Hi,
Good looking forum it seems.
Bascially, I drive a 2002 1.8 Astra at the moment. I love it to bits and it\'s my second one. I was totally happy with the car until my mum said to me yesterday... "my friend\'s selling her RX7".
Basically, my mum\'s friend\'s son is on £1.2m a year and lives in Tokyo. He bought an RX7 brand new and brought it to the UK 2 years or so ago. Since then, it\'s been in his parents\' garage and is started up once a week and serviced when recommended even though it never gets driven.
The car has done something like 43000kms and is absolutely mint.
I\'ve always wanted a car like this but I can\'t afford to keep it as a weekend only car so it would have to become a full time car for everyday use. Am I barking mad thinking that I\'d be able to run it like this?
I\'ve basically never owned a turbo car, nevermind a twin turbo, never owned a japanese car, never owned a rear wheel drive car and never owned a car with a rotary engine. I have owned about 10 cars in my 4 years of driving and everyone i\'ve ever met comments that I know what I\'m doing behond the wheel but this car just sounds like it could scare even me.
Any advice would be appreciated :)
its a lot of car to begin with
I would recommend you start with something less powerful RWD or at least get some pro training and do a few track days to get used to it.
they can be extremely difficult in the wet and you normally see 10 or so written off on this forum in the winter.
the mpg is 25 at very best and average 15 so be prepared to fill your tank up often.
they are awesome cars but not cheap to run. also get the engine compression tested before you buy.
what can I expect mileage-wise to say £40 at the moment?
How can I get the engine compression tested... would it be a specialist?
Blimey, where to start? When buying an RX7 you need to be very sure that the engine has been looked after OR has had a recent rebuild. In this case the evidence seems in favour that it has been looked after. But maybe need to check into this a little more. What sort of driving has this car had when it was being driven? These cars can be expensive to run. If, as I expect, you don\'t intend to modify it but keep it in standard form and you take the usual precautions of warming it up for a couple of minutes before driving it and leaving it on tickover for a few minutes to cool the turbo\'s down at the end of a run then the main expense issues would be insurance, petrol, regular servicing costs. Insurance is a minefield and you need to shop around - there is good advice on the forum though to point you towards the right insurance companys. Fuel expect 15-16 mpg with normal driving. Fantastic car - I use mine as a daily driver and get on well with it. Oh another warning, these cars need careful driving in damp/slippery conditions. The second turbo comes in quite abruptly at 4500rpm and can send you all over the place if you are not ready for it. You soon get used to how to drive in these conditions though.
I would say you would be unwise to try to run such a car without a bit of money in hand for maintenance issues and should the engine ever let go you are looking at £3000ish for a rebuild. generally steer clear of main Mazda dealers and go to the rotary specialists for anything but routine work (If you have one nearby then that\'s a bonus)..
i get around 275 miles to 70 quid so work from that mate.
mine is modded but that is on low boost 0.7 bar and driving light footed.
yeah where abouts are you from?
For £40 your probably looking at 150ish miles, maybe 200 if your gentle with the loud pedel!
You are best off going to a specialist for comp testing, try clicking on the vendors banners at the top of the forum.. not sure who is up that way.
Rob.
ouch! No sure I could afford that... as well as the oil etc :(
I found a really good quote on insurance as well today... hmmm might have to think about it more.
I\'m from Manchester James... never really see RX7\'s round here.
Rob... hmmm... I get 300 + in the Astra... would be a big difference wouldn\'t it.
But then I think... I\'m 23 and have the opportunity to own this... hmmm ;)
i spend 70 quid in a night on fuel if i go for a burn :burnout
hope you have a well paid job LOL
if you do get one please be careful as soo many of these beuties are being scrapped
Quote from: WayneMcrRob... hmmm... I get 300 + in the Astra... would be a big difference wouldn\'t it.
