Jitters

Hello guys, first post on this forum.
I currently own an e34 but looking at getting something else. Ive been fascinated with rx7s for awhile now and thinking about making the jump. Found this 1989 Mazda RX-7 GXL in White | used cars & trucks | Mississauga / Peel Region | Kijiji And looking for opinions. I commute about 10km to work everyday and occasionally enjoy the weekend drive. Im not licensed mechanic but enjoy doing the majority of stuff myself (within my abilities). Is the manual steering a pain for dd? engine currently has 100>km on it. Its been off the road for a few years but he has been taking it around the block monthly since and stored every winter since. What am I getting myself into? how much will it take to make it road worthy? hearing a lot of conflicting opinions on maintenance costs/ parts availability. Thank you for your time!

mojono0

I commuted 160km / per day interstate around 2000 in a 85 rx7 with over 160km on the motor for a year and only did the normal stuff: tires, oil, wipers, gas. We can get up to 15cm snow in a day per snow fall in the winter. Only a handful of times did I not make it. Manual steering + dd isn't a problem usually the only time you remember is when parking but once you are used to it other cars feel weird. The sport clutch could be more of a problem if you do a lot of stop and go in the city.

I'm not sure I can speak to a 2nd gen maintenance or repair need on that post. Where I'm at the seller doesn't have to disclose miles on the motor if it has been replaced. The current owner sounds like he/she has raced it so the engine has seen stress. At that price I'd be tempted to buy it probably won't be my dd.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

I think that car is one of the Regulars in the CDN section.

Sandman21

I'd say your best bet is to get the car to a rotary mechanic, and have him give you an estimate. Rotary ownership isn't easy, but it is rewarding. Personally, I'd rather a turbo, but an NA also has it's advantages. Good luck!

Evil Aviator

No, it is only a pain when parallel parking. Otherwise I actually like it better than the power steering. Just check to make sure that it is an actual manual steering rack rather than a ghetto-rigged power rack with its 'tubes tied'.

My recommendation is to require the seller to make it road worthy and successfully inspected as a condition of the sale. If not, I would pass because many people lie about how much time or money it would take to get the car road worthy. I did this with the last RX-7 that I bought and the seller did get the car repaired and approved by the city prior to the sale.

The car is over 20 years old and highly modified. Therefore, you don't know whether it will be good, bad, or ugly, and it may or may not be the same case with every other car that has a similar unknown maintenance status. If you want reliability then buy a new car that has a warranty.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

My Car had the manual rack on it and it drove like it was on rails on the highway!
You would have to exert a touch extra effort in tight places in town,or parking lot scenarios,but still you could "one hand it" if you had to.

If you find out more about that car,I am Close to you,ya know..( I know a thing or 2 about these here cars that got the wankel Tacos in them!).Maybe make a day of it and check it out.

Evil Aviator

I should add that the car has good-quality aftermarket parts, and no cheap Korean 'drifter' junk parts. Sometimes I forget that you guys don't know that because you are new to RX-7s.