RX7 Advice Wanted

[Jimbo]

Hope nobody objects to me posting this but I'm the owner of a 1990 Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo and I've been cosidering a change. The RX7 grabs my eye but before I change I would like some info which I hope can be provided via this forum. I'm looking to import a model from Japan.

1 Which RX7 model should I go for.

2 What is the performance like.

3 What is the average petrol consumption that I can expect to get.

4 What is the spares situation. Are main dealers happy to deal with imported cars.

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[richrx]

hi i dont object to you posting as you seem to have found your way from the dark side.;)

1 What model? that depends on what level of spec/performance you want and how much £££ you have. personaly i'd go for a limited edition i.e type - rz(very rare) or a Spirit -R model.

2. performance? Pre 98 models have 260 bhp aprox and after 98 they have 280 bhp aprox. Older rx's will run the 1/4 mile in aboout 14.5 secs newer models around 13.8(depending on the driver) 0-60 5.1 secs 0-100 14 secs top speed 160 mph. They handel superbly. if you have a good internet connection check this out its 90+mb though

www.mymazdarotary.com

3. mpg? poor! 12mpg with alot of redlining, 20mpg normal/town driving and 25 mpg motorway!

4.spares? i think most dealers can deal with spares although you dont want to go to them, go to an rx-7 specialist there are a few in england WGT, Rototechnics(check out the links section). Dealers can be BAD news


the best import company i have found so far are

www.neweraimports.com if your serious talk to them.

[johnf]

Well I'm the very proud owner of a late 98. 3rd Gen and it's the best thing I've ever owned or driven. I agree with the above response however I wish I could get the fuel consumption suggested. Driven round like a normal car I get 13 and on a motorway run 18. God knows what will happen to these figures when I let go.

The car has got a sticker from Hurley Engineering saying racing side seals etc and they say it's been ported. So added to the Blitz exhaust they recon my mpg is ok.

You will guess I'm not at all techy - just love the car to bits. The performance to me was secondary, not that I want to loose any of it you understand :D

[bnaellis]

Hi Jimbo,
(1) as to which model to go for depends on your funds and also what you want. If you want ultimate standard setup for speed and handling then the rz is the model yet they are not cheap they hold their price very well in Japan.
(2)performance is blistering especially above 100mph
In comparsion to your gto it is considerably faster, probably much to do with the weight difference the fd's are a lot lighter than a gto.
(3) Fuel consumption roughly the same as your gto they like to drink.
(4) Spares are failrly easy to come buy and are not too expensive.

If you have a look at osme of the threads on this forums some of the queries you may have will of been explained in quite a bit of detail e.g. the different specs, things to check when buying an fd, maintenance ec etc.

rgds

Brian

[bnaellis]

Hi Jimbo another piece of advise aside from whats already been mentioned is to make sure you buy one witha good clutch as they are quite expensive to replace. The best way to check for clutch slip is to depress the clutch engage 3 rd gear rev to approx 3500-4000 rpm release the clutch if the engine keeps running for a few second before stalling the clutch is on it's way out if it doesn't stall the clutch is slpiing very badly and would need immediate replacing, and if it stalls straight away then there is no slip at all and all is well. Tell the person who owns the car first what your going to do especially if buying private or they might think your trying to wrag there car or something.

rgds

Brian Ellis