Hi guys looking to buy a sports car, and i\'m falling for the 7!!
I use to own an RX-8 just over a year ago (see below), but sold that to buy my first house.
Since owning the 8 i admire the rotary engine for its smoothness and uniqueness! but i do see the labour of love side of things being a member of the RX8ownersclub.co.uk.
Just a couple of fact finding questions about the 7 before i commit myself:
1. is it true that the engines need to be rebuilt every 40k- 60k? (with the RX-8 they reckon it doesnt need a rebuild.... but quite a few people have had problems)
2. What is the average price for a rebuild? and what does a rebuild consist of?
3.What are the main points to look out for when buying one?
I was thinking of of buying a very cheap 7 and spending the rest of my budget on a rebuild. hoping that would be the better option rather than buying a middle of the row car.
sorry for the questions
thanks in advance for any help!!!
Cheers
Chris
P.S how do you attach an image? (i;m not on photobucket)
(http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8410&start=150)
Hi
1. Depends on how the engine is looked after, and how well it\'s mapped. Some last 100k, some only 20k!
2. Average rebuild 2000-6000 depending on how much you replace...dont forget most are old cars so even basic wiring is on its way out.
3. Main points- check both turbos are working, often service intervals,umm probably a few more....I\'m still learning!
I\'ve got one for sale! :D
how much?... my budget isn\'t big hence buying one that would need a rebuild.
Cheers
Chris
In my personal experience buying a well cared for one with a warrantied rebuild by a reputable builder with all the reliability mods already done is worth the extra money.
a tired car that needs a rebuild will likely need more than just a 5k rebuild.
these days you can pick up freshly re built ie, less than 5k miles on the engine, for 5-6 k. Much more with it imo. Though if you rebuild yourself, you have the advantage of knowing exactly what has been done in your engine bay
Quote from: laughing;637562how much?... my budget isn\'t big hence buying one that would need a rebuild.
Cheers
Chris
Not much, it\'s had a rebuild, but unfortuantely the reciept didnt quote mileage at the time :Hammer
I\'d like £2800 for it, it\'s pretty much standard, except from filters, 17" wheels, and tein lowered suspension. Are you far from kent?
The one in the picture...only it\'s got the standard rear spoiler now..not the wing
Quote from: neil_jdmr;637643In my personal experience buying a well cared for one with a warrantied rebuild by a reputable builder with all the reliability mods already done is worth the extra money.
a tired car that needs a rebuild will likely need more than just a 5k rebuild.
I do see the logic in paying that bit extra for a car that has been well cared for, but my buget wont go as far as £5k not even £4k. So was thinking of going for a cheaper car then spending some money on a rebuild.
Is a DIY rebuild hard to do?
CharlieP- I am tempted, but before i could even consider i would want to look around a bit longer and do more research.
Have you had a compression test done?
Cheers
Chris
P.s how do you upload attachments for pictures?
should buy mine chap lol
comp test done yesterday, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 on the back 7.4, 7.4, 7.5 on the front :)
Cheers guys, its all in the air at the mo. was thinking about an Mr2 which in terms of insuring, mpg and buying, would be the same as the rx7. but i think reliability and cost of repair would be better than the 7. for £4k i could get a decent Mr2 but a below average Rx7 that may need work.
I don\'t have a lot of money, so my head says mr2... but my heart is doing flips for the 7 :InLove. i think i\'ll only be doing about 6-8k miles a year, so reliabilty may not be an issue.
I have no idea what to do. :2Mad
Cheers
Chris
hmmm - as has been pointed out, buying an el cheapo car will probably need more than jus the engine rebuilding.
When I got my first \'7, i took the same approach. Ended up needing 9k of work (inc. 6k rebuild) because of bad wiring, bad suspension, bad brakes, worn interior, etc.
If you can stand it, wait for the mo, keep saving, then get one that has the trickier bits fixed (esp suspension bushes / pillowballs) - so much better value for money, not to mention less hassle etc :)
Quote from: laughing;638122Cheers guys, its all in the air at the mo. was thinking about an Mr2 which in terms of insuring, mpg and buying, would be the same as the rx7. but i think reliability and cost of repair would be better than the 7. for £4k i could get a decent Mr2 but a below average Rx7 that may need work.
I don\'t have a lot of money, so my head says mr2... but my heart is doing flips for the 7 :InLove. i think i\'ll only be doing about 6-8k miles a year, so reliabilty may not be an issue.
I have no idea what to do. :2Mad
Cheers
Chris
If you don\'t mind me asking, what age are you? Depending on that, NCB and model the insurance could be VASTLY different. ie: standard 2.0 non-turbo MR2 vs. full-fat twin-turbo Rex....
Also, MPG is another thing altogether with Rexes, as a daily driver i average between 12-14 which i imagine is rather less than an MR2.
