Hands Up Who Drives an RX7 ?
Discussion
all those who have another car.. put your hands down.
those who use a 3rd Gen RX7 on a daily basis as their only car..
..persuade me that they can be used as such..and that I'm not crazy for wanting one as my only car..
for me, I can't think of anything that comes close until you get into NSX money.. which would be the next step up..
they're achingly beautiful, bloody fast, reported to handle very well, reasonably small and light-weight, and they even have four seats (ok.. stretching the point a little there..)
I must have one!
so if you fit the above.. how much does it cost you to run.. and does it mean you have to live off bread and butter for the next 10 years!
those who use a 3rd Gen RX7 on a daily basis as their only car..
..persuade me that they can be used as such..and that I'm not crazy for wanting one as my only car..
for me, I can't think of anything that comes close until you get into NSX money.. which would be the next step up..
they're achingly beautiful, bloody fast, reported to handle very well, reasonably small and light-weight, and they even have four seats (ok.. stretching the point a little there..)
I must have one!
so if you fit the above.. how much does it cost you to run.. and does it mean you have to live off bread and butter for the next 10 years!
Hi piers,
I asked the very same question last week and the response was if you buy one keep 2K in the bank for an engine re-build.
You might not need it but just in case. Members of the owners club also said that if cared for and not tracked to much should be as reliable as any other Jap sports car.
As you can gather I’m very interested in selling my FTO and acquiring an RX7 meself!
Del
I asked the very same question last week and the response was if you buy one keep 2K in the bank for an engine re-build.
You might not need it but just in case. Members of the owners club also said that if cared for and not tracked to much should be as reliable as any other Jap sports car.
As you can gather I’m very interested in selling my FTO and acquiring an RX7 meself!
Del
Had one for a while, loved it, had it tuned with de cat pipe, Apexi ECU, Apexi induction etc near on 350bhp, but felt quicker to me.
If you can go for as later one as poss (different rear lights is one of the updates)that has low milage or higher mileage with receipt from reputed engine rebuilder, a must! if in doubt take the prospective purchase to a Mazda dealer who will do a compression test with a special mazda tool specificaly for the rotary.
Good Luck!
Nik
If you can go for as later one as poss (different rear lights is one of the updates)that has low milage or higher mileage with receipt from reputed engine rebuilder, a must! if in doubt take the prospective purchase to a Mazda dealer who will do a compression test with a special mazda tool specificaly for the rotary.
Good Luck!
Nik
I have an RX-7 which is a daily driver. It's perfectly practical enough, actually not as thirsty as people make out (assuming you don't hoon everywhere of course). Just keep the oil and coolant topped up, and service it on the dot and you'll have no problems. 
I've only had it 5 weeks mind, but it hasn't yet used any oil so it's just buying petrol - I do about 170 miles a week and use about £35 in petrol but I can live with that.
Insurance is the only real bugbear - 1300 for me (29 yrs), 10k a year, business class insurance, protected full no-claims.
It's actually costing me less per month than my old Escort to own - but then I was forever modifying it. I'd say go for it, just try to buy a post 96 car as their engines seem to be more reliable. If you're worried about the rebuild thing just get one with a low mileage, or one that's just had a rebuild.
>> Edited by flat_steve on Monday 10th May 01:02
>> Edited by flat_steve on Monday 10th May 01:05
I've only had it 5 weeks mind, but it hasn't yet used any oil so it's just buying petrol - I do about 170 miles a week and use about £35 in petrol but I can live with that. Insurance is the only real bugbear - 1300 for me (29 yrs), 10k a year, business class insurance, protected full no-claims.
It's actually costing me less per month than my old Escort to own - but then I was forever modifying it. I'd say go for it, just try to buy a post 96 car as their engines seem to be more reliable. If you're worried about the rebuild thing just get one with a low mileage, or one that's just had a rebuild.
>> Edited by flat_steve on Monday 10th May 01:02
>> Edited by flat_steve on Monday 10th May 01:05
Pierscoe 1, I have a 3rd Gen Rex as a daily drive and love it. As to if you should get one? as an enthusiast of the marque I would say yes, but it does depend on what you mean by daily drive and how many miles you do day to day.
