Bought a Tesla, thinking about selling my Rx-7.
 

TL;DR I test drove a Tesla Model 3 dual motor long range (non-performance, one step below) and bought one. I'm daily driving it now and charging it for free at work, and I'm thinking about selling it because it performs equal or better than my FD and I've already got other cool cars.

I bought the Tesla because I like the car, not for "eco" or political reasons.

I still have a 2017 Challenger R/T (5.7L manual) which has another year left on the lease, my wife drives a 2019 Mustang Ecoboost manual that I can drive whenever I want, and I have my 1995 Rx-7. The FD has ~59k on the clock. I got it in March 2017 off Bring a Trailer for $20,500 plus fees (so something like $21.5k) and then taxes etc. I've basically bailed from day to day wrenching work on cars, so I took it to a local shop with rotary experience which did a pretty good job on the vacuum lines, cooling system, brakes, and pillow ball bushings. Only performance mods are RB catback and JDM downpipe. The motor has about 100psi even compression according to the Mazda tester, but does use more oil than a rebuilt engine would (1 to 2 quarts per 1000 miles).

It's been a solid car for two years and everything works on it, including A/C. I'm just not driving it enough. It's almost completely stock but I've stopped driving it to work because it's just draining to drive compared to a modern car and I have a highway/stop and go commute. I do a few good weekend drives on it, and last year I did a fun road trip to the Appalachian mountains. Where I live there are limited twisty roads, and while the FD is still quick, it might be slightly faster than my Challenger. The Tesla just annihilates it in a straight line. It's like instant bus lengths. And I have no interest in modding the FD to have it keep up. I had a big single turbo FC; I've been down that road before.

I've had this Tesla for a month now. It weighs 4000 lbs but it drives like it weighs 3000 lbs because of the low center of gravity. The handling is really good, close to a stock FD although not as nimble , and it's way more comfortable, way more spacious and much faster in a straight line. It doesn't have the rotary sound (or V8 sound) but I do like that it is quiet sometimes.

Meanwhile the FD will eventually need paint, a motor, tires. It's fine for now, but I don't have a lot of space for it anymore (4 cars, 2 car garage, narrow 1 car width driveway). I'm really thinking about selling it. Yes values are going up but realistically the appreciation will not be faster than the cost of keeping it up. Also, the shop I went to doesn't work on rotaries anymore, so I'm going to the dealer for service (they actually have an old timer who knows what he's doing) but a big job would probably require me to go out of state.

I'm sure I could get what I paid for it in a quick sale, and summer is the time to sell a sports car.


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Recently had a Model 3 in the local autocross. We have some damn good SCCA drivers in the Richmond area. The Model 3 DOMINATED in D stock and handed me my ass as well as a number of modern performance A-C class cars like a Camaro SS 1LE from B stock. It was half a second off cars running hoosier a7's... insane.

yeah and that might have been the Performance version. A friend of mine just bought the Performance version, trading in his Camaro SS 1LE manual trans that he tracked. . I got the dual motor non performance, which has less stiff suspension, smaller tires and brakes, and less low end torque (relatively speaking). It's still a LOT for a daily driver though.

I think the only thing the FD has going for it compared to the Model 3 is the uniqueness and looks. Even the range thing... an FD driven like it's meant to be driven might get 250-300 miles per tank, comparable to a Model 3 long range driven like a normal car (not the optimistic EPA numbers).

They're fast cars but I think they are ugly as hell. If I was in your situation I'd wait out or break the lease on the Challenger and keep the FD. I think you'll always have a place in your heart for the FD and will be buying a new one in a years time.

If you have room in your garage for a lift and the expense of one isn't an issue why not buy one and put the FD in "storage" on it for a while?

I don't have a lift in my garage. It's actually a rental house.

Breaking the lease on the Challenger costs as much as keeping the car, so I'm going to keep it until April 2020 which is the earliest I can turn it in without penalty. If anything I would put the Challenger in storage.

I didn't like the looks of the Model 3 at first, but it grew on me. Obviously the FD wins in the looks department.

Electric motors have instant torque. That's why it would do well in an autocross. On a road course, the FD would eat its lunch.

Then there's the sound of a ported BREW with a free flow exhaust. :nod:

Finally, beautiful FD BTW

I never go on road courses though.

