Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

Im very close to buying a nice FD but im scared to do it because of reliability stories

1994 Manual 85k miles
30k on brand new engien and turbos and clutch
Silicon vac lines
Koyo radiator and aluminum AST
New brakes and rotors
New struts
only prob w/ car is 5th gear synchro is worn which id have to replace

With the new engine, turbos, and cooling system upgraded what problems could I possibly face..its just this would be my daily driver and im afraid of having a horror story of my own...

im a poor college kid and would only be leaving myself 2k after purchase, thats before fixing the synchro

shortfuse

iTrader: (1)

5th gear syncro is a very common problem, dont worry about that, it can be fixed easily.

I would suggest you do take the car to a rotary mechanic and check the compression of the motor. If it turns out fine and you truly like the car, i would tell you to go for it.

Everyone is scared about reliability problems when purchasing a fd, but if the car is inspected and turns out okay, only thing you will need to replace is common wear and tear pieces just like any other old car.

Goodluck

Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

i mean the only real problems people have are the apex seals blowing because of inadequate cooling or too many miles on the engine...with upgraded radiator and aluminum AST cooling should be great therefore i should face any internal issues with the rotor or seals?

car hugger

iTrader: (1)

CARFAX.

Shortfuse speaks the truth about the Compression Test. A rotary mechanic is a must, Stay as far away from Mazda Mechanics as possible.

Get a boost gauge on it and watch the pattern. 10-8-10 is stock.

Read the FAQ link on the top of the 3rd gen section it will help prepare you for being a "broke college student".

I see your concerned with the cooling system, get that system pressure tested as well, if you see a drop in pressure then there is a leak in the system. If there is a leak and you don't smell it during the test then it's internal and you need to leave this car alone as coolant seals require a complete rebuild in the neighborhood of 25-3500 dollars.

Apex seals can go from mileage but most commonly a car that is modded and not tuned properly causes detonation thus pushing the seal somewhere it doesn't need to be.

Good luck and spend the money on the carfax and rotary compression test.

crcleofdst

probably not a good idea, unless you get another car to drive daily. I might almost suggest spending that extra 2k on a beater, but then you have no money to fix the 7. the bottom line is this: when they break, its usually expensive to fix. good rotary shops are few and far between (depending on your location) , and I wouldnt trust a dealer to fix or diagnose any problems. If your dead set on getting one, then I suggest a serious amount of research on this forum. make sure to read through the FAQ, and all the stickied posts.

good luck! !

hus

Gonna be hard to find any really fast car without having some reliability issues. If you're gonna mod anything, get ready for things to tear up. I used to be a Mustang GT guy. Doesn't take long to melt down a 302 with too much NOS....and still not be as quick as a lightly moded FD.

If you get a FD just maintain it, read all the 3rd Gen Faqs and buy/study a shop manual...you'll be fine. There are plenty of people willing to help you out in the RX-7 community to keep the thing running right. People around tend to want to see FDs in good running order because they are a rare breed.

CheesePowder

Now why would anybody want to take on the burden of FD ownership while going to college?

Joe Geiman

Finish college, then buy expensive toys.

Ah the young, they don't understand the concept of delayed gratification.

Jack

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like what women are always saying to men in the bedroom...

LUPE

Wait until you're not poor or not in college before buying a FD .

bajaman

This really IS a fairly recurring type of post. And what USUALLY happens is most everyone tells the prospective buyer, "DON'T do it!" because we are wise and educated in the many ways an FD can drain bank accounts and drive one to drink! But....USUALLY the advice is not taken and the buyer gets the car and......oh about 3 - 6 months after purchasing the now OWNER is posting, "HELP! My FD broke....shop says it is going to cost $XXXXXX and I don't have that kind of money! So then the now-unhappy owner is forced to go out and buy some beater (that he should have got in the first place). And another FD sits and rots away.

Seriously....these cars are NOT for anyone who doesn't have:

• a decent amount of spare money to effect repairs
• a garage or shop in which to perform those repairs
• a significant amount of hand tools to enable one to do the repairs
• a second or third car to drive while repairing the FD
• the TIME to be able to work on the repairs
• the mechanical aptitude and experience to perform difficult tasks

Most people don't live close to a respected and competent rotary mechanic, which means you WILL have to do the repairs yourself or have the car transported often great distances.
PLEASE believe us when we tell you these cars are NOT for "poor college students". Between the cost of repair and the cost of fuel, payments, and insurance (hell...insurance ALONE can run a "college kid" $200 - $500 a month!), you would find it difficult to own, I am afraid.

