GoneWithTheWind

wasup guys, im new to this forum. I currently have a 2004 RX8 and I must say that I really like rotary. But. . . .I feel as if the RX8 does not depict the true rotary "spirit". Plus Im addicted to boost!! So I have decided to get rid of it and possibly get a third gen RX7. Now I dont know much about rotary's so I need major input. Im sure there are other threads out there for newbies, Im still in the process of finding answers to my questions. Formaly being a DSM (Turbo AWD Eclipse) owner I know that theres alot of headaches that can come with the car. Are there any negatives to this car?? I mean in regards to the engine, I did hear that they tend to overheat and need more effeciant cooling. I am currently lookin at a few 7's with price ranges from 17k and up. But before I get into this car I want a lil more info, which I shoulda done with the 8 (the worst fuel consumption ever , and also needs excessive oil which I konw that the rotary's need). Thanks dudes.

Nat6c

iTrader: (1)

7's are great. but honestly a different beast to the 8. i own a 93 3rd. and work at mazda. trust me, it's a whole different story in comparison. But at least you have "an idea" on the minor maintenaces compared to pistons. read the stickies, but be very careful of the hype some people put, and be careful to misleading info as well. just treat it right and it'll treat you right. i daily drive mine. running stock rebuild, with a med single GT35R/.74a/r 12.5 psi. got 10k miles. running great. there's little nit picks that you'll find as with any car. but all in all, it's just another car, that has different characteristics. enjoy, have fun, if you have any question your welcome to pm me. i'll answer what i can that you can't find in the stickies, faq's etc. welcome to the rotary world


Los

wolf_9782

check out the FAQs man, read thru them and then you will know if the car is for you. you also have to be on top of the car when it comes to maintenance, its only as reliable as the owner they say.

this car takes money and patience, but thats how it is with all over sports vehicles. at least the RX-8 has given you some preparation as to what to expect. the 3rd gen RX-7 is a monster compared to it so you will enjoy it greatly. if you decide to get one welcome to the insanity/addiction

GoneWithTheWind

How many miles do u have on it Nat6c?? Motors last long on them (obviously if well maintained)?

Red95FD

iTrader: (3)

I think your on the right track. This is what I did. I read alot on this forum. Decided to try and find either a 93 CYM under20K miles completely stock or a 94-95 with low miles. As soon as I found the CYM, a 95 with 6.5K popped up on Autotrader. It was stock and like a new car. I have owned the car for over 2 years. I had all of the maintaince done plus new tires and a downpipe to reduce the heat under the hood. The car has been a dream. But to cut down problems, you get one with no mods and low miles. They are out there, you just have to be patient. Last year there seemed to be alot of 10K mi. cars on Ebay and Autotrader. I searched for almost 2 years and then 4 or 5 worthy cars popped up. Still wish I had a CYM. They're still out there. You have to believe and be ready with the cash! Good Luck!

GoneWithTheWind

I really dont want to go the "Easy" way by getting an EVO or STI. I like rwd better anyway. I dont see any RX7 by my way, I live in the Bronx, NY. Soo even a more reason to get one. I use to have a 350z, nice cars but I felt it was stil missing something, maybe the RX7 has that something. Plus I am more of a Top End guy.

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

go buy yourself a supra and call it a day.

4CN A1R

iTrader: (6)

this is a site i found a while back on maintaining an fd. its pretty strict but very nessesary:
http://www.rotarygod.com/index.php?t...ne_Maintenance

BigWillieStyles

you sound like a good potential owner. The fuel usage is bad, but comparable to other performance cars, i roughly get 500kms per tank. I also think they are a pretty tough engines, just keep an check on the oil, spark plus and make sure its boosting properly. 17K sounds like a nice amount to start off with and you could probably find a nice tidy example for that price.

good luck

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Simple fact. At some point, the motor is going to die and you'll have to replace it. Whether that's after 5000 miles, or 50,000 miles, it's going to happen. If the thought of replacing an engine soon is not appealing, then this isn't a good car for you.

I'm not saying that you'll get one and immediately have to get a new engine. However, I am saying that these can be tricky cars to own. 99% of the people we see here say "I just want to keep it reliable, so I'll keep it stock". Then after a little time of ownership, they are posting "What's the best single turbo kit and can I run it with the stock ECU?".

Modifying a FI car is 10x more addicting than a N/A car. The reason is the gains you get. Throwing an exhaust on a N/A makes it sound cool, but doesn't do a lot for performance. However on a FI car, a different exhaust can be the difference of having controllable boost or not (depending on other things). So it doesn't take much to start down the road of going from basically stock to nothing is stock.

Is the car worth it? It depends on what it is you are looking for. Is it worth it just to have a car which may be "rare" in your area? IMO, no. It can be a lot of work just to have a "rare car".

Ottoman

the 8 is newer tighter better handling better for daily use etc

the 7 is better for modding, looks better, has alot more wear and tear, alot more maintence required, alot more fragile, find a clean specimen is hard to do..

but overall the 7 CAN be more rewarding..

as well as more fustratring..

you might consider starting with an FC instead.. and then "graduating" to an FD

like learning to ride on a 600 before going out and buying a ZX12 or Busa

FASTorBUST

iTrader: (5)

It really just depends how much you love cars and are willing to go to have what you want. I sold my WRX (HEAVILY modded) for my FD 6 months ago and still havn't gotten to drive my FD. It has unforseen problems but it's still around. I havn't driven more then 200 miles in 6 months (none of them were on the FD). What will get you hooked, ask someone to take you for a hell run in an RX7. You wont be disappointed and your jaw will drop if it's a nice one.

+1 sell your car and get something that is completly unrealistic and expensive. You will never regret it.

GoneWithTheWind

Thanks for the advice and tips guys. I got a few FDs Im goin to look at next week, Im in no rush. I want to find a nice clean low mileage FD. So patience is key. Im a compulsive maintainance freak anyway lol so Im sure I wont have an issue getting one. I havent been in one but I am definitely gonna test drive one soon. I have also noticed that alot of you guys are pushing like 350hp-400hp and running low 11's. Is this due to cars weight?

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Yes.

A lot of new/prospective owners drop in and make up a hp number like 500, and say they'll pay what it takes to get 500hp. This approach is rarely successful (at least for long).

First, they usually have no idea what it takes to transform an FD into a true 500 hp car and how strongly it affects streetability and reliability. Second, they just have no idea how fast 300hp, 350hp, or 400hp is. It is FAST. Owners have built their cars from stock to monster (500+hp) and sold the car because it's just not a pleasure to drive - it will peel your eyelids off, but it's truly monstrous. They develop a very sincere appreciation for how much fun these cars are at more streetable configurations.

But lets not get things out of whack - while FDs have churned down the strip at some pretty impressive ETs, this car is more suited for track work. A 500hp drag FD is much different than a 500hp track FD and different from a 500hp street FD.

Dave