I would have thought the space and cost issues (paint, possible rebuild, etc) through before adding another car to the stable. If you feel the FD is draining to drive, and you’re not working on it yourself then it probably wasnt the right car for you from the beginning. They’re old and needy, just the nature of the beast.

Seems like you had your mind made up when making this post, glws.

I've had a Tesla since 2013.
It is hands down the best DD.
Despite that my FD RX7 is a blast from the past that gets more thumbs up than any car I own.
Everytime I consider selling it, I take it out for a long drive and it still puts smiles on my face. Even if launching it doesn't make me say ** **** ok Iike my Tesla does every time.

Drive it till it doesn't make you happy.
I'd take the rx7 over your other cars any day of the week

The only reason to keep an FD is because you like the car. There is no practical reason to own one.

Sell it.

I don't see a stock FD coming close to keeping up with a performance model 3 on any type course, be it autocross or road course (AWD 450 hp and 470 torque/fd doesn't have a chance). EVs are going to take over the world. It sounds crazy but I believe in 10 years 1/2 the cars on the road will be electric.

easy choice for me too, the Tesla is a good transportation module, but i'd keep the FD for fun weekend stuff, or just to have to tinker with

i would get rid of the mustang or the challenger, it seems like those are redundant.

Well I have the AWD non-performance model, which is still a pretty high performing vehicle for what it is. A friend got the performance model recently, and I've ridden in it. I just didn't want the stiffer ride in a daily (we have terrible beat up roads here) and it costs a lot more. But yeah this thread is making me lean toward selling FD.

Getting rid of the Challenger before the lease is up only saves the extra space, it doesn't save me any money (downside to leasing), and I was thinking of making it a winter car due to all the salt around here. My wife just got the Mustang and she really likes it, so there's no reason to get rid of it.

I think I'm in a phase of life where I don't have much interest in tinkering on a car, which is a far cry from 10 years ago when I spent every weekend and every free dollar of my collegiate self on car projects.

We'd miss you if you go. Never known a long timer not to miss an FD, when they left.

I would still be around. I had a gap between when I sold my FC and got an FD.

Perfect. You can come back to us when they come out with the new RX-7 :lol:

Agree with Fritz. Whether it's 10... 20 years... Eventually rotary owners (and all ICE fans) will be like the old country bumpkins displaying their ancient hit and miss engines at the county fair. Tucked away in some corner with their relics from the past while the rest of the world runs circles around them. They'll still be fun to drive though haha.

then it's simple. get rid of it. :(

if your circumstances would tolerate keeping it and waiting it out, then i would have said wait it out. however, your feeling this way is 85 percent of any reason to part ways, circumstances are just the last 2 nails in the coffin.

by way, it's a gorgeous car! major beauty.

While I'm still not sold on the electric cars, the ecoboost mustangs are no joke. I rented one while on vacation a couple weeks ago and it impressed me. In drag race mode it chirped the tires with the first few upshifts. I'd still keep the fd if you could swing it. They are getting more rare and the value is just going up.

FDs are a relationship. Most other cars are just machines. You'll recall once you're gone ;)

Well said Narfle. :nod:

I’ve been mulling something like this over myself. Moving to japan later this year and my 7 is gonna sit in my parents garage for 4 years. Do I let her rot there and not collect any miles and spend money on it when I get back? Or do I sell her off to someone who will use it more than me? It currently sits in my garage and comes out for track days, but literally that’s about it. I haven’t taken it out for a casual drive in awhile because I have to move two cars just to get it out of the garage.

Matt

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I decided I will sell it, with an asking price of $24k. I'm not sure where that falls in this rising market. If I get a bunch of interest in it at that price I will take the highest bidder. I'm not doing the BaT thing because I want a quick low hassle sale.

I'll put an ad up probably Monday. If you're reading this thread and you think you're interested, you can PM me. I had one guy contact me but he then decided he wanted a non sunroof model.

I have a couple videos showing cold start and idle, and me getting under the car to show there's no rust on the underbody. I also have a bunch of receipts including the compression test from the dealer that I can provide.

Easy $35

under $25 if you want a quick sale

That's a good deal. Ought to be a quick sale.

