A rotor free diet for me

"whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU" (whiskey-business)
07/05/2015 at 23:20 • Filed to: None

Sad news y’all. I went to go see a man about a horse tonight. Only this horse was a 1981 RX7 GSL, possibly one of my favorite cars in existence. Had original paperwork with it, owned by a rotor-head like myself, and carefully maintained for the years he’s had it. It seemed perfect, and for the price, I could hardly resist.

So I got in my car, drove an hour and a half to meet him, and was greeted with what seemed too good to be true. A 35 year old car that started, ran well, had hardly any rust, and still had the original window sticker, manuals, and receipts with it. The test drive was equally rewarding- it had a tight little shifter, a strong clutch, revved happily and scooted along as quickly as I was comfortable. The owner at this time wanted to show off just how happy to rev it was, so he took the driver seat and preceded to push it a little harder.

That’s when things started to all go to hell.

Quickly, what started as an enjoyable evening drive in somewhat of a hero car for me turned into an impromptu test and tune session. The car started to splutter a bit, so we pulled off for him to tinker with the carb a bit. It ran great for a little longer, and started to splutter once more. Then stumble. Then stall repeatedly. A half hour and 6 carb adjustments later, we made it back, I bid adieu, and took off home disappointed.

Despite being an alright car at a good price, I am finding that this one might be a bit too adventurous of a buy for someone with as little time as me. He seems like a great guy, and I wish him best of luck with the sale to someone with more time to tinker, but I don’t think this one was for me. A shame really, but the honest truth.

DISCUSSION (16)

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/05/2015 at 23:30

You should’ve gotten it anyway.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
07/05/2015 at 23:34

I wish, I just don’t really have time for a lemon at the moment. . . The petrolhead in me is screaming but my bank account is quietly thankful.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/05/2015 at 23:36

It’s okay, I’m trying not to buy a cheap RX-8...

Matthew Phillips > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/05/2015 at 23:43

Same boat dude, my friend has a 83 GSL he offered it to me for $800. I'm still upset that I keep saying no lol.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
07/05/2015 at 23:43

Do eet, its 30 years newer and probably around the same price!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Matthew Phillips
07/05/2015 at 23:44

They’re awesome cars, but so much can go wrong after all this time if they’re not babied.

Flavien Vidal > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/06/2015 at 00:07

I like them too... Mine will be ready in a couple of weeks...

I’m getting the unicorn though, the japan-only turbo version, prepped by RE-Amemiya, with a roll cage and the engine that goes to 9000rpm.

It only has 45000 miles too. It will need a repaint though as the color is absolutly terrible right now haha. But with the Watanabes + a good color, it’s going to be FANTASTIC looking! My local touge better be worried :)

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Flavien Vidal
07/06/2015 at 00:24

Oh my. . . My knees are weak. . .

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/06/2015 at 00:34

You need to be a serious enthusiast to own and maintain an RX-7. It’s not for the casual driver. The biggest lover of them I know owns two because he’ll fix one while the other is broken. He sinks more money than the cars are worth into them regularly and loves them to death.

His turbo RX-7 is the only car I’ve ever been in that actually made me fear for my life. My god that thing is scary fast.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
07/06/2015 at 00:46

Trust me, I know all about the dedication it takes to keep them happy. I dailyed one for a decent length of time.

Sneaky Pete > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/06/2015 at 00:48

Might want to skip the rotaries then...

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Sneaky Pete
07/06/2015 at 00:50

They’re not all like that. The fuel injected ones have always treated me well. Its the combination of fickle motor + equally fickly fuel delivery you’ve gotta worry about.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/06/2015 at 01:16

That’s a shame. Sorry it didn’t work out. What’s your budget? I come across RX7s on CL all the time.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/06/2015 at 01:37

With that level of familiarity, what were you afraid of? I would be reluctant to buy one because I don't know much about wankels, but if I knew a lot, I'd exploit the fact I knew to get deals from people that don't.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
07/06/2015 at 09:38

The carburator mostly. They are strange and unknown beasts to me. However, there were other areas of worry that would lead me to avoid this car. Steering rack slop, original suspension, defective oil metering system.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
07/06/2015 at 09:39

Trying to stay under 3k, since there is an immaculate 84 about 3 miles from me and a turboed 90 track rat a few more miles away, both for that price. Those are my fallbacks, I was hoping to get away spending a hair less.