Thats re-assuring!!!!

 

Actually, it IS reassuring. Usually it is replaced under Factory Warranty! So you know it was done right or at least have a receipt if you have further complaints

 

My friend's 8 (sub-60k mileage) goes through a quart of oil every 500 miles.
My original 91 NA (nearly 200k mileage) goes through a quart every 2500-3k miles.
The dealership tells him this is totally normal and within spec and offered a $150 oil change coupon.
He's currently dealing with Mazda USA trying to get a new engine.

The other thing about 8's...they absolutely suck in the snow.
Both the 2nd and 3rd gen are far superior when it gets slippery.

 

only thing is i do NOT like the rx-8 body , i just have too much love for the fc to just give up on it . been my dream car forever.

 

If you love the FC, then go for it. But don't go into debt for anything. (Especially an RX-8, seeing as how you think they are ugly.)

If you go for an FC, get one that you can drive home that isn't blown or really eff'd up. That will probably run you around $1,000. (Sometimes more, some times less.) Try to stay away from ones that are modified or have been "tinkered with" improperly because you will be ending up with more nightmares than you can handle.

If it doesn't sound/seem right, don't buy it. When ever I go look at an FC that I want, I at least start it and let it run for a while. I know this may sound weird, but like any car, it will talk to you in it's own weird way... Especially if you test drive it. Demand a test drive, and bring along someone who has a good knowlege of rotaries, or at the very least, someone who has a vast knowlege of cars.

If you're serious about an FC, you need to be prepared for a lot of new experiences that you won't have with any other car. Most of these are going to be good experiences though, assuming you bought the right one. Try not to buy from a car lot, and try not to get pissed if you end up with an N/A FC that isn't as fast in a straight line as everything else out there. My first time at the drag strip in mine, I did a 17.57. That day was so much fun, I can't even explain it.

I've driven a 330+ horsepower 6 speed camaro a number of times (WOT ), hondas, a couple grand prix's, a couple FB's, a couple FC's, a Shinka RX-8, and a nasty Cummins turbo deisel. They were all great vehicles in their own right, but I still <3 my FC.

Oh and if you get an FC, do the DTSS eliminator bushings. If you don't, you might be in for a very very wild ride.

 

And there is nothing wrong with N/A's. It just gives honda kids one less thing to complain about once you whip there *** on the street

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with N/As. They can be tossed around just as well as Turbos. The straight line speed will be lacking, but in my opinion, they are much more bullet proof than the Turbos. There seems to be a lot of dislike for N/As lately on the forum with all the turbo swaps and what not and I just don't get it.

 

Everybody has to start somewhere. You never know where the love for the FC might take you. As long as your parents are cool with it sitting in their driveway or garage, you have access to plenty of tools (maybe your Dad or Uncle has a nice garage full of tools and equipment) and you're not going to cop out on the hard work (and sit in front of the PS3 all day), I think you'll have a good time. Go ahead and go for it. Personally, and I think a lot of the other guys have had the same experience, I've learned everything I know about the FC (which varies day to day, month to month, and really isn't all that vast) from broken ones. I can read the FSM until I'm blue in the face, but the true appreciation and knowledge has come from getting my hands dirty on a broken one.

 

I bought my RX7 as 16 for a DD (2004). It was drive-able maybe 50% of the time. Down time mostly waiting on parts, or money to buy parts.

If I could do it all over again, I would buy a used pick up for a DD/tow-rig/parts hauler. And save up and buy a FB/FC/miata shell for a project car.

They are cheap to buy, expensive to own.

 

I worked my *** off to afford my first RX7 my junior year, bought a Turbo II with a decent amount of mods. It was high maintenance, but I could justify that being I loved that car. Was it financially smart for me to buy it as a high school student? Hell no. But if I had to do it all over again, I'd do everything the same(besides for wrecking it)...



Considering the fact that you have the desire to build a car, and are on the forums and you haven't even got your license yet, I'd say your on the right track. But you have to be a enthusiast to keep the motivation to build/own RX7's. From a money point its stupid to buy a high maintenance old sports for a first car, but if you have the desire to build it/keep in running, go for it, don't let anything stop you.


Edit: get a n/a though. Turbos are expensive all around, and honestly it'll be too much power for someone young with limited driving experience. n/a's are quicker than everyone makes them sound, just slow compared to today's sports cars.

