So after a previous thread asking for advice, I've finally decided on the next car. Only thing stopping me actually buying the exact one I want is the cost of insurance: £2066 for limited mileage on a pretty heavily modified RX7. I've got quotes of £550 for an unmodified one so I could go that route and upgrade bit by bit, but I really, [i]really[/i] want the 400bhp monster I've spotted.
There must be some Jap supercar enthusiasts on here. Who are you insured with?
Never mind. Admiral have just come back to me with £840
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How much have you got in the piggy bank for when it blows?
Seriously, don't expect anywhere near normal levels of running cost - at 400bhp on a (presumably twin turbo) RX7, assume no more than 25-30k before a rebuild. Check when the one you're looking to buy was last done, make sure it was done by someone competent, then start saving for the next one.
That's without the oil tanker you'll need to have following you for the constant refuelling.....15mpg would be a [i]good[/i] average. A mate of mine managed to just average over 20 in his RX8, and that was a big improvement on the predecessor.
When you add in the additional insurance costs, you have to [i]really[/i] want this car.
Chris Knott or Hyperformance
Or Adrian Flux. I have had a few modified cars, including a 205 Gti that was a class B road saloon, Flux were miles cheaper than anywhere else.
The posters above are referring you to brokers.
Not that many insurers are that interested in modified cars. Sabre Insurance will be a most likely candidate for the actual underwriters. They didn't used to do direct sales, might be worth a google to see if thats still the case.
Based on my own experience with them, I'd suggest that there's a reason why Adrian Flux are cheap. I shan't be using their services again.
Flux or Brentacre.
I use Frank Pickles for my kit car, not sure if he covers modified or not but friendly and helpful so def recommended.
And exactly how many rotary engined cars have you owned, nickf? Or are you spouting the usual shite from all who know a bloke who knows a bloke who knows a bloke who once saw one with a smoky exhaust? How long do you think a 1300cc 4-pot engine would last putting out 400bhp? Considerably less than a rotary, I'd imagine.
I'm well aware of the limitations of the car and its engine, which is one reason I'm going for one with a single turbo conversion: less engine bay heat. Happily for me, I consider the advantages to outweigh the limitations by a considerable amount. Apart from the sodding fuel consumption.
flux for me in terms of cost, although I've never had to claim
Great car, iconic
Sounds like you know what your getting into, sure you will love it.
Will you work on it yourself ? Part of the fun for me.
Bazzer
I'm sure you'll find [url= http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/index.htm ]this [/url]useful.
APF
A friend of mine had a RX7... bit of shed if you ask me.
Speak to Greenlight and get a quote I've been happy with there service for past couple of years.
Rx7 blowup is not a myth. The guy I sit next to at work had one about 5 years ago. Engine was rebuilt twice before he got shot of it. I think it was the tips of the elliptical dooda thingy that shatter and destroy the oval combustion chamber.
He replaced it with a Skyline GTR which was much better.
OOoohhh ... nice 400bhp ... fast rotary engine I like.
Haven't heard rotary engine blow up my boy racer mate so far and he is a proper boy racer.
ventana_craig - MemberHe replaced it with a Skyline GTR which was much better.
OOOOoohhhhhh ... even better! I like Jap cars but unfortunately my Toyota Corolla auto's battery is flat ... arrghhh ...
🙂
APF: No ta. I'm afraid if I were follow the rules set down in the Highway Code, I'd never be able to get my kicks doing 0-100 sprints outside the local primary school at kicking out time. And sitting in the local Maccy D's revving the nuts off it would be a no-no too, so it's not going to happen.
Alternatively, I could just fancy something a bit different to an '08 Golf TDi, a car equally capable of breaking every single rule of the road. Is that ok with you?
FWIW, yes I'll be working on it myself. The rotary is pretty simple, and the bits are cheap, so I don't mind having a bash at it when it goes pop the first time. After that, I reckon [blasphemy]I'll stick an LS-series V8 in it[/blasphemy].
FWIW, yes I'll be working on it myself. The rotary is pretty simple, and the bits are cheap, so I don't mind having a bash at it when it goes pop the first time. After that, I reckon [blasphemy]I'll stick an LS-series V8 in it[/blasphemy].
Sounds good fun 🙂 Probably better fuel economy too 😉
Pace Ward seem to be the default choice over on the Evo forum. Maybe worth a try....
I use Chris Knott, they are far and away the cheapest for my very remapped Octavia.
You've probably done it already, but if you haven't - get it compression tested
Otherwise, they're mint and FAR better looking than the RX-8. Lovely car
I've had a few jap cars. Highly modified pulsar GTI-R, Imprezza and a Bathurst Edition RX7, with plenty of re amiya parts. Then my sensible car a Civic type r. Allways found dealing with a broker was the easiest option. I usually ring back and forth with the different quotes. Allways found them willing to compete on price, and usually end up getting a good deal. RX7 was in the region of £700, GTI-R was £600, CIvic is £370. worth taking the time to ring around. Pick up a copy of Banzai mag or Japanese performance, plenty of jap specialists advertise in them, and Join an owners club, Plenty of companys offer discounts through them.
My m8 uses a trader policy to cover his multitude of cars (Currently a Mazda RX7 with a Corvette 6.2 LS3 engine, M5, Exige along with his everyday 535 & wifes Audi A4). He does buy and sell the occasional car, definitely less so now (anyone want an older M5?), but covers all his cars with the policy.
That and he badly damaged his old Ferrari several times (just him, no 3rd party) and they paid out both times. Not sure how easy it is to get a 'trader' policy but it's definitely paid off for him.
Traders policy - not easy at all.
And if they find out you're not a trader, don't expect the insurance to payout.
Competition Car Insurance are winning at the mo. All mods covered + 5 track days a year included in the price. Pace Ward are going to come back to me.
Ta muchly for the suggestions, folks
🙂
Nice one Ox, they are a stunning and pretty looking car. My sisters ex used to import all kinds of Jap cars to sell on, Skylines, CRX & tuned rally specials but it was the RX7 that really got attention. He had one arrive to his workplace in a container, I went with him to pick it up, as they opened the container doors I couldn't believe it's small dimensions. It was tuned to 400ish (IIRC) he kept it for about a year, a long time for him. Hope you enjoy it. Sure you will 🙂
A plan used to have a specific jap car branch, I was quoted 550 for a very heavily mod session to my skyline circa 5-600bhp but this was a few years back so not sure how out of date that'll be now
