RX7 in the classifields
Discussion
www.pistonheads.com/sales/66642.htm
Hi chaps, saw this in the classifieds, and the more I think about it the more I would love one of these cars. I've had the Tiv for 3yrs now and although I can't afford a jap car right now (Tiv needs some cash piling into it!!) in the future I'd be looking at RXs around this age/price range.
My question is, what car I expect from an RX7 at this price and age? A good few miles of reasonable priced fun motoring, or a lifetime of huge bills and nightmares? The one above for instance looks pretty clean, has apprently had an engine rebuild about 30k miles ago. Totally untouched apart from a back box.
Could something like this be a sensible everyday car or is that just crazy talk?
Cheers, Dan
Hi chaps, saw this in the classifieds, and the more I think about it the more I would love one of these cars. I've had the Tiv for 3yrs now and although I can't afford a jap car right now (Tiv needs some cash piling into it!!) in the future I'd be looking at RXs around this age/price range.
My question is, what car I expect from an RX7 at this price and age? A good few miles of reasonable priced fun motoring, or a lifetime of huge bills and nightmares? The one above for instance looks pretty clean, has apprently had an engine rebuild about 30k miles ago. Totally untouched apart from a back box.
Could something like this be a sensible everyday car or is that just crazy talk?
Cheers, Dan
To replace the Chimaera. Just need to do her up a bit and sell her.
I have got an old audi that I'm using as an everyday car, but was wondering how practical and reliable an early 90's rx could be. I realise that it's going to be different from one car to the next, but a general idea would be good.
For £4k, I personally think it's a stunning looking car. Are they normally that price at that age, or is it that he's just trying to get rid of it before anything else goes wrong with it?
I have got an old audi that I'm using as an everyday car, but was wondering how practical and reliable an early 90's rx could be. I realise that it's going to be different from one car to the next, but a general idea would be good.
For £4k, I personally think it's a stunning looking car. Are they normally that price at that age, or is it that he's just trying to get rid of it before anything else goes wrong with it?
OI! Rotorhead Guys! There are indeed a few PH Rexperts around here too
My 2 cents.
Whilst in the pic the car does look clean/tidy enough, I'm always bothered by people that strip off assests such as the wheels prior to selling. I'd want to see some evidence of the rebuild to.
OTOH if it all shakes out- you've got yourself a bargain.- and in Black!
cheers
Matt
Its a tricky one - it certainly looks cheap, and that could just be because its hard to sell these sort of cars at the moment, or it could be because its done 50km's since its last rebuild and the owner is expecting a big bill in the near future..
best bet, head over to the rx forums and find a friendly owner in the know nearby, and ask him to go along with you...
best bet, head over to the rx forums and find a friendly owner in the know nearby, and ask him to go along with you...
Batty. _Batty_ said:
It does seem very cheap.... maybe its a bargain, maybe its not.
I guess the only way to tell is to have a good look at it!very helpful
love RX7's
oh and im back now BTW after changing jobs, and finally getting broadband set up
Anything to get the post count up!
New job? Well done! PM me your new email address!
Theare indeed a few FDs cropping up at that sort of price these days, many are not in the best of health!
It is true that the market for Jap (and in fact any) sportscars is a little flat at the moment, but good FDs are still holding their value quite well.
As has been stated, you need evidence of the rebuild (which - if it exists - will be in Japanese) to see what was replaced and what was re-used (a full rebuild uses new housings, apex, corner, side, oil and water seals and if it is a very thourough job the rotors themselevs may have been replaced or even the eccentric shaft (this is unlikely unless the previous engine suffer CATASTROPHIC failure).
The things to remember are:
1) this was originally a car costing circa £40k new so it's running costs are that of a £40k car
2) just because the engine has been rebuilt doesn't mean the rest of the running gear has and if not it is 14 years old
3) GET IT COMPRESSION TESTED - no guarantee of engine longevity, but at least you'll get an idea of what state the seals are in
4) If it looks too good to be true it usually is!
I would say set your price target a little higher (even if it means waiting a bit longer) and buy a car which has had a rebuild in the UK from a reputable specialist (e.g. RX Motors, WGT, RE Worx, Dragon, Jimmys) recently with all the after-build servicing done up to date. A good standard J or K plater with a recent re-build should set you back circa £6-7k and you should then have a car which will give you 60k miles of trouble free motoring!
It is true that the market for Jap (and in fact any) sportscars is a little flat at the moment, but good FDs are still holding their value quite well.
As has been stated, you need evidence of the rebuild (which - if it exists - will be in Japanese) to see what was replaced and what was re-used (a full rebuild uses new housings, apex, corner, side, oil and water seals and if it is a very thourough job the rotors themselevs may have been replaced or even the eccentric shaft (this is unlikely unless the previous engine suffer CATASTROPHIC failure).
The things to remember are:
1) this was originally a car costing circa £40k new so it's running costs are that of a £40k car
2) just because the engine has been rebuilt doesn't mean the rest of the running gear has and if not it is 14 years old
3) GET IT COMPRESSION TESTED - no guarantee of engine longevity, but at least you'll get an idea of what state the seals are in
4) If it looks too good to be true it usually is!
I would say set your price target a little higher (even if it means waiting a bit longer) and buy a car which has had a rebuild in the UK from a reputable specialist (e.g. RX Motors, WGT, RE Worx, Dragon, Jimmys) recently with all the after-build servicing done up to date. A good standard J or K plater with a recent re-build should set you back circa £6-7k and you should then have a car which will give you 60k miles of trouble free motoring!
I've had 5 TVR's over the years, 2 Griffith's 500, 2 Tuscan's (both 4 ltr as opposed to later 3.6 ltr) and a 4.5 ltr Cerbera and I now run a modified RX7.
You'll miss the torque because they don't pull the same as TVR's but a lightly modded RX7 will out accelerate a 4 ltr Chim and you'd be hard pressed to find a completely unmodded RX7 nowadays - most have had air filters or sports exhausts fitted at some point.
As I said mine has around £4K's worth or mods as detailed in my profile and I reckon (though couldn't be certain) it is quicker than my Tuscan's and Griff's.
I would need to go large single turbo to get to the Cerbera's pace but this can be done for around a further £4K.
In terms of buying advice I would say preferably buy with proof of a recent engine rebuild, if you want big power buy pre modded as this will be much cheaper (I wouldn't see any money back on my mods if I wanted to sell), compression testing is helpful, it should start hot or cold (starting probelms can mean an engine on the way out) and join www.fduk.org or www.mazdarotaryclub.com as they have buying guides plus excellent for sale sections with members cars which are likley to be well looked after and/or well known within the RX7 community.
Hope this helps
DC
You'll miss the torque because they don't pull the same as TVR's but a lightly modded RX7 will out accelerate a 4 ltr Chim and you'd be hard pressed to find a completely unmodded RX7 nowadays - most have had air filters or sports exhausts fitted at some point.
As I said mine has around £4K's worth or mods as detailed in my profile and I reckon (though couldn't be certain) it is quicker than my Tuscan's and Griff's.
I would need to go large single turbo to get to the Cerbera's pace but this can be done for around a further £4K.
In terms of buying advice I would say preferably buy with proof of a recent engine rebuild, if you want big power buy pre modded as this will be much cheaper (I wouldn't see any money back on my mods if I wanted to sell), compression testing is helpful, it should start hot or cold (starting probelms can mean an engine on the way out) and join www.fduk.org or www.mazdarotaryclub.com as they have buying guides plus excellent for sale sections with members cars which are likley to be well looked after and/or well known within the RX7 community.
Hope this helps
DC
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