But then I think... I\'m 23 and have the opportunity to own this... hmmm ;)
Think about it carefully before you jump in with both boots mate. If you are using it for a lot of mileage it\'s gonna cost you a fortune in fuel and the guarenteed rebuild will come around that much quicker too.
Not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to get accross that these cars are costly!.... and enormous fun!!
whenmine was my daily driver i would spend £500 a month on fuel!
^^^^And that was only 5 miles to work each day and a weekly trip to the local supermarket. :rollin
These cars are a labour of love, if you have to think about being able to afford it then walk away - they rape your wallet daily.
Well worth it though, there are a few up your way, you should see if you can blag a ride, then your mind will be made up.
I think you\'ve all made my mind up for me lol... £500 in fuel per month would kill me.
One day I\'ll get one of these as a weekend car hopefully but it\'s not an everyday car I don\'t think :(
Any idea how much they want for the car?....If you decide against it I\'m sure there\'s people here on the forum that would be interested.
I was actually thinking of buying it to sell on but I wouldn\'t know what it\'s worth?
I think I have the mileage right but I don\'t know the year etc as they\'re away and the car\'s in a garage so I can\'t find out for another couple of days. I have a feeling it\'s about an N reg.
i get an average of about 80 miles to £30 with mixed driving. can be a costly experience but soooo much fun :)
my astra 2.2 petrol gives me over 300 miles for a £43 fill with mixed driving
Well done lads, I think you just put Wayne off and possibly 100\'s others thats reading this!
There goes the value chaps..
Wayne..
These cars are amazing, forget the fuel costs... You cannot play with fire and not get burnt.
Any sports car, wether it be Porsche or Toyota, all will not be easy on the pockets..
From the sound/description of the car and condition of it being well kept etc, I would say it sounds like a diamond.
My advise is for you to go for a test drive in it and see for yourself if you like it and can live it.
Good luck
Dom, if he can\'t afford the fuel there aint no point in having a car to look at.
To be honest all these things have given me even more respect for the car... I want it BADLY but I\'m also moving into a new house on my own around July and the mortgage + RX7 = Skint Wayne lol.
I daren\'t test drive it because I know how much I\'ll love it. I will consider buying it to sell on though as any profit will buy my some furniture. If you\'re reading this thread and you\'re interested in the car then feel free to get in touch.
I\'ll have all the details on the car Monday hopefully and will try and get pictures... it\'s red and has small wheels... look like Enkeis I think so that sort of Jap, sporty\\lightweight type.
I\'m looking for an fd at the moment so I would be interested in knowing more about the car, email me on no_im_sparticus@hotmail.com many thanks
i kinda like the fact that my car is quite rare and as such dont mind paying some of the premium costs of owning such a beauty..... if only the paintwork wasnt so bright :D
Ive had mine for about 2 1/2 years now and i\'m not rich, but can live with the fuel costs as we have a Fiat Punto as a daily driver thus for journies to work and going to the gym travels the Punto does the trick at 55mpg. On days like today when the weather is nice and sunny out comes the rx and people love to see them about, just this mornign had a wave from a TVR tuscan, Impreza, Skyline and about 4 high powered motorbikes !!! :Thumbs-up
I think it comes down to how badly you want it, people on here have given you a honest response to your question and not just said "go buy it stuff the costs" as we live in a realistic world where not everyone can afford to run these great cars, have a good think about it and worst case is to buy it, try it if its indeed too expensive for you then sell it on for possibly more than you initially paid, everyones a winner :D
Gurj
Wayne ,
if you are free on monday night there is the north west meet on in warrington - bob talk and have a talk to the guys
stu
GSB... don\'t even put that idea into my head lol. I used to love my 1.1 Punto as well!
Stu... is it at the cruise meet opposite B&Q? I go there with my mates sometimes in the Astra.
i dont think so matey - its in a pub car park - if you were driving south - its the exit JUST before thelwall viaduct ( sp ) and it in the pub on the exit of the slip road
Stu
Ok I get ya... so you split off the M62 to the M6 towards Birmingham and it\'s the first exit?
