Newbie needs answers please!
 

hey everyone, i've always loved the look of an rx7, the feel you get when u see such a unique car. the one biggest thing that's always bothered me is that no one can ever give me a real honest to god answer about the reliability of the rotary engines. now i've heard from endless sources both written and person that the rotary engines r hav a tendency to catch fire, blow up, break down, wutever. but then i've also heard from an equal amountof ppl the complete opposite. and no one can ever give me a reason why their answer is correct or why the other person's is incorrect. please help me for it will determine whether i ever decide to own one of these incredible cars or not. Thanks!

You should not own one unless you know lots about the engines, or a decent amount.
Stick around here and do some SEARCHES. It will answer all questions you have about the rotary engine in terms of it's reliability and other info too.
You can learns tones by sticking round here.

Basically, if you know what you are doing and maintain it properly, then yes it's very reliable. If you maintain it well like the piston engine you are going to wreck it... it's a touchy engine.

I agree with Bridgeported.

The main problem is people compare them to piston engines...The only thing that Rotarys have in common with piston engines is they both have an INTAKE-COMBUSTION-EXHAUST cycle..other then that they are completly different. I have seen rotarys with over 200k miles and still runing strong, and I have seen nonturbo motors blow at 70k.....So you see much of the rotarys reliablity is reflected by it's owner....

NO ROTOR NO MOTOR!!!!!!

Good luck.

They are very reliable.

They do catch fire if you don't change the pulsation damper when it starts leaking (so would any other engine with fuel drippin on the exhaust).

They will blow up like any other motor when you run them out of oil, overheat them, rev them waaaay past their redline, etc... I've never seen one fail without help. It's just an engine like any other engine.

Yes, they do occasionally break down, so do Hondas, Chevys, and Maseratis...

I don't know about whatever, I just know they'll go 150K miles and more (a few to 300K miles) with nothing more than regular maintenance. With the exception of changing struts and a clutch there's very little required that most people can't do themselves...

If you get a turbo or hot rod it, their life expectancy drops quickly. Turbo cars DEMAND you do the regular maintenance most people neglect (including letting the turbo cool down before you shut it off). Of course hot rodding it, like anything else, requires the original work be done correctly with the right parts tuned the right way. There are VERY few people that can do this, most of it is afroamerican engineering. It's a testament to the durability of these engines that they don't die sooner when this type of work is done, and being a "sports car" it's done to quite a few. If you buy one remember this, look for one that is as original as possible and hopefully you'll never know the heartache you've saved yourself.

Agreed with every reply and advise given so far on this thread. Now the only advise thats missing is.........................USE IT!!!!!!!!!PLEASE

i have owned my 82 over 10 years 175000 miles and dog the shit out of it and still stong but the body is history i do reg oil change and tune ups.it sat in the garage for about 5 of those years and then started right up with fresh gas
:D