it was worth it. A diamond has no value except that which is placed on it. If you pass on this car because $6,700 is too much, rest assured that somebody else will buy it at that price and know they got a bargain. Good luck.

jerk_racer@hotmail.com

Josepi

Lowball the guy. He's probably looked up similar prices. If the guys an enthusiast, it probably wouldn't be stock. The previous is assuming alot, but how many people do you know that are enthusiast and drive around with rusted exhausts. If the number says 54 all im tellin him to do is lowball; it can't hurt. Wait a day for the guy to think it over and call him back.

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

Well, I offered the owner 6,000 for it, but another guy offered him 6,300 and i didn't want to pay any more than that. I'm kinda bummed now, I was really starting to like that car. Oh well, there's always other cars. Thanks for the advise guys.

-Matt

vaughnc

You mean other RX-7s right ???? (RIGHT!!!!!).

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

Well, either a tr6 or an rx-7, whichever comes along first. But there's a big british car show coming up soon, so its lookin like a nice tr6 could be headin my way.

-Matt

AE Turbo

I don't see what the problem is with age and the RX-7. In fact, I think it's a great first car. I bought mine when I was 17 and have no regets. Since I've had it, I've had to repair typical problems like the differential front mount, and oil cooler lines but nothing too diffucult or costly. As long as you are a car enthusiast that will perform regular maintainance, then the RX-7 FC should be a great motoring experience.