Mazda RX7 for a daily driver?

[Bender]

lol I know this does not seem like the place to post this but my corvette is almost done. But with gas prices high and not being able to find a place to insure my car for 15k as a daily driver.Also I lied and said I got the car for 2k and thats all they will insure it for. I dont really see my self driving it everyday. Also my daily driver, even tho it only has 40k miles on it is falling apart because 1) It was in accident and never put back together right, so parts are poping off. 2) I went down a dirt road everyday for over a year and that just ate the car up. So after 40k miles it feels like its close to 100k. I want a nice, fast fun car that I can drive everyday and not wory about a part breaking or gas. Is getting an RX7 a mistake? I dont know maybe this is all rash, maybe when I get my vette back I will feel differently about everything. Its just that both of my cars were huge mistakes in my life. Both of them had major problems and repairs done to them and now that the vette is done its not looking like a car I can drive everyday. Also as spoiled as it sounds I hate driving my daily driver. Do you know how much it sucks to turn up the radio only to hear everything raddle because it was put back together wrong?

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the RX-7.
The engines are Wankel rotary engines and are prone to reluctor seal failure. The new seals are $200.00 each and you need 3 of them just for a rebuild. There's no guarantee that a rebuild will fix the problem either. My friend had an RX-7 that he gave away rather than spend the money that it would take to fix it. And he loved that car.

 

[CQRT]

With all due respect to "wishuwerehere82", a colleague at work bought the new RX7 in electric blue and in my view it's a blast ! I'm not captivated by the abbreviated access to what's jokingly called a "back seat", but the car seems to ride and handle well at a reasonable price.

If you're thinking about an older one approaching rebuild status, I yield to the gentleman from NY . . . . but if your'e after the newest body style, I'd vote "go for it!"

Regards-

 

[Bender]

Well I have been talking to some people that own RX7's and they are telling me to stay away from it as a daily driver. So can you all suggest a good sporty car under 10k, between the years 87-2000? 2 door, stick also.

 

[Bender]

hmm I am looking an a MR2.

 

[dfw81shark]

I hear those apex seals are shot by 50k miles in the RX7. Don't know what kind of gas mileage those are getting, but I was looking at an RX8 for a while and cruised those forums when they first came out. First thing I noticed was gas mileage. While the epa said 18/24, most people were noticing 13-14 no matter how easily they drove it. Not for me with a 1.3L engine. And the flooding problem- man it does not sound like a daily driver at all. The computer makes the fuel map rich during warmup. If you say, move it in your driveway, expect to take it around the block to make sure it gets warmed up and leans out the fuel. Otherwise it may be a trip to the dealer. That's with the 8's, the 7's had a fuse you pulled to starve the fuel pump and drive all the gas out of the motor.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

What he said. Now the MR2 is a different story. If you can keep them from rusting out, they should drive well for a long time.

 

[Bender]

Yeah the MR2 is looking good. What year do you think is the best and cheapest? I really like the new body style but if I could find one for 5k. I could run out and buy one now.

 

[Jack]

During high school, girlfriend had (for a very short time) an RX100 (sedan w/ rotary) ... major POS. Later, another girlfriend had an 83 RX7 with automatic that I nursed & cursed for 5 years. And I'm a pretty good mechanic. Regardless, I'm quite happy that POS RX7 found another yard to dump on. I have reams of horror stories about it ... bottom line, choose something else. As said before, rotary seals were and are a major pitfall ... even in factory-rebuilt RX7 motors. Maybe the new RX8 motors are more robust ... maybe not ... I will NEVER know firsthand. And yes, I know all about the superfast 3 & 4 rotor race motors ... they were awesome but they were race cars. If you're looking for reliable sportscar, take a close look at Datsun/Nissan Z.
JACK:gap

 

[LanceB]

How about Porsche 928 for a daily driver? No seriously I have a Porsche as well as my 81 Vette, and this car definitely has some expensive little gremlins in them. I am almost scared to drive it until timing belt is changed. My daily driver: 94 Ford Ranger! No problems, but not exactly a head turner.

