oneflytrini

iTrader: (1)

ok im thinking of buying a rx7(93) for my first car. but i heard all about the problems and stuff going wrong with it being a daily driver. this will be my first car i always wanted one since i was 14. do you specialists think that the rx7 is a good RELIABLE daily driver? or should i give up on the rotary and go for a piston car? (id hate to do that). i really dont have a job, because this is going to be my first car. my mom said she would probablly help me pay for it and my brother would help me buy a new engine from PETTIT racing. also if you guys every bought from PETTIT, how much is a 13b with the tubros, with 3mm apex seals on it? please help me i will get better sleep, if you reply. thanks.

JoeD

sorry for the smartass answer, but i think this month (March) hold the current record for the number of times this exact same question was asked.

please do a search.

skunks

yes, buy one knowing you will need a new engine and youll be set!

Steyr

An FD is reliable provided you maintain it and look after it properly. If you don't have the mechanical know-how and tools yourself then this means regular servicing at a good rotary mechanic. This of course costs money. Also, they do chew through a bit of fuel. More money. And when you bingle it (if this is your first car then I give you about an 80% chance of one or more minor accidents in your first year) parts will suck even more out of your wallet. And then there's insurance. Young driver, first car, RX-7 = $$$.

An FD is an amazing car.
In my opinion they are not a good car for a new driver and they are not a good car for someone without much money (unless you can do all maintenance work yourself).

My advice, be humble for 2 years and drive around in a beater that you can easily afford to run and easily afford to repair. Learn to drive in it (I don't mean learn how to get from point A to point B - I mean learn to drive!). At the same time, put money away for the FD. 2 years down the track you can get the FD, you are hopefully better able to afford it and less likely to crash it.

riffraff

i would not suggest going with a third gen for your first car, especially if you donot have a good steady job..
both first and second gens are a lot more reliable. if you want to stick with a rotary, i would go towards one of those..

Lost Time

Just a little insight; my first car was a turbo rear-wheel drive sports car. My second car was a '79 Trams AM with the 6.6 V8. My next car was a 89 Plymouth Acclaim (the 4door piece of ****). There have been a few other random cars in between and now I have my FD. I can say that without a doubt, the car that taught me how to drive the best, was the Acclaim. The other cars are just too much to learn to really drive on the edge. A nice 4cyl FWD car is the way to go if you have four wheel drift asspirations one day. Start slow. Learn to drive on a forgiving car, then step-up.

artguy

no way would I start my driving in an FD...unless it was someone elses and they were rich

learn on something that will take a beating...the fd is too much of a fine line to balance on.

though...that fine line is a blast once you get it right.

I learned the hard way....twenty grand in the last couple years...granted my car hauls ***. lol...but in no way does it look like twenty grand in additional stuff is in it.


good luck

j

Nathan Kwok

Ok, seriously, for the thousandth time, NO AN FD IS NOT A GOOD FIRST CAR. NO OKAY! NO! Also NO AN FD IS NOT A GOOD DAILY DRIVER! Now I'm not saying it can't be done, but the question is "good". If an FD is a good first car, what is a bad first car? I don't even want to know. I'm a big fan of the 240SX as a first car because they're cheap, reliable, and handle like sports cars without having dangerous amounts of power. If you want a rotary car, NA 2nd gens are also good. If you're really serious about owning an FD, get something along that line first, and drive it for a year in lots of different conditions and really try and teach yourself, if you make a conscious effort to learn to drive you'll learn a lot faster. And at the same time get a job and save every penny, then at that point if you have enough money you should be ok. Plan on spending $2000 a year maintaining it as a minimum though, thats assuming its already in excellent condition, which will cost at least $16k.

Red Rotary Rocket

Oneflytrini,

Let me put it this way...you have no doubt heard many people say something to the effect of "An FD is a great daily driver as long as you keep up with the maintainence". The problem is, maintainance on an FD can be very expensive. Little nagging things like worn bushings, unexpected coolant leaks, fuel leaks, etc. happen all the time and really add up. These are included in the "maintainence" that folks speak about. When I bought my FD, I was making $40K per year, and the "maintainence" from the first year alone put me into credit card debt and left me living paycheck to paycheck. And that was leaving the car stock....I didn't even blow the motor or turbos. As much as I love to see a new rotary enthusiast, I would have to say that owning an FD without having lots of disposable income is very risky business. Now, maybe your parents are loaded and can support your FD, and if that is the case, you are very lucky. If that is the case, I say go for it. But if your parents aren't well to do, I would suggest staying away from the FD until you have a sizeable amount of income at your disposal. If you are like me and are truly a rotary fanatic and absolutely have to have a rotary car, I would suggest picking up an N/A FC. I understand they can be very reliable, and they look very cool (at least in my opinion).