Not trying to put you off matey, you\'ll love it! but, it\'s an expensive business owning and running one of these ladies - mch like a regular lady in fact! ;)
Hey, just a note, i have just upgraded from mr2 up to a seven, i unfortunatly had an engine go within a week of getting one, i have experience with them both now and even with the issue with my seven the diffrence is still night and day, i loved my 2 but once i drove the seven my mind made up. Does cost a lot more to run than an NA mr2.
Good luck with whichever you choose though.
Am another who came from MR2\'s to a RX, wouldnt change back now at all :D
MR2 just felt cheap in comparison imo, still lovely cars though
Quote from: GhostWKD;638198Am another who came from MR2\'s to a RX, wouldnt change back now at all :D
MR2 just felt cheap in comparison imo, still lovely cars though
Thats the image i get of the MR2... not quite up to standard with the Rex. I had an Rx-8 before and that spent alot of my hard earned pennies. so i can imagine that the 7 is the same if not worse.
Quote from: trotter;638192If you don\'t mind me asking, what age are you? Depending on that, NCB and model the insurance could be VASTLY different. ie: standard 2.0 non-turbo MR2 vs. full-fat twin-turbo Rex....
Also, MPG is another thing altogether with Rexes, as a daily driver i average between 12-14 which i imagine is rather less than an MR2.
Not trying to put you off matey, you\'ll love it! but, it\'s an expensive business owning and running one of these ladies - mch like a regular lady in fact! ;)
I\'m 25 with 4 years NCB. i\'ve had a quote on a comparisson website for both cars (RX-7 twin turbo and MR2 turbo) both worked out about the same.
I\'d image that you may get up to 25mpg with the MR2, but tax would be cheaper for the rex. i live 5 miles away from work, and want to use the car for track days to nurburgring etc. so it\'ll be a second fun car more than anything.
i\'m thinking MR2 because i haven\'t got a vast amount of cash that could be needed for the 7... but i cant get away form it!!!! :Grrr
cheers for your thoughts guys, keep them coming!!
cheers
Chris
I\'ve had three rexs (two at the moment) and I cant get enough of them....wicked car....MR2...what are you thinking!? hehe
Quote from: laughing;638260Thats the image i get of the MR2... not quite up to standard with the Rex. I had an Rx-8 before and that spent alot of my hard earned pennies. so i can imagine that the 7 is the same if not worse.
I\'m 25 with 4 years NCB. i\'ve had a quote on a comparisson website for both cars (RX-7 twin turbo and MR2 turbo) both worked out about the same.
I\'d image that you may get up to 25mpg with the MR2, but tax would be cheaper for the rex. i live 5 miles away from work, and want to use the car for track days to nurburgring etc. so it\'ll be a second fun car more than anything.
i\'m thinking MR2 because i haven\'t got a vast amount of cash that could be needed for the 7... but i cant get away form it!!!! :Grrr
cheers for your thoughts guys, keep them coming!!
cheers
Chris
nice one, wasn\'t trying to be cheeky, but we get quite a few on here (nice enough as they are) who are 19 or so and think its just group 20 so its the same as other performance cars!!
As per the tax idea - it only works if your car was registered as a 1308cc. The government closed the loophole a few years back, so all new imports are 2616cc so you get the higher tax bracket.
Look at it this way. When was the last time you saw an MR2? When was the last time you saw a rex? \'Nuff said!!!
;)
Please buy the MR2, if you are even thinking those thoughts you do not deserve an FD.
I loved my mr2, but it is a diffrent league in the seven, you would be lucky to get 25 mpg from the mr2 turbo, completly diffrent charecteristics too, the mr2 tubby is verry unforgiving, and running cost of a turbo mr2 arnt necesarily gonna be majorly diffrent, sorry i thought u were talking an NA mr2.
Nothin with a Mr2 I drive a Twin Entry turbo as a daily and its great :Tongue1
Had a major service but apart from that it has been no expense what so ever
/http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll105/gurteen0/04062009322.jpg (http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll105/gurteen0/04062009322.jpg)
and its quick and puts a lot of bigger cars to shame :Thumbsup!
and the Supra is mine aswell :mmmm
Quote from: CharlieP;638278I\'ve had three rexs (two at the moment) and I cant get enough of them....wicked car....MR2...what are you thinking!? hehe
gurteen0 i see your an imoc\'r! ive got an mr2 rev1 with a rev3 engine , i to have put alot of bigger car to shame, but like others have said she is a bit unforgiving, and the mrs loves it so im currently looking for a 7,
im kinda in the same position as your man (laughing) who started the thread , in that i have only about 3k , but have seen a 93 fd that TBH is a bit of a shed, but not unsaveable the bodywork is a bit shaby and he sez the engine is running a bit rich , due to a pipe that has been blocked buy the previous owner,
now im very mechanicly minded and used to be a painter by trade but have been in the army for 6 years now (bodywork not an isue) , but never having toutched a rotory doesnt daunt me. and ill have 4 weeks off soon after coming back from afgan , surely a rebuild is not and imposible task for a novice??