Megaton

Hello all, recently i've become very intrested in rx7s
and i am planning on purchasing a RX7 fc.
I have a couple of quick questions.

I want to use this as a daily driver, May want some mods later on, much later on.

In the mean time i just need a reliable car, and a fun car, this would be my first car
and I really am "in love" with rotaries now I have read quiet a few articles and have been doing some research seeing if this would really be a good car for me..

So could the 13b, fc be reliable?

rx7-kid

iTrader: (1)

Well all i can say is that I have an FC that is my frist car and i love it even though im fixing it as i go. Just have to keep up oin the maintance and it will last as long as piston engine.. I recently got a new motor for mine because i blew and apex seal which i only has the car for about 6 month, But if your going to by one i suggest having at leas one grand on the side in case something happen.... if your going to by and Fc then first check for compression.

BushyTea

iTrader: (4)

Well it will all depend on its current condition along with how well you take care of it and do the routine work to keep it on the road along with reliable.

I live in TX as well and I have daily driven my 87 Turbo 2 FC for over 3 years now and thats even with a Jspec engine installed. I have even modded it with exhaust, ported wastegate, 10-12psi boost and more.

So they can be reliable as daily drivers as long as the routine maintenance is there and the current condition is good. Gas might be another story though.

Mike

zilch321

Everything I've read says they can be reliable and like the previous person pointed out, it will depend a lot on the previous owner and how much they kept up with fixes.

With any care that is 16 years old+ you'll have a few ways to approach dealing with fixes. You can either seek out and fix every single little problem you find or wait around and fix them as you go. Many problems related to age with these cars will effect the ride quality - something you very much might be concerned about if you are going to daily drive. These items include Ujoints in your drive shaft, many of the bushings in the suspension system,Struts, trans/diff/motor mounts, shifter bushings ect. The seats in many of these cars are in sad shape if they were leather as well.

You're in texas so you shouldnt have any issue finding a car that didnt spend its winters in salt - that will be helpful if you need to spend time under the car as the owner.

I dont think I'd have any issues with making the 7 my daily driver but i'm not 100% sure I'd want a 16+ year old car as my only car unless I didnt have a choice. Thats just one opinion though.

Megaton

Thanks for the replies guys.

Sounds good i am getting pretty amped to buy one i'll just try to fix any problems that arise and keep some money on the side just in case, and thanks again
when i get it i'll post pictures and what not.

fcunderwater

In my experiences with my seven these are the three things to have when owning an FC:
1. Extra cash on the side when something unexpected breaks
2. Electronics knowledge when something unexpected fails in the middle of the Albertsons parking lot XD
3. A great amount of patience/love for the FC

VacavilleFC

yeah expect to spend a few hundred a month atleast in maintenance and repairs. it's a reliable car if you know how to work on it. mine is very reliable but i've also spend nearly 4k in it. really theres alot better cars out there for DD, most rx7's have high mileage by now and really require alot of TLC

CarzArKoo1

for some help, name some of the normal maintance that we can put. frequent changing engine oil, what else?

JSmith0101

iTrader: (6)

Yes it can be, this has been covered numerous times across the internet, feel free to search.

Don't mod the **** out of it and treat it well.

flubyux2

get a nonturbo FC as a first RX7. mine was an 88 SE, base model complete with polished phone dials, red on gray fabric, 5sp. it was MINT. i learned enough about them to know that i was ready to graducate to a T2. i just drove the car daily. it never gave me any problems unless i started it and shut it off before it warmed up; it flooeded out. had to do the ATF trick a handfull of times. i took it on road trips, even drove it from ohio to florida with ZERO problems. NA rotaries can be extremely reliable and go many many miles. after i sold that car, i bought a 1990 GTUs, the enthusiast model. that car was SO fun to drive. that was also my daily driver. the ONLY things i had to fix was the alternator and brake pads. that car served me well for 2 years straight without issue. it lasted on the stock motor for 165k neglected miles. when i got it, the coolant was all rusty. i think a coolant seal let go due to corrosion. if not for that, it would have lasted maybe nother 50k miles.

try to stay away from any 4 lug models. pick up either an S4 Sport or an 88 GTU, or find yourself a nice S5 GTUs. they have good power to weight, great suspension and brakes... it makes them very fun-to-drive cars. avoid a GXL, SE, Base or S5 GTU... sometimes those dont have the "hard" suspension or T2 brakes.

MmSadda

iTrader: (2)

If I was you, I'd buy a non-turbo, and like everyone's saying, have a few grand on hand in case something goes wrong.

My first car is a 87 GXL and I love it.

Also, I'll disagreee with flubyux2, and say that any non-turbo model (yes, even the 4-lug) version would be all right, just so long as you can find a good deal.

Jedsterama

Flubyx is just saying "If you have a choice of models, buy one of these". Good advice.
I own a GXL and Flubyx says to avoid it but I would recommend one as a starter. I love my GXL.
The 3 morals FCunderwater spoke of are awsome.

"In my experiences with my seven these are the three things to have when owning an FC:
1. Extra cash on the side when something unexpected breaks
2. Electronics knowledge when something unexpected fails in the middle of the Albertsons parking lot XD
3. A great amount of patience/love for the FC"

Very true!
If you don't have the $, mechanical or electrical experience owning a RX-7 may not be the car for you.
#3 patience/love is the best part. I've never owned a car that was so rewarding.

But, ya gotta start somewhere, someday...
Buy one soon.

CarzArKoo1

definitely true.

ProjectR13B

iTrader: (1)

short answer is no with a "unless"
if the engine is in good condition, and has been taken care of well it could last for a long time. NAs tend to last longer than turbos. easy driving will help like with any engine.