Newbie looking to get an rx7 in the future
 

Hi All!

I’ve been interested in Rx7s for a while now, but recently have started to think more seriously about owning one in future. Preferably an FD but the FC had also grown a lot on me lately. My knowledge of these cars is still very surface level!

I had the pleasure of taking a 1991 convertible for a short spin today and I loved it. The interior of the car was in great condition, it didn’t feel like an almost 40 year old car, and all the buttons/switches on the dash and centre console worked perfectly.

However I did have a few concerns, the gear stick felt slightly floppy (could be easily wiggled from side to side when in gear much like when in neutral) but from what I have read this is relatively normal. I also struggled to put in 4th a few times, but I think that could be user error and not being fully used to the gearbox as I didn’t drive it for too long.

The seller also could not tell me much history on the engine such as in if it’s ever been rebuilt (over 110k miles on the Tach) and no compression test history.

The car started fine cold (no excessive smoke or any white smoke from the exhaust) and also again after turning it off and and on again, as I was testing out all the cabin controls, however it did randomly shudder during idling and the revs dropped and jumped back up again.

I’m don’t think I will continue to pursue the FC I saw today, as I’m currently on an extended stay in the US so if I were to commit I would also need to import it back home (so I have a lot more research to do). But having driven one today I definitely want to get one in the future. I also wanted to know are there any additional things I should look out for on FCs and/or FDs before buying.

Apologies for a bit of a word salad, but I’d greatly appreciate any advice and any pointers to resources/forum links for newbies like to learn more about these beautiful cars!

Thank you all! :)

Welcome to forum

welcome to the forum

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome,

I know you said you were probably not pursuing this particular car, but here are some notes on this one that may help you while looking at a future car.

I wouldn't view this as anything that should deter you from this or any other FC. The Shifter bushings are a wear item, and are often an overlooked maintenance item. They are not expensive, nor hard to change.
Not surprising, not unexpected for a non-rotary enthusiast selling a stock car to not have these numbers. We enthusiasts tend to believe all people with these cars are just as knowledgeable, which isn't the case. Especially in the SA/FB and FC crowd. Those cars were very popular sports cars, so often the people that bought them didn't even realize how different/unique the engine was, so I wouldn't assume that this seller is trying to hide something....they probably just don't know that they should do that to help sell the car.

That said, SA/FB and FC naturally aspirated engines were not the fragile timebombs that the internet would lead you to believe. It's not unheard of for those engines to be up to, or even over, 200K miles with no rebuild. As long as it starts hot and cold, chances are the engine is fine.

Could be cause for concern, but probably not. A '91 with only 100K miles on it, means it really hasn't been getting much use for it's age. I would probably just assume this is a worn dashpot, and not something to scare you away.


Good luck with your search. Check out the FAQ pined posts in the FC and FD sections for more insights into what to look for when buying. Some of the guides may be old, but that doesn't mean the information has changed.