Emeraldlion

Ok guys, I'm a full-time college student. I've been looking to get into the rotary scene, and have found a potential vehicle. What I need from you guys is the advice. I do a lot of my own work and want to know just how easy/hard are these cars to work on and keep maintained? The vehicle I'm looking at is in good condition 140k GSL lady is asking 1100. I'm going to use this as a daily driver so I need to know if it's going to last a little bit before needing a rebuild if at the moment it's mechanically sound. No problems besides a non-working rear wiper. I'm looking for the gas-milage and carbureted engine. and if I need to do a rebuild, is it too hard to do on my own. Nearest reputable rotary shop is the shop in Garland about 3 hours away, which is also where the car I'm looking at is located. Body good, int good. Working a/c, moonroof, pw, cruise, original deck. It seems like a good buy, but based on my circumstances do you guys think I can get in and have a good experience with this? I'm a car nut and the rotary is extremely intriguing. My other vehicles include 62 VW van, restores myself. 65 stang, my brother's but I helped restore. and various others in my fam, so we know how to work. Sorry for the long post, any input is greatly appreciated.
Chris
In Texarkana

IanS

iTrader: (4)

I am still learning about the rotary engine myself. The price seems fair to me. I would read the faq page and though you may not understand it completely at first, you will get there. It will help you diagnose many of the common problems associated with these cars. As far as working on it yourself, and rebuilding it yourself. It's really no different than any other car. You take it apart, replace seals, o rings, etc. and put back together. Go to www.howstuffworks.com and type in rotary and it will give you the basics of how it all works. Hope this helps and gets you started.

jays83gsl

What year of GSL? What options does it have?
Depending on how well taken care of it is, it shouldn't need a rebuild for around 100K, but probably looking at a rebuild at 200K for safety.

CHECK FOR HIDDEN RUST SPOTS. There's a writeup on the first page here.

$1100 is a good buy for a GSL, depending on the stuff I listed above.

Emeraldlion

It's an 85 gsl has rear wiper, pw, working a/c, 4wdisc and lsd, cruise, original deck unmolested, she says suspension rides real nice, sunrrof, pretty much all of th main gsl options, it's that gunmetal grey color with grey interior(cloth I believe).

inittab

Welcome to the forum Chris!

If rotaries interest you and you're a car nut then this is the PERFECT car for you. The first gen is a pleasure to work on (easy), a blast to drive and is pretty damn reliable to boot. Because of their age however you will need to do a bit of maintenance work but it sounds like you're prepared for that. The car you're looking at sounds like a deal to me. Grab it!

Todd Staples

Sounds like a good deal to me. Like they said check the FAQ page. It has a lot of good tips. I have an 85 12a I use for a daily driver. Have got it back to 95%. Rebuilt carb, clutch, pilot bearing and some interior work. I am getting over 20MPG. It's a gas to drive, think you will like it. Should be plenty of good miles left in it if it has been taken care of. Welcome to the 7 world.
TCS

REVHED

The 1st gen. is so simple to work on it's not funny.

purple82

I haven't seen anyone mention this before, but you can tell alot from these cars by the way they smell. When you test drive it get it warmed up and at the end of the drive, let it sit and idle for a couple of minutes. Sit in the car and then get out and walk around it. You shouldn't smell burning anti-freeze or oil. If you do, you've got some engine work ahead of you.

Blitz0309

Heh, i would say get it. My first car and the one i am still driving is a 85 GSL. I bought it out of a junkyard about 3 years ago, and it still runs Had 144k on it at that time. Just got a racing beat exhaust for it, and it runs like a champ.

Junia

There are quite a few 1st gens out there with over 200k miles on the engine. Just like anything else if you take care of the simple stuff most cars will last for a long time. I have the same year and model car and its at around 120k miles and the engine is still going strong. The problem rust point on our car is the area behind the storage bins(you have to pull them out to see). Most will have some rust and if yours does, just take care of it before it gets too bad.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

If you drop a tool or part into the engine bad, rest assured, it will hit the ground or be visible... The engine bays are HUGE. Plenty of clearance to the sides of the engine, between the back of the engine and firewall, and between the radiator and front of the engine.

Though you may have to lean a bit far to reach things due to the reverse opening hood, it's really not a problem as the front end of the car is low. A fender cover comes in handy. (I hang keys from my belt loops, scratches things.)

There are no shitty plastic covers to get in your way.

There are very few "special tools" required to work on this car. You can dismantle the entire car almost with a metric wrench and socket set, and some basic screwdrivers.

That said, if you can't do basic work to these cars (Maintenance, fluid changes, replacing wear items, etc.) you deserve to have your title as a male revoked.

These cars are an absolute dream to work on. I wish cars were still built like this.

inittab

LOL how true! With my RB header I don't even have to get under the car to change the oil. I just slide the pan under and reach down to loosen the drain plug from the top. It's a beautiful thing!

Rotortuner

I would try and get it for like $900.then you cant go to wrong, be ware the gas milage can kinda suck though.

CJG

Emeraldlion

Thanks for all the input guys. Unfortunately it looks like I'm not going to be able to grab this one due to insufficient funds. I have yet to sell my Jeep Grand Wagoneer or even get a call, and I'm too low on cash to front the buy right now, sucks being a poor college student. I am definitely getting a 7 after I get the cash for the G-Wag tho. If anyone in the south around Texarkana might have one for sell keep me informed.
Thanks again
Chris

kiker14

iTrader: (1)

hey man, keep your eyes open, check e-bay, and check this forum often. These cars are NOT rare. A lot of us here got our cars for free, or well under $1,000. lots of people who have a 1st gen have had it since they came out, but still don't understand the car. Now they are ageing, and they don't want to work on them or fix them, so they sell them real cheap. like i said, just keep your eyes open.

(i'm a poor college student too, so i'm speaking with experience, you CAN own and maintain a 1st or 2nd gen rx-7... just don't plan on having a lot of extra cash lying around... like you would need it, i mean come on, u would already have the sweet ride )

jays83gsl

Very few college students AREN"T poor, lol