I love RX-7's to all hell! The rotary engine has always had my attention and I love the the RX look. I'm in the field for buying one, and I just want some help as to whether I shold get one or not. I know alot about honda's...ls/vtec etc..so if not a RX then im headin that way. Heres the things I need help with. If I find a 2nd gen. in good shape, how about reliability? I know the usual checks when looking at cars, pointers willl help though. I'm going to need this car to be reliable everyday to get me back and 4th to school. I have RX-7 knowledge to a certain level, and consider myself pretty good with mechanical things. I just need help to decide whether this car will work for me. Drive about 21 miles a day...freeway...how bad is gas mileage etc? HELP please..thanx

 

Go get your self a honda

 

any reason?? or u just doggin on my honda likin? hehe..seriously though...you dont think a rx would be a good route??

 

what you looking for a sport peformance car, or a beater to go to work???

 

sport performance defenitely...but need reliablity to an extent...i've dont a clutch in my buddys car..so as far as repairs like that..not to big of a deal. just dont wanna have apex seals going out, etc. Little stuff is no biggy..I know RX-7 eletrical can be a paint...tps...(just form my buddy's 86)..I'm a speed freak..i love engines if that helps....

 

well from your buddy u should know a thing or too, well you want to go fast and have crazy adventures,the 7 is your car , they are good cars as long as you know what u are doing when working on them my .02

 

Reliability is fine with an NA car. Turbo, thats'a bigger issue.

There are some things to check over when buying an RX-7, search for tips, there's been several threads already on buying RX-7s

Milage, 15-18 was what I got typically.

 

thanx for the info..Yeah i have learned alot...i know alot about how a rotary engine works...ecc. shaft, housings, rotors, etc. That mileage is kinda crappy..similiar to what my 350 gets...but the fun of the car is worth it..i appreciate the help. That mileage u said was from freeway???

 

A 2nd gen rx7 with a rebuilt motor or somewhat new will run fine for you reliability wise as far as other **** going out or failing thats another story not to scare you if you get a low mileage rx7 then you wont have to worry but a 180- 200k car will have the wear and tear of any car with that kind of mileage even hondas i have an 88 gtu with low miles i drive the **** out of it and take it on long trips and do not worry one bit. I just took it a total of 500 miles in the past three days all good to me - peace

 

well around City Mileage 17 mpg
Highway Mileage 24 mpg

 

yeah..i hear ya..160k plus really is quite a bit of wear on any motor boinker or rotary...even if they've been babied. I was checking out this car..if you have time.. Please take a peak. Also, how bad is inusrance for you guys? I'm 17, mom has me set up as a part time driver, liability, so its like 90 a month on my teg (was). How bad is RX insurance???

 

http://autotrader.com/findacar/vdeta...&car_year=1987

 

if you find a low milage gtu or gxl, and put intake header and exaust on it, it will be quick and fairly reliable

 

does the gtu or gxl have any performance gain over the base model?

 

they have the same motor, just different chassie options that are worth getting the gtu or glx over the SE

 

same hp, but a bit more options

 

ic..thanx

 

got one more question..i'm sure this has been answered many times, but the manual steering came in some 86's and 87's right? How hard is it to swap to a manual rack? Easy to find?

 

If youre looking for speed, dont go the NA route, youll never be satisfied.

 

the best thing for you to do is research all the books and internet sites you could find about the rx-7..the main thing to look for when looking at any seven is the compression of the motor itself, which has to be checked with a rotary compression gauge(mazda dealer) the little price you pay fro this test could save you alot of time and aggravation with the car..hope this helps any questions feel free to ask..

 

i think that n/a power will satisfy me for a everyday driver..exhaust, intake...donwpipe...would be good..maybe a intake manifold port. Im a senior in highschool and need reliability. I thought you could use a reg. compression tester, but results willl differ from a mazda one..your just looking for above 180 psi and not alot of diff between the rotors right? no more than 20 psi diff?

Theres not really alot of serious mods to be done to a rotary unless you get into porting and performance internals right? You think perofmance gains with the things i listed above would be comparison to be getting a integra and getting intake, header, head porting, exhaust?? I just love rotary engines and the car.. Thanx again.