Freaky Monkey007

I wish that the replys to this and other post like this didnt say "use the search." This is one of those questions that varies from person to person. I have asked the same question before and people said that if you have money go for it. To be honest gettin an fd from what i have learned is all about havin disposable income and being able to drive. How much disposable income you have will determin if you need to learn how to work on your car(although i think everyone should know). Anyways if you think your ready to own one and have the cash and mechinal experience then go and buy one. The only way for you to know if you really were ready is to buy one. Hate to say it but its true.

MakoDHardie

Its always good to see someone come into the world of cars with enthusiasm and respect. Especially if its for a real sports car like the RX-7. Its a lot better than going for a Civic, putting exhaust on it, and pretending to be superior. There are several things to consider in looking for a first car. The RX-7 is a beautiful car and a fun car, but only in its own ways. But there is a bit of a trade off. Its not a car to be letting your friends give it a go. Its not a car to throw all your stuff in the back of and go off to the beach. Its a pure sports car. It will require the attention to keep it maintain, as well as the money wherever necessary. You sound like the kind of kid I was a few years ago. I was always the last one to leave the shop where I worked. I'd stay by myself just to finish little things and sit around with the cars. Whenever I got a car for a day or two, I'd treat it like an angel and damn near cry when I had to give it back. Especially if it was an RX-7. I wouldn't doubt that you'd enjoy it and take care of it but it does take a lot of knowledge to be comfortable with the everyday issues it can have. Have you driven one before? I didn't think it was too hard to drive the first time I got behind the pedals of one, but then the background I come from is as close as it gets to born and bred for these kinds of cars. I would have gone for the RX-7 for my first car, but then when I was at that age, I had everything set for me and it wouldn't have mattered whether I was driving an Integra or a CL600, I had the support and connections for maintaining any of such cars. If you're going to be doing some work, I'd recommend waiting on taking that sick FD in need of an engine transplant and make a little money so that you can do more than just cover the cost of getting into running condition. Hopefully in the meantime of working, you'll be able to find another RX-7 that already runs pretty well. If its something you really want and you feel confident with how much you know about the car and what kind of care it requires, then go for it. There's no feeling in the world like getting your first car....especially if it kicks that much ***. Good luck with it. And don't let anybody talk you down because you're young. As long as you know your stuff and don't get cocky with the wisemen, you'll get the respect you deserve for being able to run with the fast packs of FDs.

Import Convert

Dude, an RX-7 does not make for a good 1st car. Do yourself a huge favor and get a couple years experience behind the wheel first. If you can afford it, take a high performance driving class. I took a Skip Barber 3 day course. Probably one of the smartest things I ever did.

technonovice

Should I get an FD3S (3rd Gen RX-7)? From:
http://7sins.rx7life.com

Tips from Ashraf Farrag and Matthew Fortner

First Things First
Don’t get in a hurry. With the third generation RX-7 a quick decision can become a costly one. Research the car. Fully and thoroughly read through: http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7
Look through the Lemon information site there for some good examples of the caveats this car carries. If after that you still decide on buying this car then best of luck to you! You'll obviously have the same little bit of "crazy" that all of us FD owners share for taming this beauty and beast of a machine.
This is not a car for a beginner. Don't underestimate 255 HP. If you aren't up to the challenge mentally and emotionally, or don't have the basic involuntary motions of driving a car down pat, you can get yourself in a lot of trouble with this car, really easily. You'll want nice, sticky tires on the car, ALL the time. Even in wet weather you'll have to learn how to have a light foot if you don't want to swap ends. Besides, that is what the other daily driver vehicle is for.

Insurance
You should get a quote from your insurance agent before wasting mush time. If you care about the car, you'll probably want to get full coverage. Shop around for the best price. Consider insuring a “beater” car as your primary transportation and the RX-7 as a pleasure vehicle. Spending the $500-$1000 on the beater can save you much more in the long run, The best way to save money is not get tickets. Sound easy? Just wait.

Parts
Expensive. Performance does not come cheap. Remember this was a $40,000 car when new and packed with complex engineering…maybe too complex at times.

Repair and Maintenance
Remember that these cars are complex. Borrow, buy or find a factory service manual otherwise known as a shop manual. There are enthusiasts’ sites from which they can be downloaded at no charge.
Take a look at section F of the factory manual. Learn it well; if you plan on maintaining the car, because odds are, you'll have to do some sort of troubleshooting on that during the life of the car. Decent mechanics for this car are hard to find.

