Looking for some Mazda knowledge

[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).