RX7 really a mechanical problem?
 

I really want one but im reading and i got the feeling it is a real mechanical problem. Are the problems that happen easy to fix, say with the mechanical guide. Or are they going to cost me alot and require me to go to a mechanic to get it fixed? I cant afford something thats going to cost 300 or 400 a week to keep the car running. Is it really that big of a problem or is it just that alot of people are on the forum so it seems like the cars are alot of problems?

Incase it matter i want a 89-92 Nonturbo.

Thank you for all your help

nonturbos are pretty reliable, and you shouldnt have any more problems with it than a piston motor thats the same age unless you start modifying it.

Well, remember that on a forum such as this, all you see are the problems. You don't generally get posts from people saying "Hey, my car's been running fine for the past year, no major problems, put 30k on it, just thought I'd let y'all know!"

Other than the expected engine rebuild (due to the near-universal previous owner neglect), the non-turbos are pretty darn reliable. You should learn to work on it yourself. Good luck finding a rotary mechanic - they're rather rare. Mazda dealerships would rather not work on your car, and most people would rather the Mazda dealerships not touch their '7 as well.

Expect the first few months to be expensive. You'll be replacing things the previous owner didn't take care of. Brakes, suspension, maybe differential mounts, possibly a clutch - it just depends on how the car was maintained. Once you get through the point of replacing 15 year old parts, the car should be nice & reliable for you.

Also, remember, most major failures on a rotary engine still leave you with a running engine. It may not run well, it may not idle, and it won't make much power, but you can still drive a car with a totally blown rotor - it'll usually get you home. Throw a rod or break a timing belt in a piston engine, and you're not driving it *anywhere.*

-=Russ=-

i just bought my first FC a month ago and i must tell you that it is worth every penny. i have had a lot of fun in the thing. just keep the oil clean ehough to cook with, and watch the coolant levels.....go for it!

Thats actully good to hear. Im taking my time buying one to try to get a well kept one. Spending a little extra for it now may save me a fortune in the future as well. But ive heard horriable things about rotorary engines and there mechanical problems so ive been try ing to learn as much as possiable about it to make sure i can actully afford the car.

Thank you for all the advice.

There’s a lot of bad info out there about rotary engines, when I was in the process of buying my car I had one friend in particular tell me that you have to rebuild every 10,000 miles! Just spend a few buck when you first get the car to replace the worn parts and you’ll be fine.

My '88 SE NA almost always runs perfect. I'm replacing the alternator at the moment. I was lazy so I didn't order one when it gave me trouble 3 weeks ago. So now I'm running off my battery - but I'm still running. Expect to replace clutch, exhaust, all fluids & filters & buy a shop manual. I can't find mine. U can find it online I believe. Most of the problems are age related & U can find all the info on this forum.

Ramses666

hahahahaha! heres a conversation i had with a friend of mine:

'mazda rx-7, thats a rotary right?'
'yeah.'
'its gonna blow up they never last 100,000 miles'

yeah he was such a rotary expert he didnt even know what car it was in. :rlaugh:

I bought mine over a year ago with 170k miles. I put about 14k miles on it so far, and she is still going strong. The only problem i had was the radiator sprung a leak, but it was an easy fix. The car has been very reliable, and i drive it hard regularly; i redline it almost daily.

As already mentioned, the forums give a bad impression of the RX-7's reliability, because most of the posts are about something going wrong. Nobody ever posts about what is going right with their car...

See its funny cuz all of the problems I've had are never related to the rotary. Idle issues, oil leaks, coolant leaks....none of em are related to the actual engine though. Buy ANY car this old and you'll get all of the same problems. Rotary's a good engine...only engine where you're EXPECTED to redline it. If you hold out for a good one you'll have very few problems.

