I love the 3rd Gen RX-7, but everyone I talk to only has bad things to say about the reliability. If I were to buy one with 60-90k miles on it and kept it mainly stock as a daily driver, should I expect to run into problems with it?

 

stock engines go out at ~70k miles on average, so after the engine goes, expect to pay about $5000 putting the new one in, and getting some reliability mods... this isn't a car you can expect to work well everyday. you have to spend money on this car more than you will think as i am learning just from having friends with FDs... here check this out:

FIRST --

Learn to use the SEARCH function on the forums, instead of posting a question, chances are it has already been answered, so why sit and wait for replies to your thread when you can find all the info you need in less than 5 minutes? The SEARCH button is in the top right of the screen, here is a link to the search engine: CLICK HERE

SECOND --

There are TONS of good websites out on the web about RX7s, and will cover anything you want to know without having to ask here on the forums... First, go read this thread, it's a sticky at the top of the 3rd Gen Section, you should have clicked here first. But if not, CLICK HERE and it will take you to it. It has great links to awesome websites about RX7s with tons of useful info. here are the links that all future RX7 owners should check out before considering buying an RX7:
http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/index.html

 

yes if ur a newb and don't know anything about cars don't get the rx7. U will run into problems because that range of mileage is usually when the engine goes out. If you really want the rx7 than i would eventually do an engine swap if u have the money. It will greatly improve reliability. The rx7 is not a daily driver car unless ur willing to love it and take care of it very well.

 

if you can pick up an rx7 with an engine that's on it last leg that would be great. cause then you'd put about 4k-5k in for a new engine and some other reliability mods and you have yourself an rx7 w/ a rebuilt motor for ~15k, not bad at all.
i'm going on two yrs w/ my rx7. still a college student w/o much money. if you change the oil every 2k miles, get an aluminum ast, change the fuel filter, change the spark plugs when needed, etc. your car should be fine as a daily driver as long as you do the routine maint. w/ it.
nick

 

if it were that easy to just do the reliability mods and be careful then everyone would do it and have a reliable fd. Don't kid yourself the fd isn't reliable. This is why everyone has that idea about them because they have experienced it or know someone that has.

Have a few thousand on the side at all times in case of problems. I don't think that any motor is better than the stock motor from 93-95 so once that is gone you have to try to find a reputable rotary shop and that is hard because they all tell you something different like doctors.

The best way I've found if you want a reliable fd keep it close to stock and run 10 psi all day and do regular maint. on it and check stuff like injectors and radiator before they go bad. Then you should be fine for many many years but wont have the racecar you want.

 

i think it is that easy to have a reliable fd. the problem's w/ the rx7 start happening once you want more power and mod your car. a big reason in my opinion why the fd gets a bad name is cause it seems that alot more people are buying this car w/o the knowledge of what to do to it. they wanna get it, mod the hell out of it w/o the proper amount of fuel or adding an ecu, race the car, and then wonder why they have problems.

i just started modding my car in the last year and that's when i've started to run into trouble. but the first year i had my car, no troubles at all. and all i put on it was dp, aluminum ast, fuel filter, plugs, boost guage, and changed all the fluids reguraly.

this is basically what i said in my post. the guy asked if it was reliable if his car was stock. in stock form i think it is a reliable car w/ the proper maint.
nick

 

still, the car in a stock setup is pretty quick.


would running it hard on weekends be really bad for it if you kept the maint up? i know the engine loves to be revved and such, but will those short sessions of running it hard screw up the engine?

 

its not the spoon that bends

 

Yippie another is it reliable thread, do you really think you are the first one to ask? Sorry man but use the search. You will find enough info to keep you busy the first 3 months.

 

I realize theres a search function and know how to use it. Thanks to those of you that were helpful, even though I'm wasting your bandwith.

 

Obviously the RX 7 reliability seems to be a very touchy topic!!!