RX7 advice needed... put it this way, I drive a Vauxhall Astra...

[WayneMcr]

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

[james01uk]

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.

[WayneMcr]

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?

[Adriansturgess]

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)..

[james01uk]

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?

[robedwards99]

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.

[WayneMcr]

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.

[WayneMcr]

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

[james01uk]

i spend 70 quid in a night on fuel if i go for a burn  :burnout

[james01uk]

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

[robedwards99]

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

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!!

[davehg]

whenmine was my daily driver i would spend £500 a month on fuel!

[Adriansturgess]

^^^^And that was only 5 miles to work each day and a weekly trip to the local supermarket.    :rollin

[Gman]

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.

[WayneMcr]

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