J21, the other cruise is more to do with the drag racing in warrington (i think, or is that something else too ?)
As said the petrol cost will kill you if its used as a daily driver. TBH i\'ve owned the 7 for about 18 months (ish) and i run to work in a 106 diesel. I think its been the best thing i ever did. I had a FTO for 12 months as a daily driver and it cost me 40 quid a week to run and that left me nothing to play with. The FTO had much better mpg too !
The rx7 is classed more as a weekend car and my insurance was less for both cars than the fto. The deisel cost me about 9 quid a week to run and then i do alot less miles in the rx7. Makes it very fresh and fast every time i drive it.
Come along monday night and im sure if the weathers dry i\'ll take you out for a ride !
Shaun
Wayne, my advice - BUY IT!! You wont regret it :) They are absolutely fantastic cars - best one ive had so far - and ive had a late model Elise, S2000, FTO etc etc. The best thing to do would be to sell the Astra but buy yourself a diesel runabout - say a 94 Pug 306. they will do 50+mpg and cost you £1000 to buy. Then use the rX as a second car. You will then be able to insure it as a classic 2nd car - then watch the isurance premium drop. Also, by driving a normal car day to day it really makes you appreciate the Rex.
So overall you save money on insurance for the rex (2nd car/classic), save on fuel you used to spend in the Astra which mean the 306 would pay for its self. And you get the added bonus of having an old beater to do runs to the tip in :)
So do it mate - my only regret in RX ownership is wasting my time with the other cars ive owned and not buying one of these years ago!
(but make sure you get it compression tested and any other checks you can do to see if it will need a rebuild - that hurts the wallet believe me!)
I used mine for daily driving summer and winter, 40miles a day for a week was costing me 55quid or thereabouts depending on my mood :) I don\'t think that\'s anymore expensive than most sports cars tbh.
As for being tail happy I had far more scary moments in a mk3 supra, it was all over the shop, even in car parks. Like all rwd cars just needs a little bit of respect in less than ideal conditions. They stick like glue to the roads in good weather, although that\'s not to say ive not lost the back end many times but usually because im being a dick.
The bottom line is, do you want a rwd sports car and all the issues that come with them, fuel, insurance, back end potentially stepping out under lots of revs, if so then pretty much everyone on this board would (obviously) recommend an rx7 and rightly so.
You\'ve got a little horned devil sitting on one shoulder saying \'Do it, do it, do it\'....:yes.......... and a very small accountant sitting on the other shoulder saying \'I really don\'t advise you to do that\'... :Nono! ......... The result of which is.... :2Confused
Listen to the devil!! Its always more fun :)
I know how you can decide.... Drive it :burnout I bet that makes up your mind :driving :wiggle :driving :wiggle
i mean 43,000km and you can get it cheaper than anyone else. If it is stock, you will love it mate i swear to god. Very very smooth and quiet engine that roars when over 5000rpm, but also picks up very quickly from very little revs aroud 1500rpm. I would definitly definitly definitly test drive it and see how you go from there. Take it round some twisty roads, then on some straights and you will seriously consider buying it there and then. In my opinion you would be mad to not even drive it first. With such low mileage, it is bound to be like new all over. Mark has given some good advice, at least try before deciding.
Hmmm this 306 diesel thing sounds interesting and what\'s this about insuring it as a second car... how does all that work?
The RX7 is one of my all time fave cars... got to be a classic already.
As a matter of curiosity, what is the 0-60 time, top speed when unlimited and standard BHP?
5.2 -4.9 dependant on model 255fwhp /265fwhpas said before
As the RX is over 10yrs it can be classed as a classic. If you own another car you can insure it on a limited mileage policy as a second car - normally at quite a big discount. I\'m doing this with Aon. It costs me £400 a year. (i\'m 32) NCD doesnt come into it, and you dont earn it. The only problem you may have is age. I\'m not sure if these policies have a min age.
