Derek

I am a previous RX-7 owner. I had a '94 and loved that car. I drove it hard on occasion, but I was meticulous about maintenance. I live in the Atlanta area and always took it for any service work to MazCare. The first day I sat in that car I had to have it.

The first 2 years I had the car it ran perfect. Then little things started to happen - vacuum hose problems, radiator problems, and then the dreaded loss of compression. After all was said and done, I had to have a new motor, new turbos, new radiator, and let's not forget the door handle broke (just kidding).

When I got the car back, I was so worried that it would happen again that I figured I should sell it while it was in great shape. That day was bitter sweet. To this day I see a 3rd gen RX-7 and can't believe how good looking that car still is.

Now to my point! I am going to purchase the RX-8, I have already spoken with my local sales guy and he has put me on his "list" to call when the pre-order becomes available. Has anyone else had these types of issues happen to them, and if so, do you feel a little trepidation about purchasing the RX-8?

wakeech

yes, well, you had an FD... many of those problems (hose, radiator, etc.) come from excessive heat soak and poor heat management, with all that heat generated by the sequential twin turbo system...

these sorts of things happened too on the FC TURBOII cars, to a lesser extent.
but, from testamony in a ton of other threads, you will learn that most of the rotary enthusiasts who owned an NA RX-7 (usually FC's, and sometimes SA's...) are ferverous about promoting the reliability of the wankel in NA trim...

ya, check out some old threads to see what i'm talking about, but i'm sure within the next few hours this thread will fill up with "i've had mine for 20 years and 250 000 miles, no rebuilds, changing the oil every 5000 miles, and that's it" kinda thing...

Derek

Yeah, I knew a guy who had a 1st gen and it had over 200,000 miles on it before he sold it. I just know that I took extremely good care of that car and was disappointed. I am sure that the turbo set-up had a lot to do with it.

I do know that I will be buying an extended warranty!

Just a side note, I have been coming to this site now for quite a while just to read everyone's posts and today I finally decided to join. I think this site is great and a lot of knowledge can be gained to whomever has the open mind to listen.

wakeech

cool dude, welcome. keep the action hot and heavy, 'cause i like a good conversation :D

and see Derek?? already one of those "invincible engine" stories was posted... heh heh

Red Devil

Derek,

Just to catch you up, a previous thread that you may be able to find concerned reliability and apex seals. It's called "Apex Seals". I kept up with the thread because I had massive problems with my RX-7's also. But that thread is very encouraging as far as stories of reliability goes. You might wanna take a look.