Fwuffy Squirrel

Hi everyone im kinda ghosting around here because its my like life long dream to own an FD but im a poor college student. Anyway I have an S13 swapped and I just wanted to know the range of what I would have to pay on top of my car for a nice running FD, dont really care about mods they would be nice but I would do anything just for the car. anyway here are a couple pics to help you help me







K small mod list:
much stock sr
tein drift masters 5 months old ($1700)
exedy clutch new
tannabbe strut bars f&r
walbro fuel pump 255
hks cai intake
clarion touch screen in dash
battery relocated in trunk
clean interior
uras body kit
$400 clifford alarm
tinted windows
engine dampener
Kouki tails
apexi dual exaust catback n1
bsa 333 17X7 3 ' lip \w dunlop fm901
Power lock conversion that work with alarm
Oh and I put a new windshield on and redid all the molding that was coming off

I put the stock intake mani back on too because greddy was leaking. I also fixed a bunch of small stuff on the motor so it runs very well now. Although a small amount of money into the car would go a long way. uh lets see I got rid of the front tanabe strut, and changed the battery.

k Now all the bad things about the car.
Uhh I crashed....yea I hit a curb and my ultra low front bumper broke. there was almost no damage besides to the front mount which I sold. Side skirts have a few minor bumps from the low bumper but that wasnt because of the curb they were already a little bumpy. Its now stock side mount, stock steering wheel, stock shift ****, and a JDM 180sx Seat insted of the sparco fighter and takata. Other then that most everything else is good and its just sitting in my backyard with a full tank of gas.

I would do ANYTHING to trade this for an FD seriously I know it makes no difference in my getting one but im so wet over them....so so wet. It would change my little 21 year old life. So I just want to desparatly post this up and see everyones opinion on how much more I would need for a nice FD with my car as trade if someone would trade. Or if they would trade me strait up lol.

Thx in advance guys and I hope I dont get flammed, for some reason I always do
btw im in socal

P.S. Its sitting in my backyard with no bumper because I cant afford a new one...but for an FD ill sell everything just trying to get a ballpark figure of how far away I am from my goal. =)

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

Not to be mean, but I can assure that an FD would be a money pit. I am (i shouldn't really use this word) investing about 2200 in almost all restoration and reliability mods right now in just the engine bay and preventative maintenance. Now my case is definitely a version of the extreme, since everything is being freshened up due to a brand new engine (note: not a rebuild or reman) but still, they say you'll want a grand to do the reliability stuff right from the get go.

unless you are used to putting money consistently into a car (at least until you have it in great overall condition) then it may be something to take a second look at. These are cars that are like dating a supermodel. the amazingly high maintenance is the trade off for the amazing performance.

Now that my usual disclaimer on FD's is finished here is my take on it:

We only live once, however, don't put yourself into a financial disaster for a car. But if the funds and the means are available to you, then live your dream. I am.

Fwuffy Squirrel

Your right but I want you to be wrong.....man what am I gana do. I was hoping someone would say something like "yea I they run great for 70k w no maintenance" lol but I have a friend with 4 rx7's and yea your right you gata put money in it, damn well thx for bringing me back to reality. but just for future referance or for a hope I get money some how and trade my car with like 3 or 4k left to spend, how much cash will I need to switch this little driftin baby for a nice rotory?

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

I am very unfamiliar with the values of something like that. the pictures make it look very clean. to the right buyer, it may be worth a lot more than I think. Find an enthusiast that would be looking for a car like yours. see what they offer you. check out the forums, etc. I know that a car dealership would rather not touch an RX7 as a trade in, but an enthusiast will pay 5k for a roller with a blown engine. it all depends on your market. Not trying to be a downer. I just recommend researching. find all the ups and downs of ownership. look at your options as far as trading to someone or selling. There are a ton of possibilities. good FD's are going for around 13k plus (this is a guess as I am unfamiliar to whether winter affects their resale value at all) check out the for sale section of the forum.

With enough motivation, anything can be accomplished.

rexhvn

You keep the FD stock, and don't drive it like an idiot 24/7 than it can last you a very long time

windom

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure that 240SX is a money pit too. How much was the car + mods/engine swap? You should also get a roll bar at a minimum in there with that harness and seat. Just for safety.

telum01

240SX's are not anywhere near a money pit compared to an FD. half my friends have S13's and S14's, almost all of them SR20'd. the cars are great and are pretty reliable. i'm the one of 2 people in my club that doesn't have an inline-4 (SR20, RB20, KA24, D16, 4G63, and even a 4G61 are all in my club)... i've got a 13B-REW and an EJ257... as far as engines go, you shouldn't have any problems with yours. and if something does go wrong, you'll have plenty of people around to help you out. there's a shitload of Nissan-specialty shops out there, and countless "amatuer mechanics" as well, any of which can help with all of your Nissan needs. all of my buddies with their inline-4's are able to help each other out any time they need to. but when i have an issue with my FD, not a single one knows a damn thing about it. being in SoCal you'll have a lot more people around, but they're still harder to come across.

the reason why i bring this up is because a lot of people don't realize that unless you're able to do all the work yourself, or can afford a shop doing the work, you shouldn't risk getting a car that you can't *mechanically* handle. and an FD is definitely one of those cars with which you'll have to weigh those options.

plus, being a poor college student doesn't help. my advice is that you stick with your S13. it's a great car, looks like you've done extremely well with keeping it in shape, and i know you have fun with it. wait til you are able to have the financial stability that will inevitably be needed to be an FD owner. i'm going through an engine ordeal right now, and it needs to be rebuilt. if i had an extra $3k lying around, this wouldn't be a problem, but i don't. it's just one of those things you'll have to think about. how easy would it be for you to get $3k for an engine rebuild? how long will you be able to go without a car while it's being rebuilt? and if you can't afford a new bumper, how are you going to afford maintaining an FD?

i hope i didn't come off as rude, i'm just trying to express my concerns. this is definitely not the car to own if you don't have the wallet to keep it running.

