Valkyrie

Ok, so I want to buy a Turbo II and all, but I'm still wondering about the general reliability of the FC (I know they're exaggeratings, but reading the "RX7 owner" thread sure didn't help). I intend to use whatever car I buy as a daily driver (which probably isn't the best idea considering my preference in cars). Not an whole bunch, especially if I'm at school, where I'll probably walk everywhere that's within walking distance, and my car will more than likely be parked near wherever I'm living.

(my school is also 4 hours or so from home, but when I was there last year, I didn't really feel the need to go back very often).

Gas mileage, wierd smells and broken door handles aside, would an FC Turbo be reliable enough for fairly low-impact daily driving, assuming flawless maintenance?

Considering that when I'm at school, I won't have enough car (although if I'm at home, it wouldn't be a problem).

Just curious, but what should of mileage should a well-maintained and/or slightly lucky FC Turbo get with just a few modifications (ie, high-flow intake, full exhaust, boost increased to 230 HP or so...I'm not sure)?

What about maintance costs on a 125-150,000 mile S5 turbo engine with a rebuild maybe 10,000 miles back?

I really want a 7, but I want to make sure they're not money pits like some people seem to think (with only about 1/3rd of those people having owned one)...

I'd be willing to do modifications to increase reliability too, ie aftermarket radiator, anything that makes it cool better, boost, AFR, and temp guages, etc.

I think I'll just stop before I get any more into rambling mode...

NZConvertible

I've been driving my 90K mile Turbo Vert nearly every day (including the 25 mile round trip to work) for the last three and a half years, and have had no more problems that I would've expected for the car his age. I've been reasonably good with maintenance but would hardly call it flawless. It's mildly modded but I know I can't go nuts or do anything to risky. You just have to keep in mind that the more power you squeeze out of it the more chance something will break.

Valkyrie

Do you use premix or OMP injection?

Damn you guys in Austrailia and New Zealand... I wish I could just import a J-spec FC.

They're cheap and they all come with turbos!!! No fair

VietFC

I've been daily driving my TII for a while now. I had no problems besides the rottiing vac lines which i completely replaced. Being in Japan, you shouldn't have nearly as many problems since there's a lot less emissions crap. But yeah... besides that, the car ran fine, up until I lost an apex seal at 175k miles a few nights ago. Just to give you an idea.

gildardo

I have driven My TII conversion for the whole summer and no big problems, just simple things That needed to be done for the conversion. One computer craped out on me $45 (Cpu from forum member), and the slave clutch cylinder needed rebuilding $10. Just aslong as it was maintained properly, it's all good.



gil

NZConvertible

OMP. I can't be bothered with premix, especially for a daily driver.

The differences in emissions gear between Japanese and US FC's is only a few items (AWS, ERG, pre-cat). Most of the stuff still there. There would be little if any improvement in reliability.

DocMazda

i am going along the lines with these guys. If you are going to buy a decent condition 7, you should be fine. just do basic maintanence. But, my friend and i are project car people (which i am sure the majority of the forum guys here are) and that is when you start to get into problems. when you start messing with things (also, i bought mine from some guy that had his in a field for 650) thats when they start to be money pits. of course that should all be common sense. if you buy a good one for daily driving, you should be fine. if you start to upgrade things to make it a bit more sporty, i sure hope you have money!

Valkyrie

I'm not talking about a car to drive in Japan: I can't afford one (gas is more expensive, parking space costs are OBSCENE, and it costs a lot to drive due to tolls). I wish I did have one though. But no Japanese license, either.

I'm talking about buying a daily driver when for when I get back to the states.

I wish I had a job. Doh.

If I come back to Japan to work or at least have a bunch of money, then I'll get a car and touge like a ****.