I Kind Of Want To Buy An Rx7

[JimmyRickard]

So I was on Parramatta Rd today looking at some GTR's when I noticed a beautiful white Series 8 RX7 sitting in the lot. I sat in it and was instantly reminded of the MX5, with it's cockpit-like interior and snappy gearbox.

I've always been fond of the RX7, however I am hesitant to buy anything with a rotary due to hearing bad things and having no experience with them. However, all I would ever want is to buy one completely stock and not even touch it, so really, how unreliable could it be?

Keen to hear your thoughts and experiences on the VIII RX7 and just rotaries in general.

[StevenCJR31]

like ANY car , reliability hinges on how well it has/hasnt been maintained

[*LOACH*]

I did a bit of research on these before and it seems like if you keep the series 8 near to stock then they are a great car. If you go for an early series FD then there are a few things that need to be modified to make even stock ones reliable. Although by now, after 20 years of use, I imagine even the early ones would be sorted out.

At the end of the day if you do blow a motor you can get a kit from the US to stick an LS1 in there and they only weigh a little bit more than the rotary.

Just make sure you put NO2 bottles in a secret compartment under the seat so that for 10 seconds or less you can be free

[dkbcleaner]

I know a guy thats been racing stock series 7 or 8 rx7's for years at targa and club days and never had any reliability issues. All comes down to how well they have been maintained and luck.

How much would it cost to rebuild a rotary anyway?

[Seano350GT]

i'd buy one just for the braaaaap braaaaaaaap braaap

[tweety bird]

i teh brap.

[Alkatraz]

I had a series 8 for a few years and never had any major issues with it at all. The engine remained stock but it did get driven pretty hard. It did the 600km run from Perth to Kalgoorlie at least half a dozen times without it missing a beat.

That being said, they are the kind of car that loves to be driven hard, so finding an unmolested one will not be that easy. Whatever you do, do not believe the odo on these cars, a massive amount get wound back.

[niZmO_Man]

^ Odometers get wound back like pretty much all imports.

[Alkatraz]

^ Odometers get wound back like pretty much all imports.

The difference being that if a Skyline gets wound back from 100,000 to 40,000 you wouldn't be as worried as an RX7 being wound back the same amount.

[Redline_GTR]

Yeh I have always viewed these as an awesome car but with the same worrying issues.

Glad to hear that they are not all horror stories

[TTR34]

Love the RX7 and coming from owning an MX5 for 10+ years, I was in the market for one but the GTT I now own was just too good to pass up. RX7 S8 still make me drool though....

[niZmO_Man]

The difference being that if a Skyline gets wound back from 100,000 to 40,000 you wouldn't be as worried as an RX7 being wound back the same amount.

Hahaha true

[Hank Scorpio]

Someone called?

Rotaries are awesome and don't let anyone tell you otherwise - I have 2!

If the engines are looked after, built well (if modified), treated properly, warmed up etc. they are definitely reliable.

I have an FD 5-speed in one of my rotangs running ~375rwkw on pump fuel and it holds up and shifts well, doubt it could take much more but I don't think you'll be pushing that with your normal 13BT.

[BoyWhoCriedWolf]

But that's your only "running" rotary innit?

[zebra]

I had a 1st Gen Rx7, loved it...wish I still had it

[BoyWhoCriedWolf]

They will be collectors items.

[Alkatraz]

My first car was a 1979 series 1. Bought it for $2600, would probably be worth far more than that if I had held onto it.

[StevenCJR31]

Someone called?

Rotaries are awesome and don't let anyone tell you otherwise - I have 2!

If the engines are looked after, built well (if modified), treated properly, warmed up etc. they are definitely reliable.

I have an FD 5-speed in one of my rotangs running ~375rwkw on pump fuel and it holds up and shifts well, doubt it could take much more but I don't think you'll be pushing that with your normal 13BT.

you have two? is that so whilst one is being repaired you can drive the other? (jokes)

Someone called?

Rotaries are awesome and don't let anyone tell you otherwise - I have 2!

If the engines are looked after, built well (if modified), treated properly, warmed up etc. they are definitely reliable.

I have an FD 5-speed in one of my rotangs running ~375rwkw on pump fuel and it holds up and shifts well, doubt it could take much more but I don't think you'll be pushing that with your normal 13BT.

[GTR-N1]

One may be well advised to buy one from a guy from the RENEW Club or via JLM or TSI with Japanese history.

[Hank Scorpio]

But that's your only "running" rotary innit?

It is but that's only because I bought my FC without an engine in it

you have two? is that so whilst one is being repaired you can drive the other? (jokes)