Fumanchu

You guys are all probably tired of reading threads like this but here I go...

Recently I have decided to aquire a 3rd Gen. Rx7. I found one near me that caught my eye. Its a white '94 Touring with 80k miles on it and is maintained very well. The owner still has a warranty on it and has done a lot of the dirty work (new tranny, replaced all hoses, rebuilt turbos, new radiator). Because it is still under warranty, he is sending it in right now to get all of the gaskets and seals replaced.

Will this car be too much of a hassle to drive everyday? I never plan on altering the car's performance but will convert it over to jspec as best I can. If I do all the reliability mods to it, that I keep reading about, will this car chug away for a while? Post after post, all I read about are rx7's breaking down.

I have been in the import scene for years and built 2 award winning civics. I have grown to hate the import show scene. Now that I have the funds to obtain my dream car, I just want to know if I will be actually able to drive it?

Louis M

SEARCH!!! Check the newbie link...

rfreeman27

iTrader: (5)

tou should be fine if you take care of her. Is it stock performance wise? many problems stem from modding the car.

Fumanchu

all it has is cat-back exhaust.

DaedelGT

I say, have faith and go for it. I am for mine, and the only major problem I had was fixed by myself for 15 bucks.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Check this thread, it's basically someone asking the same questions:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=209996

Truth is, if you are worried about things breaking or having problems, don't get an FD. It's really a love/hate relationship with the car. When it's running fine, there is nothing better. When it's not, you'll curse it to death.

You might get lucky, find a good car and not have any problems. Or, you might not. You are looking at buying a car that's about 10 years old. Things are bound to need to be fixed or replaced since chances are MANY things are still original on it.

Good luck.

jpandes

Mahjik is right. These cars are great to own & drive. But, they are NOT trouble free like your civics. If you have a second car, for when the RX7 needs some TLC, you'll be fine. I have owned mine for the last seven years as my only car/daily driver. It's been great! But the car has spent some time in shop(i.e. Two motors, water pump, clutches etc....too much too list actually).

It is very frustrating when you car is "down". My car has been in the shop for 4-5 weeks now(getting a new motor), and it SUCKS!

But, I can't wait to get it back again.

911GT2

I couldn't agree more with both Mahjik and Jpandes. I've had mine for about 6 months, and for 3 of those it was dead, or getting a new motor. But when it works (like it is now ) I'm never happier. I would STRONGLY recommend owning a second car, because the 7 will break at some point, and it will be expensive and time consuming to fix. It just seems to be an inevitability with these cars. The only thing to do is understand that it will happen, and be prepared for it, both financially and transportationally ( I made up a word!)

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

JDMrx7...

Well, I had my car for about 2 years now.. and initally, i wanted JUST reliablity mods.. But let me tell you.. And i'm sure you know this since you built some award winning civics... Once you start tinkering and meet other FD owners.. it leads to endless spending of funds to buy whole bunch of stuff.. And this might not happened to you... but it happed to quite a few FD owners on this forum.. I think sometimes, I'm crazy.. I'm already prepared myself for the possible engine going dead.. I have an engine already to be assembled with new seals, spare turbos, and additional 2 rotor housings just in case one in my car might be bad, 4 steering wheels (every FD except new 2000+ Nardi wheel with the flying M) 3 front ends, 4 sets of rims, and list goes on..

If you could control yourself and keep it stock and just do reliability mods, I wish you luck!!

mr_ouija

Basically, the way it works is like this:

The third generation of RX-7 is a bitch to work on (sometimes) and very finicky... but on the other hand, they're so damned fun to drive, that I'll do whatever work I have to to keep her running good!

When she's not so well, that's when my 89 toyota pickup goes out for parts!

Fumanchu

Here is the deal...

I know they arent like my civics, I beat the crap outa those things for years and the worst thing that ever happened was the motor mounts breaking due to the shifts.

This car is still on warranty for a little while longer, so I am not worried about the money(only a 50 dollar deductible), and I am going to extend it when I buy it. Anyways, everything has been replaced or rebuilt in the last 5,000 miles. And performance wise, I am not going to mess with it b/c I know it will just lead to trouble and I dont have the funds available for it. I am satisfied with the 250hp monster civic I built at only 2200 lbs.

Unlike you guys, I learned my lesson's already about building cars(both of them got stolen). Only do what you are able to afford and maintain.

pennywise

Man look for my thread. "need advice posible fd owner" I just about beat every question about these cars reliability to the ground. There is alot of info about what you are asking about.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

WOW!!! hold on there.. Maybe I'm taking things wrong.. but I have also tinkered with cars before my purchase of FD.. and I also felt that i have "learned" my lessons.. but Civic and FD's are completely different.. First, as experienced Civic owners like yourself, Its probably got stolen, because it is one of the most popular car for theives and kids.. FD's are slightly different.. they are lot more rare and less likely to be stolen.. Also, Most FD owners know each other.. So, no point of stealing from friends..