Quote from: WayneMcrOk I get ya... so you split off the M62 to the M6 towards Birmingham and it\'s the first exit?
summat like that LOL :D
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25477
Right I\'ve really looked into this now and come up with the perfect idea... I just don\'t know if I can get the main car this cheap.
I\'d be after an estate care but rather than go for a diesel, I\'d prefer a 1.4 petrol. I deliver tropical fish all over the UK quite often for a bit of extra cash and have always wanted an estate car for this anyhow.
So, I\'d need a 1.4 estate car for as little as possible that isn\'t an absolute shed and would still last a couple of years or so at least... any recommendations?
Oh and Shaun... I will be very interested in that offer of yours... I\'d say i\'ll return the favour and take you out in my Astra but then you\'ll be thinking "I wanna sell the RX7 now and get an Astra" so don\'t worry, I won\'t do that to ya lol ;)
what about a vauxhall astra estate 1.4? cant go wrong with a vauxhall imo cus the\'re good work horses and cheap parts.
Quote from: WayneMcrOh and Shaun... I will be very interested in that offer of yours... I\'d say i\'ll return the favour and take you out in my Astra but then you\'ll be thinking "I wanna sell the RX7 now and get an Astra" so don\'t worry, I won\'t do that to ya lol ;)
i have been out in shauns car .. and its VERY nice - if he takes you for a spin be prepared for buying an FD within 2 weeks
Stu
Quote from: WayneMcrOh and Shaun... I will be very interested in that offer of yours... I\'d say i\'ll return the favour and take you out in my Astra but then you\'ll be thinking "I wanna sell the RX7 now and get an Astra" so don\'t worry, I won\'t do that to ya lol ;)
Don\'t worry bud, I\'d probably think "god i wish this was my daily driver" :p the 106 tops out at 75 :p
I\'d seriously look at a diesel estate for your primary car, diesels rock on mpg and motorway cruising and they are so cheap.
Mines about 100bhp over stock, but is probably the least modded of the regulars plus lets me put my foot down :p
Shaun
Quote from: grinderi have been out in shauns car .. and its VERY nice - if he takes you for a spin be prepared for buying an FD within 2 weeks
Stu
Oh yes i turned a avid 2nd gen fan into a 3rd gen wannabe in 10 miles of twisties :p
Shaun
I\'ve found an Escort 1.8 TD 1998 for just under £1k on 93,000 miles with a recent cambelt change so that\'s sounding promising... £690 insurance as well so it could work out.
Shaun... I think i\'ll be able to come over on Monday and have a look if you don\'t mind. Would be good to meet people of this forum as well... see you all about 8ish hopefully ;)
just ****ing buy it. Even if you regret it, it\'ll feel better than the regret you\'ll feel of not buying it when you had the chance.
Buy it and then bury your right foot into the lovely RX7 mat. The smile will last a week.
Have you considered monthly payments for insurance? cost a small percentage more in the long run, if you\'re low on NCB you can also couple that with a fast track NCB thing as well which is 10months rather than 12 for an additional years NCB. Mine\'s less than 800quid for 10months insurance with breakdown cover with 3yrs NCB (few more months and i\'ll have my NCB protection \\o/ ), 80 or so quid a month is a lot more manageable than 800quid upfront. I\'m with Admiral. I dare say there\'s plenty cheaper but they had good support, and constantly chased me up on the outcome of my neighbour driving out of her drive, into mine. I\'ll re-evaluate it once my 4 years are in.
