Hey,

I am pretty new on the scene and was wondering if there is a way to "winterize" your RX-7? I wanna make the regular FC I got now into my "winter car" and then save and get a turbo II for next spring. any help? block heater? someone help me!

 

My GX is my daily driver, and all I've ever needed to do is get a good set of winter tires, and maybe throw one or two bags of sand and salt in the trunk to keep the back end steady. The stock heater is just fine as long as it's working.
Mine is just turn the key and go in the winter, and I haven't made any extra modifications to winterize it. The only thing that occasionally happens is the locks stick, but I just keep a tiny can of WD-40 handy and give the mech a squirt, and I'm good to go.

Good luck with yours! As long as you keep an even head they do just fine in the winter.

 

Wax it every week and keep it clean!

 

this is important. Keep it clean.

Oil guard it since you live in ontario, keep the salt off of it!

a block heater helps out especially if you primarily make short trips.

keep a tow rope and jumper cables in the car.

 

Winter tires. New ones. Traction is thine mortal enemy in the snow with the FC.

 

Listen to this man.

I killed my first FC by taking it on an uphill in the winter with my hard compound summers

Things just weren't the same for the next 6 months until I got another one.

I cried, many many times.

 

I wintered my FB. Didn't use sand or anything int he back. Just had some blizacks on the 13 in stock rims. Worked just fine. I did not get stuck once. I passed SUV's, and and trucks that were stuck all the time.

The only catch is I was sideways all the time. Every corner was a drift, they always had some slip angle. Which is n ot neccassarily a problem

 

Buy a cheap Firefly/Corolla/Crapolier/Escort/Saturn S/"insert generic compact car here", put some smaller, less expensive snow tires on that, and sacrifice that car to the angry gods of snow, ice, stupid drivers, and road salt. Save the FC for weather it enjoys better and is more reliable and less thirsty in.

 

i can barely keep my 7 in a straight line when it rains let alone snows D:

 

Then you need better tires !

 

I bought A Blazer..and Now I am Ready for winter!..done!..Next question?..(Oh.How did I do this?I sold My other RX7!..and I still had some MOOLAH left over to put into my "summer RX7"!)

 

Words of wisdom!

There are a ton of better cars for the winter. Buy a cheap, used, old Subaru. I'm amazed at how cheap 1999 and earlier Impreza's are. One of the best cars for the winter. Add snow tires and nothing will stop you.

Duane

 

so I guess trying to winterize my GX and save for a turbo II is not a good idea, I should just buy a beater and spend some money on my GX?

 

I honestly don't think the RX7 is the best winter car and it seems a shame to drive it in the salt if it hasn't been up to this point.

That said, you are in Guelph. The snow isn't as bad there as Ottawa for example. My father-in-law ran a first gen in the winter -- when it was new! He put good snow tires on it and it was fine. That was in London, ON.

If you go this route, as another said, you should also have booster cables, tow cables, freshly charged cell phone :-), CAA membership all paid up...LOL...

Another idea...and this is extreme....is store it and take the bus if you can. When I had my first SE, I started a business. At the time, it wasn't financially possible for me to keep the two cars I had. I had a winter beater (anyone remember the Nissan Micra) and the SE. I couldn't bring myself to sell the SE. I sold the winter beater and took the bus that winter.

It actually wasn't that bad. When I really needed a car, I rented one. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but depending on your situation it may be an option.

Duane

 

When I drove my Rx-7 in the winter, I had:



Biggest best battery I could fit

Tow Rope, Booster Cables

Winter Tires are a must

Coolant Heater

Ice Scraper and Gloves

Spare Windsheild wiper arm (mine snapped off due to some minimal ice on the window)

More than 1/2 tank of gas at any given time

And most of all

Paitence.

 

Make sure the coolant is good for your temperature zone, keep cables in it/tow rope(previously said), and get the best winters you can. I suggest Nokian RSi's as they are rated #1 in the world in stopping and cornering on ice(30% better than an xice or blizzak and cheaper->go to your nearest kaltire or MTC) if you want amazing grip get into the studded versions(if allowed there) but honestly studs are over kill.

 

Wow this thread makes it sound impossible. First thing to consider is the condition of your GX, I had an '89 GXL w/ 140K's and good condition body. I drove it 3 winters ago with cheap no name winter tires on the rear only and summer tires up front. No weight in the back, and got it rustproofed before and after the winter and honestly the car handled great. That was one fun winter let me tell you driving my first FR car in the winter. And make sure you wash it a minimum twice a week, and get the most expensive wash too.

I planned on doing what you did and now I own one of best condition S5 Turbo II's in North America, so figure out your finances as an upgrade to a TII is the best thing!

 

Driving an RX7 in the winter isnt so bad as long as your prepared. have all the necessary item like jumper cable etc. and you will be fine, beside being sideways. i drove my 87 GXL through the winter and was great. all you have to make sure is let the car warm up for 10 minutes before you go anywhere. cold rotary dont do so well and are very prone to breaking seals. and as for tires i had regular all season and i did just fine. all this in regina, and we all know its not alot of snow unless its to your knees, even then the RX7 is light enough to push out yourself lol.