JimmyRickard Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenCJR31 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 like ANY car , reliability hinges on how well it has/hasnt been maintained Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6949746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*LOACH* Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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 1 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6949879 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkbcleaner Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6949892 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano350GT Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 i'd buy one just for the braaaaap braaaaaaaap braaap Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6949991 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety bird Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 i teh brap. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6950124 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkatraz Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6950438 Share on other sites More sharing options...
niZmO_Man Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 ^ Odometers get wound back like pretty much all imports. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6950635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkatraz Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 ^ 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951045 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline_GTR Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 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 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951271 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR34 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 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.... Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
niZmO_Man Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 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 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Scorpio Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951560 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoyWhoCriedWolf Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 But that's your only "running" rotary innit? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951839 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I had a 1st Gen Rx7, loved it...wish I still had it Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoyWhoCriedWolf Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 They will be collectors items. 1 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6951950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkatraz Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6952343 Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenCJR31 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 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. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6952497 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTR-N1 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 One may be well advised to buy one from a guy from the RENEW Club or via JLM or TSI with Japanese history. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6952758 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Scorpio Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 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) Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/429501-i-kind-of-want-to-buy-an-rx7/#findComment-6953006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now