Daily Driving Opinions
07-20-14, 02:11 PM
#1
Daily Driving Opinions
I've been doing a lot of thinking and reading (research) w.e u want to call it.
I am a HUGE rotary fan, I've own an FC and never had any major problems besides the oil cooler lines which i ended up replacing with SS. However, im looking into a daily driving car that i can still occasionally have a lil fun with. I've narrowed my search down to 3 cars. Evo 8/9, 06 STI, and of course the reason why im on this post, the FD3S. I've gotten criticized about reliability from all these ppl who never owned rotaries. And for a fact ive driven my FC 3-4 ours at a time in and out of state and never a issue....So my question is since i really want to make a jump to the FD, what do you guys spend for maintenance. Besides oil changes , plugs and wires. What should i have to address jumping into this? and if you dont mind, what do u spend monthly on these parts to keep up with ur car?
i would really like to hear from those who DD theirs and maybe even occasionally track it.....
I am a HUGE rotary fan, I've own an FC and never had any major problems besides the oil cooler lines which i ended up replacing with SS. However, im looking into a daily driving car that i can still occasionally have a lil fun with. I've narrowed my search down to 3 cars. Evo 8/9, 06 STI, and of course the reason why im on this post, the FD3S. I've gotten criticized about reliability from all these ppl who never owned rotaries. And for a fact ive driven my FC 3-4 ours at a time in and out of state and never a issue....So my question is since i really want to make a jump to the FD, what do you guys spend for maintenance. Besides oil changes , plugs and wires. What should i have to address jumping into this? and if you dont mind, what do u spend monthly on these parts to keep up with ur car?
i would really like to hear from those who DD theirs and maybe even occasionally track it.....
07-20-14, 02:27 PM
#2
I think it's certainly possible to daily drive an FD. I pretty much daily mine aside from winter. The biggest thing is that these car have a huge list of things you can do for reliability. For me, power goals were never there, but just happened due to reliability mods, but because of that, my car has rewarded me with the pleasure to get in and drive it whenever I want to. The downside is that there is ALWAYS something to add to your list of reliability.
For me, next is a vented hood and larger dual oil coolers. Reliability is all about knowing the boundaries of your car.
For me, next is a vented hood and larger dual oil coolers. Reliability is all about knowing the boundaries of your car.
07-20-14, 02:35 PM
#3
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I think the biggest downside of having a daily FD would be the gas vs the others, but of course their are some people who get their car tuned for saving mpg. Honestly I would probably get the Sti, I don't daily my FD, but I know I would go broke since I get like 13-15mpg max. Also it's not that expensive to keep up to me as long as nothing goes wrong and cars not getting ragged on all the time.
07-20-14, 02:37 PM
#4
I think the biggest downside of having a daily FD would be the gas vs the others, but of course their are some people who get their car tuned for saving mpg. Honestly I would probably get the Sti, I don't daily my FD, but I know I would go broke since I get like 13-15mpg max. Also it's not that expensive to keep up to me as long as nothing goes wrong and cars not getting ragged on all the time.
07-20-14, 02:38 PM
#5
I think it's certainly possible to daily drive an FD. I pretty much daily mine aside from winter. The biggest thing is that these car have a huge list of things you can do for reliability. For me, power goals were never there, but just happened due to reliability mods, but because of that, my car has rewarded me with the pleasure to get in and drive it whenever I want to. The downside is that there is ALWAYS something to add to your list of reliability.
For me, next is a vented hood and larger dual oil coolers. Reliability is all about knowing the boundaries of your car.
For me, next is a vented hood and larger dual oil coolers. Reliability is all about knowing the boundaries of your car.