Buying One
Obviously ignoring all financial sensibilities, you have your heart set on an FD3S. How much do you spend? We all like a good deal, but be careful. As a general rule, budget no less than $12,000 (U.S. currency) for a decent running example that has some life left in it. Examples in this range tend to be neglected if not abused. Finding a car with blown engine and installing or rebuilding an engine can be a good idea since you know the condition of the engine.
Some low mile examples in excellent condition are selling in the mid-twenties. Of course, spending more is no guarantee that you get a better car. Check the car out very thoroughly preferably by a reputable (a good one) rotary shop. It should produce a healthy boost pattern and have acceptable compression for both rotors.

FstFD3SPOWER

i thought rx7 was good for my first car...
One wreck changed my life....

go with front wheel drive car first. and move on to next less hp than rx7 RWD car.

my 2 cent.

MakoDHardie

Those are good points. I've been driving long enough, that I've forgotten some of the scariest parts of starting. In stock form, the FD3S is over powered, under-rubbered, and probably the wrong drivetrain in generall for a beginner. Even with good rubber, you'll have to depend on your TCS during the rain for starts on up hill roads. I've known some people who have put the car into drifts that nearly put them into the guard rail. I grew up in Taiwan, so wet rides in the mointains are a usual. There are two types of fast drivers: those who have indestructable ***** and care nothing for their own well-being and those who know a lot about physics and only push the envelope by one step at a time, knowing exactly what will happen when they do so, but only accompanied by a fear that governs their actions so that they do not try to surpass their own limits.

The other guys are deffinitely right. That 255hp...... that means a hell of a lot more when its from an RX-7 than the 260 in a Mustang. It's a high performance car and it handles the way it does for a reason. If I were you, I'd look at other options for now, especially since you've gotta go through with that engine transplant if you're taking the RX-7 option. If you really want a fun car with some power to it, I'd look at the new WRX. That'd be great handling for the power. I haven't driven the new ones, but I'm assuming that they differ only in body style from the Asian model that's been on the market at home since the Impreza has been in production. Options are expensive on a new car because its an import and we all know how car salesmen are. Some of the same cautions should be taken as with the RX-7 though. The WRX does have a good amount of power and if you get to excited, you will end up with speeding tickets. That won't be good for insurance considering your sex, age, and the fact that you'd have a turbo under the hood of your car. I'd recommend going with a sport compact of some kind. Something that you can drive. If you know how to drive a stick, get one to get the experience on it, but if not, its one of the first steps you should take if you want to work your way up to something like an FD3S. Your mom will probably be happier with you juicing the pedals and shifting through the gear box on an Integra Type-R than having to worry about you defending your Fast and Furious pride and ending up in a guardrail or worse.

rjuge

First car: 91 Toyota Celica ST
Second: 1993 Dodge Stealth R/T
Third: 1990 Nissan 300ZX 2+2
Fourth: 1993 RX-7 VR Base
Fifth: 1995 Chevy Camaro Z28 6 Speed LT1
Sixth: 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 TT
Seventh: 1994 MB RX7 PEG.

I learned to drive on the first one. Then I had to have an rx-7. I saved and saved and saved, getting closer to it with every new car i got. Then I finally got one. I spent every penny I had on an rx7 (a beat up one). Before I could even register the car, the clutch went out. Being in school, i had to sell it for another one. (a cheapy camaro). Then I started over again. bought an awd tt vr4. then i found a gorgeous 94 rx7. Flawless. Perfect compression, etc. A week after buying it, the side seals blew out. New engine. Around $2300 and I put it in myself. They are finicky, and can be expensive, but never buy one for a first car. It is easy to total one in an accident, especially because they are so old. 98% of cars in accidents over 30mph are totaled. Not to mention, it's also easy to kill yourself in one.



just my $.02 as well.

m477

My first car was a 1995 Dodge Neon Sport Coupe. 150hp, FWD, decent handling, fun to drive. It was an excellent first car, I'd recommend something similar. You should look for something like a Celica, RSX, VW GTi 1.8T. Personally, I think that you should avoid RWD for your first car, the first time I drove a RWD car in slippery conditions I ended up going sideways at 35mph. Not fun. Fortunately there was no car in the lane next to me, so I didn't hit anything. It's very easy to get yourself into trouble with RWD especially when you don't have a lot of driving experience. Also, whatever you get, make sure to get a manual tranny. It may seem like a lot of trouble at first, but it will definitely be worth it once you get used to it.

rx7speed811

for a first car, get an 84 gs, its an excellent first car! i think rxshun7 has a good one available. send him a PM haha.

