Brewster

In about a year and a half I am going to be in the market for a Mazda Rx7 3rd Gen. As I dont know much about them, I thought I would this time to research them a little. I have found a forum which deals solely in these cars, but as the cars are about as rare as rocking horse ****, the forum is fairly quiet, so I decided to try my luck in here. Anything you may be able to point in my direction will be appreciated. Anything like Reliability, costs and servicing of the Rotary engine. Any particular flaws to look out for and should I buy Import or UK, bearing in mind that I would be buying either 1993 or 1994, so both are available to me.

Thanks,
Lewis

uxg

These are just the few tihngs I have read or heard about them The car is great to drive. Good RWD ars@ out handling and decent power in standard spec i.e. the obligatory 276bhp for jap cars. They are also very tuneable with some very big power RX-7's about and I also thing the 3rd gen RX-7's look fantastic.

The downsides are that they are very very thirsty for fuel, it is hard to find specialised servicing for the rotary engine and apparenlty the engines need to be rebuilt at quite considerable cost at around 60K-80K miles which doens't sound good

IntegraR

Hey brewster, dont know a whole lot about them, but like you, in about a years time, im going to be going for one, they are a beautiful car!!

My research so far pretty much goes like this:
The tips wear out at around 60k miles on a well maintained car, and the replacements for these are usually upgraded models. it seems to be common for the engine to be reconditioned at this point (can be at a lot more miles, but the 60-80k mark seems to be common).
You're looking at around £3500 - £4000 for the work, thou a lot of the models you'll be looking at will have had this done already, you'll see a few advertised about that say "done 10000 miles after rebuild by rotechnics" or something.

Main thing is to make sure the rebuild is legit, and was done by someone like rotechnics, who are very good specialists in this area.

Paint fade is quite heavy on the very bottom front splitter bit, and the spoiler, but this shouldnt be too hard to put right at any spray shop.

If you cant ascertain the condition of the engine, a compression test is a must. This again will need to be done by a specialist (i think), but is well worth the money apparently, as it will let you know the condition of the more expensive internals.

There are loads of different specs around. As usual, the jap ones come better spec'd, and Banzai or Jap performance, cant remember which, did a full listing in their buyers guide, so have a look for a back issue for that (about 1 or 2 months ago).

I just love the look and rarity of them, and they hold their own against the hundreds of 4wd rally reps.

The downsides, are heavy insurance costs (I mean very heavy!!), and poor fuel economy, but damn quick, and handle superb, and go against this whole saloon rally car trend that everyone and their dog is into.
Have a few of those best motoring vids, with the rx7 v Evo's and scoobs, and it defo outdoes a lot of them stock,so can go some.

Brewster

Cheers for your help boys. I already knew about the engine rebuild at the 60-70,000 mark, but as Integra said, the car I am looking to buy will have hopefully had that done already! I also know about its thirst for go-go juice, but that doesnt bother me, aslong as I've got one. As for insurance, I received a shock when I got an online quote, for £1000 fully comp. Considering I'm only 22, I think thats pretty damn good! For anyone who wants to know, that was through Tesco online. My main worry is about the frequency and costs of servicing compared to other equally powered, conventioally engined cars. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Lewis

dnb

There's one on an M plate in my local Mazda garage. Looks to be low milage and in good order. You've got me tempted to have a look now...

Stop it!! dnb, you don't need another car!!

AllanB

Check your email !



AllanB

Brewster

Thankyou very much for the magazine article, very informative and very helpfull. Only one question and I dont know whether its a stupid one or not. Because it displaces only 1.3litres, does it qualify for the lower tax bracket!?

Ralf

It does. In Germany at least. Ought to be the same in GB. EU and so.

AllanB

Not sure about that. Bear with me for a couple of days and I'll try and dig our more articles and get them over to you.


AllanB

Contigo

There's one on an M plate in my local Mazda garage. Looks to be low milage and in good order. You've got me tempted to have a look now...

How much and is it a UK spec?

Ian2wdsaffcos

I have one peice of advice for you......if you're over 6ft tall forget it. I am 6'3", I tried sitting in one & with the seat all the way back my leg was jammed between the handbrake & steering wheel. Absolutely no way I could have drove it safely!!!

Very nice looking cars though & pretty quick even in standard form (0-100 in 13s & 155mph).

Ian2wdsaffcos

Yes Brewster, you will have serious problems. I have NEVER EVER sat in a car quite so cramped. Not only am I tall but also around 17 stone so that probably makes it worse but my advice to you is see if you can find one fairly locally to just have a sit in one rather than travelling a really long way to view a car that is a potential buy, only to find out that you can't fit in!!

Cheers,
Ian

Scumbag

I had a mark 2 for 12 months, and it definitely doesnt class for lower tax (but if that makes a difference, you shouldnt be buying, because the fuel consumption is HORRENDOUS). The V5 gives an equivalent displacement, which IIRC is approx 3litres.

There are a number of good specialists (including Rototechnics), which you MUST use - dont go to a dealer for servicing - the mechanics only work on one every 6 months (if you're lucky).

Brewster

Have Rototechnics got a website, cos if they have, I couldnt find it. Not really bothered about the lower tax bracket. Are they about the same on petrol as a Scooby!?

Scumbag

Depends how you drive it......
My Mark2 only had 200 + bits, not the 270+ of the later version - I think I was in the low teens round town, and mid to high twenties on a run - it was a lot thirstier than the TVR 350 (Rover V8) I had before it

Brewster

I think I've got blinkers on now. Cos I'm not bothered how much its gonna cost me, I just have to have it! lol Aslong as I can afford it, I'll have it!

IntegraR

Worries me too, not sure i could afford to run it if fuel consumption is that bad, it'd be an everyday car, and I suppose fuel bills plus expensive servicing may put it out of my reach for a bit longer, if I look at it realistically.

I hate realism...

Danny Fisher

Brewster, have a look at the following links. They are all companies that look after the UK RX7 market.

http://www.hurley-engineering.ltd.uk

http://www.reworx.co.uk

http://www.mazdarx7.co.uk/index2.htm (Rotechniks)

http://www.rxmotors.co.uk

http://www.wgtautodevelopments.co.uk

http://www.jimmys-rx7.co.uk - for parts

Dan

dnb

Contigo, YHM

Brewster

BTT

Brewster

Me again, just found a very useful site for anyone interested in Japanese cars, particularly Rx7's in my case!

http://www.rx7.co.uk/

Danny Fisher

There is a group setup on Yahoo for this sort of thing. We are all RX7 3rd Gen owners that will reply to your questions.

http://Groups.Yahoo.com/Group/FDUKBuyers

or check out the following site.

www.MazdaRotaryClub.com

Dan

Edited to correct web address

[Edited by Danny Fisher - 10/12/2002 7:59:27 PM]

Brewster

I've been to the local Mazda garage today, who say they have no problems in servicing UK or Import spec Rx7's, so thats one worry sorted. I asked about the lower tax bracket and found out the answer is no. Because the 1.3 thing, is only one of the rotars, apparently, it adds up to a 3. something litre in real terms. I am already a member of the Mazda rotary club forum, but like the car, members are rare, so it takes for ever for my questions to be answered. I have found more information on Scoobynet in one hour, than I did in the rotary forum in 4 days.

Thanks for your comments everyone, its nice to see I have started some interest in this car. But please, dont everyone buy it, I like it cos of its exclusivity! lol

And by the way, I'm 6'4" with very long legs, ****!!! - Is it really that cramped in the cabin!?

[Edited by Brewster - 10/12/2002 3:33:24 PM]