Need Advice: RX7
04-12-2009 | 12:46 PM
#1
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From: LaVergne, TN
Need Advice: RX7
this really probably belongs on rx7club... but i dont feel like having to start a new name over ther. so hopefully someone that has previosly owned an rx7 can help me out here.
me and my dad have been lookin around for an rx7 that would make a good project car
here's the description:
1994 Mazda RX7 twin turbo, red & black, 18" Lanig wheels, Bomex bodykit, brand new Atkins engine/5000 miles, rewired, all new hoses, new clutch. Car was running, then Mazda dealership disassembled to fix crack in turbo manifold. Dealership went out of business before fixing. Car needs turbo manifold kit and reassembled. $5000 OBO
so i guess what im tryin to ask here is i know the price is really good... but is it worth it, and how much would it take to get this car running
i also haven't talked to the guy cause i just wanna get an opinion before i call him up
me and my dad have been lookin around for an rx7 that would make a good project car
here's the description:
1994 Mazda RX7 twin turbo, red & black, 18" Lanig wheels, Bomex bodykit, brand new Atkins engine/5000 miles, rewired, all new hoses, new clutch. Car was running, then Mazda dealership disassembled to fix crack in turbo manifold. Dealership went out of business before fixing. Car needs turbo manifold kit and reassembled. $5000 OBO
so i guess what im tryin to ask here is i know the price is really good... but is it worth it, and how much would it take to get this car running
i also haven't talked to the guy cause i just wanna get an opinion before i call him up
04-12-2009 | 01:08 PM
#2
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From: CA
i used to own an fd, a pretty stock '93. so where to start...
i don't know about now, since i sold my car a few years ago. but back then i remember not really liking atkins. i know they're one of the bigger shops in the community, but i want to say i remember something about their rebuilds, so if i were you i'd definitely research about them on rx7club. that said, the car is only $5k, which isn't bad. i don't like that bodykit, and it looks like there's stereo equipment in the trunk that i'd personally like to get rid off. but then again, $5k is decent for an fd. how much of it was disassembled? would you be able to do it yourself? turbo's are expensive, especially if you want the original twins. lots of people convert to a big single turbo, but it's not *cheap* that way either. but then again, if the motor is in good shape and doesn't need major work, i'd say $5k is pretty good for a project
i don't know about now, since i sold my car a few years ago. but back then i remember not really liking atkins. i know they're one of the bigger shops in the community, but i want to say i remember something about their rebuilds, so if i were you i'd definitely research about them on rx7club. that said, the car is only $5k, which isn't bad. i don't like that bodykit, and it looks like there's stereo equipment in the trunk that i'd personally like to get rid off. but then again, $5k is decent for an fd. how much of it was disassembled? would you be able to do it yourself? turbo's are expensive, especially if you want the original twins. lots of people convert to a big single turbo, but it's not *cheap* that way either. but then again, if the motor is in good shape and doesn't need major work, i'd say $5k is pretty good for a project
04-12-2009 | 01:14 PM
#3
zoom zoom
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: CA
btw i know it's a bit of a pain to introduce yourself and start anew, etc., but resources on rx7club.com is immense. if you're looking to get an fd, you'd want to be on that board anyway, so jump over there and see what they say
04-12-2009 | 01:23 PM
#4
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From: LaVergne, TN
hey thanks for the advice... i guess where i really need to start is by calling the guy, i assume the engine still runs good cause it says it did before dissasembly
and yes i would probably be able to do most of the work myself, such as assembling things, but not anything rotary engine specific.
and yes i would probably be able to do most of the work myself, such as assembling things, but not anything rotary engine specific.
04-12-2009 | 01:23 PM
#5
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From: Montreal,QC
At first I was looking at rx-7's before I bought the rx-8, I know they are troubled in some ways, but when I went to the Rx-7club, I didn't understand **** they were saying. You basically have to get the info from scratch.
When I tried to get info, it was overloading and nothing made sense, I had to go to google and look up some stuff so I could understand... Basically, you have to know your stuff if you want to deal with the FD. Also the car is quite old now, so you might have to replace the hoses and the solenoids. Best thing to do is replace the rubber hoses for something else first, so that the engine doesn't become an oven.
Just ask him to take it to a shop, don't guy by his word... oh and make it a good rotary shop
When I tried to get info, it was overloading and nothing made sense, I had to go to google and look up some stuff so I could understand... Basically, you have to know your stuff if you want to deal with the FD. Also the car is quite old now, so you might have to replace the hoses and the solenoids. Best thing to do is replace the rubber hoses for something else first, so that the engine doesn't become an oven.
Just ask him to take it to a shop, don't guy by his word... oh and make it a good rotary shop
04-13-2009 | 11:04 PM
#10
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From: LaVergne, TN
yeah that was my main concer... how much it would cost to actually get it up and running
im sure it needs more than just a turbo manifold
oh and i contacted the guy today, but he hasn't replied to me
im sure it needs more than just a turbo manifold
oh and i contacted the guy today, but he hasn't replied to me
04-14-2009 | 12:10 AM
#13
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if you want a project car. you should go all out. go get a crx. and drop a 20b in it. that'd be fun. lol. no but it looks good. other than the body kit and sound system, i'd say jump on it if it all checks out.
