As most of you know, I am going to get an RX-7 NA. I currently have my eyes on an 87 N/A. It has 190000KM, 120000miles.

The test drive was sweet and emission test was beautiful. The car runs great. The car has a little rough idle, which isn't all that bad because most cars have it. Shifts very nice, clutch is fairly new, about 70% left. Brakes are in decent shape. Suspension isn't perfect, but it will be replaced. But for 1200 bucks, I think it is not all that bad.

Also, since I will be removing the A/C, radio, washer fluid pump, cruise, etc, I can eliminate most of the problems with electronics. The engine bay will also be cleaned to make tuning and diagnose much easier. Air box and resonator will also go to make the engine run cooler.

Everything such as all the fluids, plugs, wires, fuel filter, radiator caps will be changed to improve reliability. Perhaps clutch and brake pumps will also be changed.

This car will be my daily driver. I am wondering if I will be spending most of the time on the road or in the garage?

I am concern about its reliability.

Help me out?

 

no one???

 

My N/A never gave me a problem that I wasn't the cause of (IE. modding it and screwing something up)

 

NICE! I need more input!

Also, I need to convince my parents to let me buy teh car. They keep pushing me to buy something like a Miata, but I want an RX-7. They are afraid that the 7 would give me problems and waste my time on it instead of school's stuff.

 

My 90 GTU has NEVER once left me stranded. Ive had to fix plenty of things, but it never left without the car to drive for more than a few hours while I was working on it.

One of the most common problems is the heater hose busting right at the engine. It is right under the oil filter, and oil sometimes leaks out, and oil attacks rubber. Other than that, n/a's are generally quite problem free, unless you get one in rough shape.

 

Those items give practically zero problems. The FC has many other things that give a lot more electronics-related problems than those. Why anyone would remove the washer fluid pump is beyond me... Ah, no. Dunno where you get that idea.

 

This is useful information, however, I would like to know what are those "many other things" that give a lot more electronics-related problems.

Thanks

 

The only issues my na have given me are a burnt switch shich i neglected to change and forced me to replace the switch and the wireing harness. other than that it has taken care of me more than any other vehicle i have ever owned. Just take car of it and dont ****** slack!!!!!! Maintenence is the key to a dependable car.

 

Hell yeah! Even though I am a newbie in the rotary scene, I am an expert in the car we own; IS300, Legend, Maxima.....

I had my Legend run the compression test. And boy, all the cylinders have proper compression and they only dropped a little since the engine was new.

People who had a ride in my car thinks the car is brand new or something!

 

I think expert would be overstretching it quite a bit. First of all, why would anyone remove the washer fluid pump?!?!?!?!?!? It seems completely inane to remove a 1.5 pound item (assuming you are removing the washer fluid reservoir too and accounting for the weight of some fluid). Also why remove the A/C if it is only going to be a daily driver??? Are you saying that it never gets warm in BC? I realize it's Canada and all that but still... I hope that you aren't buying a black FC because I know my red T2 gets really hot inside after sitting in the sun all day. I could almost go along with your removal of the A/C but not for the reason you stated. I enjoy the comfort of my luxury items. Sure I could shave off a hundred pounds from my car by removing things like power windows and power door locks but I also realize that most of the time I don't want to reach over to the passenger side door to unlock it or roll the window down. If I wanted to eliminate the chance of electronic failure, I would ride my mountain bike everywhere. Maybe you should consider the mountain bike option. You could save the hassle of A/C removal. I don't know about your bicycle but my GT only came with natural air and no cruise control except on the downhills. So far I have not had any electronic problems on the good ol' BICYCLE.
One would also have to wonder what kind of "expert" would ever even bring up the notion that removing the airbox would cause the car to run cooler. The only thing you are doing is opening a hole into your intake for dirt and particles to find their way into (assuming that you are not installing a replacement airbox or filter).
btw: as a former service manager for Mazda, I think your parents are RIGHT! The Miata is absolutely the most dependable, trouble-free car I have ever run across in all my years. They are small and peppy with a sporty feel. Plus you can actually replace a TIMING BELT on a Miata. Just don't over-torque the front crank bolt on the early model MX-5's.
Last but certainly not least: When you replace the suspension, SPEND THE MONEY and do it RIGHT. Don't half-*** it by cutting the springs and butchering the somewhat respectable handling characteristics of the FC. Do your homework and buy good quality stuff (you get what you pay for)and have it installed by someone who is COMPETENT. That's all for now, but I'll keep popping in every now and then!

 

Seriously guy, what you are trying to do is plan for every contingency of failure with your "future" car. Youre on the right track with the fluids and basic tune up stuff, but other than that dont try to plan for anything else. Cross that bridge when you get to it. I've had my n/a for 4 years and it has not given me any serious problems that required it to be off the road for more than an afternoon. Just buy the damn car and enjoy. If some thing happens in the future, you can come to the forum and ask for help, but the ppl here cannot predict the future and tell you eveything that will break on your car in the next 5 years.