exturbogsr01

To make a long story short I've spend over $30K in aftermarket parts in my last 2 cars and am tired of it. I want a fast factory turbo car that is on the rare side. I have learned a lot over the last 5 years and understand the workings of turbos/fuel systems/etc... and I have done pretty much everything to a car except re-buildig an engine, however I do understand working on a rotary is very different. I have always loved the 3rd Gen RX7's but never really understood them until researching a decent bit lately. So, looking for a daily driver but am considering buying a beater this summer just in case. I have at most $23K to spend so I was thinking of buying an RX7 that already had a re-built engine and the reliablity mods done to it. I would like to spend $5K max on aftermarket incuding some wheels/suspension/basic performance upgrades. Okay, so the real question or series of questions is, assuming I buy a RX7 w/ re-built engine w/ 50K or under miles and have the basic reliability mods done can I expect to get another 100K or so miles in the next 4-5 years? And, what should I look for in buying a re-built/"upgraded" engine because most likely this will be on ebay so I won't be able to test drive it before I bid. Last Q, from what I've read does about $2,300-$3,000 sound about right for a re-build assuming the worst happens.
BTW, a TT 6-Speed supra was my other option but for $22K I seem to be able to only find 93-94 w/ upwards of 80K miles which kind of scares me.

Thanks guys!

BrianK

You can't expect a rotary engine to last more than about 100K miles - some do, most don't. So if you're asking if it will last 100K in addition to the 30-50K on the rebuild - probably not.

That said, do you really expect to put 20-25K per year on the car? Get a daily driver - you'll be happier.

As bare minimum, look for:
downpipe
aluminum radiator
aluminum AST (air separator tank)

... see if you can get a compression check done - come back here and post the numbers.

nice things to have:
intake (a K&N drop-in is fine - unless you're going to go crazy with mods)
cat-back
upgraded suspension w/ front strut tower bar
good set of tires
new hoses

make sure the body panels line up (especially the front bumper to hood)

make sure there's no under-body damage

yes, you could get a good quality rebuild done for that price.

Joker

imho, if you have to be convinced to buy a third gen rx7, then the third gen rx7 is not for you....

sexxy7

First off, don't listen to people when they say a rotary isn't reliable!!! I mean don't get wrong, if you are looking for a car that will last you 200k miles and all you have to do is change the oil and get a tune up....then a rotary isn't for you! BUT let me tell you this, EVERYTHING that I put into my last 3rd gen was worth every penny!! YES, I had to have a rebuild, but I'll do it again anyday just to be so lucky to have such an RARE, AMAZING, STYLISH car!!! I totaled that 3rd gen only 1k miles after the rebuild, but I just got right back up and bought another one!!! I now have a 94 MB touring w/ 128k miles on it with the ORIGINAL motor it runs stronger than my last rx7 that had only 60k miles on it! That's because the previous owner didn't neglect this rx7 like my last one was neglected!! If you do your homework and take care of the car, you will be fine!!!

You might have to really take care of a rotary, but the reward is something that a piston owner will NEVER understand!!! I'll NEVER buy ANYTHING else!!

Nicole

2furious

Anyone with that much money shouldn't even need to convince themself to buy a FD. I bought mine for around 11k, bone stock with 98k miles, and I have dealt with problems as they arose. If you have 20k to spend, that's one nice FD you can buy that should already have reliability mods and then some. Do yourself a favor, and go find a good one.

sexxy7

He's got a point! I don't know many rx7 owners that needed to be convinced to buy their car! Don't buy a car that you don't absolutely love! I know I wouldn't!

skunks

drive one and convince yourself

exturbogsr01

Yes, I am sorry, I should have worded the title differently, I really love them but am just still a little worried about the reliability. From what I read if I take the preliminary precautions and do a few key upgrades right away and routing tune-ups I should be decently "trouble free". I've never driven one but hear the overall performance is outstanding and they are great looking cars. Before I began researching on these cars all I heard from people was man dont' buy one unless you have tons of cash to rebuild the engine every year. I have spent over $30K in just aftermarket parts for my last 2 cars and I'm not looking to do it again on this car. I don't expect to get 200K out of it but would like at least 4-5 years and hopefully 80K out of it without having to re-build, that's why I was hoping a re-built one w/ "reliablity" mods would be a good choice for me I could afford but don't really want to have to put $2-3K in it a year just to keep it running because marriage and a house is in the very near future. If I sink $2-3K in a year I would like ti to be on performance mods and not just to keep it running stock. I do plan on driving this car hard, but I"m sure everybody does at least once in a while. I really need to find one local and drive it before I go much further. Thanks for all the replys so far!!

exturbogsr01

I would just like to add that part of the reason for the title of this thread is because I'm considering a TT 6-Speed Supra or possibly a 01 Mustang Cobra and throwing a 125 shot on it to drop into the 11's. I want a car that I"m not going to get tired of and will enjoy driving, this will probably be my last toy to blow money on before the babies start popping out

jd93rx7

Make sure you find a respectable mechanic, that could save you a lot of time and money.