04-15-2009 | 11:32 PM
#17
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From: Providence, RI
if the body and interior are in good shape then its a great deal for that alone.
register for RX-7Club, as you will need it. go to the 3rd Gen threads and there is a list of 'Stickies' at the top for new owners. RX-7s are a lot of fun but require a little more attention then the average car. Best bang for the buck under $40,000 even 16 years after introduction. if you build it right you will really enjoy it.
Good luck.
register for RX-7Club, as you will need it. go to the 3rd Gen threads and there is a list of 'Stickies' at the top for new owners. RX-7s are a lot of fun but require a little more attention then the average car. Best bang for the buck under $40,000 even 16 years after introduction. if you build it right you will really enjoy it.
Good luck.
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 04-15-2009 at 11:36 PM.
04-16-2009 | 11:01 PM
#19
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Take it from someone who has done a lot of work on sequential FD's... there is a high likelihood that this car is a hack job ("rewired" huh?). $5000 is what you pay for a rolling chassis normally. Body kits are horrible for the value of the car, which partly explains its price. If you buy that car the only way to make it reliable is to tear it down to the bare block and re-do whatever the previous owner/technicians fucked up or never finished, whether you decide to stay sequential, go non-sequential, or go single. It will need a tune as well. Assume that the vehicle is a basket case. Very few people (and certainly not dealership techs) can do the 75 vacuum lines correctly.
When you own an FD, you basically have a second car payment. Averaged out, expect a minimum of $300 a month to maintain the vehicle for the rest of the time you own it--the REST of the time you own it. So over a number of years it will cost you $20k just to keep it running right, replace a motor or two and turbo(s). at least if you care about the paint, the interior, good rebuilds, etc. The costs never end, not unless you are willing to let the car fall to pieces. It costs as much to maintain as a Ferrari. No joke. For example, the interior is very brittle and just replacing the commonly broken interior parts will run about $750 in brand new **** from the dealer (used interior parts will break too). There are maybe 10 shops in the whole country that I would trust to work on them. Parts are getting more and more scarce.
That being said, they are amazing performers. On stock sequential turbos with appropriate mods it is basically a C5 Z06, I know that from having driven both cars and from running them against each other. When you go single turbo they will do 10's with the right traction. They can do a decent job at drag, autocross, and road race.
They're also incredible head turners. Nobody knows what an FD is really. They think it just came out or something. Other people treat it like it's a Lambo. I was riding with a friend in his car and a bunch of highschoolers kept taking pictures (while they were moving) like they had just seen a Veyron or something. So it has its rewards.
If you buy an FD, one of three things happens.
1) you become a mechanic and pretty knowledgeable on vacuum routing, emissions control systems, and tuning
2) you constantly pay out the *** to someone (who likely barely knows what he's doing) to fix it for you, usually with mediocre results unless the shop is nationally known
3) you give up and sell the car
it sounds really pretentious, elitist, and downright scare-mongering for me to say all that... but these cars are not for everyone. Owning one is like having a part-time job that you actually pay for the privilege to work. My friend has owned the same FD for 12 years so I have seen what he has been through and learned along with him, and he has been a lucky one in terms of how long the original motor lasted (110k). He's never going to sell it.
When you own an FD, you basically have a second car payment. Averaged out, expect a minimum of $300 a month to maintain the vehicle for the rest of the time you own it--the REST of the time you own it. So over a number of years it will cost you $20k just to keep it running right, replace a motor or two and turbo(s). at least if you care about the paint, the interior, good rebuilds, etc. The costs never end, not unless you are willing to let the car fall to pieces. It costs as much to maintain as a Ferrari. No joke. For example, the interior is very brittle and just replacing the commonly broken interior parts will run about $750 in brand new **** from the dealer (used interior parts will break too). There are maybe 10 shops in the whole country that I would trust to work on them. Parts are getting more and more scarce.
That being said, they are amazing performers. On stock sequential turbos with appropriate mods it is basically a C5 Z06, I know that from having driven both cars and from running them against each other. When you go single turbo they will do 10's with the right traction. They can do a decent job at drag, autocross, and road race.
They're also incredible head turners. Nobody knows what an FD is really. They think it just came out or something. Other people treat it like it's a Lambo. I was riding with a friend in his car and a bunch of highschoolers kept taking pictures (while they were moving) like they had just seen a Veyron or something. So it has its rewards.
If you buy an FD, one of three things happens.
1) you become a mechanic and pretty knowledgeable on vacuum routing, emissions control systems, and tuning
2) you constantly pay out the *** to someone (who likely barely knows what he's doing) to fix it for you, usually with mediocre results unless the shop is nationally known
3) you give up and sell the car
it sounds really pretentious, elitist, and downright scare-mongering for me to say all that... but these cars are not for everyone. Owning one is like having a part-time job that you actually pay for the privilege to work. My friend has owned the same FD for 12 years so I have seen what he has been through and learned along with him, and he has been a lucky one in terms of how long the original motor lasted (110k). He's never going to sell it.