07-20-14, 02:48 PM
#6
It can be overwhelming if you try taking it all in at once. Like I said, know the boundaries of the car. If you don't have proper cooling mods, don't push so hard for too long and it will be fine. If you don't have proper intercooling size, turn down the boost until you're ready for it. There are a lot of FAQs that cover the basic reliability mods, and then there are more advances ways of reliability, like going single turbo, removing unnecessary accessories under the hood, etc. Luckily, a lot of FDs for sale have the basic reliability mods done already.
07-20-14, 03:00 PM
#7
It can be overwhelming if you try taking it all in at once. Like I said, know the boundaries of the car. If you don't have proper cooling mods, don't push so hard for too long and it will be fine. If you don't have proper intercooling size, turn down the boost until you're ready for it. There are a lot of FAQs that cover the basic reliability mods, and then there are more advances ways of reliability, like going single turbo, removing unnecessary accessories under the hood, etc. Luckily, a lot of FDs for sale have the basic reliability mods done already.
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07-20-14, 03:05 PM
#8
I could daily my FD, however it is not nearly as practical as either of the other two options you mentioned. I would not buy one for a school setting (I assume you're going to school with the dorm situation). Instead, I'd get something crappy that would be ok getting damaged, because it will.
I have not yet met an unhappy Subaru owner. The STI (or WRX even), has plenty of sport, 4 doors, enough storage space, and good reliability. It is a far better daily than the FD. The EVO would be fine too. Heck, my daily is an 03 Lancer ES and it is so underwhelming in every aspect, but I don't care if anything happens to it, and it has never left me stranded.
If you'd like a rotary for school, I'd recommend a naturally aspirated FB or FC. And, as much as I hate to say it, I wouldn't feel too badly if someone opened their car door into one... they're common enough that they are easily replaceable.
I have not yet met an unhappy Subaru owner. The STI (or WRX even), has plenty of sport, 4 doors, enough storage space, and good reliability. It is a far better daily than the FD. The EVO would be fine too. Heck, my daily is an 03 Lancer ES and it is so underwhelming in every aspect, but I don't care if anything happens to it, and it has never left me stranded.
If you'd like a rotary for school, I'd recommend a naturally aspirated FB or FC. And, as much as I hate to say it, I wouldn't feel too badly if someone opened their car door into one... they're common enough that they are easily replaceable.
07-20-14, 03:07 PM
#9
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If your in school, I would say none of these would make a good dd (actually in all cases they aren't). They are all very high maintenance cars with horrible gas mileage.
07-20-14, 03:50 PM
#10
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firstly i wouldn't buy an FD without having a place to work on it, that is just asking for trouble. its a 25 year old car.
secondly you won't meet any unhappy subaru owners, because they all bought something else after the 3rd engine blew, under warranty. Maybe it is just our local dealership sucking, but there are hardly any WRX's left out here, they all died.
the FD can be a good DD, actually but to do it, REQUIRES you (or the person before you) to have replaced a LOT of parts, there are a couple of optionals on the list, but the more things you reuse, the more the car is going to need a tow truck...
recent engine, engine wiring harness, metering lines, vacuum hoses, injectors, pulsation damper, clutch (should be same mileage as engine), radiator, turbo water hoses, its nice if the turbos are newer, etc etc etc.
there is more stuff on the chassis too, but it can be done separately, as needed.
if you're totaling this up, it is a fairly large number. cutting corners just isn't possible on the FD, as there is a lot of labor time (not to mention the time the car is down) to change an injector, or a metering line.
the FC on the other hand is a great college car! you can fit everything you own in it, and its reliable (to a point), and fun
secondly you won't meet any unhappy subaru owners, because they all bought something else after the 3rd engine blew, under warranty. Maybe it is just our local dealership sucking, but there are hardly any WRX's left out here, they all died.
the FD can be a good DD, actually but to do it, REQUIRES you (or the person before you) to have replaced a LOT of parts, there are a couple of optionals on the list, but the more things you reuse, the more the car is going to need a tow truck...
