FD RX7 reliability?
#46
Lexus Champion
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Yes, the RX-7 is indeed a performance car. But we have pointed out, correctly, that much of that performance comes at the cost of lightweight construction and parts. Rough roads, in particular, can do a job on the light suspension parts. The RX-8 generally doesn't have that problem.....its suspension/chassis parts are more durable, although there is a small loss of body rigidity with the lack of B-Pillars for the small rear doors.
Once again, the problem lies with the owner, not the vehicle. You can't blame the design of sports car for the unwise choices of its owner, and the lashed he/she puts it through.
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They would never think to investigate that it "uses" oil as a part of the mixture during combustion. More so than a piston engine, but understanding the "extra use" should never be seen as a negative. It's designed that way.
Thank you for your response MM, I hope you see these last few posts as purely conversational. As I enjoy reading your reviews!
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#47
Lexus Fanatic
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That has nothing to do with reliability! You choose where you drive the car, rough roads, smooth roads, it's your choice, not a fault of the car!
Once again, the problem lies with the owner, not the vehicle. You can't blame the design of sports car for the unwise choices of its owner, and the lashed he/she puts it through.
In the early 90's, I was still driving Mazda sedans myself (I hadn't switched yet to Toyota/Lexus and later Subaru). I saw, in the Mazda service bays, some of those RX-7's with bent underbody parts getting repaired.
Thank you for your response MM, I hope you see these last few posts as purely conversational. As I enjoy reading your reviews!
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I probably won't be posting any more reviews till after the Washington, D.C. Auto Show next week....that will be my main priority. I'll spend 2-3 days there as usual (especially with my free show passes
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Last edited by mmarshall; 01-30-09 at 03:52 PM.
#49
Pole Position
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Correct! This is an often misunderstood slam that comes up again and again, mostly from rotary illiterates. Without oil injection, the combustion chamber and the seals would self-destruct after a few revs. Capillary grooves are machined into the walls of the trochoid chamber which in turn trap the injected oil providing lubrication to the walls and the seals. As long as the owner changes the oil (conventional btw, not synthetic) regularly, the life of the engine can easily surpass or match piston engines - and therein is the principal cause of most seal failures, I suspect. So yes, the engine does burn residual oil during as part of this cycle - but not as much as some would believe. I was only adding one quart at most halfway between changes.
Last edited by Johnny; 01-31-09 at 11:19 PM.
#50
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amazing cars but totally unreliable. new engine every 60k or just about. the FD is a dream: super light, powerful, 50/50 weight distribution. i would have one if they were more reliable. i had a buddy that was a mazda tech... even he would blow his FD engines (he had one in every color) every once in awhile.
#51
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there used to be a Mazda dealer we would take our Millenia Supercharged to in Escondido ca. They had at least 20 bays. Guess how many had RX7's on them during our visit in the mid'90's. Pretty much all of them! It was quite a sight. At the time I was drooling over the cars, but the mechanic told me, unless you want to visit me all the time do not buy that car (and he worked for Mazda!).
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