Foz'sRX-7

Ditto the Joker.......Once you drive one, you'll want it.
But be prepared to sink some hard cash into it. these babies have some years and milees on them now and need TLC.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

If you are looking for a car that's just for the 1/4 mile, you can make other cars go faster and cheaper (ie, the F-Bodies and Stangs).

Your best bet is to find one and drive it. Then decide if it's something you want to deal with....

Of course RX-7 owners are going to tell you to get one, they love their cars just as Mustang owners would tell you to get the Cobra.

Drive one and see what you think. Then if you like it, you can think about reliability and all the other quirks...

luiml73

iTrader: (1)

This should do it!!!!!!!!!

http://www.geocities.com/fdkai2000/tsukuba.htm

Fastest street cars in japan

Rhode_Dog

worked for me

i don't think there are many cars out their that can compete with the way this car drives and handles

exturbogsr01

Yeah, that does make sense and I really need to drive one, but I don't want to totally 100% fall in love if it's not going to be decently trouble free Sorry, I didn't really mean to compare the cars I was considering, there isn't really much to compare with a stang vs. RX7. And either the 90,000+ miles on a supra or the "possible problems" with a RX7 kind worry me. Time to test drive and keep learning as much as possilbe until decision time. Thank you guys for all the comments so far, this forum is really great compared to the countless honda/acura/Supra/mustang/etc... places I've been in the past.

sexxy7

That's one thing that we can all that we have.....A GREAT FAMILY!! You can go to any other forum on the internet and I promise you won't find another one that has such AWESOME people!!!

Rhode_Dog

i can testify to that too, i have only been here a few days and i am amazed at the vast amount of info this forum and these people hold. I have been to a lot of boreds all i get is weird Caps lock lower case ricer language talking about how AEM intakes will make civics beat M3s. Its a nice change.

Mr. Stock

I know that I may be taking your statement out of context but that statement by itself is not true.

A normally aspirated stock rotary engine will last almost "forever".

A turbocharged rotary engine will not be as durable.

911GT2

want to be convinced, don't blow an apex seal, LIKE I DID TONIGHT!

sexxy7

dude, that sucks!!

Joker

imho, you have to define for yourself what you think is a "sports car". if your definition is go-fast in a straight line, than your choices above make sense. if your definition of "sports car" is go fast straight or crooked, along with eternal style and beauty, then the third gen rx7 would be the only choice. there are no cars i can think of past or present that has as much power to weight ratio, with tremendous handling potential, (sub-3000-lb curb weight). sure you can make pigs (supras sn95 mustangs) corner, but they'll still be "pigs" that corner (lol). there's nothing like putting a 2800-lb 300-hp fd rx7 (with usual mods) on a road course and watching all the passing signals you get from drivers with much more expensive (and heavier) cars (assuming you have the driving skills to wring the awesome performance potential from an fd rx7 on a road course lol )...

ttpowerd

Wow, that track looks nice and fast

TTurboXfd3s

your write up was to long so i didn't feel like reading it, but it seems like you want to be convinced into getting a FD by reading your title. so i'm going to make this short and say if you don't get one it's your loss.............................................. ..........oh and the pull my my that puuuuuuuullllll.....

BrianK

good point. A 1st or 2nd gen RX7 will last forever (if they don't have turbos).

Garrett

Do the proper research (it seems you have). Buy the damn thing, and go from there. There is no sense in being neurotic about the thing. Take the plunge, with the right amount of rotary education, and you should be fine.

Except for the huge learning curve and the almost infinite turbo control problems you will be well on your way to a novice mechanic in no time. There is a reason why people on here are so educated. Half of them came here in a desperate plea for help after visiting a Mazda dealer. Talk about a breath of fresh air. This place is not only a forum but also a lifeline to many bewildered owners.

After giving up on the shortcomings of misinformation and bad mechanics most of the people on here took the liberty of educating themselves. That makes for a interesting balance of know-how and the usual arrogance of knowing what the **** you are doing and talking about.

Your primary concern once you buy a 7 should be to find a cheap parts supplier, a very good "rotary" mechanic, and the ***** to work on these ****** yourself. There is nothing like having your car in your drive-way/garage just staring at it knowing you know what you are doing and how to fix it.

Supras are for sissies and mustangs are...for well...mustang people. You don't want to get caught up in either of those worlds, do you? Instead you will be getting a car in which every one of them is just as fast as the next (level playing field, where everyone fights fair and can be proud) and everyone has had a initiation into the manic depressive state of owning a 3rd gen RX-7.

With that said, I think I am going to put the ******* solenoid rack back in along with replacing my turbo control solenoid. Sounds fun? Yep, you'll know the lingo in no time.

Happy hunting!