getting a mazda rx-7

pokerpaddy

i'll be 30 in oh around 17 months. :eek:

driving in today i figured now is the time for me to get an ostentatious motor while i have some hair left, while i dont have a mortgage (which means death grip incidently) and while i dont need space for baby seats etc.

after my friends highlighted the boringness of cars like the megane and mazda6 i was looking at - i've decided it's time to move and get something like this beaut: RX-7 - 1995 - 45k miles - asking €11.5k :cool:

anyone have or had an RX-7?
will my engine fall out after a few miles? i hear the tips in the rotary engine clog up and need replacing?
is the ol' MPG really that bad?

is it crazy spending 10k+ on a 12 year old?

but then i gets to thinkin: what about importing myself? i'm most likely going to get a better deal
- have you done it? / would you recommend it?
- would there only be a minimal saving on a €8-10k motor?
- typically how long would one wait?

thanks in advance for any advice you have.

mloc123

For a start avoid Jap Cars Dublin, they are a shower of cnuts.

There was a similar thread a month or so ago about buying a Rx-7 vs a Mr2 turbo, it highlighted most of the common problems with Rx-7s.

Like any car tho' if they are looked after well the engine will last and rebuilds can last up to 100k miles afaik.

As for spending €11k on a 12 year old car, I had the same concerns buying my Mr2. The depreciation on it will be alot less than spending 12k on a 03/04 car so in the long run its all the same. You could pronbably get near 10k for it in a years time. Japenese performance cars are timeless and people don't really care about age when buying them. Just make sure to get a well maintained tidy one and you'll have no problems selling it in a year or so.

Gatster

Customer service...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054932976&referrerid=&highlight=false+advertising

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055030166&referrerid=&highlight=jap+cars

RobAMerc

Those RX7's are supposed to be a hoot to drive if a bit tempermental / thirsty. But its rwd fun all the way, you could become a drift king

Sorry can't help on the rest except if thats what your after and you've petrol in the veins 12 k on a car that keeps your mind off the receeding hair lines, housing market and body clock will alwasy be worth it.

heggie

go for it! you'll be dissapointed if you dont!

cpoh1

Do you like doing a bit of DIY with your cars? Or do you just prefer to get into your saloon in the morning and drive it the same whether its wamr or cold and only let your mechanic look at the car once a year without even popping the bonnet yourself in the meantime?

The rx7 is super-reliable IF it is meticulously looked after, just the same as any supercar out there. It needs to be warmed up in the drive before being driven, redlined every time its started up (to prevent the rotor tips from getting junked up) , needs an oil change every 3k miles and you need to keep a close eye on oil temp, oil pressure and engine temp at all times. It will cost a few bob to insure and run but is well worth it imo if you are prepared to look after it.

If its not a uk car then you will need to get it remapped for Irish fuel, Irish fuel with a 100ron fuel map will kill the engine in no time.

yellow012

I'd suggest you post your question over on Octane.ie. There are a few RX7 guru's on that site, who should be able to put you straight on the pro's and con's of RX7 ownership.
Or even better still theres the Irish RX-7 + 8's owners club website: http://www.irishrotary.com/

TheBazman

I cant advise you on the RX-7 but I can empathise with your thinking. I did the same thing before I was 30 and before the nipper arrived - I went and got a 350Z for a year. It was great and have absolutely no regrets. Now that I am back to a diesel saloon I do miss the thrill of the sports car. I'm sure I could rationalise it again over the next couple of years hmmm

maidhc

Can these pass the emissions test in the NCT?

Gatster

Emissions testing is varied by the age of the car, so if properly adjusted, yes.

junkyard

I've come across 9 or 10 of these yokes over the years and they all ended up in tears tbh, engines go up in a puff of smoke for no apparent reason and they love drinking oil too even if nothing is wrong. Good luck if you go for one...you'll probably need it.;)

maidhc

Gatster wrote:

Emissions testing is varied by the age of the car, so if properly adjusted, yes.

I thought the Rx7 wasn't sold in europe because of its brutal emissions at the time. I may be wrong though.

Gatster

They were sold new in the UK, but not in big numbers - UK car attached...

Max_Damage

mloc123 wrote:

For a start avoid Jap Cars Dublin, they are a shower of cnuts.

Best bit of advice on this thread.

SoldierForce

How come no one has mentioned Engine Rebuilts or Compression test for the RX7!?
A rebuilt is one of the most important things to consider when looking for an RX7! Unless an RX7 has the rebuilt done it cannot be considered road worthy!
An RX7 engine has to be rebuilt after around 50,000+ miles! I had mine done at 60,000! If your considering a 95 Model I think it will need a rebuilt so check if that has been done and ask for proof!
Leakage is a common problem in RX7s and will have to be considered when buying an RX7!
Don't be fooled by a Polished Exterior and Posh Interior! There are plenty of things to consider when buying an RX7! Also not all mechanics know much about RX7s! So get it checked from an RX7 Specialist! If you want to know more and details of a specialist then PM me. There is one in Bray who is damn good. Quite famous with RX7 Owners in Ireland.