Looking for some Mazda knowledge

[EvasiveEF9]

I'm considering getting a 3rd gen Rx7 (93-97), and I"m looking to talk to someone that knows a bit about 'em.

1. ALOT of advertisements I see quote out "XXmiles on second engine". If you see one or two, that's cool, but when you see alot, it throws up a red flag. Any idea why these engines are so frequently replaced?

2. I hear many people say they are not dependable or strong engine when you add (fill in the blank). But how well off are they if you plan to just stay stock? I'm looking to get one to just enjoy it...not build the living hell out of it.

3. As a former owner, how does it feel to drive? Is it a comfortable ride? I haven't gotten the chance to drive one, yet...and I may drive one and hate it and scrap the idea, but give me some personal first-person-driver insight on what these cars are all about.

I think those are the only two questions I've got...I'm sure some replies will get my noodle flowing with more questions.

Thanks!

[2.0civic]

I'm considering getting a 3rd gen Rx7 (93-97), and I"m looking to talk to someone that knows a bit about 'em.

1. ALOT of advertisements I see quote out "XXmiles on second engine". If you see one or two, that's cool, but when you see alot, it throws up a red flag. Any idea why these engines are so frequently replaced?

2. I hear many people say they are not dependable or strong engine when you add (fill in the blank). But how well off are they if you plan to just stay stock? I'm looking to get one to just enjoy it...not build the living hell out of it.

3. As a former owner, how does it feel to drive? Is it a comfortable ride? I haven't gotten the chance to drive one, yet...and I may drive one and hate it and scrap the idea, but give me some personal first-person-driver insight on what these cars are all about.

I think those are the only two questions I've got...I'm sure some replies will get my noodle flowing with more questions.

Thanks!

Thats three, LIRL, but yeah, ive often wondered the same cause ive seen them with like alot or ive seen a few with over 200k but not many

[EvasiveEF9]

Thats three, LIRL, but yeah, ive often wondered the same cause ive seen them with like alot or ive seen a few with over 200k but not many

LoL, I went back and edited it...added a third question and forgot to change the rest.

Yeah, I mean I see some that are over 200K miles...but...the car is...the engine is not. Maybe that'll come with my understanding of the rotary engine? I dont know...I just wanna learn because I LOVE the body style, but if looks are all this car has to offer, I should probably look elsewhere.

[David88vert]

I'm considering getting a 3rd gen Rx7 (93-97), and I"m looking to talk to someone that knows a bit about 'em.

I have a FD myself, have worked on quite a few, and have been driving rotarys owned all three gens since the late 90s. I am very familiar with almost everything on them.

1. ALOT of advertisements I see quote out "XXmiles on second engine". If you see one or two, that's cool, but when you see alot, it throws up a red flag. Any idea why these engines are so frequently replaced?

Many drivers don't understand rotarys, so they don't take care of them properly. You need to drive the car hard to keep enough oil being injected into the system. You need to change your oil regularly. You need to pay attention to vacuum lines. You need to pay attention to the temperature of the engine. Etc. Not very hard, but critical.

2. I hear many people say they are not dependable or strong engine when you add (fill in the blank). But how well off are they if you plan to just stay stock? I'm looking to get one to just enjoy it...not build the living hell out of it.

My car has over 160K on it and is my daily driver. In all of these years, I have had only 1 engine die on me, and that was my fault - at the track.
They can be very dependable - if you know what you are doing.
Stock is usually fairly safe. Put on a downpipe and a metal AST, and change to silicone hoses. You might need to change your TCA, but that's about it. If you really want to be safe, upgrade the radiator, and since it is an old car, check your belts, hoses, gaskets, etc.

3. As a former owner, how does it feel to drive? Is it a comfortable ride? I haven't gotten the chance to drive one, yet...and I may drive one and hate it and scrap the idea, but give me some personal first-person-driver insight on what these cars are all about.

Comfortable? Depends on your size. Fun? Definately. Not may cars can come close to the way the car drives, and none in it's price range. Once you experience it, you will have to own one. I will probably always own one (or more).

[EvasiveEF9]

Very helpful...

How much work is done to yours, and how much maintenance is it with the work done to it, and maintenance at stock level? I know you mentioned the failsafes of hoses and radiator. I've heard the main issues with these motors (rotary) is that people tend to let them overheat and that since the rotary is more based on seals than a piston/crank engine, ANY kind of overheating is the number 1 killer for a rotary engine. Also, I heard you have to keep an eye on those vaccuum lines.

As for the replaced motors, I talked with one of hte owners I saw selling one on it's second engine. He claims that several went out around 80K miles and was a factory recall, so it may actually be a good thing to get one on a second motor.

Driving them hard frequently? I never would have thought about that. I guess I'll have to drive it a little different then I had planned. As stated, I'm in college and can't afford to replace tires and brakes (etc) all the time like I do with my civic...so I was planning for it to be my baby, but I guess if it needs a little pushing now and then, I can definitly do that.

How hard is it to learn the rotary engine? I haven't toyed with one yet, and I know it's far different from the piston/crank motors.

Oh yeah, and track time...what'd you do to it at the track? I don't plan for it to see a track...not until I can afford to start putting money out, again...

Thanks so much for your help and knowledge. I jsut really need to get to know these before I make my purchase. I can't wait to sit behind the wheel of one to see what it's all about. i've been told by many that's in an all-new style, and one-of-a-kind feel.

[EvasiveEF9]

Very helpful...

How much work is done to yours, and how much maintenance is it with the work done to it, and maintenance at stock level? I know you mentioned the failsafes of hoses and radiator. I've heard the main issues with these motors (rotary) is that people tend to let them overheat and that since the rotary is more based on seals than a piston/crank engine, ANY kind of overheating is the number 1 killer for a rotary engine. Also, I heard you have to keep an eye on those vaccuum lines.

As for the replaced motors, I talked with one of hte owners I saw selling one on it's second engine. He claims that several went out around 80K miles and was a factory recall, so it may actually be a good thing to get one on a second motor.

Driving them hard frequently? I never would have thought about that. I guess I'll have to drive it a little different then I had planned. As stated, I'm in college and can't afford to replace tires and brakes (etc) all the time like I do with my civic...so I was planning for it to be my baby, but I guess if it needs a little pushing now and then, I can definitly do that.

How hard is it to learn the rotary engine? I haven't toyed with one yet, and I know it's far different from the piston/crank motors.

Oh yeah, and track time...what'd you do to it at the track? I don't plan for it to see a track...not until I can afford to start putting money out, again...

Thanks so much for your help and knowledge. I jsut really need to get to know these before I make my purchase. I can't wait to sit behind the wheel of one to see what it's all about. i've been told by many that's in an all-new style, and one-of-a-kind feel.

Oh, yeah...and I"m 5'9, 165lbs. Nothing beyond average.