Looking to buy a gen 3 rx7

[will_1223]

Hi all im hoping to get a rx7 gen 3 in the very near future, im looking for some help in buying the best i can afford, im hoping to have about 4k by this time next year to buy one as a second car which i will use for a bit of fun and the occasional commute to and from work, i dont want massive power, the 280hp from a fd3s is more than enough for the time being, the thing that worries me is all i seen about premixing fuel, running 2 stroke oil, the rebuild requirements when it needs to be done, now im a mechanic but have 0 knowledge about these cars and like to know as much as i can before i purchace a car hence giving myself time to save the money and learn about the car more, from what i can see they are a great car and seeing as i dont need something very practicle as i have a family car, this is for me mainly, may even let my wife drive it (once), the car must be a manual though.
 
Any help much appriated.

[turbo boy]

Look in the classified section of this forum, theres always a few nice examples. I use castrol gtx in my fd, there is always gonna be a debate on the best oils etc but thats what i use.
If you do buy a stock one get a metal ast to replace the plastic one.
Oh and insure it on a classic policy.

[will_1223]

Yeh oil grade is important and i will only buy the best but do i need to premix it with the fuel? Also what is the ast?

[turbo boy]

I wouldn`t bother. The ast is a small water tank made from plastic which becomes brittle with age, replace it with a metal one. Bobfish is sellin his fd for £3.5, check it out.

[will_1223]

yeh thing is mate, i dont think he will take a monthly payment off me for the car lol, i have to wait till next year at least unless i suddenly come into some money which i may well do lol. Just looking for all the info i can get.

[will_1223]

Come on then peeps give me your info lol, i will shortly be paying for full membership as i intend on hanging around on this site.

[neil_jdmr]

If you get a standard car with a new-ish rebuild then you shouldnt need to do anything out of the ordinary. Regular servicing is key and parts are cheap imo
 
Oil/filter - every 3k - halfords mineral £15 for 5 litres
sparks - every 5k - NGK Bur9eqp £30
coolant - once a year - halfords £10
 
Anything else is just as and when like pads,tyres etc
 
When you get to wanting to make it faster (and you will) then get a Apexi PowerFC as it will be the main big spend you really need and aswell as releasing plenty power they are very handy for vital info like water temps etc.

[will_1223]

how much would the apexi fc fitted cost, i am a mechanic but as most dont know alot about the rotary engine, its almost alien to some people due to no pistons/rods etc etc, i just mainly want someone who knows what they are looking at and perhaps have a compression tester so i have piece of mind unless i buy from a dealer/member on here. Just hope 5k will get me a good one

[neil_jdmr]

5k should get you a standard model with a fresh rebuild if you take your time and look for the right one, I can recommend Jimmy\'s-rx7 in Norwich for standard fd\'s as he doesnt really do modified examples, talk to Andrew there he is happy to chat.
 
If you get one with a fresh rebuild then you can run it in and have a good chance of getting years of reliable motoring. Im 20k into a Jimmy\'s rebuild and its been a dream to own and run.
 
You really need a specialist for any mapping I use WGT in cheshire to map my pfc and he comes highly recommended.
 
Used power fc with commander is about £500 then another £300 for fitting and mapping.
 
I, and i know im not alone would NEVER take my car to a non rotary specialist garage and that includes mazda main dealers.

[will_1223]

I have had a look at jimmys in norwich, well his website anyway, and they all look good motors, i also looked at hayward rotary who do a 2 year warrenty on there new built motors, but i think for jimmys u get a bit more as they replace the clutch, water pump etc etc, tbh to start off with im only wanting an exhaust and maybe a pair of air filters, until im sure of the car and a bit more knowledgeable, it is a car im going to be using to and from work and some fun but work is only 2-3 miles away so not soo drastic and quite affordable, i do want a good example hence wanting someone with a bit more knowlegde in the rotary department to attend with me unless its from a specialist, tbh i dont do more than about 5k a year in a second car so if i keep it tip top (which i will im about the only mechanic i know who actually looks after his own car) i should last me a good 6-7 years and by then i could get it refreshed, being a mechanic helps but as said rotary is different for most, would love to be given the chance to go and work for a specialist for a while to learn the art of rotary.

[neil_jdmr]

If you only work 2-3 miles away then i wouldnt use the rx7 as they need to be properly warmed up and that wont happen in 2-3 miles. I drive 12miles each way to work and tbh its only just warmed through enough for a quick visit to redline before a last mile to cool before switching it off at work.
 
I also try and give it a good 100 mile run out once a month or when possible otherwise i get battery issues as it never seems to get a good charge from the alternator when only doing a few miles a day.

[will_1223]

Lol well i may have to rethink that, only problem i have is the car i use for work atm my missus will be using so i wont have access to it and i cant afford 3 cars, will just have to take a longer trip on the way home to get it warmed up a bit more, this sounds like its gonna be a fun car, not many that you have to redline every trip lol.

[neil_jdmr]

Many moons ago when embarking on rotary ownership i was told " A redline a day keeps the carbon deposits at bay" so i have stuck to this and usually give it one hoof round the dial when i drive it.

[will_1223]

Lol its wicked that i have to do that, i literally cannot wait till july 2012 when i have the moneys for it, its gonna be a great day. Just want someone with me who knows there rx7\'s and maybe has a compression tester, thats if i dont get one from a specialist.

[TiddlesRX7]

The thing is Will, july 2012 is a fair way away at the moment. By then you could be an expert on the rotary (theory wise). Just do plenty of reading up on them like you already are doing. When I bought mine I litterarly decided I wanted one spent about 2 weeks reading up on them as I was looking for one then bought the 2nd one I looked at. They aren\'t as scary as people make out. Also contray to popular belief the rotary can/is reliable if it is looked after.

Oh another thing to do is get along to some meets when you can. Talk to other owners (get them to take you out if they will). Oh and pencil Rotorstock into your calendar.