Hi everyone. I currently do not own an RX-7, but am looking at a 1988 model with 100,000 miles. Having never owned a rotary before, I have some questions and would like your thoughts.



If properly maintained, how many miles should this car go before needing serious engine work, replacement? Because I live in wonderful California, smog is an issue. How difficult are these to get to pass smog with this many miles? Did I read correctly in another thread that these have 3 cat. converters?



I just got rid of my Acura with 225,000 miles on it and would like to get something that will last me close to that long.



Thanks for your input.

Well longevity all depends on how well they are taken care of, but I can tell you what my milage is on my rigs. My 1983 has 179,300 on the original motor. My 84 GSL-SE has... umm I think about 160,000 on the original motor.



Yes they have three cats installed. Iam not too familiar with CA emissions, but I have never had any issues with any of my RX's passing emissions, but I know Cali emissions are a little stricter (is that a word??).



Depending on how well the car you are looking at has been taken care of you should get another 50 to 100K without any worries, but like I say depends on how well she's been taken care of so that's just a guess.



Hope you get a rotary rocket soon!



and welcome to the board!



:smilewinkgrin:

a 100k on a 2nd gen is pretty good.... a guy i knew a couple years back hade an 88 n/a that had 220 some odd thousand miles on the original motor and i still see him around every now and then, don't know if he is still on original motor though...



if you take good care of the car it will take good care of you (most of the time).



- Matt

My engine finally let go at 140K miles. You should see pretty close to that amount or well more than that amount. It all depends on what shape it is in now. I would suggest taking the car and having a compression check done to make sure the engine is healthy.



As long as everything is in good working order and you take care of any problems that pop up, 2nd gens are pretty damned reliable. I've had absolutely no problems (knock on wood) in the 30K miles since my engine rebuild.



They shouldn't be too hard to get to pass emissions when they are stock. You may have a problem or two, but it should be fairly easy. Obviously if you plan on modifying the car, it will not be so easy to pass emmissions without putting everything back on. Gotta love the People's Republic of California. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png