Hey, I've been doing some research on certain cars and I've narrowed it down to a few, including the 3rd gen RX7. My only concern is reliability. I've heard mixed comments about how reliable these cars are so now I'd like to hear from some real owners. Im also looking around the price range of $15-$18K Canadian (around 10-12K US I think). Would I be able to find a base model for that price?
A friend of mine knows a local RX7 mechanic so I dont think repairs will be too much of a problem. Are replacement parts expensive?

Also, what kind of insurance rates would I be looking at?
I've never owned a rotary vehicle so is there anything special that I should be searching for when Im looking at an RX7?
Sorry for all the questions, thanks in advance,

 

drive the others cars first.
then, find a nice one with some mods on it.
drive it.
the car will sell itself, and you're smile after driving it will convince you!

 

Instead of giving a biased answer (notice mine is sold...well okay that's mostly because of school...) I'd definately recommend that you check out Steve Ciriani's website: www.scuderiaciriani.com He has a TON of info there as well as a Buyers Guide. If you can't find the answer to a question you have there then it can't be answered Either way good luck car shoppin' :p

 

every thing is expensive if u aint got the money buy something else leave the FD's to some one with the cash to maintane it

 

Generally the best part of my day is my 40 mile (each way) commute to/from Santa Barbara/Ventura Just because I get to drive my 93 fd .
The best day so far this year was on 11.09 when I got to drive around the Streets of Willow Springs Race Track for about 2hrs.
I have NEVER regetted buying my Rex even inspite of a $10k rebuild and upgrade visit (or maybe because of!) to Mariah in the spring.

You have got to love a car that gets you up into triple digit speed on your test drive w/ the Dealer sales rep sitting in the passenger seat.

 

this is the only car that will make you look like you are rich....people think I paid an easy 50k for the car- slap some rims, you will turn heads EVERYWHERE.....I get people in PorsheTT's, Vipers, SUV's everything smiling all the time.......if they only knew how much I paid....also- change badges, or shave em, alot of people wont know what the hell you are driving...

 

I would say that if you need to be "talked into" purchasing any car, then you really don't want it.

You'll only be happy if "you" know it's the car you want.

 

Two words for you----Test Drive!!!! You will instantly fall in love. You really dont need much talking into in order to buy one it kinda sells itself.

 

Limited budget? Very limited budget ... don't consider it.

I'm never talking anyone into buying an FD ... ever.

 

"I" havent had the priveledge to drive one yet so "I" cant know if its the car "I" want. Thats why I asked those questions, so I know if should even be looking into getting one. I dont want to be tempted to test drive a car that I wont be able to afford or maintain.

 

Alright, thanks.

 

Any car that is a "pure" sports car is NOT cheap to maintain. There are sports cars with more/less problems than others, but when something goes wrong with any sports car, it's gonna cost $$$$ to get it repaired.

The questions you need to ask yourself when looking for a sports car are:

1. What is insurance going to run on the car?

2. Can you afford to have repairs done on the car should it break down? Even if you have a friend that a RX7 mechanic, you'll still have to pay for labor. Something like replacing oil lines to the tubros can cost $90 for parts, but $1200 USD for labor at around normal mechanic charges of $60-75 per hour.

3. Do you live in an area where weather won't permit you to drive the car all year round? If so, do you have or can you afford a second car?

4. Gas mileage. Think about how much you plan to drive the car. Estimate that most RX-7's get around 13mpg. Depending on how much you drive per month, you could be spending well over $200 per month just on gas.


People here are enthusiasts. They love their cars whether they are running great or not, but they aren't salesmen. What would you think if we all "talked" you into buying and RX-7... You purchased one for $12,000 USD, found out the engine was going and it needed a rebuild for around $4000 that you didn't have. Now you are pissed and want to get rid of the car, but you can't get rid of it for the $12k you purchased it for. How pissed would you be?

Do your own research, make up your own mind. You'll be a lot happier in the end. The search function here will find LOTS of info for you:

https://www.rx7club.com/vforums/search.php

If you have technical questions, anyone will gladly try to answer them.

 

Everything is relevant. When you buy a car of this nature, your going to pay money for almost anything, but my dads Ferrari is much more expensive to fix and maintain.

 

Rx-7's themselves are great. I have two, and I love them both. I have a TII(89) and and 95 R2, in case you cant tell by my name. Anyway, my car itself just demands respect, and it gets it. A ton of it....all of my friends were mad as hell when I said that I was going to sell it and buy an NSX. I was thinking about it, but then I said nah, I'll stay rotary.

 

Good point. Im still only 19 so I have plenty of time to own one in my later years. Right now I think this car is a little out of my class. I'll just stick to an MR2 or 300ZX for now
Thanks for all the feedback everyone!
I'll be back in a few years

 

Just because the car may be out of your class, it doesn't mean that you can't be on the forum. You can learn A LOT about the rotary engine, etc. here. You can educate yourself about rotaries here and then when you are ready to purchase an RX-7...you'll be prepared for most everything.

 

I always say my car is the car that keeps on giving. Whenever I'm in a bad mood or sad or anything I can just hop in my FD. Get one if you have the money its well worth it. My car is like my baby I LOVE IT

 

Well, 300zx, if it needs to have repairs, is no cheaper. I owned one for a while. Loved the car, just got tired of it.

I didn't have too many problems with the 300zx, but the ones I did weren't cheap to fix. I've never personally owned a MR2, but I hear they handle real well. I love T-Tops, so I always liked the T-Top version of the MR2.

I know there are a lot of young FD owners here in the forum, and frankly I don't know where they get their money from to put into their cars. If I were you, being 19, I would get something like a MR2, sporty but not too bad on insurance and then wait until you are financially able to deal with a sports car.

 

I would sell for an NSX- too bad theyre still so expensive.

 

I will still whoop your ***!!!!

MUW AHAHAHAHAHA

Honestly NSX are nice cars.

But I like how the RX-7 looks much more!!!! Of course I am biased.

Ask BATMAN dood.

He thre his NSX away, couldn't compare to his FD.

 

MRFreeze, your a big JO, it would be appreciated if you dont put your 2cents in, cause its wasting everyones time. You big $$Dick$$,