reliability?
 

Hello. Over the past few months I have become more and more fond of these rx-7's. There is one problem, my Dad doesnt want me getting one. HE said he remembers back when the wankel motors were being produced how many horror stories he heard. He says he doesn't know them that well so he can't work on them, and "no one around here knows anything about them" (I live in Kansas City, Missouri). So are they really unreliable? ARe they extremely high maintanance? Well please help out a bit. Thanks


Logan

They are actually very reliable if you treat them right. Some 13b six ports have gone over 200,000 miles without a rebuild with just regular maintinence. The 2nd gen rx-7 are probably the most reliable of the bunch, but I'm a first gen guy myself.

non-turbo rotaries can go forever. There really isn't alot that can go wrong with them internally other than seals getting old and wearing out. Never have to worry about valve adjustment, head gasket, etc. Externally they have the same systems as a piston motor. As long as you change the oil and don't overheat there is no reason a N/A rotary won't go 200k miles.

yeah, I've got an 1989 RX7 n/a (non turbo). It has served me well, and it's really reliable. I just bought my second car, and it's also a non-turbo RX7 (1986)...so that should tell you something!

Im looking at the fc's, but Id like a turbo one, unless reliability is down the tubes on those. What were the n/a models for them? Isnt GSL turbo? How fast are the non-turbos? I will be modifying it. I just love the rx7, magnificent cars.


Logan

If you've got a thick wallet or if you're a rotary mechanic, then get a 3rd gen. This car is AMAZING! I've got 101K on the original engine and about 30K on rebuilt turbos. I'm in the process of learning how to maintain the car myself.

I drive a 1987 na fc, great learning car, bought it from people who maintained it very well, 156k miles and counting.

My '80 had 119k on it and ran like a champ when I pulled the engine to swap in something with a bit more power.

My '85 has over 150k on it and is still going strong, doesn't even have dowel O-ring leakage. Smokes a hair on cold startup but it's barely noticeable. Ironically the '80 engine is getting ported and will get stuffed into the '85 :) And then the '85 engine will probably get ported and stuffed into my NEXT 1st-gen... it's the circle of life I guess :)