Are RX-7's reliable cars?
 

I read a lot about people having problems... smoking... rebuilding and such. Sure, it could be because people that don't have problems don't have to find a message board to locate answers but the questions still remains. I REALLY want to buy a second generation RX but it's going to have to be reliable :)

Thanks

well.. in MY OPIONION,

i do not think they are reliable cars..

do you define reliable as running to 200,000km without much effort, or running to 200,000 with good maintenance?

in my opinion, something that needs maintenance all the time cannot be deemed "reliable" but others see it differently.

2nd gens usually need an oil change at 3000 miles, and regular checks and replacement of all expendables such as oil filter, fuel filter etc..

i have owned a v8 commodore and 1.6l corolla before my rx7, and i can say with certainty that they were both cheaper and more reliable to run.

however, the rx7 makes up for this small pitfall by being perfect in nearly every other area. if you look after it and do everything at regular intervals, you'll love the rx7

Your kidding right :rolleyes: ? After a 107,000 miles with nothing more then the usual brake pad, exhaust, fan belts, etc. otherwise routine maintenance I've had no problems with the car. That says reliable to me.

Well, he did say that others see it differently... The reason I ask is because I'm purchasing my first car and I wanted a vehicle that was tangible but reliable as well. Anyway, I hope to see a few more opinions. I'll probably end up purchasing one given that I can find one for sale in my area.

My 88 GXL has ALWAYS started in the winter without problems, you just have to avoid flooding the engine which a monkey can do. The electrical system can be goofy, but it can hardly be called unreliable. I don't even have any qualms about driving my 90 TII cross-country with 91K miles. Basically, just follow the maintenence schedule from the manual and follow some of the tips and tricks on this forum and you'll have a car that'll last til 200K with not much in the way of huge repair bills. A turbo rotary is a different story, just plan on replacing the engine by 120-140K just due to the extra stress a turbocharger puts on an engine.

My 88GXL has been VERY reliable except for the times I accidentally flooded the engine. I just drove across the country about 2 weeks ago and the car performed great! No complaints at all.

It's very common to see GXL RX7s with 300K miles on the orginal engine and drivetrain.

Just be sure to get the engine compression tested before buying, try to find one that has recently had an engine rebuild for even extra engine life, and follow the maintenance schedule religiously.

The 89-92s have an OEM incar fix for flooding - just press the gas pedal to the floor and crank. The 86-88's can be installed with a similar fix as well.

Keep in mind 75% of the posters on this board make up 5% of the 2nd gen population. Nobody posts "hey my car's been doing great since I bought it - just wanted everyone to know."

Here's a few GXL pics:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1667317&a=12781715&p=53650758&Sequence=0&re s=high
[/img]
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high

Backwards Rim Alert. :D

Just remember, with any car as old as a 2nd Gen your probably going to have matnience issues, like bushings, springs, struts, clutchs, etc...

Once everything is running right, an NA rotary is going to be one of the most reliable vechiles on the road, its just getting one in good condition that can be a problem.

Dyre hit the nail on the head there. The N/A RX-7's are very reliable in my opinion. I have a 91 vert that was bought new by my Dad, and now belongs to me. I took it with a little over 91K on the ticker, and it now has a bit over 106K on it. Never has had any problems. When I got it, it needed regular items that need replacing after 10 years. New struts, springs, brakes, rotors, change every fluid in the car etc...

Now as far as the TII's go, I think it totally depends on how you drive them and what is done to them in form of mods. With no mods, a stock TII well maintained will last over 150K. Most turbo motor cars don't last over 200K, at least none that I have seen. That is just due to the added heat and power in them.

Does anyone know where i can get that lip spoiler in the second pic? Is it mazda or aftermarket?