cloudlight69

Hi, I currently own an 86 RX7 GXL NA, to which i absolutely love to drive, the feel, the handling, the somewhat fast speeds it goes...

Here is my dilemna, the 1992 RX7FD are going to be available in January. I have a great line on a handful of them from a very reputable importer. All 3 of the FD's I am thinking about buying are fairly modded by north american standards, (boost control, presseure guages, strut bars, coil overs, timers, exhaust).

The domino effect of problems i have had with my current rx are beginning to give me a huge headache... electrical problems are sprouting up almost weekly... from a short in the harness disabling my power windows, to the triple beep telling me that there is a short elsewhere (my interior overhead lights and stereo no longer work...).

I was considering a conversion, which will run me about 6000$ CAD, and gives me new tranny, downpipe, rebuilt JDM, all the turbo fixins, and a freshly and extremely wide open engine bay. I have seen and driven in the work that the tuner shop does for its conversions and i am very impressed.

but then the FD's will be available, i have read the FAQ's and noted that they have alot of "character". I just want to know what kind of problems or maintenance to expect. Before buying my 86, i delayed in my FD purchase as i was strongly advised to go with a more reliable make of the rx, such as the 2nd gen. I am ready to import the FD, i am ready for maintenance, what i want to know is what kind of problems are common with the 3rd gen? Please please try to be as objective as possible, it wont change my already high opinion of the RX, i just need to know fully what i am getting myself into. too many people have given me biased opinions without much help...

would it be wiser to go with the conversion on my 86 and put the extra cash into the electrical thereafter? or is the FD reliable enough that i can drive it as my daily driver just as i do my FC? I am getting about 300km per tank in my 86, what kind of mileage in a FD?

Please assume that the imported car will be in good condition and maintained properly...

I am an aggressive and experienced driver, looking for the best drive, reliablility, and enjoyment for my dollar within the rx world...

thank you for you r input!

Jedon

The feel is quite a bit different, although the FD is pretty light it is heavier and much wider than the 1st gens and it feels much more like a cockpit inside. As for what can and will go wrong, the complicated turbo system is often misbehaving due to cracked or loose hoses and wires. It also likes to overheat. If you are going to drive it everyday just leave it mostly stock except for reliability mods like a larger radiator, downpipe etc. Engine life for stock engines is around 80-120K, modded cars with remans will probably be half that.