I've been looking to get a rx-7 conv but would like some feed back from members here to see if that will be right fit for me. This purchase would be joy riding/commute. I already own a car right now i just want to have something fun to drive around. thanks

 

i like my vert other than its slow but that will change come summer time verts are ok just dont get one with a bad top so you dont get rained on

 

It doesnt rain too often in southern california. I've always wanted a sporty fun conv and 2nd rx7 seems to be in the right price range too.

 

vert's are much heavier I do believe

 

The only 'downs' I know of are:

(1) From time to time, you will need to replace the top.
(2) The interior liner gets very grungy.

This is far outweighed by the joys of open top traveling.

 

1700 a good price for a good condition 88 rx7 conv?

 

Bad=
Heavier (although the 88 is about the same weight as the 89-91 Turbos)
Less interior room
Some minor body flex (but rather minimal and much less than a mustang convertible)
90-92 models had explosive devices 20 inches from the drivers face (air bags).
The tops are prone to ripping if the previous owner did not maintain it

Good=
Chicks dig it
No back seat (no extra riders)
Handles better than most coupes
Wind in your hair
Better weight distribution than the coupe.
Limited numbers (not like its little brother the Miata which there are a billion of)
Can be made fast swapping the Turbo drivetrain in (as found in overseas models)

 

If you are considering an RX7vert, here is a nice long thread on the subject.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/looking-buy-90-convertible-need-some-advice-486649/

This thread covers most every aspect of the RX-Vert experience, including the attitude from the fellow RX'ers that just don't understand...

Everyday is a vacation in an RX7 convertible. Just take your time and buy a good one. Do your due diligence and you simply won't regret it.

 

Most information can be found in the FAQ

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/frequently-asked-questions-2nd-generation-rx-7-faq-fc-494667/


First before anything else do a compression test, or pay to have it done.

You can buy a rotary with blown engine for couple of hundred $. You can also buy a pretty RX7 for lots of money with a blown coolant seal. You think the engine is good, but the result is an expensive rebuild. It costs more to have an engine rebuilt than you are considering spending on the car. $2000-3000 with labor. If you have doubts, walk away and find another one.

Here is another linK:

How To Buy An '86-'91 Non-Turbo RX-7
http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

Good luck!

 

what do you need to administer a compression test? I am still looking so im not jumping on anything yet. I mean i want nice looking car but i do need it to be dependable at the same time. btw that was such a long read!~

 

The miata convertable is a much better choice as far sporty convertables go. You should buy a TII or a gtu/gtus if you want an fc. If you have to have the vert fc, do a TII swap on it.

 

yeah but you see miata verts everywhere, go the FC and have fun.

 

as Road & Track (talking about the 90 'vert and 90 Miata) says: with the RX-7 Convertible you have advanced a notch over the Miata in both comfort and Ride.

 

Aside from my convertible, I wouldn't own another RX7. The S5 vert is the best looking 7 in my humble opinion.

 

You'll look good getting smoked

 

Says the guy with a widebody turbo vert.... Is that thing 3rotor yet?


Anyways, I love my vert. I think the thing with the 7 is, the car is not a full drag car. Sure it can be VERY fast in a drag race, but the 7 is setup for cruising and track racing. Why would you need 50/50 weight distrobution for a drag car? Unless you are looking for a strict drag car (base model no sunroof stripped, seam welded, p-port) you'll love having a convertible 7. If you have not owned a convertible 7, you shouldn't bash it. If you have never owned a rotary powered car, you shouldn't bash them either.

For a car that is meant for driving through windy roads such as mountains or woods, the convertible only enhances this experience. You can crank more than enough power out of a convertible for your tastes as a street driven car. A tuned agressive streetport/ported intake/high flow exhaust and you have plenty of power for a cruiser. If you want more power than you can reasonably put into a vert, you'll deffinately want a rollcage (and most likely a coupe).

It can be said that the convertible is the 3rd slowest stock rx7. The automatic coupe being slower than it, then the automatic convertible being the slowest. I don't remember if it was this thread or a thread linked to from this thread, but someone said that an automatic is better cause you can't "get drunk and redline every gear." The guy is a ******* idiot, never drink and drive (especially in a car you wish to keep and in one piece.) Second, you keep up on the maintenence and redline all the gears you want! I promise that even at 7k rpms you won't throw a rod I love the convertible, but I wouldn't buy a 7 with an automatic transmission for any other reason that a parts car.

 

Sorry to interupt, but i have owned 4 second gen 7's and 5 1st gens. Just recently i purchased a 91 convertible with 104k and in absolutely mint condition. Ofcourse the top is being fixed as we speak. But i would have to say that it is the funnest 7 i have ever owned. Yes i will Agree that it is somewhat slower than my old 90 gtu streetport that would hold 140 and beg for more. I am 33 years old and let me tell you all that whn i get into this car i am really appreciative of owning a car that is nearly 15 years old and still looks good next to any car. I suppose that i am leaning away from the aftermarket world of tuning rotaries, but these convertibles are a blast to drive and if you are all concderned about being a second slower in a qaurter mile than a cou pe you are fooling yourself buy not taking a piece of automotive histotry in your hands. These cars are still sought after because of there collectibility. However i would lean towards 89-91 verts due to the fact that they have the much better motors and are rarer in numbers. This is all my opinion but like i said i think that i am qualified to speak since i have owned many and had different expeiriences with them all.

 

anyone that has anything bad to say about a vert has never owned one. The vert is the only reason I own a second gen

 

I own a 1991 Turbo II (225HP) and a 1989 Converitble (170HP). I prefer the convertible as a daily driver for several reasons.

1) It makes a much better city car and it's a convertible
2) The throttle responce of the NA engine is SOOO much more enjoyable than the Turbo II.
3) Mazda managed to balanced the car perfectly between "go-kart" and "larger portscar" feel. It's an absolute blast to drive.

The convertible is NOT slow as a daily driver. It always has plenty of power onhand for tearing up the streets.