recent engine, engine wiring harness, metering lines, vacuum hoses, injectors, pulsation damper, clutch (should be same mileage as engine), radiator, turbo water hoses, its nice if the turbos are newer, etc etc etc.
there is more stuff on the chassis too, but it can be done separately, as needed.
if you're totaling this up, it is a fairly large number. cutting corners just isn't possible on the FD, as there is a lot of labor time (not to mention the time the car is down) to change an injector, or a metering line.
the FC on the other hand is a great college car! you can fit everything you own in it, and its reliable (to a point), and fun
07-20-14, 04:26 PM
#12
Rotary Enthusiast
I have DD my FD for quite a few years now. Its rather terrible on gas, but is generally very reliable.
My most recent problem was...last week, when my alternator died..
Its one of those cars where you just don't leave a problem to fix it later. You fix it now or die.
General maintenance IMO is not expensive, its similar to other cars really. The only difference is you NEVER leave it.
In all honesty monthly maintenance is generally zero, other then when I change oil/filter etc which is what like $30 or $40?
For me, its mostly fixing up little things(which i do myself), not too much monetary cost, only time.
My most recent problem was...last week, when my alternator died..
Its one of those cars where you just don't leave a problem to fix it later. You fix it now or die.
General maintenance IMO is not expensive, its similar to other cars really. The only difference is you NEVER leave it.
In all honesty monthly maintenance is generally zero, other then when I change oil/filter etc which is what like $30 or $40?
For me, its mostly fixing up little things(which i do myself), not too much monetary cost, only time.
07-20-14, 04:53 PM
#14
My daily driver for the past 10 years has been a 2004 Subaru Forester XT. 172,000 miles and still going strong. It's more practical than most cars on the road. And with a few easy mods to the suspension, intake and exhaust, it's also more fun to drive than most cars on the road. For a daily driver, get a Subaru, but watch out for ones that have been driven hard, which includes almost any wrx or sti.
07-20-14, 04:55 PM
#15
Rotary Enthusiast
I guess I should add that I have had the car for along time now, so I know exactly what I have.
Everything that has needed my attention has got it.
My ownership has not been without its (expensive) problems though. But general maintenance is not that bad.
PS. i drove the FD to work this morning, and I did not let it sit and gather carbon while warming up, i just drove the thing
Everything that has needed my attention has got it.
My ownership has not been without its (expensive) problems though. But general maintenance is not that bad.
PS. i drove the FD to work this morning, and I did not let it sit and gather carbon while warming up, i just drove the thing
07-20-14, 05:59 PM
#16
One can love this car, but it will never, ever, love them.
07-20-14, 06:05 PM
#17
See i understand the point of of it being a sports car. But as i said before Gas milage doesnt really bother me. its more of a pleasure thing. MY school isnt very far neither, nor do i have a lot of stuff.....
My only concern is maintenance wise.... Because if it was as good as my FC then it would be awesome lol.... but thanks for the input im still taking it all into consideration
My only concern is maintenance wise.... Because if it was as good as my FC then it would be awesome lol.... but thanks for the input im still taking it all into consideration
07-21-14, 07:15 AM
#19
Daily drove my car for nearly five years straight, through every winter and summer, with no garage.
I live at the southernmost point of Australia, next down is Antarctica. Our winters are harsh on cars.
I look after the car and it looks after me. I fix what needs to be done, however in the five years and counting, I've had ZERO major mechanical failures. Only oil changes, coolant changes and be very proactive and attentive to the car.
They are absolutely reliable if you keep it simple and near stock and look after it. Not bolt big turbos on it, doggy heat wrapped lines, stupidly large off-camber wheels, intercoolers that don't fit, drill holes in this and that, run messes of wires here and there, fiddling with the ECU... That sort of garbage is going to cause reliability problems.
If you're in school and low on funds to fix whatever you may need to, and not mechanically inclined, I would say this is not the time in your life for fast cars.
The worst opening phrase of any sentence is "But my engine builder says..."