As above too, vauxvall vectra estates are quite groovy, I had a 2.6, quick in a straight line, good strong work horse even when full, and so much room you\'ll run out of things to put in it, downside was going round corners :)
As my daily now i have a (dont laugh) pearlescent white nissan micra, but I can fill it up and forget about it unlike every other car i\'ve had where i\'ve had to plot my route via petrol stations :)
I was just looking at you profile and you may have serious problems finding a classic policy at 23. I know alot of them have min of 25 and some are now moving to 30 :eek
I\'d say buy it all the way, they are amazing cars. However the insurance will be very difficult to sort out. I\'d say try on monday to insure the rx7 on maybe an admiral dual car policy ????? and see how much both will cost you to insure.
I hope it all happens, but i know it took me 2 months to find a good quote when i was 25 !!!!
Plus i can turn the boost down on mine to show you how quick a stock car is too, then bang it back up to show what a little bit of modding can acheive !
Shaun
As long as its dry :p
Shaun
Quote from: shaunwilI was just looking at you profile and you may have serious problems finding a classic policy at 23. I know alot of them have min of 25 and some are now moving to 30 :eek
I\'d say buy it all the way, they are amazing cars. However the insurance will be very difficult to sort out. I\'d say try on monday to insure the rx7 on maybe an admiral dual car policy ????? and see how much both will cost you to insure.
I hope it all happens, but i know it took me 2 months to find a good quote when i was 25 !!!!
Plus i can turn the boost down on mine to show you how quick a stock car is too, then bang it back up to show what a little bit of modding can acheive !
As long as its dry
Shaun
Lol yeah don\'t worry I don\'t think I\'d let Schuey take me out in one of these cars in the wet :D
Looks like I\'ve got a few people to ring tomorrow... the quote I got the other day was with Sky insurance as a friend with an FTO is with them. My previous quote as a daily driver was £2650! but Sky dropped that to £2050. It won\'t be my daily driver now though so things will hopefully be diferent.
A-plan have also been recommended to me so I\'m going to try giving them a call tomorrow as well as Admiral as recommended by you.
I reckon I\'ll be doing about 10000mls in the estate and 5000mls in the RX7 so I\'m hoping that\'s not too bad and will help keep things low.
Blimey, I paid 1k originally for the FTO with Adrian Flux then swapped to the rx7 and 106 and paid 660 total :)
Although the rx7 insurance has gone up a bit with my mods !
Shaun
I\'ve seen recently they have done some good rotary quotes but they are advertising dual car issurance on the telly too. Maybe they could give you a competative quote, only a shot in the dark really !
Shaun
I\'ve just run a quote through for the Escort and using it for 10000 miles is £100 cheaper than using it for 15000 miles... I think things will be a lot different on the RX7 now that I\'m only going to be using it occasionally... I\'m saying 5000 miles but I guess it could be even less than that.
I think it\'s do-able but won\'t know for sure until tomorrow hopefully... will get the reg of the RX7 etc and all the specs.
i\'d say go for i wayne. I went from a 1.6 saxo to my rex and never looked back. I took plenty of time to get used to the car (i still am getting used to it to be honest!) and i just love it. if you take care of it and respect the power it\'s an amazing experience that everyone should have at least once in their life!
Like many people have said it does abuse your wallet but all sports cars do! You\'ll soon fall in love if you do get one, took me about 20 sec into the test drive! Just dont go blindly into it, i did lost of research but in hindsight i was still fairly unprepaired. If your handy with a spanner and have a bit of common sense you\'ll be able to handle all but the big jobs yourself. but a bit of a warning, you\'ll find your spare time become a distant memory as your under the bonnet \'just having a fiddle\' more and more (at least i am, but i love it!)
Cost wise, i was not too sure but i went for it, it\'s been a strain from time to time but it\'s SO worth it. Every single time i drive her (everyday), she puts a big stupid grin on my face. When the power kicks in and you are thrown back into your seat i cannot imagine going back to a \'normal car\' ever again.
I still smile when i see my lil baby parked on the drive and i\'ve had her for 16 months now as my daily drive.
As nike superbly put it
Just Do It! :3gears-rh