I am lucky, I drive my car every day, but probably do not do more than 100 miles per week. But the car CAN be costly, as has been said earlier, insurance can be a complete sting in the tail, fuel consumption well - driving around town it can plummet, motorway cruise is your best bet, but the car evokes a heavy right foot and 20 quid of petrol gets me around for the week, if I am very very pedestrian with my car.
Tyres can be eaten away on the front as the cornering grip of these things is fantastic, and on the rears - well all the hp has to go through something.
If you do get one, get it checked out be a specialist - and a well respected on at that. As a member of the owners club, i have seen so many people jump at the chance of a car and then months later thay are looking to get rid of it as they cannot afford the petrol or a unknowledgable mod has been terminal to the engine.
If you have any questions , feel free to drop me a note.
cheers
aka keith
I am lucky, I drive my car every day, but probably do not do more than 100 miles per week. But the car CAN be costly, as has been said earlier, insurance can be a complete sting in the tail, fuel consumption well - driving around town it can plummet, motorway cruise is your best bet, but the car evokes a heavy right foot and 20 quid of petrol gets me around for the week, if I am very very pedestrian with my car.
Tyres can be eaten away on the front as the cornering grip of these things is fantastic, and on the rears - well all the hp has to go through something.
If you do get one, get it checked out be a specialist - and a well respected on at that. As a member of the owners club, i have seen so many people jump at the chance of a car and then months later thay are looking to get rid of it as they cannot afford the petrol or a unknowledgable mod has been terminal to the engine.
If you have any questions , feel free to drop me a note.
cheers
aka keith
This is news, must book mark this thread Ahh, Mrs Fish, I should really qauntify my earlier statement. In stock form the engine is pretty robust as long as:
the oil and coolant is checked on a regular basis
you let the engine warm up before flooring it.
It is when you start to get the bolt on boys making modifications to intake or exhaust systems where the problems can occur. It is very easy to increase the output of these engines with a "few mods", but they then tend not to increase the fuel or have the engine mapped accordingly - and then bingo at some point the engine will pop.
cheers
aka keith
the oil and coolant is checked on a regular basis
you let the engine warm up before flooring it.
It is when you start to get the bolt on boys making modifications to intake or exhaust systems where the problems can occur. It is very easy to increase the output of these engines with a "few mods", but they then tend not to increase the fuel or have the engine mapped accordingly - and then bingo at some point the engine will pop.
cheers
aka keith
I collected my rx-7 on Saturday after waiting quite a while for it to arrive from Japan. It's a MY2000 type RS with 15k miles on the clock.
I drove it 150 miles back to my house in the rain so was taking it pretty easy but I've been out today for a long blast and I can't stop smiling !
Over the last few years I've owned an Impreza and then a Focus RS but the rx-7 is in another league for acceleration. I'm going to take a long time to learn the handling of the car so it's too early to comment on that but just the low sitting position and size of the car makes you feel really attached.
As for the boring stuff (insurance, fuel economy and servicing) it's certainly going to be expensive but after today's drive, I think it'll be worth every penny
I drove it 150 miles back to my house in the rain so was taking it pretty easy but I've been out today for a long blast and I can't stop smiling !
Over the last few years I've owned an Impreza and then a Focus RS but the rx-7 is in another league for acceleration. I'm going to take a long time to learn the handling of the car so it's too early to comment on that but just the low sitting position and size of the car makes you feel really attached.
As for the boring stuff (insurance, fuel economy and servicing) it's certainly going to be expensive but after today's drive, I think it'll be worth every penny
Mids, welcome to the fold. The cars tend to get under your skin and you are never truly the same after owning one 
. As has been said to all new owners and to keep the matra going, keep is easy and especially in the wet. The car eggs you on to stupid speeds both in a straight line and in the twisties, and remember ther are no modern gizmo's to help you keep in on the black stuff. The other user forums are great for info and can offer great knowledge on day to day ownership. FDUK is my prefered choice.
cheers
aka keith
. As has been said to all new owners and to keep the matra going, keep is easy and especially in the wet. The car eggs you on to stupid speeds both in a straight line and in the twisties, and remember ther are no modern gizmo's to help you keep in on the black stuff. The other user forums are great for info and can offer great knowledge on day to day ownership. FDUK is my prefered choice. cheers
aka keith
Wow.. thanks for the great response all!