But I do understand that you want to keep things in stock.. I also felt that when I first got this car, I was impressed with 250HP (210 RWHP). But got used to it pretty quick.. and once you ride in someone else's FD.. say a friend who pulls 412 RWHP, then you want that.. So, all I'm saying is good luck.. and hope you could accomplish your goals... as we all have goals of somesort..

PHIL

Fumanchu

Hey Herblenny....you took me all wrong. I meant that I have a lot of experience with knowing what to spend my money on. I have backed myself up WAY too many times where I started something and couldnt finish it b/c of money probs. I would never touch the motor unless I had about 10g's to do it right. There are so many n00bs out there(including these forums) that think they can throw stuff on the motor left and right and not think about it. Thats not a TRUE tuner. Then they wonder why they blow so much.

Those are the lessons I have learned.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

I understand.. And I think you are going about it in the right direction.. And I agree with you regarding to some people who forget about other aspect about doing things right.. Well, good luck.. and sorry about picking on you..

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Check the warranty and see what it really covers. Some warranties will be void if you change anything on the car from what it was when you purchased it. You might make sure exactly what you are getting.

So, all the supsension components have been replaced? Brakes? etc... There are more than just engine parts that fail and need to be replaced on these cars, and those parts aren't cheap.

I'm not saying you won't be able to replace them, but it's other expenses that can come up fairly quickly on a 10 year old car.

Fumanchu

Mahjik...The warranty covers everything. He got the imfamous creaking rear suspension fixed under it. All he has done is put on cat-back exhaust so the warranty is still all good. And I dont have to worry about it b/c I'm not touching the motor for years. The warranty even covers seals and gaskets. Im pretty stoked on the idea.

DaedelGT

One more reason to love the rotary. Usually the only engine parts that are covered by warantees are lubricated parts

Icemastr

iTrader: (2)

If it has 80,000 miles it doesnt have a warranty, it has an extended service contract, you need to check the terms of the Extended Service Contract and see when it was issued, if it was issued when the car was originally purchased, the maximum I have extended service contracts for is 10years/100,000 miles, meaning it will be no good come next year since this is a 94. If it was purchased as a used car from a dealership then the service contracts date would begin when the car was purchased and mileage would begin with the miles on the car when it was sold used. Usually extended service contracs sold on used cars cover powertrain only. I sell these for a job all day long so if you have any more questions send me a personal message.

Fumanchu

No its a warranty program thru a private company. Not related to any car lots or with original purchase. You have to pay for it and it covers EVERYTHING.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

JDMrx7, I think you are right about this.. a friend here in town bought a car in NJ with extended or whatever warantee.. and he read the contract and it covers engine, trans, and I think other parts.. 2 years and I think 24K.. But he can't do any performance mods (wink wink). because it voids the warantee.. and deductable is 500..

Trout2

iTrader: (5)

You say the catback is ok with the warranty folks. Check the fine print, they might say that on the phone but when they've got a potential $6,000 bill for engine and turbos. Quite a few people with a simple mod like a catback have been burned by the warranty company denying the claim.

Jack

Fumanchu

Jesus christ...if i say it, its true. I have talked to the owner numerous times and he just had the tranny and hoses fixed WITH the cat-back exhaust. The warranty people don't even see the car. The mechanic tells what needs to be fixed and they send the money. And the detuctible is only 50 dollars(he paid extra for it). Its a private company that warranties used cars.

Sorry for yelling but people don't listen. They are too quick to flame you. Its like you have to show proof before people believe you....here you go

certified used car warranty comes with alternate transportation "rental car" and cross country motor club benefits. A number of terms are available which include12Mo/12KMi, 24Mo/24KMi, 36Mo/36KMi, and 48Mo/40KMi. Gold seal coverage is also upgradeable to "Plus Coverage". A $100 standard deductible applies. Gold Seal certified used car warranty provides coverage for the following components:

Gold Seal Protection:
Engine
Transmission
Transfer Case
Drive Axle
Front & Rear Suspension
Breaks
Steering
Cooling
Air Conditioning
Fuel
Electrical
Fluids and Taxes

Gold Seal Plus Coverage "Same coverage as above plus 100 additional parts and the following"
Engine
Transmission
Transfer Case
Drive Axle
Front & Rear Suspension
Breaks
Steering
Cooling
Air Conditioning
Fuel
Electrical
Fluids and Taxes
Turbo/Super Charger
Trip Interruption
Towing

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

Have you already purchase this car?? If not buy it!! you can't go wrong..

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Yep, a lot of people have gotten screwed by these warranty companies (if you do a search here). Some people have spent as much money in legal fees getting these companies to pay for a repair than just paying for it themselves. Hopefully, you won't be in the same boat.