New to cars and the Rx7
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From: Pa
New to cars and the Rx7
Hi so I was looking for an appropriate spot to post this thread, but I wasn't exactly sure so I just figured Id post it right here. If it isn't the right place then I am very sorry. I really wanted to just start out this post by saying I love the rx7 and I love looking at all kinds of cars in general. The sad thing is I really don't know much of anything about cars! I was wondering if anyone could point in me in the right direction to learning about cars and the rx7 so that I can be better prepared if I wanted to get more involved with them in the future. I really would like to have my own rx7 one day and I feel like it would be super stupid of me to not know anything about them while I try to buy one. Also could someone give me some ideas about what It would take for someone to get or fix up a rx7 FC? Thank you!
All generations of RX7s are much the same as other cars of their respective era’s EXCEPT the engines. For that reason it’s hard to recommend one to a novice do-it-yourselfer. They’re unique enough that if you have an issue you can’t get bailed out by your trusted local shop b/c they’re not likely to know much more than you. If you’re just starting out, want something reliable, straight forward mechanically, good aftermarket and parts support, sporty and (IMO) cool, I might recommend something like an un-modded maintained 2nd Gen. na MR2.
Which generation rx7 do you realistically intend to own someday? I first started working on my own cars when i bought an old mercedes c class that shops wanted to charge insane prices to have fixed. The rotary engine is a different design from more common piston engine, but the rest of the car is still a car. I learned more about the rotary engine and how to work on it by watching video on youtube. Informative videos and surfing / asking questions through these forums are the best way to learn.
Pick up a Haynes manual so you know how to maintain and fix the RX-7 or any car.
This is a good buyer's guide that I used a long time ago for the RX-7:
Rx7 Buyer's Guide
Also jack up the back wheels and make sure they have no turning play, that can be really dangerous. It's a $200 to mostly-fix but it's better if you don't need to fix it.
Yeah videos and Google are nice too.
For the most part it really isn't different from other old cars. And if something goes wrong with the engine in any old car you're probably done with the car anyway. Hmm, change the coolant every 18 months. If it's a turbo get all the turbo parts carefully checked before there's a problem, or it'll take the engine down with it. Those two things will go a very long way. Other than that, see the basic maintenance same as any other car.
Electricals tend to fail often and the factory doesn't carry replacements for many anymore. Find a good source for electricals.
This is a good buyer's guide that I used a long time ago for the RX-7:
Rx7 Buyer's Guide
Also jack up the back wheels and make sure they have no turning play, that can be really dangerous. It's a $200 to mostly-fix but it's better if you don't need to fix it.
Yeah videos and Google are nice too.
For the most part it really isn't different from other old cars. And if something goes wrong with the engine in any old car you're probably done with the car anyway. Hmm, change the coolant every 18 months. If it's a turbo get all the turbo parts carefully checked before there's a problem, or it'll take the engine down with it. Those two things will go a very long way. Other than that, see the basic maintenance same as any other car.
Electricals tend to fail often and the factory doesn't carry replacements for many anymore. Find a good source for electricals.
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Pick up a Haynes manual so you know how to maintain and fix the RX-7 or any car.
This is a good buyer's guide that I used a long time ago for the RX-7:
Rx7 Buyer's Guide
Also jack up the back wheels and make sure they have no turning play, that can be really dangerous. It's a $200 to mostly-fix but it's better if you don't need to fix it.
Yeah videos and Google are nice too.
For the most part it really isn't different from other old cars. And if something goes wrong with the engine in any old car you're probably done with the car anyway. Hmm, change the coolant every 18 months. If it's a turbo get all the turbo parts carefully checked before there's a problem, or it'll take the engine down with it. Those two things will go a very long way. Other than that, see the basic maintenance same as any other car.
Electricals tend to fail often and the factory doesn't carry replacements for many anymore. Find a good source for electricals.
This is a good buyer's guide that I used a long time ago for the RX-7:
Rx7 Buyer's Guide
Also jack up the back wheels and make sure they have no turning play, that can be really dangerous. It's a $200 to mostly-fix but it's better if you don't need to fix it.
Yeah videos and Google are nice too.
For the most part it really isn't different from other old cars. And if something goes wrong with the engine in any old car you're probably done with the car anyway. Hmm, change the coolant every 18 months. If it's a turbo get all the turbo parts carefully checked before there's a problem, or it'll take the engine down with it. Those two things will go a very long way. Other than that, see the basic maintenance same as any other car.
Electricals tend to fail often and the factory doesn't carry replacements for many anymore. Find a good source for electricals.
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Ojai, CA
Everyone starts from somewhere. This forum has a lot of good information and helpful members. It is from my own experience that some technical topics may be overwhelming for novice. These cars are quite demanding 
and you will learn more along the way. If you want something more reliable and less expensive I recommend naturally aspirated rx-7s. Turbos are great for power (especially on rotaries) but na cars are lot more reliable and easier to start with. It's a good idea to look for a mostly stock clean 2nd gen and start from there.
and you will learn more along the way. If you want something more reliable and less expensive I recommend naturally aspirated rx-7s. Turbos are great for power (especially on rotaries) but na cars are lot more reliable and easier to start with. It's a good idea to look for a mostly stock clean 2nd gen and start from there.
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Los Angeles
I had an 85 GSL for my first car when I was 16. I didn’t have the money to pay other people to work on it so I did all the work myself in the driveway. I had a real hard time getting it tuned up and passing emissions at first, but with the help of the email list (before forums) I was able to figure stuff out and get it to pass after rebuilding the carb (what a complicated mess that was, not recommended), replacing the cats with a new unit from Bonez, and rigging up the air pump to pump straight to the cat (hooked up a block from the smog station) because the diverter valve was broken and. $300 cost.
I say all this to try and give the impression that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know cars. If you buy an RX-7, you’ll learn, one way or the other.
If youre ready for that then get the cleanest one you can find and afford. They’re getting harder to find every year. Good luck!
I say all this to try and give the impression that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know cars. If you buy an RX-7, you’ll learn, one way or the other.
If youre ready for that then get the cleanest one you can find and afford. They’re getting harder to find every year. Good luck!
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