RX7Knight

Hello! I'd like to introduce myself.

I'm currently very interested in buying a FD Rx-7 sometime this year. I'm coming from a Comptech SuperCharged S2000. Just sold her in Dec. Wanted to move on to a new project evntually. A few pics:






I'm new to rotary engine but I will be spending lots of time on this board to learn.

A few questions:

1. Will $14-$15k buy me a good conditioned FD in the NW?

2. I'm planning to take the potential Rx-7 to a shop before I buy it. I'm in the Everett/Lynnwood area and I've read of two shops : Mazda-Tech and Bothel import services.

Would you reccomend one of those shops? Also would they be suitable to take an FD to if there are issues with the car?

Miles would be limited and only a weekend car.

Thanks for helping.

eriksseven

iTrader: (6)

Both of those shops are mainly repair shops, as oppose to specialized rotary performace shops. I only have first-hand experience with Mazda Tech, but I would recommend him for diagnostic testing if you're looking to purchase a stock or lightly modified FD. Rx7's are probably THE most owner-demanding car. What I mean is, you should not own one unless you are willing to work toward a full understanding of the starting platform and every addition modification to the FD platform.

If you don't know what you're doing--there is very little room for error with these cars. I'm speaking mechanics and modification-wise.

And yes, $14-15k should get you a nice Rx7. Just be careful before pulling the trigger on a purchase. It would be ideal to get something that is very near to stock, unless it was owned by a trustworthy enthusiast.

Hyper4mance2k

iTrader: (40)

Yes it would, and do you know what you'd be getting yourself into?

RX7Knight

Thanks Erik and Hyper!

I've had my speed with past cars and I dont drag so I'm looking for a fun handling rwd car. The most modding I would do is exhuast, rims/tires.

I'll be looking a stock or very close to stock Rx-7. I have all year to look for one so not in a hurry to buy unless its the right one.

I'm capable mechanically at your basic items but reaading some of you rotor heads on here I'm probably quite aways from you on skill Thats why it might be good to have a local shop near by. No performance for me but maintenance and repair would be my concern.

With the s2000 group, I went too many PAC NW meets and hung out with most of the local members and wrenched, beer drinking on items together. Great crowd. Tons of stuff to learn and after three years, you could diagnose most problems with the s2000.

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

It takes heart to own an FD. But if you love cars and don't mind your weekends being occupied for you. then it may just be the right car for you.

you can usually get a good FD in the 93 range for a little less than that. fives you a little buffer for reliability mods. (AST, DP, Cat-Back, change all fluids, possibly an upgraded radiator.)

edit - these cars are 12 years old (or older), so there tends to be the quirks of a vehicle that age. especially considering the complex design.

Kraziken

I'm kind of wondering, was it mostly just that you wanted a change of pace that you sold your car?

I've considered doing a comptech S2k, and was just wondering how you felt about the car.

Thanks

point5chink

why are you recomending a stock fd? That sounds like bad advice. You ideally should look for a FD with as many of the reliability mods as posssible. That means DP, AST, radiator, silicon vac lines, efeni y pipe, etc. You would much rather buy a car that already has those mods because it means that the car has been less abused and you will spend a lot less time diagnosing boost problems or blown coolant seals. Stock cars run hotter because of the exhaust, have boost problems cus of the vac lines, coolant system can blow any moment cus of the ast and the fans turn on far too late for the radiator. Also, i dont know how much a shop is going to know about a FD. I would be skeptical at best. Before I would take it there, i would ask them what AST stood for and what is the common problem with it in FD's. If they dont know, their evaluation will be pretty generic (check for things all cars have, but none of the "quirks" fd's have).

PercentSevenC

^ I think the point was that while it's good to get those things, be very careful that the one who installed them knew what he was doing.

RX72NR

iTrader: (1)

Being an FD owner for a couple of years now, I recommend that you check out our 3rd gen section for pleasures and pitfalls of being owned by this generation of rx-7. Do plenty of searching so that you don't end up asking questions that have been asked and answered before. 15K will get you a driveable, clean FD. Automatic transmission FDs generally are in less abused condition and conversions to manual are common. You can expect to rebuild your engine around 60K if if hasn't been done yet. Plastic componets in the engine bay such as the air seperator tank (AST) and the turbo pipes should be replaced as soon as possible. There are 2 catalytic converters that require premium gas to keep from cloging. The first is located in the downpipe, to gain horsepower and lower temps- replace it with an aftermarket one. When you do decide to purchase, ask one of us to check out the car with you. A compression check of the motor with the Mazda tester will let you know the condition of your engine. Rebuilds generally cost $2500-3500. It's easy to get broke owning a FD, damn aftermarket!

RX7Knight

Thanks all! Def utilizing the great info on the FAQs and newbie guides along with reliability mods. Hopefully the Rx-7 I would find already has most of those mods. One quesiton is, I've always avoided car in the past with a rebuilt or new engine. The Rx-7 seems to be a special case in this regard. Would you reccomend a original engine with say.......45-60k miles vs. a rebuilt one with 20-30k miles if all other conditions are the same and good conditon.

Kraziken, the s2k is def a fun car. Many dual owners compare the cars as very simililar. Comptech SC makes it even funner. I had the car as a DD for over 3 years so yes it was a change of pace as I drove the s2k 6 times a week at short distances, but only had 50xxx mile by the time I sold it.

I actually got PMed by a local owner who test drove my s2000 when it was for sale. Small world I'll tell ya!

With a new DD, the Rx-7 would be a weekend only car.

For the shops near me in Everett: Mazda-Tech and Bothel import services, do they work on FD's in regard to repair and maintenance?

Thanks again