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

You are scared, and rightfully so. Enjoy a honda civic until you get out of college.

efranklin

I am in the same boat. Although i have a good amount of monthly income, im still scared of the problems that could occur. I have been reading up on the forums for about 4-5 months getting a general knowledge of the problems i will face and what to do about them. Does anyone know what the insurance would be like for a 19 year old male? My current semiannual premium is $1,600, does anyone know how much it will go up?

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

Honestly, do you know what scares me? A 19 year old behind the wheel of an FD.

Guys, at least wait until you're out of college. Your odds when it comes to Darwinism, both financially and dealing with mortality will be greatly increased. Seriously.

Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

the car seems to be in insane condition, i do not plan on doing a single modification or touching the boost at all, the car does have boost gauge and water temp gauge and shows a 10-8-10 pattern, everything seems perfect besides the 5th gear as it has to be engaged slowly...with no modifications how many miles do you guys think it will last until it breaks and what should i expect i mean everything has been replaced from oil coolers to water pumps...mazda replaced 11,500 worth of stuff under the hood

yuichiror

iTrader: (1)

What are you driving now? Do you have alot of tickets? Get some quotes online. I have 3 cars, 2 with full coverage, and I don't pay that much.

efranklin

Just because someone is 19 doesnt mean there completelly irresponsible or immature. There is plenty of 30 year olds behind the wheels of fast cars puting other peoples lifes at risk on the road, and driving like complete jack asses. I didnt watch fast and the furios and instantly decide i wanted an rx7, this car has been my dream for a while. Ive never driven a car with that much power i admit, but i will baby the car untill i get the feel for it.

efranklin

I drive a 2000 v6 accord coupe fully loaded, and i have state farm insurance.

RaPtOr-T

What about a 17 year old? Although I actually got the car when I was 16.

Theres alot more young FD owners on here than most people think, just look up the 500 other threads about this and youll find some, PM them and ask them about their experience. Ive never had any rotary related problems but I got the car with 3k on a rebuild, and I baby it. That being said its still expensive if you get bit by the mod bug, plus you have to replace typical old car stuff that just goes bad. Im not sure what your financial situation is but I work the next 8 days in a row and average about 34 hours a week. The way I see it you only live once, and if my car blew up tommorow yeah I would be pissed, but if I had the choice Id still do it all over again.

adictd2b00st

yea i'm with everyone else.......wait until your done with college. heck it can be your graduation gift to yourself

Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

yea i may be a young kid but i don't drive like a complete idiot...ive driven a 97 celica st for the past years never been in a wreck or had a single ticket..i drive a like your great grandmother steering her horse and carriage..im just tryin to figure out if this car with 30k mile on motor/turbos w/ no problems will last me another 60k miles w/o breaking on me besides maybe something stupid like the power window, brake line, dumb ****

Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

yea i may be a young kid but i don't drive like a complete idiot...ive driven a 97 celica st for the past years never been in a wreck or had a single ticket..i drive a like your great grandmother steering her horse and carriage..im just tryin to figure out if this car with 30k mile on motor/turbos w/ no problems will last me another 60k miles w/o breaking on me besides maybe something stupid like the power window, brake line, dumb ****

i was lookin at mr2's for the longest..i mean LONGEST amount of time trying to find a clean one when somehow rx7 just floated down the street and i am hooked....its just really how Unreliable are these things if the proper reliability mods are completed and it isnt raced/modded

BuffDaddy915

Well I'll tell you what Monsterbox. I was afraid to get one too..but excited also. I just turned 20, it was my b-day gift to myself. I am poor (but aquired a nice new job), in college, and its been hard owning my FD. I got it, drove about 2 1/2 weeks and then **** hit the fan. Owned the car almost 3 months now and have only drivin it for 2 weeks.

Getting a rotary mechanic is a burden in itself. I have A-Spec about 35 miles from me, which equates to a nice little tow bill, but they're ALWAYS have atleast a 3 week waiting list. I dont have a different car as a daily driver YET, but I need to some how save up money to fix my FD and then get another car AND still yet pay my other bills. It's been hard man, but I love this car and it's worth it to me. I've learned growing up that getting the things you really truely want is a struggle, but it feels damned good when you get em though.

Oh and the problem Im having is a spark issue. Shouldn't be hard to diagnose, which it really isn't. But the problem is that I have nothing but the forums for info, and that parts get expensive when your buying different ones to narrow the problem down.

Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

well how many miles are on ur car/engine?

Farhan

^ Damn that sucks man. I was planning on meeting you and some others in the area up once my car gets out the shop. I hope you figure things out.