You need to be handy with the tools yourself.
I live at the southernmost point of Australia, next down is Antarctica. Our winters are harsh on cars.
I look after the car and it looks after me. I fix what needs to be done, however in the five years and counting, I've had ZERO major mechanical failures. Only oil changes, coolant changes and be very proactive and attentive to the car.
They are absolutely reliable if you keep it simple and near stock and look after it. Not bolt big turbos on it, doggy heat wrapped lines, stupidly large off-camber wheels, intercoolers that don't fit, drill holes in this and that, run messes of wires here and there, fiddling with the ECU... That sort of garbage is going to cause reliability problems.
If you're in school and low on funds to fix whatever you may need to, and not mechanically inclined, I would say this is not the time in your life for fast cars.
The worst opening phrase of any sentence is "But my engine builder says..."
You need to be handy with the tools yourself.
07-21-14, 11:03 AM
#20
Daily drove my car for nearly five years straight, through every winter and summer, with no garage.
I live at the southernmost point of Australia, next down is Antarctica. Our winters are harsh on cars.
I look after the car and it looks after me. I fix what needs to be done, however in the five years and counting, I've had ZERO major mechanical failures. Only oil changes, coolant changes and be very proactive and attentive to the car.
They are absolutely reliable if you keep it simple and near stock and look after it. Not bolt big turbos on it, doggy heat wrapped lines, stupidly large off-camber wheels, intercoolers that don't fit, drill holes in this and that, run messes of wires here and there, fiddling with the ECU... That sort of garbage is going to cause reliability problems.
If you're in school and low on funds to fix whatever you may need to, and not mechanically inclined, I would say this is not the time in your life for fast cars.
The worst opening phrase of any sentence is "But my engine builder says..."
You need to be handy with the tools yourself.
I live at the southernmost point of Australia, next down is Antarctica. Our winters are harsh on cars.
I look after the car and it looks after me. I fix what needs to be done, however in the five years and counting, I've had ZERO major mechanical failures. Only oil changes, coolant changes and be very proactive and attentive to the car.
They are absolutely reliable if you keep it simple and near stock and look after it. Not bolt big turbos on it, doggy heat wrapped lines, stupidly large off-camber wheels, intercoolers that don't fit, drill holes in this and that, run messes of wires here and there, fiddling with the ECU... That sort of garbage is going to cause reliability problems.
If you're in school and low on funds to fix whatever you may need to, and not mechanically inclined, I would say this is not the time in your life for fast cars.
The worst opening phrase of any sentence is "But my engine builder says..."
You need to be handy with the tools yourself.
07-21-14, 02:04 PM
#22
Recovering Miataholic
We bought our '94 new, and it just turned 110K miles yesterday. Original engine, never overhauled. Clutch was replaced (once), the LIM-to-engine gasket was replaced with the stainless steel version, all vac hoses replaced with Viton (once), all coolant hoses replaced (once), oil changed regularly every 3K miles since new (Castrol GTX 10W-30 only), trans & diff oil changed about every 30K miles, coolant flushed & replaced about every 30K miles. Also brake/clutch fluid replaced about every 30K miles. All else in sig below.
Gas mileage will suck especially if mostly on short runs (like 13 mpg when shopping locally on a cold, pig-rich engine). On road, we currently get 21-22 mpg @ 80 mph. Overall it's been a good car for 20 years.
Gas mileage will suck especially if mostly on short runs (like 13 mpg when shopping locally on a cold, pig-rich engine). On road, we currently get 21-22 mpg @ 80 mph. Overall it's been a good car for 20 years.
07-22-14, 01:26 PM
#24
I just sold my wrx and bought a rx7. Miss the suby a lot but love the fd. Gas milage sucks, plus you have the cost of premix. Oil changed are cheaper cause it's not full synthetic. And I'm on stock everything except for exhaust and apex'i pfc base map. About 230 miles to a full tank.