 

[craig0ry]

The MR2 is a blast, the first gen is dirt cheap, gas efficient and fun as hell, but it also looks like a cardboard box and is not a good grand touring car. I say go with a second gen, 91-95, stick with the NA. The turbo's are a blast, but the pricing is inflated.

 

[GerryLP]

The 1977 RX-7 created the whole isue on seal leaks. It had a early 12A rotor chambers, and it did create some problems for Mazda.

I owned a RX-3SP back in my early 20's, and it had the modified 12A rotor engines. These were much improved over the old engine. These are good cars, but what some people fail to understand is that the Wankle engine deos USE some engine oil as part of the seal lubrication. Therefore, the moral of the story is that on a Wankle engine one has to check the engine oil level on a regular basis. Once every two weeks is ok for normal driving; however, back then I always wound up at the local track, so therefore, I checked on the oil level on a weekly basis. I usually waited until it was 1/2 quart low to service it.

GerryLP

 

[bossvette]

Well I have been talking to some people that own RX7's and they are telling me to stay away from it as a daily driver. So can you all suggest a good sporty car under 10k, between the years 87-2000? 2 door, stick also.

you should be able to get a decent C4 for that price that will be a dependable daily driver.

 

[Vettefan87]

Yup, and since you don't have to worry about snow you are good to go. They get pretty deacent gas mileage as long as your foots not into it all the time.

 

[Greg@NASA]

How about Porsche 928 for a daily driver? No seriously I have a Porsche as well as my 81 Vette, and this car definitely has some expensive little gremlins in them. I am almost scared to drive it until timing belt is changed. My daily driver: 94 Ford Ranger! No problems, but not exactly a head turner.

That's what I did.I looked far and wide and got a GREAT deal on an '87 928S4,(way under 10K), and it is an absolute ball to drive.The 'Vette now gets to rest a bit every now and then.1 piece of advice though...make double-sure the timing belt has been changed recently.It is an "interference" engine, and 8 pistons,32 valves, and 4 cams can create a heckofa mess if the belt goes.

 

[B17Crew]

Friend of mine had a ’87 RX7 (non-turbo). As he got close to 150,000 miles on his RX7 (this is about when he had had it with the thing), it literally started to fall apart and nickle and dime him to death. He bought it as a beater/commuter car as he wanted to keep his ’95 Z07 in good shape. The RX7 was a manual, in stock condition with a no hit body. What became a concern for him was the cost of parts for the car. I had helped him do repairs many times, that offset any dealer or service shop charges. It did ok in winter weather if you had good snow tires. As a plus for the car... it had a large hatch that we could stow our gear in.

If you purchase one of these Mazdas as a puddle jumper, be sure you’re mechanically inclined.

B17Crew

 

[Bender]

A C4? But if it breaks wont repairs be a ton?

 

[bossvette]

A C4? But if it breaks wont repairs be a ton?

quite possibly, but less then any import. Out here in the boonies Ive seen more Porshes on trailers and on the side of the road then going down the road.
This time of the year you can get a good deal on a C-4 if you are willing to travel, look at it as an adventure. I've put 10,000 miles on my 97 C5 since buying it in August without any major problems and I live in the snowbelt

 

[76L82]

Had a ton of fun in an 85 GSL when it was new...the thing wound up like a rubber band..I swear yuo could take that thing up to 8 grand and it sounded like an F-16! However, they are absolute gas hogs and if you have any rain events or snow...you'll appreciate the term 'white knuckle' driving!

Don't mean to sound like someone out of 'Fast and the Furious' but my nephew bought an early 90's Prelude with the JDM spooner engine for around $5000. The thing pumps out about 240 hp and literally scares the hell out of me...those little VTEC's get great gas mileage and with some mods are a heck of a rush.

 

[titan81]

I have a 89 Camaro. Not bad on gas 18-24mpg
V-8 engine 90k on it, payed 2 for it...

The Rx-7 is a great car in its right...
The twin turbo engine in a gen3 car ie, fast an furious veilside one
has little issues with the rotarty, BUT
they are a huge pain and weird to do your self repairs lol....

Not a huge import fan here, but Rx-7 is one I like alot....