Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Queries / Hints and Tips on purchasing a rotary => Topic started by: seb on August 20, 2003, 02:10:40 PM

Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: seb on August 20, 2003, 02:10:40 PM
I\'ve recently set out on a career, which is nice, should finally be earning a decent wage in the not too distant future.

So, what\'s a decent 3rd-gen gonna set me back?  I\'m not bothered about modifications (happy with standard) but would only be interested in buying something with perfect bodywork.  Obviously i\'d want the most powerful model, whatever that is.... 280bhp from an R or an RZ - is that right?

Or am I better off buying a lower model for some reason?

Cheers!

- seb

PS past cars:

* loadsa crap
* 205 1.9 GTi
* Nissan 200sx
* more crap
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: Fish on August 20, 2003, 02:21:39 PM
Seb, welcome firstly.

You would be looking at about £15k+ for a good condition 280BHP model.

As these are the later models, before that they was 265BHP and 255BHP before that. UK models had 235BHP, but I think you would have trouble finding one of those in mint condition.

Dan
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: seb on August 20, 2003, 02:23:48 PM
So it\'s generally considered that imports are the way to go?

How do the different age 3rd-gens differ, other than power?

What does FD stand for :confused:
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: seb on August 20, 2003, 02:24:50 PM
Also in my 200sx I was paying £1200/year fully comp and would get about 22mpg.

How will the rx7 compare in these respects :)  Worse on both counts I\'m sure ;)  I\'ve seen horror threads of 11/13mpg!
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: Fish on August 20, 2003, 02:36:39 PM
You will get different levels of suspension, interior and wheels. With imports you can also get all kinds of modifications already fitted.

Read the stick thread at the top of the page, this gives a breakdown of each known model.

FD = FD3S model

22mpg, you\'ll be luck to get that at cruise on the motorway, they like to drink petrol like an aussie drinks beer. :D

Dan
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: seb on August 20, 2003, 02:41:36 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Fish


22mpg, you\'ll be luck to get that at cruise on the motorway, they like to drink petrol like an aussie drinks beer. :D

Dan [/B]

Yeah, I\'ve always thought rx7s were about 18, which I considered livable with, but I don\'t think i could live with 11!

The engines are very reliable right, apart from needing new tips every 100,000miles or so?
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: johnf on August 20, 2003, 03:03:42 PM
From my experience, driving 98. 3rd gen, I don\'t see 18mpg ever - no matter how I drive. If you plan to use it as an every day car be prepared for more like 13 - I\'m sure someone will correct these figures if they do better.

John
Title: Newb alert / what\'s the cost?
Post by: seb on August 20, 2003, 04:31:17 PM
Cor blimey...

The problem I found when I had the 200sx was that driving became so much more of a joy that I was doing twice the miles that I\'d ever done before, at half the mileage!!  Sounds like maybe I can\'t afford to run an rx7 for a few more years yet :\'(