I've been looking to buy my first RX-7 for about a month now just waiting to sell my 300ZX and for the right RX-7 to come along. I've read the stories of engines giving up and spending alot of money to replace them but how many miles is too many? I'm in the budget for a 93 so finding a 1993 RX-7 with 20,000 miles and within my budget is just not going to happen unless someone jsut goes crazy. So guys help me out here, how much is too much?

 

a car could have really low miles, but at the sime time could be in really shitty condition. and a car could have really high miles, but still be in awsome condition.

miles do not determine the condition of the car. its all about how the previous owner(s) maintained it.

but generally...lower miles = better condition.

 

JoeD is right. I've heard of engines going at 60K, while some hit 130K or beyond. NA (if you got a 1st or 2nd gen) last very long. It is all in how well it was maintained.

 

IMO mileage doesn't matter at all unless you intend to re-sell the car. Truth is you WILL replace the engine during the time you own it, so it really doens't matter.

If you are trying to buy an RX-7 with the dream that you will never have to replace the engine then pinch yourself and wake up.

Best to buy one with eighter a recently replaced engine, or one with a blown engine. It really does not matter though what you do as long as you budget correctly.

If I bought a 7 with 50,000 miles and origional engine then that would be fine, but I'd be prepared financially to dump $5,000 in it at any moment.

The turbos typically go at around 100K to 150 K, so that is something to think about too. A high mileage RX-7 with origional turbos is going to need replacemens soon. If you want to go single turbo then that's fine.

If I were buyin ga 7 now I'd say that I consider the base price for a 7 in great condition with no motor to be $10,000. With good motor add $2,500. With good turbos add $2,000.

If the car has over 80,000 miles then I count the turbos as bad and subtract $2,000-$1,000 cause you are going to have to replace them within 20,000 miles most likely. If the engine has over 60,000 miles then also subtract between $2,000 and $1,000 cause odds are you will end up replaceing that within 20,000 miles.

This is all just for a basic run of the mill RX-7 in good shape.

 

you are better off buying one with all of the updates than one that hasnt broken yet

mike

 

I know guys that haev owned cars fo ryears without replacing engine. If you buy it in good shape and it has been taken care of, no reason engine shouldn't last you a very long time. I think the freuqency of blown engine is highly exagerated.

What is too much? 90+ k miles. because at that point the rest of the cars starts to fall apart. torn seats, chipped paint or faded, etc.

now, you can get some really good deals for high mileage cars, so that may be what you are looking for. Me, I wanted one mint, and that is what I did, I bought mine at 50k and it had never seen rain or snow. Haven't had anytnign break on it yet except for a water thermosensor (50$) and I have put over 15k on it and 14 lbs of boost.

 

Mileage means poop.
I've seen low mileage cars practically falling apart, and I've seen 100k miles without even a scratch on the leather.

It's fully maintance dependent.

 

My auto has 101K original already on it, and it's quite peppy. This is probably due to the fact that it's last two owners knew how to take care of it.

 

I bought one with 115k on it, first owner was meticulous, second owned it for about a year and apparently didn't do anything to it. The interior is worn in the usual places, but the exterior still looks pretty good (no fading). Engine was replaced at 80k and still seems strong and it's still running the original turbos which still boost perfectly and don't smoke. Needs the little things like differential mounts and cat, but other things don't appear to be wearing out. I was leary at first, but now I wouldn't be afraid FD's with over 100k. The engine seems to be the only thing that'll really wear out on you, so like others said, it's probably best to grab one that's already had that done. Good luck!