So I obviously have to get one then...
re mention of post-96 cars being more reliable..
is this just rumour/speculation, of is there some evidence? what changes were made to the post '96 cars?
obviously I like the later tail-lights.. but they can be retro-fitted anyway..
I will be more concerned with getting the most reliable one I can...
who are these "well respected specialists" ?
I've heard good things about Jimmy's engines.. and they also have a couple of cars on offer, for £9.5k with a rebuilt engine and 12month guarantee!! Sounds good.. anyone had any experience with them?
Also.. is it possible to get a warranty/insurance type thing for any car.. someting like PetPlan, but for cars
i.e. you pay so much a year.. and if something goes wrong they will pay to have it fixed... any ideas?
Thanks again all..
So I obviously have to get one then...
re mention of post-96 cars being more reliable..
is this just rumour/speculation, of is there some evidence? what changes were made to the post '96 cars?
obviously I like the later tail-lights.. but they can be retro-fitted anyway..
I will be more concerned with getting the most reliable one I can...
who are these "well respected specialists" ?
I've heard good things about Jimmy's engines.. and they also have a couple of cars on offer, for £9.5k with a rebuilt engine and 12month guarantee!! Sounds good.. anyone had any experience with them?
Also.. is it possible to get a warranty/insurance type thing for any car.. someting like PetPlan, but for cars
i.e. you pay so much a year.. and if something goes wrong they will pay to have it fixed... any ideas?
Thanks again all..
Never heard of anything like that, but assuming you bought a rebuilt RX-7 from a reputable specialist you'd have to be very, very unlucky for it to go on you for at least 30,000 miles... Don't forget though that a rebuild for an RX-7 costs typically £2,000 whereas a Skyline or Supra engine rebuild would cost you more than double that.
Spec info:
[url]www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6217[/url]
[url]www.rx7.net.nz/fd-jp-models.html[/url]
[url]www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6217[/url]
[url]www.rx7.net.nz/fd-jp-models.html[/url]
I have a '95 rx7 twin turbo as my daily driver and haven't had any problems. I too had heard horror stories about the rotary before I bought but I'm so glad I did opt for it in the end.
Performance wise, the rx7 takes a lot of beating for the money. Mine is pretty much stock (unmodified) and I still managed to keep pace with a Ferrari 360 the other day.
Generally you are looking around the 60K miles mark for possible engine rebuilds although it's not uncommon to do 100k+ providing you look after the car properly.
Just make sure you get one with a good history, low miles and not "tuned" or modified you want reliability. Tuning and modifying rx7s requires a little more attention to detail than other cars as running a rotary "lean" is critical. If it's had more than just a cat-back exhaust and induction kit, make sure that the ECU has been uprated and mapped properly, especially if it's an import and will now be running on lower octane fuel.
Performance wise, the rx7 takes a lot of beating for the money. Mine is pretty much stock (unmodified) and I still managed to keep pace with a Ferrari 360 the other day.
Generally you are looking around the 60K miles mark for possible engine rebuilds although it's not uncommon to do 100k+ providing you look after the car properly.
Just make sure you get one with a good history, low miles and not "tuned" or modified you want reliability. Tuning and modifying rx7s requires a little more attention to detail than other cars as running a rotary "lean" is critical. If it's had more than just a cat-back exhaust and induction kit, make sure that the ECU has been uprated and mapped properly, especially if it's an import and will now be running on lower octane fuel.
I've owned an RX-7 for over 3 years now, best supercar Japan ever produced in my opinion. It was initally created to take on the NSX - which it did and beat it!
Mine will soon be up for sale (just had a baby, need a more practical performance car now) if you're interested.
See my profile for a pic.
Regards
Tariq.
Mine will soon be up for sale (just had a baby, need a more practical performance car now) if you're interested.
See my profile for a pic.
Regards
Tariq.
Peirs, hopefully I can shed a little light on this for you, IIRC
re mention of post-96 cars being more reliable..
is this just rumour/speculation, of is there some evidence? what changes were made to the post '96 cars? slightly different turbos (although this is debatable) and a 16 bit ECU rather than the previous 8 bit
obviously I like the later tail-lights.. but they can be retro-fitted anyway.. yes they can.
who are these "well respected specialists" ?