Last edited by arghx7; 04-16-2009 at 11:03 PM.
04-17-2009 | 12:21 AM
#20
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
I'm not sure how much this can help you but,
http://www.rx7.org/Robinette/buyaused.htm
To me, I would do an engine compression test. If it checks out okay, go for it. Although I agree with arghx7, its a great car. Just not reliable and or cheap. Keep it as a weekend/show car or a track car. But for anything else, I would avoid.
http://www.rx7.org/Robinette/buyaused.htm
To me, I would do an engine compression test. If it checks out okay, go for it. Although I agree with arghx7, its a great car. Just not reliable and or cheap. Keep it as a weekend/show car or a track car. But for anything else, I would avoid.
04-17-2009 | 10:59 PM
#23
captin safety
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara
Take it from someone who has done a lot of work on sequential FD's... there is a high likelihood that this car is a hack job ("rewired" huh?). $5000 is what you pay for a rolling chassis normally. Body kits are horrible for the value of the car, which partly explains its price. If you buy that car the only way to make it reliable is to tear it down to the bare block and re-do whatever the previous owner/technicians fucked up or never finished, whether you decide to stay sequential, go non-sequential, or go single. It will need a tune as well. Assume that the vehicle is a basket case. Very few people (and certainly not dealership techs) can do the 75 vacuum lines correctly.
When you own an FD, you basically have a second car payment. Averaged out, expect a minimum of $300 a month to maintain the vehicle for the rest of the time you own it--the REST of the time you own it. So over a number of years it will cost you $20k just to keep it running right, replace a motor or two and turbo(s). at least if you care about the paint, the interior, good rebuilds, etc. The costs never end, not unless you are willing to let the car fall to pieces. It costs as much to maintain as a Ferrari. No joke. For example, the interior is very brittle and just replacing the commonly broken interior parts will run about $750 in brand new **** from the dealer (used interior parts will break too). There are maybe 10 shops in the whole country that I would trust to work on them. Parts are getting more and more scarce.
That being said, they are amazing performers. On stock sequential turbos with appropriate mods it is basically a C5 Z06, I know that from having driven both cars and from running them against each other. When you go single turbo they will do 10's with the right traction. They can do a decent job at drag, autocross, and road race.
They're also incredible head turners. Nobody knows what an FD is really. They think it just came out or something. Other people treat it like it's a Lambo. I was riding with a friend in his car and a bunch of highschoolers kept taking pictures (while they were moving) like they had just seen a Veyron or something. So it has its rewards.
If you buy an FD, one of three things happens.
1) you become a mechanic and pretty knowledgeable on vacuum routing, emissions control systems, and tuning
2) you constantly pay out the *** to someone (who likely barely knows what he's doing) to fix it for you, usually with mediocre results unless the shop is nationally known
3) you give up and sell the car
it sounds really pretentious, elitist, and downright scare-mongering for me to say all that... but these cars are not for everyone. Owning one is like having a part-time job that you actually pay for the privilege to work. My friend has owned the same FD for 12 years so I have seen what he has been through and learned along with him, and he has been a lucky one in terms of how long the original motor lasted (110k). He's never going to sell it.
When you own an FD, you basically have a second car payment. Averaged out, expect a minimum of $300 a month to maintain the vehicle for the rest of the time you own it--the REST of the time you own it. So over a number of years it will cost you $20k just to keep it running right, replace a motor or two and turbo(s). at least if you care about the paint, the interior, good rebuilds, etc. The costs never end, not unless you are willing to let the car fall to pieces. It costs as much to maintain as a Ferrari. No joke. For example, the interior is very brittle and just replacing the commonly broken interior parts will run about $750 in brand new **** from the dealer (used interior parts will break too). There are maybe 10 shops in the whole country that I would trust to work on them. Parts are getting more and more scarce.
That being said, they are amazing performers. On stock sequential turbos with appropriate mods it is basically a C5 Z06, I know that from having driven both cars and from running them against each other. When you go single turbo they will do 10's with the right traction. They can do a decent job at drag, autocross, and road race.
They're also incredible head turners. Nobody knows what an FD is really. They think it just came out or something. Other people treat it like it's a Lambo. I was riding with a friend in his car and a bunch of highschoolers kept taking pictures (while they were moving) like they had just seen a Veyron or something. So it has its rewards.
If you buy an FD, one of three things happens.
1) you become a mechanic and pretty knowledgeable on vacuum routing, emissions control systems, and tuning
2) you constantly pay out the *** to someone (who likely barely knows what he's doing) to fix it for you, usually with mediocre results unless the shop is nationally known
3) you give up and sell the car
it sounds really pretentious, elitist, and downright scare-mongering for me to say all that... but these cars are not for everyone. Owning one is like having a part-time job that you actually pay for the privilege to work. My friend has owned the same FD for 12 years so I have seen what he has been through and learned along with him, and he has been a lucky one in terms of how long the original motor lasted (110k). He's never going to sell it.
Don't buy one if you can't afford to run it.
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