hi guys.

Ive always wanted a rotary engine, as well as a twin turbo'd motor, and it seems like the oppurtunity is at my doorstep. My dad is looking to get a new car around 15K (maybe more, maybe less). I really want an RX-7 in black, with black interior, and in a 5spd trim, but it seems though i can only pick one of each option

What do you guys think of the following cars? i know (in terms of reliability), a car is only as reliable as you (or the previous) owner makes it. The first car is a completely stock black RX w/ 53K on the odometer, while the second is a blue one (one of my other favorite colors) with quite a few mods on it, but at a higher milage (and about the same price).


Black FD
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=en&cardist=60

Blue FD
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=119

Here is the car im currently "rocking"

I love my mustang, but it is pretty slow (only mods are intake, exhaust, tune, and gears), and it only goes straitght (not to great in the twisties).



So, what do you guys think? I really want an RX (testdrove one from a dealer once) and i almost fell in love. Im pretty aware of the problems they are prone to having, but there is a local shop that a few of the local rx owners go to (so im pretty sure he knows what he is doing, or knows someone that knows what they are doing). Anyway i guess if this is a question that is asked a lot, sorry for being so noobish

 

There's not nearly enough information or pictures there to buy either. You need to ask about a lot of things first , like engine compression, turbos, etc etc.

 

buying FDs isnt alot like other cars..... you REALLY gotta watch out of engine heath........ first, find a rotary mechinic/speacialist around you and when you find a FD that matches your wantings either ask the seller to bring the FD to the mechanics shop or take the mechanic with you...


once again make sure its a rotary mechnic/specalist

 

Ok, so you think i should bring the car to a mechanic specalizing in rotory tech, right?

The problem is that both cars are kind of far away (one is about 30 mins, but the other one is about 2hrs away).


One more really noobish question. how long do the motors typically last (mostly stock, while being very well taken care of)? Like could i expect more than 100K with out many problems?

 

I'd go with the Black one with 53k on it.

 

REad the FAQ before heading out to see one, and make sure to really know the buyer's guides.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

 

^Good advice from everybody who posted above...but i don't see how that mustang can be slow. Oh, and please post more pics of it! (Or PM me for my email)

 

The Bakc One said "Imported" to the US, that may mean it's RHD.. J-Spec.... and allthough legal to sell due to the fact that it is a '93... some beurocrats might give you grief...

 

Typically i would say the life of a rotary engine will last anywhere from 40,000-75,000 with some cases falling way short or exceeding 75k.

 

I don't see how you can say 40k-75k. I would say on average(meaning stock boost levels) 75k. However, mods can reduce that or lengthen it along with driving conditions.

Saying that after 40k a stock engine has a chance of dieing is just rubbish and fear mongering. Don't get me wrong, they can fail after 5 miles. However, on AVERAGE 75k +/- 10k sounds better in stock form.

 

here you go (click to make them bigger). Its not that it is slow, but it pretty much only goes straight (despite the $$ ive put into the suspension)








It looks like it is LHD (from the pic). I think he meant that only 1000 or so were imported through that model year.


So they really dont last that long? Ive seen a bunch of RX7's selling with over 100K on the odometer (i guess they are still running)?

Would it be better or worse to go with a car that has an (almost) new motor?

One in denver
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...n&cardist=1503
it says that it only has 6K on the reman/rebuilt motor (but it is an auto; big turnoff for me)

One in utah
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...n&cardist=1881
The biggest problem i see with this car, is firstly it is halfway accross the country, and secondly it it is in "Ogden, UT 84404". I really dont know where that perticular city is, or how far the nearest rotary specalist would be.

 

and one more question

What if i purchaced a mid-higher milage (~70K) and put in a rebuilt or street ported engine from the rx7store.com? There are a few rotary mechanics (from the stickey in the SE section), so im sure they could put one of these in, right?

And also, how prone is the tranny to failing? And ive seen a few cars that i like, but a few of them have the AC deleted. How hard would it be to put it back in?

 

invest in waffles,

I would read the buyers guide and then decide what you want to do.

If you want a fun car and keep it pretty much stock I would just go by the buyers guide and buy a nice stock car with well kept interior and good compression and stock boost patterns. If the owner did the basic reliability mods then you are good to go.

If you plan on dropping some cash into the car and get some more HP, I would buy a well kept car with a recently blown motor. You can usually find these as kids modify these cars without knowing much about them. You can then get a nice car cheap and drop in a ported motor with whatever turbo fits your fancy and wallet.

 

hey investinwaffles. you might wanna polish out the oxidatoin tahts starting to form on your headlight lenses before they get real nasty.