I've recently become enamored with the 2nd gen RX7 T-II model. I've never owned an older used car before, therefore I don't have much experience working on cars. How difficult is the 2nd gen RX7 to maintain and work on for a car newbie? How difficult are parts to get for these cars? How much should I expect to pay for a 89-91 T-II without body damage? Any advice or help you guys could offer would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

The car is very simple to work on if you have downloaded or own the service manual (in fact probably easier than most piston engines as there are no valves to adjust or lifters, or timing belts to replace).

New parts are starting to become an issue, but there are many used parts available from many people online, and wear parts such as brakes, filters, and the like are readily available.

For a price in your area, www.Edmunds.com will give you pricing based on what cars are actually selling for (rather than what people think they are worth- which is what many of the replies here would be, or cars for sale in want ads or online).

please also read the FAQ for FC sticky thread at the top of this section as it covers many common questions on the 2nd gen RX-7.

 

i'm going through the same excact thing you are. i just bought a 86 turboII and i don't know much about it.

where in the NW do you live?

 

86 Tii?

 

that really depends on how fast you can learn, how dedicated you will be to maintaining the car and how much money you're willing to spend. for an automotive newbie its a pretty large initial investment of time and money.

everyone says it's easy and cheap; but they already know alot about the car and they already have tools, jack, garage, etc. when i started out with cars i was spending every weekend wrenching; wasting alot of time going back and forth to sears to pick up tools i didn't have, and asking alot of noob questions on forums. a certain kind of socket, a spiral tap for stripped bolts, a second jack to hold something up, etc.

-a clean t2 is a rare find. there are some for sale in the f/s section right now, if you want to check out prices. it varies depending on the level of modification, etc.
-unless you get one with a rebuilt engine, the engine will most likely need a rebuild in the near future.
-the turbo will most likely be at the end of its life.
-there will probably be some other issues with the car, but all answers can be found on forum + FSM

good luck!

 

yeah the guys i was getting a loan from asked what the dude told me the year of the car and they told me 87 but the loan officer said that it doesn't make sense that it would be a 87 when it was in production in early 86.

 

maybe he did the swap already......

 

Just because the vehicle was assembled in 1986 doesn't mean it's a 1986 model. The loan officer was probably wrong. Look at the 10th character of your VIN. It should be a letter. If it's a G, it is a 1986. If it is an H, it is a 1987.

 

I've got to say that my RX-7 is much easier to work on than my Jeep. It has nothing to do with pistons vs. rotors either. Its because of the wealth of information available on this forum. Thanks to the passion of the fanatics here, I've learned an impressive amount of info on my FC, and I'm learning more every day!

</gratuitous_butt_kissing>

 

There was no such thing as an 86 TII unless someone did a turbo conversion, but it still wouldnt be a TII model.

 

I like the fact that i don't have all of those fragile little valvetrain doohickeys.

I hate timing belts.

As for the 86 "TII," most cars are manufactured previous to their "model year" so that way they can be released on time. For instance, the 2005 cars were on the market in what, late November 2004?

 

How reasonable/unreasonable would it be for a newbie like myself to attempt to rebuild the engine, assuming I am able to acquire the proper tools??

 

before i tread jack this dude. let me move my discussion somewhere else..

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/me-my-86-tii-412490/