I bought my 86 GXL several months back. As already stated you will be replacing some OLDER parts and such that the previous owner let go. I paid $400 for mine, and have replaced the front and rear brake rotors and pads, four new tires, spark plugs and wires, and thermostat. I also picked up a used 5 speed trans for $100 from a forum member to replace the original in my car. (the original sounded like a garbage disposal when it was cold). I also went to Icemark Rotary and Electronics for a rebuilt Climate Control Logicon, Warning Light and Clock Panel and Wiper Switch.
I also found a used Cruise Control Switch on EBay. (Yes the cruise and AC work) The car has 158K on the odometer and runs very well, I love driving my 7, glad I rescued it from one of my co-workers who was just beating the shit out of it. (The guys a real dumbass, does not care about anything he has)
:bigthumb:

Team fc3s has a good right up on how to
find a good rx7 and the usual problems
with them. I have had 7 of them and from
experience once you work out the usual
kinks and tune it up they are pretty reliable :)

I daily drove a 1991 non turbo RX-7 for over five years. It never left me stranded. It only required regular maintenance and the occasional repair (radiator and brake master cylinder were the two biggest things I replaced). Also, I see you're in Tampa. If you do buy an RX-7 and do need a mechanic, check out Maztech. Jeff is a great guy and has been working on rotaries for a VERY long time. Tell him I sent you.

i daily drive my (project) car and redline it at least 2-3 times each time i drive it, and drive it hard/beat on it quite often

i've put about 8k on her since i got her last may...
still going strong :D

the only problem I've had has been with a tranny that i fucked up in my NA and the Driveshaft that broke in my fancee's NA.....other than that it has been random miscelaneous things and my car runs well. Good luck and hope you find a good car.

I drove a 87 turbo II everyday for 2 years and
put 40,000 miles on it. It had 165,000 when I
sold it. The only problem I had was a trailing
coil pack go bad.

Ive got 190000 on my NA and I have had less problems with it than my diesel F350 with 200000 on it. Just routine stuff like plugs, wires, brakes, master and slave cylinders. I redline my car daily and its the funnest car I have ever owned. I used to like driving the F350 before I bought this now I just use it to pull the fifth wheel trailer.

I got my 88 gxl last april. So its been over a year, And it had 119k on it. now has 143k. Ac works AAS works"auto adjusting suspention" allmost everything works, the only downfall that i have noticed is the amount of oil and gas i have to put in that can add up after awhile!

Dont fear the unknown. I just picked up a 90 n/a in non running condition 3 weeks ago with no real experience with working on 7s or rotarys (or is it rotaries). the best way to figure things out is to dive in. All I need is a tranny.

I've had several RX7s and NEVER have had a single one of them require a rebuild or major work other than normal wear items such as clutch, brakes etc...

If you are buying the car as a daily driver then you have no worries. If your idea of a car is to race, drive the snot out of it, and neglect maintenance, then a piston engine is your best bet. If your idea of maintenance is popping open the gas lid to fill your car up and you don't know what a dipstick is (or use Jiffy Lube for ANY maintenance) then consider another alternative that is piston powered.

Andy

Thank you i will

It will be the daily driving,I dont see the point in illegal street racing. The punishment for getting caught aint worth the risk of it. Right now i have a 96 sentra but the clutch is about to go out on it and i only spent 1k for the car and i dont see spending another 800 or so to get a new replacement and stuff. Id rather see it go to a new car that i actully care to own.
All of you have been very helpful and have easied my mind alot. Im going to the bank tommarow to get a loan. Any suggestions on what a good price would be for a non turbo one? I dont want to end up paying to much. So far ive seen 3-5k which sounds like a decent price for them.

I bought my 87 GXL almost 2 years ago with 42,000 total miles on it; and it now has 69,000. I love driving it....handles great, has wonderful brakes and gets 21 mpg! The only major problem I've had was the pilot bearing seized up on me in Florida 9 hours away. So, a U-haul truck and trailer and $450 dollars later I got it home. The clutch assy was surprisingly cheap. Ive done the usual upkeep such as new hoses, thermo; brake pads and braided lines; diff and tranny mounts, and plugs and wires. Every day is a fun drive (70 mile round trip to work). I suggest a Rx7 to anyone... the best part is that it is different. Most of the rice kids seem to respect a nice 7 when it rolls by. :)

only thing i've had to replace in my 86 was a starter... i've drivin it for 2 years without a problem. and put at least 20k miles on it. And i now driven 50+ miles per day for work. Trouble free.

Edit... it has 170k miles on it