Currently I drive a Nissan 240sx. I love the car and I race autox as much as I can. Its a keeper and most of my spare cash goes into it. But I really want an rx3 because they are one of the coolest cars ever made. I want one to drive as a semi-daily driver. I don't mind putting cash into the car, but I don't want to make it my #1 project as I will never race it seriously.
Now for the newbie questions: How often do they break and when they do, what breaks? And when it breaks, can I get new or used-but-in-better-shape parts? What are the best years? I like the round tail lights, so is that an older one?
Thanks for any replys. I am sure these questions have been asked a million times.

 

I belive the round tail lights are the 72-76, but I have seen some ppl say 72-75..

 

Cool thanks. Thats a start.

 

I would have to say no.. Older cars like that require special care and maintenance. To protect or repair rust. If it is not your #1 project it will either be neglected or it will become your #1 project..


And if you do get one you better not neglect it or i will come take it away from you


the RX-3 happens to be one of my favorite cars

 

I'm not sure the years with round tail lights, I know 72 and 73 have them, my 73 did. A lot of ppl like them and switch them in on the later models. They don't really require any more maintenance then any other car does, they'r just older and parts r getting harder to come by. I had no prob finding tie rod ends and swaybar "D" bushings for my 808. Lower ball joints r still available. Other bushings I can get from AUS. which I am needing. As for rust, there's going to be a good bit of that, unless u luck up and find one that was stored in a barn somewhere, or a place that doesn't get alot of rain like AZ. Don't shy away from the pre-76 808's either, they're a piston engine car just waiting for a rotary transplant. The reason I say pre-76, mine is a 75, and from what I've seen, they changed the front grill in 76 to 2 headlights. I prefer the 4 light system like the 3's have.

 

I live in southern California, we get almost no rain. Rust is rarely every a problem on any car in this area. One of the things I am counting on is finding a car with out too much rust so I could do something about it myself.
If I found an 808 is there anything diffrent about the car other than the engine? How much needs to be changed when swapping a rotary motor in?

 

RX3s for the US market all had 4 headlights. The major change came in 1974, when the 12A was redesigned and used a single distributor. Also in '74, the RX3s were equipped with the VERY heavy DOT mandated crash bumpers, as well as having a different front nose and grill. I believe they ALL had round taillights in the US.
As for swapping an 808 to rotary power, the rear end is probably lighter than the RX3, but this is just a guess. You would need to come up with the crossbrace which has the proper mounts for the rotary engine. This piece is a bolt-in replacement. I have an extra one if you go that route. The driveline MAY also be different, not sure on that one. You would also need to install the proper radiator and oil cooler. Good luck! -WG