hi im new to this forum so bear with my 'noobness'
sorry if this topic has been covered a few times..
i dont know too much about the 2nd gen rx7's but i have always loved the body style and performance of them. i am wondering how dependable the rotary engines are and what sort of maintenance(regular and periodical) are required to keep them running smoothly.
also how are they on gas?
are replacement parts easy to come by and are they in general expensive?

 

when looking at a used rx7 is there anything in particular that i should check for?
thanks

 

Read the FAQ for FC sticky at the top of this section.

Normally aspirated RX-7s can be very reliable given regular maintenance. As with any engine, things degrade a little when you turbocharge it.

Parts aren't that hard to come by.

For an N/A FC in stock form, expect around 20 mpg city/highway.

 

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy1.htm

 

i'm just curious... (since i'm on the quest of getting an S5) what are the chances of me finding a 91 tII? ;x i'm in no rush, just hope to get it this summer since i plan on slaving my self 6 days a week 9 to 5 i got the bug, and i blame it on all of you.

 

these cars reliability is in direct correlation with the amount of love (read money=) you throw their way.
I have had the 2nd gen turbo and non-turbo and can tell you that the n/a is definitely more reliable. I have driven across country without a hick-up and have driven my n/a as hard as I can on hot track days and driven home with no probs.
turbos need more attention to cooling, which means money usually.
changing the oil often is a given.
but these are great cars.

 

thanks for the help so far!
20mpg? thats not bad... thats around 12L/100km
can anyone confirm the economy?
thanks

 

Yea, I'll second what Jerry stated. My '89TII 20MPG. Day in and day out.

 

In the last 10 months I've replaced the exhaust and the front left caliper.

Technically I put in a 'new' J-Spec, but that's another story which is abnormal. Under remotely normal circumstances that wouldn't have happened and so other than that the repair cost has been quiet reasonable.

 

buyer's guide... http://www.rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq/bguide/bguide.html

 

thx for the guide

I'm thinking of buying a FC as well soon

 

They are very dependable if maintained properly. However, if you pay $3,000 CAD for a 15 year old car that sold for $28,000 CAD when new, you should expect some problems. Anything you repair properly will last a very long time. Anything you don't repair properly may break again at any time. These cars are built very well, but they are old.

See the Pre-Delivery Inspection and Scheduled Maintenance Services chapter of the service manual for the service schedule. You should do this for every car you consider buying so you know what you are getting into in advance.
http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/

Parts are not difficult to find. The parts are somewhat expensive, but you don't need too many parts, so I think it comes out even. The main difficulty on these cars is finding a competent mechanic.

Do NOT get an RX-7 with an automatic transmission. They are slow, the transmission is expensive to repair, and the conversion to a manual transmission is a real pain.

The EPA estimated gas mileage is about 16-17 mpg city, and 23-25 mpg highway. See this site for more information:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymod...emodelNF.shtml

The Series 4 (86-88) RX-7 is rated for regular unleaded, while the Series 5 (89-92) needs mid-grade unleaded due to the higher compression ratio.

 

i second that. you must realize that these cars have been around the block several times, and it is really up to the previous owner as to how well the car is going to hold up. regular maintenance is outlined in the Factory Service Manual, which is an invaluable source of information and if you do get a 7, this will not only answer many of your questions, but also save you tons of money in maintenance costs. www.mazdatrix.com sells pretty much any part you will need, but some parts are quite expensive, so shop around. treat it right, and it will do the same for you.

noe, it typically is quite hard to find a S5 TurboII, but it depends on how much you're willing to spend.

 

I read on Aaron Cake's site that any NA could use regular with no problem. In fact, I have been using regular for the past month (only had it that long) without a problem. Are you sure that you really need mid grade in an S5?

 

I've been using regular in mine since i got it, the manual says to use regular, the previous owner used regular... so I don't see why not (btw, 91 N/A).

 

yeah, I gotta agree with the regular on the gas...it's all I use (read: can't afford plus or premium all the time ) and I've not had problems with it, at least not related to the gas...

 

Yup - regular (87 octane) has run my 91NA for 159000 miles.
I get 18-19MPG in local traffic.

I can see where high test would be needed for tuning up a turbo.

 

Wow. I get 550km/tank on the highway and about 300km/tank on the streets. 89 T2, running 91 octane. And my foot is heavy. But i never launch I just love boost

 

WTF?! i get 16-17 in my N/A!

 

I get 300 Miles on my 16 gal. tank that is about 20MPG

PS I am not stock


Santiago

 

how? why do i get such crappy mileage? most of my miles are highway too!

 

top^

 

i get 200 miles on a tank if i dont drive hard at all

 

That sucks, I get about 17-18 mpg with my streetported motor. i baby it alittle, but not too much. Redline atlest once or twice a trip if I have the chance, but the intake, exhaust, PA-sleeves, plug wires, and premix helps out when Im just cruising.

 

I would love 20mpg right now it feels like 14mpg But i cant keep my bloody foot out of it 87TII...
By the way I love the car, my favorite so far!