Endless88

Id think that an n/a fc would be a good start.

spintriangles

iTrader: (3)

If you are responsible and you know how to turn some wrenches then I believe you will be ok with a fd. Also take in consideration cost of insurance before you purchase the car.

Ariamir

I don't like replying to two-week old posts if I can help it, but I'm curious about your reasoning behind this statement. I'm looking into the FC as an option for my first car owned by myself (after a few years of driving the family cars), but everyone I know thinks I'm crazy for even considering a sports car that went out of production a year before I was born. Then again, they're people who do zero maintenance themselves, so as I've done more research, the more I'm starting to think the FC is a viable choice. I don't have much hands-on experience, but having grown up using the internet to find solutions to just about every problem under the sun, I think I could figure things out.

Still, it's better to ask dumb questions than make dumb decisions, so that's why I want to hear more of your thoughts on this.

littlebit421

As your first car I would recommend get a newer daily that is easy to fix and get parts for. If you are going to but a Rx7 as a first car save your money and buy a decent one, that being said you are going to between 3-5k.

OR

Buy a newer and more responsible car if you know what I mean, and use the Rx7 as a play toy, My daily is a 2010 Mitsubishi lancer (not an Evo) just regular non turbo 30 mpg grocery getter, and my FC is my play toy, that way if I need to take it apart to work on it and if its down for a week it doesnt matter.

Ariamir

Luckily for me, I'm not in need of a daily car; such is life with good public transit. What I'm looking for is something old enough that I have plenty of opportunities to work on it and learn from those experiences, so that's how the FC ended up on my list of things to consider. 5k is towards the upper end of my budget, so my only issue would be finding one in good condition. Still, I won't be making any choices for at least another month, I'm just doing as much research as I can right now. All options remain on the table.

Evil Aviator

LOL, fair enough.

The FC is actually a pretty reliable car if it is maintained, and most of the important parts are still available from aftermarket companies and salvage yards. If you do not have the time or money to rebuild and replace a lot of the critical parts right away, then the car will obviously not be very reliable. However, if this does not matter much because you have another car, live with your parents or roommates who have a car, are able to walk to school/work if necessary, can ride the bus/train, can get a ride with a friend, etc., then I think the FC would make a good choice if it fits your criteria.

About 10 years ago I bought an 88 FC convertible for $1,000, and it is still running today. I have put about $5,000 into it over the years, and it only died on me once (bad fuel pump).

Ariamir

I've definitely got the time and money, the alternative transport, and even a garage space, so fixing the car up wouldn't be an issue for me. I imagine I'd spent a lot of time reading old threads and watching videos on youtube, but hey, that's how I've learned how to do pretty much everything I know. Gotta love the information age. Thanks for the reply, I'll keep this all under consideration in the coming days.

Evil Aviator

These are my favorite websites for research:
Aaroncake.net - The Second Generation Mazda RX-7
Rotary Resurrection home of the budget rebuild.
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
Mazdatrix - FAQ's and How-to's

Rx7Jordan

iTrader: (2)

If you want a chick magnet..go for a fd

Seriously though.. keep in mind rotarys do require extra maintenance/love, and really should be premixing them..May not be the best first car but if your willing to show it love 100% and dont mind premixing..Go for it ! Not so good gas mileage and premixing may be a "ehh" but you will get endless enjoyment out of a rx7..well worth it on the end

edit: You dont have to premix but i highly recommend premixing. Im 18 and daily my single turbo fd with zero issues.

dstrut1

I would def go fc I might have one for ya

Ariamir

Out of pure curiosity, what do you have? The odds that you're anywhere near me are pretty slim, not that I intend to buy anything for another month.