I've heard good things about Jimmy's engines.. and they also have a couple of cars on offer, for £9.5k with a rebuilt engine and 12month guarantee!! Sounds good.. anyone had any experience with them?
both questions try FDUK or Mazdarotary club for info
Also.. is it possible to get a warranty/insurance type thing for any car.. someting like PetPlan, but for cars
i.e. you pay so much a year.. and if something goes wrong they will pay to have it fixed... any ideas?
not really, most I have seen will wriggle out of any claim and most will not cover you for a blown engine - best bet would be to get a good example in the first instance
re mention of post-96 cars being more reliable..
is this just rumour/speculation, of is there some evidence? what changes were made to the post '96 cars? slightly different turbos (although this is debatable) and a 16 bit ECU rather than the previous 8 bit
obviously I like the later tail-lights.. but they can be retro-fitted anyway.. yes they can.
who are these "well respected specialists" ?
I've heard good things about Jimmy's engines.. and they also have a couple of cars on offer, for £9.5k with a rebuilt engine and 12month guarantee!! Sounds good.. anyone had any experience with them?
both questions try FDUK or Mazdarotary club for info
Also.. is it possible to get a warranty/insurance type thing for any car.. someting like PetPlan, but for cars
i.e. you pay so much a year.. and if something goes wrong they will pay to have it fixed... any ideas?
not really, most I have seen will wriggle out of any claim and most will not cover you for a blown engine - best bet would be to get a good example in the first instance
Thanks aka keith, I will be taking it easy because if I prang this within weeks of getting it, the p*ss taking I'd receive would be too much to endure 
Re : Jimmy's in Norwich, I have a friend who bought a rx-7 from them a few months ago and he has nothing but good things to say about them. Their after sales service has been really impressive as they have done some work to remedy a couple of niggles without charge and without hassle.
I went for a MY2000 car for a whole load of reasons....
1. Very low mileage so I'll hopefully not have any engine rebuild issues (will not be modifying).
2. I wanted the most powerful standard rx-7 available
3. The rx-7 was upgraded in 1999 with quite a few changes, some of which involved the cooling (better air ducting for intercooler, air box 2.1x bigger, oil cooler 1.8x bigger, brake cooling duct 1.6x bigger). Not saying there is a problem with cooling on earlier cars, I just went for the improvement.
4. I looked at an earlier car (a MY92 one) and it was showing it's age. Things like perished door seals, worn bushes, etc which can all be replaced but I like the easy life
5. The sequential twin turbo set-up has a whole load of hoses linking solenoids, manifolds, etc and these can be problematic with older cars. Read the forum at Mazdarotaryclub.com for evidence of this.
Basically, I paid a bit more to try and avoid problems although there's no guarantee I will
btw, anyone interested in checking out a load of rx-7's then going to rotorstock might be worth a trip (www.rotorstock.com).
Re : Jimmy's in Norwich, I have a friend who bought a rx-7 from them a few months ago and he has nothing but good things to say about them. Their after sales service has been really impressive as they have done some work to remedy a couple of niggles without charge and without hassle.
I went for a MY2000 car for a whole load of reasons....
1. Very low mileage so I'll hopefully not have any engine rebuild issues (will not be modifying).
2. I wanted the most powerful standard rx-7 available
3. The rx-7 was upgraded in 1999 with quite a few changes, some of which involved the cooling (better air ducting for intercooler, air box 2.1x bigger, oil cooler 1.8x bigger, brake cooling duct 1.6x bigger). Not saying there is a problem with cooling on earlier cars, I just went for the improvement.
4. I looked at an earlier car (a MY92 one) and it was showing it's age. Things like perished door seals, worn bushes, etc which can all be replaced but I like the easy life
5. The sequential twin turbo set-up has a whole load of hoses linking solenoids, manifolds, etc and these can be problematic with older cars. Read the forum at Mazdarotaryclub.com for evidence of this.
Basically, I paid a bit more to try and avoid problems although there's no guarantee I will
btw, anyone interested in checking out a load of rx-7's then going to rotorstock might be worth a trip (www.rotorstock.com).
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