Always wanted one, but...
01-18-2012, 12:09 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1
Hello all.
Name's Andrew and I'm a hopeless gearhead-for-life from not-so-wonderful Southern California.
Ever since I learned about the rotary engine, I've wanted an RX-7. And after my recent history of owning
FWD sedans and lumbering 4x4s I find myself wanting a proper RWD sports car. But I've heard loads of
horror stories about burning oil, poor fuel mileage and reliability woes. Oddly enough, all that has come
from people that have never owned a rotary-powered anything. So I've decided to come to those who do.
I'd like a nice, stock FC that can be used as a daily driver and one day might be turned into something
appropriate for amateur racing. There are plenty for sale down here at the moment. But I'd really like to know what
to watch out for. I guess I'm asking for a sort of buyer's guide: weaknesses, recurring issues, ongoing problems, etc.
Also the all-important turbo vs. non-turbo question (used to have an MR2 turbo that was always a pain to work on)
as well as the hardtop vs. convertible question can be addressed.
Thanks in advance to any responders for your patience and nice to meet you all.
Name's Andrew and I'm a hopeless gearhead-for-life from not-so-wonderful Southern California.
Ever since I learned about the rotary engine, I've wanted an RX-7. And after my recent history of owning
FWD sedans and lumbering 4x4s I find myself wanting a proper RWD sports car. But I've heard loads of
horror stories about burning oil, poor fuel mileage and reliability woes. Oddly enough, all that has come
from people that have never owned a rotary-powered anything. So I've decided to come to those who do.
I'd like a nice, stock FC that can be used as a daily driver and one day might be turned into something
appropriate for amateur racing. There are plenty for sale down here at the moment. But I'd really like to know what
to watch out for. I guess I'm asking for a sort of buyer's guide: weaknesses, recurring issues, ongoing problems, etc.
Also the all-important turbo vs. non-turbo question (used to have an MR2 turbo that was always a pain to work on)
as well as the hardtop vs. convertible question can be addressed.
Thanks in advance to any responders for your patience and nice to meet you all.
01-18-2012, 08:01 AM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 5,425
Welcome to nopistons!
Turbos are faster.
Non-turbo is slower.
Convertibles are slowest (more weight).
Regarding non-turbo (I don't know much about turbo FCs):
If it's burning oil (gray smoke), it most likely needs a rebuild.
If it's burning coolant (white smoke/steam), it most likely needs a rebuild.
If it has low compression, it needs a rebuild.
When checking out any rotary, bring a compression tester, and do a compression test. This is a reliable way to tell the health of the engine. If it's not burning oil or coolant, and the compression is good, you've got a decent motor. Other stuff is the same as any other car; brakes, body condition, whether or not stuff works (a/c, power accessories, etc.), you get the idea.
Keep in mind, they're ALL old. Some are bound to have some rust, worn out suspension, broken interior pieces, etc., if you're going to hold out for a gem of a car, be prepared to wait awhile and/or fork out a lot of cash.
Feel free to post in the 2nd generation specific section with any other questions.
Turbos are faster.
Non-turbo is slower.
Convertibles are slowest (more weight).
Regarding non-turbo (I don't know much about turbo FCs):
If it's burning oil (gray smoke), it most likely needs a rebuild.
If it's burning coolant (white smoke/steam), it most likely needs a rebuild.
If it has low compression, it needs a rebuild.
When checking out any rotary, bring a compression tester, and do a compression test. This is a reliable way to tell the health of the engine. If it's not burning oil or coolant, and the compression is good, you've got a decent motor. Other stuff is the same as any other car; brakes, body condition, whether or not stuff works (a/c, power accessories, etc.), you get the idea.
Keep in mind, they're ALL old. Some are bound to have some rust, worn out suspension, broken interior pieces, etc., if you're going to hold out for a gem of a car, be prepared to wait awhile and/or fork out a lot of cash.
Feel free to post in the 2nd generation specific section with any other questions.
01-18-2012, 09:10 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Trent Woods NC
Posts: 17
I have owned a 91 Convertible for 21 years. I have never spent money on it for repairs until recently. It still is one of the prettiest cars out there. My car runs well and always has. These cars are a bit underpowered and are lacking in low end torque but there is a lot you can do to help that out. The more you do to it, the more gas it uses. It sure is not a fuel sipper.
When I bought the car new, I was told that a small amount of oil is metered into the engine and that if it ever stopped using oil I had better start looking for a new motor. I was also told that the tiniest oil leak would lead to engine failure.
As my car grows older, I have come to realize that for an older rotary, you need to be mechanically inclined. Unfortunately I have no desire to spend my twilight years working on a car. Might be a good time to find it a good home.
Jack In NC
When I bought the car new, I was told that a small amount of oil is metered into the engine and that if it ever stopped using oil I had better start looking for a new motor. I was also told that the tiniest oil leak would lead to engine failure.
As my car grows older, I have come to realize that for an older rotary, you need to be mechanically inclined. Unfortunately I have no desire to spend my twilight years working on a car. Might be a good time to find it a good home.
Jack In NC
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