DRAG0NEER

get the WRX. But if you're a conservative driver and got the dough, then go for the 7

ZoomZoom

iTrader: (2)

The problem with an FD being a first car is you really have no clue about cars. So when something is wrong it will cost you retail for everything. I do 90% of the work myself but I am 29 and this is my 14th or 15th car as well as my 3rd or 4th Modded car. I have still spent 18 grand on the car in less than 2 years. The answer is NO. Not only is it not good car. Its not a good daily driver either. When the Fd was my daily driver it killed me when it needed work. There was no putting it off till next pay period. I had to get it fixed immediatly so I could get to work! I am Soooooooo glad I have a 4runner now as a daily driver. Now I do things to the car as I can afford too. Also the car will last much longer when I dont log the miles up. I may drive less than 5k a year on it now. Before was more like 12-15k.

787B

even though 100 people might tell you not to get one i still think you will.

why??

because it ultimately is still YOUR decision and you might just want people to tell you not to get one so you will get it and feel rebellious.


my advice though.....if you care?

buy an older RX-7, this way you still get the rotary experience. i mean be honest, you are a rookie driver and an FD is a high performance sports car.


ROOKIE DRIVER & FD is a BAD COMBO!!!

i have talked with an FD owner who has had his since 93 (brand new) and he is an older guy and he said the car STILL surprises him.

get a 89-91 TURBO II and get money from your mom to put mods into it and enjoy working on a cheaper and more reliable rotary powered car.

Leadfoot

I am the original owner of a 93 and am an "older" guy, and the car still surprises me too. FD as first car, no good. money wise, suicide. driving wise, same again. I drove formula 3's , formula fords, lola's and tiga's, not to mention a variety of other cars (including a countach, when it was the fastest prod. car in the world) and can say that the best thing to do is get experience first. I know that you will get experienced with an FD, but you won't kill yourself. If you don't drive it right, why get it, if you do drive it right, then you must be an experienced driver.
I learned on an old fiat 650, and VW bug. then went to a mazda RX-3 (made me hate rotary cars for many years)... then owned a triumph stag (not in this country) Even though I was only 17 when I got the Stag with 300+ horses, I already had at least 2.5-3 full years of experience driving almost daily.
Buy a beater, save for the FD, and when you are ready, you will know it, then buy the FD. I am an experienced racer with brass *****, and sometimes the FD still scares the **** out of me sometimes (because it is so easy to get into trouble with) I go 125+mph on a daily basis but still know when to cool it, and how far I should push the corners. Only with experience will you know when to back off otherwise you eat the rails (or go off the road) and that is never fun for you or the car.

Whatever you decide, good luck, and when you are driving and something feels unsafe, then it is, so back off.

One last thing, if you can, get the beater, and the FD, then while you are perfecting your corners, braking, skids, apexing, etc, you can learn about and install the engine in the FD yourself, and by the time you do that, well, you might just be ready for it. (by the way, most of these guys are nuts, so don't follow them, keep it as close to stock as possible for awhile, get a feel for the car, and save, save, save,...then get the mods).

rotary-tt

Ditto on what everyone else says. I've owned every gen of RX7, and I recommend either the 1st or 2nd gen for a 1st car. You need to become very good at driving a rear-drive at 10-10ths before getting an FD. The amount of power an FD has mixed with a little bad weather can easily lead to a wreck. Not to mention about it being a money pit. I think the 1st gen drives similar to a Miata, while the 2nd gen is closer to an FD. I'd like to second the person who said the 240sx - very nice handling rear-drive sports car without much power. Probably a good first car. A lot of other front-drive cars are good first cars but won't teach you rear wheel drive techniques. Any FD with enough mileage to be 'affordable' needs much expensive restoration\maintenance. I've been out of college for 12+ years and make decent money but the FD can be a major financial drain(if you don't buy one with very low mileage). Don't do it.

Freaky Monkey007

How bout a v6 tacoma for learning on??LOL.. Its RWD.. Actually i think a truck is one of the easiest things to learn on. Ive been driving for about 2.5 years now with mainly my parents(occasionaly they let me out. hey im only 15). Ive drivin all types of cars, accors, tacomas, 3000gts, supras, a 7, and yes even a yugo(pretty bad isnt it). And still the truck has prob. teached me the most. Try going into a tight corner when its wet in a truck.. The back end will almost always slide out from under you.. There is simply no weight back there which makes i act much like a light RWD car. The only prob. with learning on a truck is the clutch.. Its a bit different and easier to engage, which can screw you up when you get into a picky car. Believe me i do it everyday. Anyways.Regardless of what people tell you here your gona do what you want. If you get an FD, have fun and dont kill yourself and learn all you can. If not then still have fun and learn. You cant not stop learning.. I learn something new everyday hell sometimes quite a few things a day(ATL traffic is pretty bad).
-Derek

Zombie plant

look im also in the market for my first car and i also love the rx7 but i have done my homework and i know it isnt a good first car sur if you realy want it buy it as your second car thet is what i will do.
but for the love of god dont start with an fd alt least go for a fc.
(unles you have big money than sure)