Idiot's guide to a Mazda Rx-7?
Discussion
Ok, so i've been offered a 94' Rx-7 for what seems like a bargain to me. Problem is, I don't know a THING about them! The car's running around 300 bhp and the owner tells me it's had a full engine rebuild in the past. This seems to be the case with most of the cars advertised, but straight away that makes me think something is very wrong. Am I being paranoid? Why is almost every car advertised as having an engine rebuild in the past?
Also, what should I look for when I got to look at it? What are the common faults? How expensive are they to repair? What are the tell-tale signs that it's a good one?
I know that's a lot of questions, but i've just bought myself a new toy and I would be buying this to make some sort of profit on it, and I don't want to buy a ringer!
I know that, like every other car I buy with the intention of making money on it, I will soon get attached to it. And keep it. Just like all the others...
Also, what should I look for when I got to look at it? What are the common faults? How expensive are they to repair? What are the tell-tale signs that it's a good one?
I know that's a lot of questions, but i've just bought myself a new toy and I would be buying this to make some sort of profit on it, and I don't want to buy a ringer!
I know that, like every other car I buy with the intention of making money on it, I will soon get attached to it. And keep it. Just like all the others...
Edited by SMcP114 on Friday 24th October 19:15
What mielage does the car have mate?
An RX7 with an engine rebuild is nothing to be weary of, if the rebuild has been done by a competent specialist & there's proof of this then it's great!
The rotary engine in the RX7 often requires a rebuild around the 60-70K mile mark due to loss of compression caused by wear on the Rotor tips (apex seals), water seal failure (bit like a head gasket) or a broken rotor tip.
Depending on the cause of failure a rebuild at a recognised specialist costs somewhere between £3k-£6k. Given that you know nothing about Rotary engines, unless there is definate proof of a rebuild in the form of a reciept i would give it a miss as you could end up with a pretty big bill.
Do you know what modifications have been made to the car?
As RX7's will not tolerate Mods like De-cat exhaust etc without some form of adjustment to the fueling, usually in the form of a replacement programable ECU. If it's had an exhaust change & is running above standard boost on a factory ECU then again a big bill could be waiting for you.
Don't be too put off though! If it's been properly rebuilt, looked after & modified the right way then it will be a fantastic car!! (mine was)
An RX7 with an engine rebuild is nothing to be weary of, if the rebuild has been done by a competent specialist & there's proof of this then it's great!
The rotary engine in the RX7 often requires a rebuild around the 60-70K mile mark due to loss of compression caused by wear on the Rotor tips (apex seals), water seal failure (bit like a head gasket) or a broken rotor tip.
Depending on the cause of failure a rebuild at a recognised specialist costs somewhere between £3k-£6k. Given that you know nothing about Rotary engines, unless there is definate proof of a rebuild in the form of a reciept i would give it a miss as you could end up with a pretty big bill.
Do you know what modifications have been made to the car?
As RX7's will not tolerate Mods like De-cat exhaust etc without some form of adjustment to the fueling, usually in the form of a replacement programable ECU. If it's had an exhaust change & is running above standard boost on a factory ECU then again a big bill could be waiting for you.
Don't be too put off though! If it's been properly rebuilt, looked after & modified the right way then it will be a fantastic car!! (mine was)
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