susanwithpearls

Hi All,
I joined almost 2 months ago, but was not sure what to say or how to manuever the site, so I have delayed my intro. Now, I am back to a recurring dilemma, so here I am again, introducing myself and sharing my dilemma.

I have an 85 GSL-SE. Bought it with 50K miles on it back in 2000. It now has 93K miles on it. It has been my dd for the past 8 years (even though I do not do so much daily driving-- I take the train, mostly). I love, love, love my car. ...but... but it has been recently very "sad." Starting about a year ago, it's had a series of problems:

First it did not start. Ok, so I know the problem with the 7's not starting and you change the plugs and it starts, right? so I changed the plugs like I always do, but it still didn't start. So we changed the starter coil. still no start. Now, let me say first, that I do try to keep the mechanical work as much as I can "in the family" anything we can do at home, we do. mainly because I do not know a reliable rx-7 mechanic around here, and sure it saves money. but now we've done what we know to do and it's still not starting, so I have to find a mechanic. 300$ later, it's good to go,but he can't even tell us what he did, "it's just a trick with the RX-7's" he says, "not something I can explain." whatever, my car is working again.

Then, about 6 months ago, the clutch goes out. It went out once before about 6 years ago, so we replaced the master cylinder as well as the clutch slave (6years ago we just rebuilt the master cylinder). and again all is well in my RX world.

Then, about 2 months ago, my brakes go. This has also been an ongoing problem. the fluid has had a slow leak, so I always have to refill it--it always gets worse in the winter. It has been managable with just refilling the fluid up until now. We bought a new brake master cylinder and are just waiting for a warm day to put it on (thank goodness I take the train to work).

I also have an oil leak. I don't really know what problem that is causing or is going to cause-- I just check the levels like I did with the brake fluid and make sure I never run out. But it is there, just waiting...for something to happen.

So, my dilemma: Do I sell it or do I keep it???? Let's go over the pros and the cons:
Pros: 1) I LOVE my car 2) its paid for 3) cheap insurance and registration 4) it's cool 5) It's the only car I've ever wanted, and ever do want 6) did I mention that I LOVE my car?
Cons: 1) it seems to be becoming unreliable 2) unreliable=hassle 3) unreliable = more money put into it 4) I do not have a good (i.e. trustworthy) mechanic who I can turn to when I can't figure things out myself. 5) Newer cars sure do look appealing right now
Considerations: 1) since I take a train to work, and we have a second vehicle, I do not rely on my 7, so I can take my time fixing it. 2) Instead of buying a new car, I could put the same money into fixing up my 7--but then, where do I start?

So there it is. my (RX-7)-life story. any input? votes? sell or fix up? what do you say??

Looking forward to the chat. thanks in advance for any input. Maybe this could count as my 3 posts due to length?

dial8

iTrader: (4)

Welcome. Good luck with the car, as with anything on this board, any "opinion" you receive about keeping the car will be exactly that, and only you can decide if you want to keep the car you love/love to hate, or if you hock it and get something new.

susanwithpearls

Thanks- no worries-- You know what they say about opinions? I suppose I am in this as much for the comaradarie of others who love their rotaries as to find out what other people think-- Maybe it's more what have other people DONE?? like, what does it realistically take to restore an RX7? When have others "called it quits"? how disadvantaged am I that I am not a "real" mechanic or "enthusist"? I am just a regular person who likes my car, wants it to be fun, reliable and sharp. I really just need to spend some time browsing all the posts to see what others say. Thanks for the "welcome!"

kklrx7

I am in the same boat with a '93. I love the car but the engine is blown and I'm torn between selling and fixing. I'm not a mechanic and don't know of any good ones in the Detroit metro area.

susanwithpearls

Yeah, fortunately, my engine is not completely blown--it's just got the little things going wrong with it. The body on mine is still pretty good (it spend 15 years in the dry-heat of Oklahoma with no salt or sand on the roads...). do you like the body-style enough that you could just replace the engine for a couple of grand and go on? cause there is always the consideration that if you get something else, you would have payments and higher insurance...I have the same considerations....

kklrx7

Agreed. Keeping it is an emotional decison. The prudent economic choice would be to sell in this economic time if you can get what its worth. The vehicle is my longest lasting relationship however, and even though it takes and takes and takes, it looks good and makes me happy enough most of the time to keep it around.

RyanH

whats good

susanwithpearls

I've got some family in the toledo-area. If that's not too far from Detroit, i can ask around about mechanics-- none of my family has a rotary, so I don't know what help they might be, but I can check it out. hmmm, and come to think of it, my relationship is longer with my car than any other one too, lol, I guess that means the car has to stay

kangas1607

keep it

susanwithpearls

Yeah, I am leaning toward "keep it"
Found a mechanic in NJ through other posts...
Now I just need to figure out the cost of fixing up the engine and Makin' it purdy-- needs new interior. But I like it tooooo much to give it up.

Grappler

iTrader: (6)

That's the only disadvantage to our cars is they require a lot of love and care but its so worth it in the end.

hari001

Hi,

Myself Jimmy from Canada and Wishing all of you a great new year.May the new year bring you joy happiness and health! and many discoveries both in and out of the lab!! I like this site, it related to cars. I am very passionate about new cars.

Jimmy

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