Well i'm thinking of buying a very used RX-7 (FC/FD) in a few months to probably start up as a project car for fun... but was wondering if the car itself is actually reliable to last a while... been reading up on rotaries and forums on it but i wanted some feedback from my famiry from a-zine

 

reliable

 

i read in SCC a while back that a n/a rotary is pretty reliable (once you get past the rotary quirks) but a heavily modified turbo fc/fd

 

Reliable??

 

WOW, I was thinking of getting a 2nd or 3rd gen RX-7 as well. I guess not.

 

The engines need to be rebuilt around 75-80k miles. Awesome car nonetheless. I still want one to this day. Supposedly a real headache. Tons of vacuumlines etc.

 

There are a good many issues with the turbos in particular. I loved the car and almost bought one in late 94, it the M3 and Supra were the only cars that interested me, but I ended up with a M3. One of the main stream mags had a "buyers" guide for them in the last 3-4 months. I am not saying I wouldn't buy one but I would be extremely picky if I did. Seems that many if not most issues centered around high heat under the hood. Rotaries are cool but are more finiky then piston engines.

 

have heard about alot of issues...but an RX7 with the modified headlights..

 

If it's going to be a second car, I'd get it... As a daily driver, hell

 

wow thats gotta be one of the most unreliable cars i know. getting work done/fixing rotary engines cost a lot of money too as there are very few places that work on them... as a project car maybe, but not as a daily driver or anything.

those cars require lots of maintenance and work on them. i wouldnt recommend buying one, at all. they're nice lookin cars and when working properly they're great....

 

If you are serious and want to buy one let me know.


BTW, these cars can be reliable if things are done right. Plus, rebuilds are cheap. Great cars, I definately say do it!!

 

You have one?

 

No, but I know of one that's available

 

have you ever wondered why you dont see that many anymore?

compared to other cars of similar class of the time? (supra, 300ZX, etc.)

 

their weren't as many made. I see very little of all 3. 300zx you see a ton of non TT cars, so I don't think you can compare that.

 

i used to see a ton of RX7's like years back.. theyre all gone now. but i actually see more FC versions than the FD's.

RX7, Supra, and 300ZX's all came out with NA and turbo versions.

 

Except for the FDs. Those were strictly turbo.

 

exactly, and personally, i see a lot more rx7's then I do supras and TT 300z's

 

Like previously stated if it's a project car and you know someone who is familiar with the rotary do it. I was looking at the R1's a little while back and my friend who builds them told me not to do it unless I was ready to dump some cash into it. The car is great if tuned and maintained by a quality rotary mechanic. My boy built a right handed drive one.

 

Unfortunately, within a year of The Fast and the Furious coming out, I saw an unusually high number of them on the streets... So sad.

It's died down though, and up here in the north east, I see maybe one every few months

 

I actually have a friend who has an fd. i can pull up some pics in a min. anyways he has had his fd for 2 years. drove ok for a while then the turbos were leakin and the housing was blown or something. ordered a jdm front clip, swapped out motors, the motor was hydro'd or something wiht the gaskets due to the hurricane shipping. sent it to petit racing and they restored eveything and now hes inthe process of breaking it in. all in all it is not a reliable car until it is made/bought/built reliable. he spent over 10 thousand dollars in reparing his car all to get it back to stock except for a few mods such as a fmic and intake.

 

Stay away. Very few shops will work on them, its expensive and anything major will usually total out the car. Apex seals a huge problem...expensive, huge pain in the ass after 90000 miles. Often its easier to pop in a fresh (and inexpensive if you can find it) rebuild rather than tackle any problems you might encounter.

 

well thanks for all the information... i actually spent most of my time at work reading up on the fc and fd on rx7club, and many problems with seals and heat issues and vaccum lines breaking is pretty much deterring me from getting it. also, since i am working with a limited budget, constant repairs won't be possible to do on the car, so i guess i won't be getting it guess i better look for a new project car...

 

I have two dream project cars, one of which I want be able to do at some point.

A BMW 2002 OR 3.0CSL (rare) restored and modded for the track.

OR a 3rd gen prelude with 4WS...also made up for the track.

 

3.0CSL... good luck with finding one of those

 

Saw one parked on the street a couple days ago...I've only ever seen them here in LA...and if they are ever for sale they go for ridiculous prices...8-10g...

 

Rear oil seals seem to be the most reoccuring problem...especially if Turbo upgraded.

 

First off i have seen rx7's get to 200k without blowing an apex seal, granted that was stock, Now if you are buying it as a project car anyway if done right it can be reliable modded, but you will pay for it. Get some Aviation Rotary Seals *300% harder 75% stronger then the mazda 3peice seals* neither I nor my friend have ever seen one blow with those seals even pushing 40psi boost plus no rev limit (for all intent and purposes) make them a great engine, more HP per liter then any other engine, there is infact a 6 Second gen RX7 and if i can find the video link i will post it. This car however is not for everyone, if you blow a seal you are looking at 2-3 grand in repairs, assuming you can do them your self This is not a car i would buy if you are on limited funds they can be reliable but like any car there is always a chance for them to have a fluke problem *infact some of the 2nd gens have a iron casting problem that cuases the coolant cavities to be weak and blow out into the combustion chamber* So fun project car, great everyday car unmodded can be reliable Modded but only if you know what your doing and have done it right. If you have any other questions please feel free to send me a message Rx7 are one of my favorite cars and i have owned and rebuilt one before from top to bottom . If your looking for torque look elsewhere if your looking for top end and amazing handling the rx7 might be for you. Now on that note you guys better be as helpful with my Acura CL 2.2 !!

 

Great First Post! Welcome aboard!

 

he's in so cal, there are a number of rotary only shops that don't charge a grip for rebuilds.

 

i wish we had those shops up here. i would have picked up an rx7 in high school in a second...

 

Couple things to look for. Keep a few extra grand in your budget for a new motor. Just in case the previous owner didnt take car of the car. Perform the reliability mods and keep w/maintenance and you'll be fine.

Some things to purchase:

-aluminum ast $150
-upgraded radiator $300-$500
-redo stock vacuum lines
-boost gauge
-replace pre-cat w/a downpipe
-aftermarket coolant temp gauge
take care of those things and you should be fine.

Some things to really keep up on if you decide to purchase a rotary.

-2500 mile interval for oil changes w/non synthetic
-regular coolant flushes
-15k fuel filter replacement
-replace tranny and diff fluid w/synthetic Redline etc...

One other thing
NEVER, EVER, EVER drive the car while overheating. Invest in the aftermarket coolant temp gauge. If it ever show that you are overheating, stop and turn the car off. Driving a rotary even a short distance while overheating is extremely bad for the motor. You will end up blowing the seals and need a rebuild.

All that being said. I love rotaries.