Mazda RX-7 Spirit-R

[gofasterrosssco]

I take it these cannot be imported now due to the ESVA rules for cars newer than 1997?

Been reading up on these a bit, as I've been thinking of something along the lines of 350Z, S2000 etc. basically a fast coupe. The late model RX-7 (revision what anybody??) seems that it would (from reviews and videos) completely trounce pretty much any of these alternatives when it comes to performance, handling and (for me) looks. Maybe not on running costs certainly. Just can't see any about. I guess its now one of those cars which pops up for sale every now and again and most baulk at the asking price (probably looking at £15k for a decent one??), due mainly to lack of knowledge, and then you wont see another for ages...

Just wondering,
Ross

[trickywoo]

Only 1500 made so its going to be rare. The Aussies seem to like them a lot.

This looks like fun http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/180957.htm

I saw a rotary engined dragster on the telly the other day, sounded amazing, stupidly fast as well.

[Pierscoe1]

I've seen 1 Spirit-R in the UK, at Rotorstock, funnily enough...

there may be more though...

it doesn't really need to be a spirit-R though.. any '99+ car will do the job.. you'll just be missing those oh-so-gorgeous carbon recaros, and a few other bits & bobs.... and there's quite a few more '99 cars around (still not that many though!)

let us all know what you get!

[R1 GTR]

trickywoo said:

The Aussies seem to like them a lot.

Are you thinking of the Bathurst edition?

[trickywoo]

R1 GTR said:

trickywoo said:

The Aussies seem to like them a lot.

Are you thinking of the Bathurst edition?

No I googled the R and most of the posts seemed to be from Aussies. They may have less stringent import controls?

[Risotto]

You won't be able to bring one in until it hits its 10th birthday, unfortunately. There's no existing model report and I don't believe one can be created for it because the car doesn't conform to the necessary standards.

There are some late model RX-7s around which were imported before the ESVA came into force.

[IainT]

Much as teh Spirit R is an absolutely stunning machine you'd be able to get something that looks as good by spending that kind of money on a slightly older car and having all the relevant tidying-up done to it.

You could even turn a 99 car into an exact look-alike for relatively little money as the changes are relatively minor...

[gofasterrosssco]

Cheers for the replys folks. Yeah, I think its more just a 99+ car I'm after than the Spirit-R specifically, as I know very little about them and the varying specs. Sure I've seen the odd 99+ car up for sale now and again ranging between £10-12K... So thats more in my league than a rare as hen's model.

Can I 'assume' that any RX-7 will need a rebuild at round about 60k miles..? Or is this just a bit of a myth, and depends entirely on how fastidiously the car has been maintained and driven? Would'nt want to spend £12k on a 45,000 miler for example, and end up paying another £3k a couple years down the line (assuming I had it that long) to have a rebuild. May as well look at something similar (really like the 350Z, but there not exactly rare) for that sort of cash...

Cheers,
Ross

[Risotto]

Perhaps your best bet is to only consider those that have already had the rebuild work. You still get the car you want but hopefully without any unexpected bills.

[warthog]

There are some stunning RX7's already in the uk. Depends on what you want from it. I am running 575bhp with more to come on pump fuel. Lots of fun on the road, track and strip.

[IainT]

warthog said:

There are some stunning RX7's already in the uk. Depends on what you want from it. I am running 575bhp with more to come on pump fuel. Lots of fun on the road, track and strip.

Hi John!

Gazboy said:

RX7 is still a scratch I've got to itch.

(I can't believe I'm asking this) how big are the rear seats? Are they a joke/ornamental or can they actually be used?

Definately a joke. Ask my 6' brother! Usable for very small people and the legless.

[warthog]

Hi John!
Gooday mate.