Looking to become a new rx7 Owner - Questions
 

Hello everybody, new member here

Its been about 3/4 years since i came across the first rx7 i saw in person and since that day, its always been the car I've told myself ill own. However here in Australia we have a provisional/learner period where cars that are either too powerful or turbo charged are banned (only just allowing a few cars through now). This is a 4 year period and limited me to what i was able to drive. I eventually came to a compromise with parents, were i would buy/go halves on a 2015 manual honda civic hatch then after this period of time, parents would purchase it off me and id go from there. Today marks about 4 months until those chains no longer hold me down and I'm able to go out and hopefully purchase my first FD. Ive probably spent the last month on a number of car selling websites looking at a range of rx7's and there are a few ones which catch my eye.

Ive always been into cars and something about the individuality of the FD drew me too it alongside the look, sound and everything else that makes them so desirable. So I'm here today to ask a few basic questions for when I'm looking at buying and possible plans for the car.

So obviously the typical "rotaries arnt reliable" is totally bs and basically just follows people jumping to conclusions without researching anything for themselves. But as all cars, they have problems (my 2015 Honda civic is going through brake pads every 15000km, apparently because "honda made very soft brake pads, which was something that was never mentioned upon purchase). Im just wondering what kind of things i should be looking out for in terms of finding a engine that isn't going to require a rebuilt in the next 5000km.

Secondly, I've spent a lot of time over the last 4 years looking into build paths for the car and the most common progression seems to be going to a single turbo conversion. Im not looking to make crazy power but as i currently own a motorbike too, i want something thats at least as fast (bike will do 0-100kmph in about 5 seconds) but I'm not aiming for something that is unrealistic as at the end of the day i want it to remain reliable. Probably looking at between 350-400 rwhp that won't ruin the engine.
My question after that is that, Is it worth spending money on upgrading all the components that are more dedicated to the twins and upgrading the twins somewhen. Or would it be more worth while to run the car stock until I feel like i'd like a little bit more power, then upgrade to a single turbo. As i don't really want to build it up to its max capacity on the Twins then swap to a single only to find out half the internals id already upgraded are useless in a Single turbo set up.

Sorry for this long paragraph/question. Its just been 4 years and only recently have i realised how close i am to owning this dream car of mine. so inevitably i have quite a few questions as i have no friends who own them and haven't seen a huge number of them around my area.

Thank you everyone :D appreciate any bit of help!

My advice....

Buy the lowest mileage and closest-to-stock FD you can afford, even if you have to travel a little. And in Australia, take care on importing. Once you get the car, download a copy of the Factory Service Manual from any of the different sources. Then change ALL the fluids, plugs and any other routine care it needs so you have a good base. DO NOT add any performance mods to it for the first year or so. It's learning time. Once you have a detailed plan, budget and KNOW the car, then you start. Doing so too early gets expensive. It's also where much of the reputation for unreliability comes from.

There's also an Aussy based forum that can help you network and have more detailed information on the later model FD's we never saw in North America.... fdrx7.com

Make sure underside and door/boot seals are rust free and ensure compression test is done and readings are good. Not much else really just use good judgement after the 2 above and you'll be fine. Just like buying any other car. Ensure you also check quality of oil and the level. Check under the oil cap for white type Mayo substance which if there is I'd stay away.

Cheers for that. Ive looked around and i either go second hand and purchase one currently in australia or i go to the importing option.
Only downside to importing is the insurance will be a tad bit more as the car will be classified as an import, either that or ill have to go to a 'car enthusiast' insurance. However I'm sure what i pay for that ill save on the car and I'm more likely to find a clean stock one from japan.

Regarding upgrades, i definitely won't be doing any engine modifications for a while as this is my first car where i want to get to know the in's and outs of literally everything. Parents wouldn't let me touch my current car but I've always done all my work on my bike, so its not completely foreign. But i do completely agree, learn the car before i go and start on the engine. Small visual things will be the first few things i adjust/cleaning up the cabin.

A budget is definitely something else needed as I've heard these cars, well like any cars can slowly rack up to huge amounts and being a student in Uni makes funds somewhat tighter.
But thanks for all your help, Ill take a look around as some importing places to see what they can do.