 

indeed, we dont want to see another t2 leave this world

 

At 16, this might sound stupid. But I'm glad I didn't buy my TII until right before my 17th birthday. Even then, it is still somewhat of a miracle that I didn't wreck the thing. If I would have had the car right out of the gate, I guarantee you that I would have wrapped it around a pole.

Pick up a non-running car. If your patient and actively search for a deal... You will find one. I got my second FC for free. Mind you it had caught on fire and sat behind a shop for two years, but it was still free.

 

Brought my 1st fc when I was 16 and not once did I regret it. The next yr I rebuilt/ported the motor along with an assortment of mods all on a fast-food income. N/A fcs are cheap and cheap to work on so I say by all means get one.

 

buy an ugly turd that runs for cheap

 

If you decide to buy, I'd suggest going NA. I love my TII, but it'll probably be cheaper and easier to work/learn on than a turbo. And as many have already said, I'd get something else as a DD. Because once your car does break down(which it probably will), you'll find out quick that few people know how to work on rotaries. Some shops will refuse, some will say they know what they're doing and then jack up your car. And be careful with Mazda dealerships, they don't always know what they're doing either.

 

N/a's are damn near bullet proof if you take care of them, preventative maintenance is key.


+1 on mazda dealers. There are only a handful I know of that actually have a tech that knows rotaries.

 

You should buy a fc; running or not. lol.
If you are meant to own one then it won't matter about the money situation.
I bought mine my first year in college.
Knowing nothing about cars, what a rotary engine is, etc.
Learned a lot, got antifreeze burns/scars on my arms because my rad cap exploded and my overfill another time (no idea how).
What I'm saying is, go for it.
Within six months of owning a fc (running or not) it'll test you multiple times
If you pass the tests; it'll take care of you regardless of your monetary situation.

 

So much good advice here.

I think we can all agree that the FC is a very good learning experience. I've learned so much from working on mine in the past 4 years. The amount of knowlege you obtain just from maintaining/ modifying/ rebuilding one is crazy.

To the OP: if you want to learn almost everything you ever wanted to know about the FC's development, design, and structure, look up the book:

RX-7
The New Mazda RX-7 and Mazda Rotary Engine Sports Cars
By Jack K. Yamaguchi

Look for it either at your local library, or on amazon. It's the most interesting book about mazda rotaries I think I've ever read. Great pictures too. It's definitely worth every penny if you buy it.

 

i can never find any cheap fc's thats the problem .

 

Giver if you love the FC and are financially able to buy one and maintain one do it. I wanted one ever since I was 15 I searched for years for one I could afford and was in decent shape.. Bought one at 19 and im on my third year on moding it and its been the best time ever.. Its not to much of a financial burden you just have to watch for the right price for parts this forum is great for that. But what ever you do make sure you do a lot of research and be prepared to work hard. I prefer the s4's over the s5's due to things like limp mode and the electric omp the only down fall is the thinner rear plate at the top dowel but if you ever rebuild you can changes this

but to simplify things I would suggest you do a couple of things right off the bat
1) omp block off for s4's and premix
2) rats nest removal
3) install all new vac lines
4) new spark plugs/wires
5) new fluids everywhere

 

I bought an FC my sophmore year. I had a truck as a back up but never really needed it. Picked the 7 up for $500 and it always ran like a champ. Yeah I ran into a few problems but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little research on the club and some elbow grease. Take care of the car and it will take car of you. I say go for it. You won't regret it.

Definitly get a running car though and not a shell. It's all the little **** that you forget or don't know you're going to need that adds up when you try to peice one together. Just take your time and wait till you find a good deal. Don't just jump on the first thing you can afford.

 

and s4's are lighter and are built with thicker metal

s4 also haz....
-no autofaggot seatbelts
-replaceable front ball joints
-better lsd's
-etc...

one of the few cases where the cheaper car is better.

 

My budget is only about 500- 800$

 

Then don't buy one now. Save up for 6 months and then start looking for deals. And before you say "6 months?!? I want one now!" remember that 6 months is nothin in the long run with these cars. You could blow your $500-$800 now on a shell and still have to wait 6 months to get a engine. Just wait it out and buy something that will let you enjoy it from day one.

 

Ughh this sucks .