Poll: RX-7
Total Members Polled: 181
Discussion
Well, considering there is a thread running on the RX8, it seems a shame to forget about the legendary RX-7 
I have always loved the aesthetics of the FD RX-7 and the appeal of Japanese turbo powered cars. A good third generation RX-7 doesn't seem all that expensive, with some nice standard and lightly modified examples ranging between £5-7K. However I'm finding it hard to come to terms with parting from my current pride and joy, an Elise S2 111S.
The FD RX-7 makes sense. It's roughly 270bhp (Jap Import), 0-60mph in 5.2secs and it has twin-turbos!
It will also cost me £400 less to insure than the Lotus and once the 111S is sold, I'll have a nice wedge to spend/save!
However I'm worried I will miss the 'occasion' that the Lotus brings each time I turn the key. I love the heritage and history behind the badge, the ethos and the community spirit that the marque has acquired. I'm concerned I'll sell it, buy the RX-7, and realise I've made a mistake that is not easily righted!
Out of interest, to any RX-7 owners and previous owners, what sort of mpg did you achieve in your car? Also, I've heard an engine rebuild needs to be done every 60K miles for approximately £3K ... Is this right? If any of you have owned an Elise, how does it compare?
By the way, to add some substance, I've placed a poll at the top - What would you rather have? 111S or RX7 Type R? It might help me decide
I have always loved the aesthetics of the FD RX-7 and the appeal of Japanese turbo powered cars. A good third generation RX-7 doesn't seem all that expensive, with some nice standard and lightly modified examples ranging between £5-7K. However I'm finding it hard to come to terms with parting from my current pride and joy, an Elise S2 111S.
The FD RX-7 makes sense. It's roughly 270bhp (Jap Import), 0-60mph in 5.2secs and it has twin-turbos!
It will also cost me £400 less to insure than the Lotus and once the 111S is sold, I'll have a nice wedge to spend/save! However I'm worried I will miss the 'occasion' that the Lotus brings each time I turn the key. I love the heritage and history behind the badge, the ethos and the community spirit that the marque has acquired. I'm concerned I'll sell it, buy the RX-7, and realise I've made a mistake that is not easily righted!
Out of interest, to any RX-7 owners and previous owners, what sort of mpg did you achieve in your car? Also, I've heard an engine rebuild needs to be done every 60K miles for approximately £3K ... Is this right? If any of you have owned an Elise, how does it compare?
By the way, to add some substance, I've placed a poll at the top - What would you rather have? 111S or RX7 Type R? It might help me decide
An RX7 is more a car than a toy, so you MAY find it a little less of a 'event' to drive.
Finding a GOOD RX7 is going to be the challenge - If finding a good RX8 is hard, finding a good RX7 is a nightmare as most will have been modified to one extent or another and the engine is more stressed than the 8's. Do lots of research and get anything you think of buying checked by an expert or you could end up spending a lot more than £4K putting things right!
Fuel consumption will be 15-20 probably, maybe less depending on how you drive it and level of modification.
That said, the last RX7 (I guess that's the FD) is a great looking and driving car - Probably not quite as knife sharp as an Elise, but what is?
M.
Finding a GOOD RX7 is going to be the challenge - If finding a good RX8 is hard, finding a good RX7 is a nightmare as most will have been modified to one extent or another and the engine is more stressed than the 8's. Do lots of research and get anything you think of buying checked by an expert or you could end up spending a lot more than £4K putting things right!
Fuel consumption will be 15-20 probably, maybe less depending on how you drive it and level of modification.
That said, the last RX7 (I guess that's the FD) is a great looking and driving car - Probably not quite as knife sharp as an Elise, but what is?
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Wednesday 11th August 14:53
I've never driven an RX-7, but I've looked at them very seriously on more than one occasion so have read up all the reviews, and I've never heard a bad word said about them - they handle well, they're beautiful, practical, and other than the engine needing TLC, reliable too.
