As a second car, I get two things from it:
1) satisfaction of owning/driving it on nice days (and as a spare when the daily is hurting)
2) satisfaction of keeping it running flawlessly.

If you're a tinkerer, and don't mind doing some preventative maintenance, the stock car is a great ride. When working properly, the sequential turbo power curve is as aggressive or smooth as you want it to be. The suspension and stance are similar to your first gens.

Take a good look at the costs. Mine has 59k and a rebuilt engine, and I've been spending a couple grand a year on mods. Most is 'reliability' mods, which need done once. The rest is little stuff - shifter bushings, suspension bushings, worn interior items, etc. If you buy a car with the reliability mods already done, reasonably new motor/turbos, use it as a second car, and do the work yourself, the upkeep would average under a grand a year. The costs skyrocket if you use it as an only car and that puts time pressure on your repairs or if you are paying someone else to do it.

Dave

 

wise words. Another option instead of $3k is to have another car and a garage for your FD to sit in until you've figured a course of action or saved some $$.

Dave

 

I know my opinion doesn't count for much, since I don't have my FD just yet I've had a 97 Eclipse GS-T for 3 years now and these are the same worries that came from the DSM community. How no one wanted to buy a DSM, because they are "unreliable." I didn't have any major problems with my car. Just a small fix here and there. So I believe as long as you take care of your car there is no need to buy into the mass majority of people who don't take them for oil changes at most.

 

Owned both a Turbo II and an FD. Love them both.

What car puts a bigger smile on your face? This is a hard question to answer. This, IMO, is the most important question. I had more fun in the FC going corner to corner mashing the throttle and hearing the engine rev to 7k. The FD is different. Its so powerful you cant really go through twisties at full throttle because it has too much power, you have to more finesse it through the turns and be careful with the throttle. The FD is really a blast on the highway, where you can open it up.

As to what car looks better and is faster, its a no-brainer, The FD.

 

LOL... hey, I don't drive a neon ... it's an SRT-4! Yeah, I knew I needed to learn more about the FD hearing how touchy the car is. And I figured I learned so much just reading threads on SRTforums I better start doing the same thing here. I already love this site. Now maybe I'll dive into replacing the hoses on my FD... i hear when that's done you're pretty well acquainted with the car.

 

you'll definitely be more aquainted with the "rats nest" that runs the sequentials and from what i hear, you'll understand why ALOT of people drop on a single turbo instead .... cough cough neon cough

 

if you want a one of a kind car this is it.yes it needs more love than other cars,but it is well worth it.there is nothing else like it.

 

if you want a one of a kind car this is it.yes it needs more love than other cars,but it is well worth it.there is nothing else like it.

WORD!
im a newbie and i love my FD

 

some fc guys dont see it that way...

personnaly i totally agree with you hehe

 

yo were do i get wire diagram info on the 3rd gen fd

 

im 17 and i own a fd. i know, 'rich little daddy's boy' NO i have to make a hell of a lot of pizzas to pay for that. and i mean a hell of a lot. like 40 hours a week at 5.75. and maintain a 3.8 with a bunch of A.P. classes. I LOVE MY CAR. get one! if i can do it anyone can

 

My story exactly!

Autocrossed and track evented my '91 T-II for 3 straight years, and could drive it with confidence at the limit. With the cats off and and no other mods, I could hang with cars costing 10 times as much. Major fun for the buck. My '94 FD is in showroom condition and I really don't want to abuse it as much as the FC. I have autocrossed it, and you described the differences in the generations perfectly! I think the FD has made me a better driver though, since you learn how to squeeze the throttle instead of planting your foot and grabbing out of the turns when the single turbo (FC) kicks in.

As far as which is better, that's an unfair question..... FC because I wasn't afraid to extract maximum performance at the track, and the FD is simply one of the sexiest, most beautiful cars ever produced period.

 

I recommend the 3rd gen as a project car. I don't think I would want one as a DD. Lots of people will tell you to buy a stock car with low miles. Personally, I would rather go with a higher mileage car with a rebuild or reman. I went from stock to really modded and spent WAY too much money on the project. If I had to do it over again I would have bought something already modded and save myself several thousand bucks...I don't think I could have bought a modded 3rd gen the first time and know what probs I was looking for...The knowledge I have gained from owning my car I would feel comfortable going out and buying a modded one now.