Fwuffy Squirrel

No some great advice. Im gana listen to you guys and wait untill after school I guess thx for all the feedback and I knew deep down what you told me already I just wanted that FD so bad I didnt want to admit it.
Well if any of you are here in 4-6 years im gana be here haha you cant miss my name. Good luck all and if your rollin around in an FD you shouldnt take it for granted. Try to remember when you first got it and the joy you felt. Its an amazing car and belive me, everywhere you go you turn heads.

alexdimen

iTrader: (13)

Your car is tight, keep it while you're in school. If for anything, just so you aren't distracted by the prospect of playing with your wankel all day like me

manveru

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...+affordability
the real info starts on the 2nd page.

as much as it hurts....if you're worried about finding a new bumper, then you are makin the right choice by waiting.

s-thetikz

iTrader: (1)

Drifting accident ?

if anything, you should build up your own FC while waiting, then you can move onto the FD after college . your car looks sweet.

windom

iTrader: (1)

If you're talking about tracking your car abusively, both cars are going to need the proper upgrades for cooling. The only reason my FD has been a money pit is because I'm going to a single turbo, so it needs the tires, wheels, cage, seats, harnesses, etc. And that would hold true for any car that's putting out 350hp more than stock.

My friends with stock, or even GT35R'd FD's haven't had any more issues than someone would with a swapped 240SX. Actually less. There is a local guy that did the swap then blew his motor right away. I guess it comes down to the operator. And you're also just putting stress on parts that weren't designed for it. My SR20 lasted a whopping 100k before it developed rod knock. It's been more of a money pit than even my friend's 88 GTU that has 100k on it, and a leaking oil seal. Any modified turbocharged vehicle isn't the car to own if you don't have a large wallet. There's problems that happen with all of them. It's not just isolated to the FD's.

spekdah

ha haa, I actually had an s13 and got rid of it to get an FD.
I always said that if I could go back I would have kept the s13 and dumped more money into it. Too late for that now though

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

Thats one of the nicest 240's i've seen. I def wont ever trade my FD for one but if i ever decide to get a 240, it would be a black S13.

Fwuffy Squirrel

thx alot guys ive made the decision to get my little baby back on the road and drive it around to school and back. I'd rather drive this car till the motor blows and throw in a stock one then worry about all the little things wrong and treating it so nicely. I was always afraid to drive it because i wanted to keep it perfect, but I would have more fun just thinking of it like a fun car and not like a prestine FD kinda thing if that makes any sense.

Anyway if I get a nice part time job, i could start saving some money and hopefully get up on these forums in less then 4 years....im thinking in the range of around 1-2 =)

AHarada

iTrader: (25)

Hey you're practically my neighbor, I'm in Hacienda. Your S13 is pretty clean, nice work.

I'm also a full-time student, but work part time and have savings meant for my car. When I first started researching FD's, the responsibility intimidating. I've done tons and tons of reading on this site and have learned lots of valuable information. After learning and educating myself about the car, it doesn't seem too bad anymore, and I actually fell in love with the car even more. I'll be picking my R-1 up on Friday.

I'd have to agree with what others have said though. If money is tight, then an FD is not your option. Especially since this will be your daily driver I'm assuming, you don't want anymore headaches.

GL with school and your future FD!

Fwuffy Squirrel

Thx man, where are you going to school? Im attending mtsac for the next...long time. Heres what im thinking.....ok im gana go pick up a bumper for $25 LOL and just drive my car around and I got a bunch of friends in (high) places i guess you would say and I have like 4 jobs waiting for me but I just didnt want to work. But my weekends and most nights are completely free....if I could get a nice part time job at around$25-35 an hour and save for a couple months.....it could work. I really dont have any expensive hobbies or any bills at all so 90% of the money could go to the car. Anyway thats my mission for now to try and find a nice easy high paying part time job.

Congrats on the car...if you do go to mtsac you seriously gata take me for a ride.....im so wet on FD's its crazy.

rexhvn

My FD is stock and daily driven and i'm yet to have problems... I did have problems when I first purchased the car such as leaks etc... but once it was fixed up, no other expensive has gone into it.

Fwuffy Squirrel

man all i need is the job and I could cheat my way through a couple years of waiting. Im gana be checking it all out within the next couple weeks so the 3 people who pm'd me sorry I didnt pm you bak but I dont want to give anyone false hope.

AHarada

iTrader: (25)

I went to FJC for like a year and a half, but I'm taking a break from college for now. I go to UTI in Ontario. Man, if you get me one of those jobs, I'll take you for a ride anytime you want lol.

Fwuffy Squirrel

haha well I job open but its like $16 an hour...I mean thats still alot cause im 21 but I have a chance to sell cars for like 1k a week GEEZ thats alot but its bad work. $16 is nice and stable....hmmm

Punished

nice car. I am a fan of black, hence why all my cars are.

Good luck in finding an FD in the future.

But I highly suggest like others, if you cant afford an after market bumper, the 7 is probably not the best car to own.

I would just keep your car, drive it like it should be. And when you are working full time pick up an FD and keep the 240. Having a nice backup for an FD is always a plus.