Having said that, whilst I haven't driven an RX-7, I have driven an awful lot of different cars, many of which legendary as driver's cars, and the Elise S2 111S (specifically that particular model of Elise), is the best road car I've ever driven without any question at all. I expect it's just a case of whether you want a break from the noise and lack of refinement of the Elise.
edited to add: Try finding an original condition UK RX-7. They really are like hen's teeth. The proportion of RX-7s that have been messed about with is shockingly high; probably greater even than famously modified cars such as the Sierra Cosworth, 205 GTi, Golf mk2 GTi etc.
Having said that, whilst I haven't driven an RX-7, I have driven an awful lot of different cars, many of which legendary as driver's cars, and the Elise S2 111S (specifically that particular model of Elise), is the best road car I've ever driven without any question at all. I expect it's just a case of whether you want a break from the noise and lack of refinement of the Elise.
edited to add: Try finding an original condition UK RX-7
. They really are like hen's teeth. The proportion of RX-7s that have been messed about with is shockingly high; probably greater even than famously modified cars such as the Sierra Cosworth, 205 GTi, Golf mk2 GTi etc.Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 11th August 15:10
I moved the other way from an FD to a VX220 after getting fed up of the fuel costs of my RX7. Mine was slightly tuned (330hp) and I would average about 13-14 mpg. Some people seem to get about 20, but sub 15 is common for a lot of owners. It didnt really matter how you drove it, it didnt change much. Getting over 20mpg was hard. If you arnt doing much mileage this might not bother you.
In terms of use it was way easier to live with than the VX. Much faster in a straight line for overtaking, air con so no misting issues in winter. Decent storage space.
I did blow an engine on track due to fueling issues but apart from doing that it was totally reliable over 3 years. As already said finding a decent one is a bit difficult. Early ones are prone to tatty interiors which might not sound much but something like a broken passenger door handle (common) can be expensive to replace.
In terms of use it was way easier to live with than the VX. Much faster in a straight line for overtaking, air con so no misting issues in winter. Decent storage space.
I did blow an engine on track due to fueling issues but apart from doing that it was totally reliable over 3 years. As already said finding a decent one is a bit difficult. Early ones are prone to tatty interiors which might not sound much but something like a broken passenger door handle (common) can be expensive to replace.
Ikemi said:
Well, considering there is a thread running on the RX8, it seems a shame to forget about the legendary RX-7
I have always loved the aesthetics of the FD RX-7 and the appeal of Japanese turbo powered cars. A good third generation RX-7 doesn't seem all that expensive, with some nice standard and lightly modified examples ranging between £5-7K. However I'm finding it hard to come to terms with parting from my current pride and joy, an Elise S2 111S.
The FD RX-7 makes sense. It's roughly 270bhp (Jap Import), 0-60mph in 5.2secs and it has twin-turbos! It will also cost me £400 less to insure than the Lotus and once the 111S is sold, I'll have a nice wedge to spend/save!
However I'm worried I will miss the 'occasion' that the Lotus brings each time I turn the key. I love the heritage and history behind the badge, the ethos and the community spirit that the marque has acquired. I'm concerned I'll sell it, buy the RX-7, and realise I've made a mistake that is not easily righted!
Out of interest, to any RX-7 owners and previous owners, what sort of mpg did you achieve in your car? Also, I've heard an engine rebuild needs to be done every 60K miles for approximately £3K ... Is this right? If any of you have owned an Elise, how does it compare?
By the way, to add some substance, I've placed a poll at the top - What would you rather have? 111S or RX7 Type R? It might help me decide
To me they seem rather different cars.I have always loved the aesthetics of the FD RX-7 and the appeal of Japanese turbo powered cars. A good third generation RX-7 doesn't seem all that expensive, with some nice standard and lightly modified examples ranging between £5-7K. However I'm finding it hard to come to terms with parting from my current pride and joy, an Elise S2 111S.
The FD RX-7 makes sense. It's roughly 270bhp (Jap Import), 0-60mph in 5.2secs and it has twin-turbos!
It will also cost me £400 less to insure than the Lotus and once the 111S is sold, I'll have a nice wedge to spend/save! However I'm worried I will miss the 'occasion' that the Lotus brings each time I turn the key. I love the heritage and history behind the badge, the ethos and the community spirit that the marque has acquired. I'm concerned I'll sell it, buy the RX-7, and realise I've made a mistake that is not easily righted!
