Ruadhd2

But, yes it is pretty.

I thought somebody did and its called a Miata

I'm going to test drive the car again. I liked everything about it but the seating positon vis a vis the windshield visibility. I'm used to climbing into difficult places with the 7 as you point out.

I just priced out the Miata V8. How about starting at 35K?

It still looks like a Miata

Just test drove an Elise. Difficult decision. Really poor visibility for a relatively tall person out of the front and rear windshields. For a semi-civilized car you can't adjust the passenger seat at all. The driver's seat only adjusts fore and aft. You sort of sit in the center of the car. Not all that comfy, although the one seat position is excellent in the 2006 forward. The poor visibility would be a problem even with the top off, if you don't like the top of the windshield blocking your view. Back to the drawing board. Don't want a Porsche. Had 3 modern Mini Coopers. Not a vette person. Had a Miata. Great car, but a little boring next to a 7. So the best performance bargain around is an S2000. Got to try one of those again.

Just a note. I've now been to three rotary specialist shops and can tell you that they have 12A and 12B engines lying all over their shops even though Mazda may not sell them anymore. Also, these engines are very inexpensive to get on eBay, like very often under 1k or even $500.00. The transmissions are all over and cheap too. You can always switch out a rotary for another or just go with different power if you have the skills. Also, with all their downsides the rotaries leave you a lot of room to work in the engine compartment.

Sold

I deeply appreciate all the great counsel and collegiality and support provided by members on this forum, especially Mazda, Rob Mitchell, and Croc. Steve

Sold

I never had problems with my Rotary. Something went wrong when, while it was in the shop so it was rebuilt. Long story. Anyway, I hear a lot of stories, but the only facts I know is some reported oil use due to wear of the seals. But I don't think it is exorbitant. True my car is loud. Don't know if it is louder than other 7's. So far the new build is looking clean. Oil is very clean, but I only have 300 miles on it. My problem isn't that the car has a lot of issues, it is that I have no mechanical ability and these cars are for tinkerers, preferably with engineering training. I wish I could just keep it as a sculpture.

The owner is a professional metal fabricator (I think retired) and I believe he hand built the car to sell it, if I remember correctly. What's wrong with rotaries in principal? Especially the early, simpler ones. Porsches use oil don't they?

This is a beautiful, perfectionist car that iI believe is real.

No affiliation. Looks like it was built by a very talented perfectionist. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150530009906&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

My wife has a special hand gesture just for the guy who suggested her sojourn outside for the winter.

Two cycle oil is mixed with the gas if the gas metering system has been removed from the engine, as is often the case. Mine's back on.

Just kidding about Frankn7's car having a 747 jet engine. Its only an LS1 Corvette engine. Ho Hum.

Where do I get convoluted PTFE Goodridge 910 fuel hoses or similar for automotive applications?

My garage is attached to the house. A general foyer and my wife's business office are affected by the strong smell of gas from my 7 in the garage. I don't think there are any leaks in the car and the gas cap seems tight, Spousal unit is a super clean, super anti-toxin person and is complaining that the 7 will have to sleep outside for the winter, Don't think fumes are strong enough to ignite a fire, but it is pretty rank in there. Ideas? My car was manufactured by Rotus in 1990, but it has had so many mods and rehabs that only the body, frame,instruments, suspension and brakes are original. I heard it is common for older cars to stink up garages. Anybody else with a smelly 7? Any atmospheric solutions to the garage? I guess I could put some cows and chickens in there to change up the mix.

No affiliation: Looks like a really nice car: http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/2096631576.html

The deal is that I have been deprived of my car for months, as it has been in the hands of various mechanics who took their time getting things done. So I had no 7 to drive until winter hit. Now that I have a car that runs reliably, I am defying the elements and common sense and enjoying it during the break-in period. Got a Baclava or whatever non-confection it is that one wears around one's head to look like a terrorist and am bundled up nicely, but now need to do something to keep the feet warm - then I'm good to go. Also, being a cheapskate who will die from terminal parsimony, I am looking for the least expensive way to keep the tootsies warm. So, determined to drive the creature from which I have been deprived so long, I just need to keep my toes from falling off and then off we go.

I have a second top brace that tightens up the top more.

Many Rotary engine racers remove the oil monitoring system and add 2 cycle oil ( about 3 ounces per 5 gallons) to the gas tank and run the car that way. Some rotary engines have had problems with oil starvation which damages engines. I understand that some of the simplest and earliest rotary engines were the best such as the 12A and 13b. Many of the Lotus 7 variants using a rotary use the 13B. Originally my car had the oil monitoring removed, but now it seems more reliable with the oil monitoring system back on it.

Now Frankn is being a smarty because he has an engine from a Boeing 747 in his car. I have a 13B rotary. Super fast motor for the money. Many mods available.Easily winds to 8,000 rpm. Will use some oil. I don't know how much, since my new engine is breaking in. You should check if there is a choke in winter. Most run without them but it helps. I'm having one installed. Make sure it has the oil metering system on it and you don't have to mix oil with the gas. Plugs get fouled without the oil metering system. You can look at mine if you are ever near DC.

Great info. Thanks