For sale ad is up: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...ly-mi-1136971/

IMO it will be less than 5 years nearly every car high end car produced will be electric, and if they have a generator it will be rotary, because of this I see nothing but good things in the future for the resale value of all rotary collector cars, keeping the FD is a good financial decision if you can find the space. Pistons will be extinct long before rotors.

That's doubtful.

The part about pistons being extinct before rotors. Rotors are already endangered species. Pistons are the most efficient they've ever been. It will be some time before they go extinct.

Agreed, I'm doubtful that the electrical infrastructure in the rest of the world will be able to support mass charging. Battery tech and fast charging are really the key to moving electric cars forward, it's going to be hard to replace the ability to "gas and go".

The infrastructure is getting better, but if you're a renter your charging options are still very limited, and that doesn't work for lots of people.

Sorry to hear you are selling the car! I do hope to still see you around the forum, you've been a fantastic resource over the years.

I agree, it just doesn't make any sense to keep the car around if it's not doing anything for you.

I tried to get out of the RX-7 scene a number of years back - I bought an SC300 and wanted to just keep it nice and clean and enjoy it. Quickly realized that wasn't my thing. RX-7's got into my blood, I love tinkering with the cars, fixing them up, you name it. I've also thought about getting something more exotic but realized I couldn't afford to truly tinker and modify it. The RX-7 just hits a sweet spot of performance, good looks, and mod-ability for me.

I dig the heck out of the Teslas. The Model 3 isn't as sexy as the previous sedan (Type S? Can't remember the naming) - that car is just stunning.

Good luck with the sale, hope your car goes to someone who can really appreciate and take care of it!

Dale

YEP

What bonds you to a car is working on it and driving it. The FD rewards you on both fronts in a massive way.

As long as I'm physically able to work on them I'll probably always have a spot in the garage for one.

PS AND what originally won me over is that in my mind it's easily one of the coolest (looks, size, handling, power delivery, sounds, smell, blah blah blah) cars that has ever rolled across this planet.

You are correct, pistons are as efficient as they have ever been, yet they are still 1/3 as fuel efficient, 3 times the weight, and need to be overhauled at 1/3 the engine hours of a wankel designed to run at a constant rpm and load. Range extending generators run at a constant load and RPM, meaning piston engine will not be able to compete in this arena, and it will be the only arena in town in short order. Wankel design also has greater fuel type flexibility. It will be a while but they will go well before wankel.

With effective on board wankel generators electrical infrastructure will be a convenience not a requirement.

Considering the low sales in the US of mass market plug ins like the Volt (canceled), I'd say it will be an uphill climb for any range extender here.

Do you guys think Mazda has made any breakthroughs in materials science, etc. for the rotary engine?

I'm looking forward to the release of SkyActiv-X this fall – you'd think some of the SkyActiv research has rotary applications.

Would you consider me someone who can appreciate it and take care of it?

This is 100% true. Through the tides of FD ownership you'll have times when you love it and think its the best thing ever and times when you want to roll it out in the yard and torch it but at the end of the day the idea of not having it is beyond weird, sad and depressing. Well, at least to me.

Teslas are cool though.

Skeese

Hahaha very much so!

Dale

Does this indicate you're the one who made the deposit?

ha thxs Dale!

Yes.

You lost me at "performs equal or better than the FD".

Good luck with the sale and congrats to Johnny on a nice clean RX-7 though!

I have a Model 3 as well. It's a great DD and fun to drive but it is not as engaging as the FD. On the other hand, I haven't driven my FD in 6 months as I've been lazy about getting smog done...

Which Model 3 trim level did you get? There is a night and day difference between the dual motor AWD cars and the other trims.

Based on your description of use, I think you made the right call to sell. Hope you stay around the community as you've been an invaluable resource (especially the PFC tuning community).

If I could afford a ludicrous speed package model S, I'd set my FD out on the street with a free sign. Electric is SO fun and its the way of the future. I wish I could convert the RX7 into an electric motor car. Motor goes? Unbolt two nuts, pull it out and bolt in the new one. :)

FD is sold. Johnny is driving it back right now.

Thanks everyone. I think I made the right decision. I'll still be around, don't worry.

Glad it's all in the family.

I've had it a year now. Back then, the only option was the long range rwd.