Out of interest, to any RX-7 owners and previous owners, what sort of mpg did you achieve in your car? Also, I've heard an engine rebuild needs to be done every 60K miles for approximately £3K ... Is this right? If any of you have owned an Elise, how does it compare?
By the way, to add some substance, I've placed a poll at the top - What would you rather have? 111S or RX7 Type R? It might help me decide
The RX-7 is good, but it won't handle like an Elise IMO. But you seem to be missing HP and turbo's from what you are saying though. So I guess a 111S isn't really the right car either.
As you've already got an Elise I'll vote RX-7. But I wonder if a VX220T would actually be a better match for what you are appear to be after.
RX-7 should be fun, but I suspect fickle. So it'll be either a love affair or hatred, only time will tell.
MPG - I suspect something similar to a 60's Yank muscle car with a big block V8!
chris7676 said:
I think running costs will be lots higher for the RX-7. If only they had put a decent N/A 6 or 8 cylinder eninge there...
I think it was the light weight of the rotary engine which provided the wonderful balance and handling that the RZ-7 was renowned for; that was its trump card over the competition such as the 3 litre 4 pot 968.RobM77 said:
chris7676 said:
I think running costs will be lots higher for the RX-7. If only they had put a decent N/A 6 or 8 cylinder eninge there...
I think it was the light weight of the rotary engine which provided the wonderful balance and handling that the RZ-7 was renowned for; that was its trump card over the competition such as the 3 litre 4 pot 968.300bhp/ton said:
RobM77 said:
chris7676 said:
I think running costs will be lots higher for the RX-7. If only they had put a decent N/A 6 or 8 cylinder eninge there...
I think it was the light weight of the rotary engine which provided the wonderful balance and handling that the RZ-7 was renowned for; that was its trump card over the competition such as the 3 litre 4 pot 968.kambites said:
300bhp/ton said:
RobM77 said:
chris7676 said:
I think running costs will be lots higher for the RX-7. If only they had put a decent N/A 6 or 8 cylinder eninge there...
I think it was the light weight of the rotary engine which provided the wonderful balance and handling that the RZ-7 was renowned for; that was its trump card over the competition such as the 3 litre 4 pot 968.Here's a good read for one in progress: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Having driven an Elise and owned an RX7 I would still say the RX7, especially a TypeR. Its a superb machine and if used as a weekend toy the running costs won't be that scary.
They do drink fuel and oil like its going out of fashion but for fun use that shouldn't matter. And if looked after they ARE reliable engines, despite what internerds will tell you.
As a sense of occasion, thats down to your own perceptions I would say, but I always found driving the FD to be an occasion! The main problem, as already stated, will be finding a good one as even the enthusiast owned ones are still getting on now, sadly.
They do drink fuel and oil like its going out of fashion but for fun use that shouldn't matter. And if looked after they ARE reliable engines, despite what internerds will tell you.
As a sense of occasion, thats down to your own perceptions I would say, but I always found driving the FD to be an occasion! The main problem, as already stated, will be finding a good one as even the enthusiast owned ones are still getting on now, sadly.
300bhp/ton said:
kambites said:
300bhp/ton said:
RobM77 said:
chris7676 said:
I think running costs will be lots higher for the RX-7. If only they had put a decent N/A 6 or 8 cylinder eninge there...
I think it was the light weight of the rotary engine which provided the wonderful balance and handling that the RZ-7 was renowned for; that was its trump card over the competition such as the 3 litre 4 pot 968.Here's a good read for one in progress: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As you can see by my post, I wasn't sure on that one; nevertheless, I'm pleasantly surprised and curious... Could it be that the rotary is pursued by Mazda like the rear engine is by Porsche and 4WD is by Audi - more out of heritage and honour than an actual best engineering solution for the problem in hand?RobM77 said:
Could it be that the rotary is pursued by Mazda like the rear engine is by Porsche and 4WD is by Audi - more out of heritage and honour than an actual best engineering solution for the problem in hand?
I certainly suspect that that's the case in the RX-8. I'm sure they could have fitted a V6 into that engine bay and it would be produced a better car. 
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff