I currently drive a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM but i want a fun sport car... would you all recomend the RX-7's to me? I've done little reserch and I have read about the expensive maintence of the "rotary engine" is it that bad? I don't want to constantly worry about my car not starting... what do you guys think? Hey... Initial D made me want one...

 

go for it, u won't regret. maintenance shouldn't be a problem if u take care of it well and it wasn't fucked up bad already before u bought it

 

yah go for it if u really have love for rotary engines, but dont get it just cuz u saw it on some cartoon/anime....that FC could go to someone more devoted to rotarys other than just an amateur.

 

rx7s rule...but you are in cali...the most smog restrictive state in the us....and you are looking to buy a car that has the dirtiest/least smog efficient engine ever produced...you may want to consider the costs of applying it in cali first...its not neccisarrily a get in and go type of used car...in any condition...compared to calis restrictions!! you could be looking at upwards of 1000 bucks off the top just to get your car on the road after purchase...rx7s have very specific exhaust needs(concerning emmisions) to pass and drive...and they are very pricey..and if not applied correctly can fail every year or so or even sooner due to high exhaust temps killing everyday converteres and mufflers...not to mention...if you wake up tomorrow and call 10 of your local mechs in the phone book...ask them what they charge for some simple type of maintenance on your grand am...then aske them what they will charge on an rx7...you will see most of them will not work on your rx7...the most common response is" is that a rotary engine?...we dont work on those" you will be surpised...even if you want a spark plug replaced or a belt replaced...most places are scared of rotaries...take it a step further and ask 10 local exhaust places about the cost of replacing your cat converter on the pontiac...get a quote for labor and parts seperate...then call the same 10 places with the smae question about an rx7...the labor rates will probly go up...and you will see how much more expensive the parts are too...it makes no sense cuz the pipes arent part of the engine..so to speak..in moving parts anyways...but they still get scared..and most will eventually send your car out of the shop at your expense...to have a rotary specialist do it again( cuz they fucked it up the firtst time)

jus some experience that you will eventually find out if your 7 ever breaks or you need work on it..

its a phenominally fun car to have when its reliable and working right..and usually goes along time without maintenace issues if purchased in good shape...but if you buy a project ...its gonna usually be a PROJECT!! and the wallet will pay

good luck

 

I think you should get one but be ready for problems.I just got my Turbo II 3 weeks ago and I allready had to fix 2 problems.They costed a nice dollar also,$460 for a new MAFS witch I had to order from California but you live there so it won't be as hard to find parts.I wasn't expecting problems to occur so earlly.Now I cant wait till its fixed,probly today.Take good care of it and it will take care of you.There great cars you will learn to love em.Expect to learn and do work as much as you can cause thats about the only way you can really master the rotary engine.Anyway go find a 86-92 Turbo II and you will love it.Welcome to the Rotary Universe.

 

if you get an s4, 86-88, you will probably have to install a fuel cutoff switch. there is a problem with flooding, but that only takes about 10-15 minutes. if you look at an s5, check all the interior electronics. If you're coming from a grand am, you will love an fc. I came from a grand prix. the light bidied rear wheel drive is far superior to a heavy front wheel drive. Just get used to driving with the throttle in the rain.

Fixing rx7s is more expensive, but most mechanics just are scared of them. they also just charge more because not that many people know about rotaries. most people find fixing them on their own is more fun and makes you respect the car that much more.

 

My 7 hasn't had given me any problems I haven't caused.

 

you have to know that rx7 gets WAY more respect than gran AM, grand ma or grand pa ...
people know its a true sport car
even if you get a bone stock 7, people will give you a thumb up

 

the forum just ate my reply!

i completely disagree. as long as someone hasn't ripped out the ecu, it'll pass smog fine. if you're buying a 7 in l.a., just get proof that it already passed smog. easy enough.

i did a lot of research before deciding that an fc 7 was what i wanted. i like the originality of the rotary (and, contrary to popular belief, if the engine's taken well care of it'll run for a long, long time). i like the look and feel of the car. i like that it's really a sports car - built to go fast - but the insurance is really cheap. it just seemed to be a fun, reliable, inexpensive car.

i searched the classifieds, recycler and ebay for a few months before finding my gem. (though it's posted in the stickies, http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/tech1.htm is a great place to learn what to look for when checking out a 7 for sale.)

i bought my '91 coupe a few weeks ago and haven't regretted it for a second. though it's no turbo II, it holds its own against flashy mustangs and the like, and i'm not afraid to tinker around under the hood. i'd definitely reccomend a 7 to anyone looking for a good ride.

*steps off soapbox*

 

The RX7 is a great car... I picked one up for 750, I have another 1250 into on top of that (nothing it REQUIRED... I painted, straightened the body, went to TII suspension/hubs/wheels, and rebuilt the interior....) but other then that, regular maintenance will keep an N/A running very well.. TIIs are another story...

One thing to keep in mind is that maintenance on it will be a lot more then the GA ...not much more expensive, just requires more attention... Trust me, I had a 1992 GA (Quad4/5 spd), and I have a fairly built '98 Grand Prix GTP Daytona now-

 

I don't think it requires more service? Just check your oil & fill as needed...is that alot? No timing belts to break...

IMHO its MUCH more reliable then a Grand am, or any GM car for that matter...Good luck!

 

thanks for all your posts. i was just worried when i read all the negatives about this car. it definatly seems cheap and affordable. i'm in california now but i would purchase a 7 when i'm going to stay in texas.

i'm new to sport cars... because my 1st car was a 1990 celica and my 2nd is the 2002 grand am. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REAR DRIVE