Genuine advice needed please
08-20-02, 07:32 AM
#1
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Genuine advice needed please
How do,
I am, at the moment on the look out for a car since selling my last one.
At first I had my eye on a nice BMW 540 (1998 kind of year) but have always liked the look of the RX-7's with the only real thing putting me off being the "problematic" engines.
Before I get jumped on by some of the "Wankel Patriots" I am just mentioning what ppl say.
What I want to find out is the truth.
How reliable are these engines and is it very expensive to have the main faults repaired e.g. rotor tip seals.
Is there anything else I should be aware of that will be expensive ??
Thanks
I am, at the moment on the look out for a car since selling my last one.
At first I had my eye on a nice BMW 540 (1998 kind of year) but have always liked the look of the RX-7's with the only real thing putting me off being the "problematic" engines.
Before I get jumped on by some of the "Wankel Patriots" I am just mentioning what ppl say.
What I want to find out is the truth.
How reliable are these engines and is it very expensive to have the main faults repaired e.g. rotor tip seals.
Is there anything else I should be aware of that will be expensive ??
Thanks
08-20-02, 08:24 AM
#2
Trying to find a RX7 in excellent condition is a tough assignment. Most are modified to different degrees to increase performance, and therefore reduce engine longevity. They are great cars, but finding someone to do service on the rotary is a chore in itself. Even if well maintained they just don't last as long as a piston engine.
Usually engine replacements done with Mazda remanufactured engines are decent, but price tags with the twin turbos, clutch, trans can easily amount to $5/6000. This however, is not too obsurd if one needed to replace a BMW engine/trans.
You could look @ M3's with a supercharger, or a larger car M5. I personally wouldn't place either of the above in the same category as a RX7, but you'll need to decide.
Also, cost of these cars are not in the same arena (1998 540-$30,000). If you find one, drive it, then make a decision. If it's in excellent condition, you'll love it!
Usually engine replacements done with Mazda remanufactured engines are decent, but price tags with the twin turbos, clutch, trans can easily amount to $5/6000. This however, is not too obsurd if one needed to replace a BMW engine/trans.
You could look @ M3's with a supercharger, or a larger car M5. I personally wouldn't place either of the above in the same category as a RX7, but you'll need to decide.
Also, cost of these cars are not in the same arena (1998 540-$30,000). If you find one, drive it, then make a decision. If it's in excellent condition, you'll love it!
08-20-02, 08:37 PM
#3
Senior Member
What year do you like the looks of the most?
Because there are 3 generations these are the basics
The first gen was from:79-85
These had a 12A (1.1 litre) base engine
It produced 100Hp with no mods.
They also produced a GSL-SE model
With a 13B (1.3 litre) that had 135Hp
the first gen were all carberated if you were wondering
These were resonably-very reliable.
Some peole have put over 200,000 miles on the 12A's without a hitch. I have even heard of
300 and 400 thousand miles. Overall good cars but hard too find anymore in good condition and if they are that person won't be likly to sell it. Oh and BTW I have met a guy with an GSL-SE (13B) with 187,000 miles on it so they are good too. Never offered as a turbo in the US
The second gen was from:86-92
All 2nd gens had a fuel injected 13B that came also in
a turbo version. The N/A's were very reliable although the turbos were iffy on reliblity they wern't just plain crap but it was how you took care of it that matters (like with any car wiether it be piston or otherwise. This generation was the most diverse on the kinds of options and models ( 2+2, GS, GSL, conv,ect) nice cars. the turbos had heat issues and extra strain on the engine. This is where the reliablity sayings and what people say about them come from. But still it was a very nice car and had a good engine life and good power
Third gen was between:93-95 (IN THE STATES)
This is one of the best looking and fastest of the time period. But the turbo system on it although inovative was more than a little high matinace (3rd gen fans don't flame me over this, try to stay objective) The heat that they retained so close to the housing would cause problems in any engine. And the biggest grp with any rotary is parts and service. Mechanics would just refuse the 3rd gen, just wouldn't work on them. They had their good points but their bad are what stand out and are what makes people blame them on the rotory itself. It is not main problem it was just mazda. They are a great company and one of my favorites but they do as all others make mistakes. But still a good car if you can do the work yourself.
The rotory is a good engine but people put it down when they find a downside and aplify it just because it is different. Just like how people put diesel cars down because they don't understand them and frankly don't want to. These people tell their friends that don't know much about cars or mechanics their knolage in this matter but they will believe their ignorent friend because he "knows" what he is talking about and it spreds like wildfire and before you know it anyone who isn't really familair with the engine are saying this . You are good to go and Find out the truth it shows a good mind that still has objectivity in it.
Because there are 3 generations these are the basics
The first gen was from:79-85
These had a 12A (1.1 litre) base engine
It produced 100Hp with no mods.
They also produced a GSL-SE model
With a 13B (1.3 litre) that had 135Hp
the first gen were all carberated if you were wondering
These were resonably-very reliable.
Some peole have put over 200,000 miles on the 12A's without a hitch. I have even heard of
300 and 400 thousand miles. Overall good cars but hard too find anymore in good condition and if they are that person won't be likly to sell it. Oh and BTW I have met a guy with an GSL-SE (13B) with 187,000 miles on it so they are good too. Never offered as a turbo in the US
The second gen was from:86-92
All 2nd gens had a fuel injected 13B that came also in
a turbo version. The N/A's were very reliable although the turbos were iffy on reliblity they wern't just plain crap but it was how you took care of it that matters (like with any car wiether it be piston or otherwise. This generation was the most diverse on the kinds of options and models ( 2+2, GS, GSL, conv,ect) nice cars. the turbos had heat issues and extra strain on the engine. This is where the reliablity sayings and what people say about them come from. But still it was a very nice car and had a good engine life and good power
Third gen was between:93-95 (IN THE STATES)
This is one of the best looking and fastest of the time period. But the turbo system on it although inovative was more than a little high matinace (3rd gen fans don't flame me over this, try to stay objective) The heat that they retained so close to the housing would cause problems in any engine. And the biggest grp with any rotary is parts and service. Mechanics would just refuse the 3rd gen, just wouldn't work on them. They had their good points but their bad are what stand out and are what makes people blame them on the rotory itself. It is not main problem it was just mazda. They are a great company and one of my favorites but they do as all others make mistakes. But still a good car if you can do the work yourself.
The rotory is a good engine but people put it down when they find a downside and aplify it just because it is different. Just like how people put diesel cars down because they don't understand them and frankly don't want to. These people tell their friends that don't know much about cars or mechanics their knolage in this matter but they will believe their ignorent friend because he "knows" what he is talking about and it spreds like wildfire and before you know it anyone who isn't really familair with the engine are saying this . You are good to go and Find out the truth it shows a good mind that still has objectivity in it.
Last edited by protlewski; 08-20-02 at 08:46 PM.
08-22-02, 03:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
A second gen 88-92 (yes 92) would be a good car for you. A N/A would probly better if you are worried about problematic. That way you won't really need to fuss much with it but it will have very decent power (around 160Hp stock) very easily modifyed, you know exhaust, intake, headers, and maybe Nitrous(can't spell) if you only want a short burst of power.
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