RotarySB

Alright, I've been lurking and reading up on the forums just about everyday for about the past two years and i've learned quite a bit. However, theres been a few questions that have been tossed around several times in my head.

A lot of people say how "the cheapest part of owning an FD is buying one" and that "you will spend plenty more on the car than the car's value."

So, if you don't mind me asking, on average how much do you FD owners spend on MAINTAINING your car? not including buying mods and other goodies. I have enough to buy an FD and I THINK I have enough money to maintain one but I'm unsure. So any help will be much appreciated

RorsRx7

Well all I can tell you is if a apex seal breaks and bits travel to your turbo's be prepared to need therapy... 4 weeks into owning one of the most stunning looking cars ever made an apex seal broke, damaging all in its path... I bought the car for $28,000 australian and have since paid a further $10,000 rebuilding the entire engine (new housings) and rebuilding the turbos... Sadly the car only had 36,000km on it when the seal broke !!!

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

IMO, there is no definitive answer. Each car and owner will be different, depending on the shape of the car and the motivation and ability of the owner. Will you buy a solid, well running low mileage car or a worn-out high mileage one that's been neglected and/or jacked? Big difference in purchase price there. Do you do your own maintenance? Repairs? You have tools and some know-how?
http://www.epinions.com/content_92709097092

TK7

iTrader: (6)

im not the best person to answer your question, given that ive only only owned an FD for about 3 weeks. But ive spent almost $1000 after the purchase of the car. It needed new tires, and i had the fuel filter and all the fluids changed. I dont see anything else in the imediate future. BUT, the previous owner had just had a mazda reman, and new turbos, and a few other things done. his receipts totaled a littel over $10,000. so i can see how it can be easily more than the cost of the car.

money

iTrader: (2)

make sure you do have extra money in the bank. (10k) will help if anything go wrong.

RotarySB

well I PLAN on buying a STOCK, solid, well running low mileage car. I'll be doing all the maintenance and I'll do all of the repairs I'm capable of. I'm definitely motivated as I would like to own an FD for the rest of my life Plus, I think keeping it stock will keep the major repair bills away.

bbade

iTrader: (5)

I have owned my FD for almost 2 years now and minus upgrades I have spent just the cost for engine oil so that I can change it every 2000 miles. When I bought the car it had less than 1k miles on a rebuild engine and turbos; however the receipts were closer to 5-6k if I remember correctly i'd give you an exact figure but my book of receipts is at home. You can say now that you will keep the car mostly stock, but it is hard too I know I caught the upgrade bug shortly after I bought the car.

Like sgtblue said it really depends on the car, even a freshly rebuilt engine can give fits such is the nature of the rotary. I wouldn't let it keep you away from the car though, they are simply amazing.

bryant

if you want a stock FD you better hurry theres not many left!

SLOASFK

iTrader: (5)

+1 He'll spend more money returning it to stock than the previous owner spent modifying it!

I have reciepts from a previous owner getting a Mazda Reman 8500 miles before I bought my car. That included installing a used set of turbos. I bought the car 8500 miles and 3 1/2 years later not-running.

I've put about $10k into parts and labor. This includes some mods, mostly replacing things that were proned to failure when stock anyway(AST delete, Koyo rad, Greddy IC, upgraded fuel system, etc). If I wouldn't have gone with the after market items, I'd have had to replace the stock items anyway, so it would have probably cost more.

spandy

iTrader: (1)

I'm closing in on 5k in parts, and it's still sitting on jackstands.

efranklin

Way to much, if its a question dont do it.

The Driver

iTrader: (4)

FD tells you right there!

Financial Debt!

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I've had mine for 5 years and spent much less than $5k. But I've only driven it 20k and I do the work myself. Mine is also pretty close to stock. The money I spent is on maintenance of various kinds.

If you do your own work and can afford to park it when you're doing work on it, the costs won't be crazy. If it's your daily driver and you depend on it, and you have to pay a shop, it can get really expensive. If you intend to mod it and boost the power, have even more disposable cash handy.

Dave

TRISPEEDFD3S

iTrader: (26)

Your Life...

Trout2

iTrader: (5)

You just need to have the money, doesn't mean you'll use it. I've owned mine for 10 years, bought with 11,000 miles and 86,000 miles now. The main cost is modifying it. Other than a bad motor at 5yrs/52,000 miles due to a faulty thermostat, the cost has been low (couple of bad ignition coils, broken door pocket lid, etc.).

Now the cost of modifications has easily exceeded my $23,500 purchase price.

Jack

matty

i have owned mine for 7 yrs. besides upgrades i have spent $30 per year for oil changes.

vtec boy spends 5k per yr

enthuasist spends alot less

skir2222

Owned mine for 2 years so far... spent around 10k more then likely more then that, but I just can't leave it alone

car hugger

iTrader: (1)

Talking strictly maintenance and replacement of worn factory parts you shouldn't even think twice about dropping $100 - $400 at a time each month. If you have to concern yourself with keeping money in the bank for food and bills, there is no need to buy a 15 year old car. That is unless your priorities are completely out of whack and you'd sacrifice anything and everything, including human love, to own one.

Expect to replace the radiator($250+), all the coolant hoses($160), thermostat, various temp sensors($50-60each), plugs, wires and belts as they are probably tired and original.

I meticulously maintain my car, keeping a stock pile of replacement parts such as TPS sensor, starter, alternator, fuel pump, spare belts, coolant hoses, vacuum solenoids, etc. All said I probably have about $6-800 in spare parts just for maintenance.

They're great cars and there isn't another car new or used, barring of course Italian exotics, that I would want to own.

Pistonkilla1

I just bought mine and already had to buy SEVERAL parts $2,400 in total JUST to have it running and Im still having boost issues. BUT in thee end it will all be worth it!

rexhvn

Endless

FD3S2005

iTrader: (11)

i just did all my recites and with mantainance and all the repairs iv got done.. its been around 5k within aprox 3.5 years

rexhvn

I've spent about 4k in one year... just bought upper and lower control arms and toe links from a 2000 RZ Can't wait to get them bad boys on so I can get rid of my clunking!!

Dennis,

Davin

iTrader: (14)

lets just say i made $13000 coming back from iraq (investing some of course), been eating 60 cent cans tuna, rarely going out to eat or hitting the bar to socialize, and put every dollar i had towards the car for 3 years only for it to still be in a garage sitting, living with family and kicking back $400 a month, making $50000 a year and waiting for more parts so she can run stable.

just dont do it ok!

RotarySB

thanks guys
all this info from personal experiece has definitely helped me make my decision. I'm definitely going to wait out on an FD for a little bit longer until I've got enough funds to fall back on if anything were to go wrong with the car.

Info was much appreciated

TOM DENSLOW

The Cheapest Repair Was A Daily Commuter Car.this Keeps The Millage Down. Drive The Car For The Pleasure Of It.
I've Had My Car For 14 Years Now And Average 5000 Mi./year.
At First It Was My Only Car. I've Had Many Second Cars Thru The Years But Still Enjoy This Car For What It Is.