Is a RX-7 expensive to have?

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Oct 10, 2004 | 11:58 PM

#76

Rx-7Addict

Rotary Powered

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 2,272

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From: Chicago, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ookpik

Counterpoint:

I have been driving Mazda rotary engine cars, off and on, since 1973. Here is a list of the cars I’ve owned:

1972 Mazda R-100
1973 Mazda RX-3
1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE
1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II
1990 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II
1993 Mazda RX-7 (still own)

I haven’t blown any engines or had any major mechanical failures. I kept all of my cars completely stock. I maintained them according to the manufacture’s recommendations. I drove all of them in the winter, except for the 1993. So don’t let these guys scare you. Rotary engines can be reliable. I admit I only have 14,000 kilometres on my 1993. I suppose tragedy could strike any day!

thats got to be some kind of record. 6 rotary cars owned and no blown motors!

Oct 11, 2004 | 12:11 AM

#77

Ookpik

Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11

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From: Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueskaterboy

dont ever DROVE your rx-7 in bad weather. its bad enough dry!

I said I drove them in the winter. I didn’t say it was easy (or fun).

I have started and driven all my RX-7s (except for the 1993) at 30 below zero. They had 5W-30 oil and had an electric block (rotor housing) heater. The RX-3 would start at 30 below without using the heater. It had a cold weather starting assist (stock on Canadian cars). It would inject regular antifreeze into the combustion chambers. That kept moisture from freezing the apex seals. You had to change the oil more often if you used it much. If the R-100’s electric heater was plugged in, it was OK. Without the heater, it was unusable below 0 F. The engine would start, run for about 2 seconds, and quit. The apex seals would freeze to the rotor housings and the engine was seized. It would then start and run OK if the electric heater was plugged in for a few hours or if it got warmer outside. RX-7s are really bad in the snow!

Last edited by Ookpik; Oct 11, 2004 at 12:15 AM.

Oct 11, 2004 | 02:09 AM

#78

RipOff

Rx7 wannabe

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 108

Likes: 0

From: Hamilton NZ

Cool information!!! So I cant take my future rx7 to the snow?

or wankel will freeze over....

Oct 11, 2004 | 03:25 AM

#79

HEns

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 364

Likes: 0

From: Perth, Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty305

Skylines are pigs: they weigh nearly 1,000 lbs more than the RX-7, drive both cars and you'll feel the difference immediately.

-s-

not true at all, gtr's are great to drive and the rb26 is a beast of an engine. of course, i dont recommend that you buy a gtr if you have no experience with performance cars as they are very unforgiving, and are much quicker then 7's, although the fd is much more agile.....

Oct 11, 2004 | 12:24 PM

#80

lopedl

Forever Modified

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From: WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lone Raider

So Mazda made a conclussion after the RX-7 FD that turbos and rotary engines don't mix.
So the Renesis engine had to be a NA version, how interesting.

Not really, just because they hadn't turbo'd the renesis doesn't mean that Mazda concluded anything. For one the renesis apex seal is designed like a skeleton, and, the way that appears to me is it is much weaker than the rx-7 apex seals, so it would be more susceptible to breakage under more pressure, thats probably why they didn't turbo it, + they are making decent horsepower na. Look around you how many new sports cars are coming out turbo'd not very many? The market right now seems to be in favor of high compression turboless engines. Lets face it turbo anything is gonna cost you more, and be less reliable than it's turboless form.

On top of that I know a few turbo FC's that are at 150,000 on original engines, no rebuilds, and still hitting low 14's in stock form. That's one thing about the rotary they still retain their power even 150,000 miles down the road.

Last edited by lopedl; Oct 11, 2004 at 12:29 PM.

Oct 11, 2004 | 08:03 PM

#81

150kFd

Full Member

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 133

Likes: 0

From: San Francisco, Ca

Is an Rx7 expensive to own? Its all relative. I'm sure there's a braniac on here (cough!jimlab) who has an algorhythym to figure the probability of engine breakdown, lugnuts fallin of etc... But if you actually READ this forum and the related sites an intelligent person can judge the risk for himself. (no dis at all jimlab IMO you own this forum)