Looking into a 93-95 5spd TT RX-7. I have been scared off in the past by the steady flow of unreliable rumors I keep hearing, but the cars are gorgeous and I love the interiors! I am looking to spend 10-12k, and I think thats about right for a decent one correct? I will be mod'n it naturally, but reliablity is my main concern!!! I hear horror stories. It would be a daily driver for a couple months, then I would pick something else up. I know the rex is a really light car, so I can't really compare hp #'s of one with lets say, an LS1. How much hp does it take to hang with stock or mild LS1's and what kind of mods to get that hp?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

 

Pick up a daily beater first than get one. You will be very lucky to find a decent running 3rd gen RX-7 for 10-12,000$ let alone the TT model. Be spending 2,000$ on a full exhaust, stand alone ECU, intercooler, clutch and intakes you should be about 300+rwhp, enough to hang with a stock Z06 with some good driving.

 

1. They do tend to break down a lot, and when they do it costs lots of money to fix it unless you can do the work yourself......parts are still expensive though

2. Reliability mods should come first...they should, but often don't. Things like radiator, new vacuum lines, new fuel lines, fuel filter, pulsation-dampener, fan mod, downpipe (good for a few HP), exhaust (NOT midpipe),

3. Stock ECU cannot handle much over 10psi boost. Get a boost gauge and once your mods are pushing you over that line, look for an upgraded ECU (like the Power FC).

4. Search for more info once the site will let you.

 

I have been watching autotrader, most of them are 10-15k range. Should I shy away from rebuilt or reman motors or look for them?

Steve

 

^I found this funny

It'd take more than $2000.....Power FC is $900 w/o commander, ACT 6 puck is $450+, intake ~$250, FMIC (I suggest Blitz) $1300, exhaust ~$500.....and that should all be good for some good numbers

 

WTF? They're all twin turbod.

Good exhaust, intake, and ECU will cost you no less than $2,000. That, with some good tuning will put you close to 300 rwhp. But you'll need more fuel to get to any higher boost levels. Figure about $3000 to safely run 14 psi on the stock twins.

FD's cannot be had for $10k in good working order.


Like sprockett said, search!

 

911GT2...we think alike.

I got my FD for $9000. It had 114,000 miles on it. Two months later I had spent over $5000 on a new exhaust, new engine, and new clutch - all of which went out in that period. Then in the next four months I had to replace the sound system (BOSE died), tires, brakes, seats (mine were torn badly), intake (mine was cracked), and downpipe (stock was shot) - that was another $2500.

Now I am looking at having to replace the turbos (now at over 126,000 miles), getting a vacuum line job, putting in a midpipe, upgrading to a FMIC, and a new paint job (with some minor outside appearance stuff)....it's taken me close to $9000 to get this car into the condtion where I feel proud about it.

 

Well, talked to the folks, they're letting my use their 3rd car (beater) for a daily driver if I want. They were going to sell it for 500, but they would keep it if it got used. On the other hand, you guys are scaring me with this replace motor stuff!! Do they all die, or just the ones that have been ragged on? I am good with my hands, and my dad is even better then me. I told him I was looking into an RX-7, and he said, "Mazda? Those rotaries? Did they ever fix their reliably issues?" Haha, I guess these cars got a bad rap.

Steve

 

Got my r-1 for $13800 with an oil pan leak and the paint on the front bumper peeling. As others have said, reliability mods come first. Especially replacing all vacuum and boost lines. My car had engine and turbos replaced at 35K, I got hold of the vehicle at 62K. Do not necessarily be scared off by a replaced engine in the cars history, you may be better off. As far as costs to mod, it gets expensive quickly. Especially if you use quality parts and can't do the work (like me). A Greddy front mount IC will cost a good deal of that original $2000 number you were originally quoted.

 

to be honest with you if you are only looking to spend 10 to 12k on an FD you arent really gonna find one in real good condition. If you dont find an rx7 that is in great condition, its not gonna make a good daily driver. I personally would never count on the car getting me from point A to point B reliably. When they run they run, but when they brake they brake. With these cars, when it rains it comes down in sheets. one thing after another goes wrong. Dont get me wrong, i love my car and wouldnt trade if for any other car. I think everyone should be able to experiance the excellence of a 3rd gen. I think you should buy your beater car first, then get the rx7.

 

Well thanks for the info guys. I'm going to get some more money put away and make my decision in a month or so. I was looking into Supras as well, but for 25k and a 10 year old car, they can keep them. I really would love an FD, but I don't want a money pit that spends more time under the knife then on the street. Spending money on it is fine, but I want to drive it when its nice out as well!

Steve

 

I know a guy that sold his PERFECT condition white '94 Touring for $8,000 ..... I still smack myself for not buying it.

 

In the 6 months I have owned my FD, I have spent 2,000$ in mods, $650 in service, and it has not run for 4 days total, 4 of those days because of mods I did and didnt get everything fixed right. I have put 10,000 miles on the car, and only has a couple quirks. Its starts staying down for long periods when you blow the motor, or you mod it a bunch and screw stuff up.

 

Is your motor original? One other question, how hard are motor swaps in these cars. I own a truck with a 350 SBC, and could pretty easily rip it out, these look a little tougher .

Steve

 

After much research on this board and other sites and friends who know people with them, I still think I am going to pursue one. I got a daily driver, and I got the time and hands to work on one. I priced some Supras, and for a TT 6spd with decent milage, I'll have a fully built RX-7. I just need to save a couple more months and thats it! I can't wait. I gotta go work on my daily driver now, it needs shocks, struts, tires, and a sensor or 2. I don't have to pay for any of it, its not my car. Just the gas and time to get the parts on .

Steve