Mrmatt3465

iTrader: (10)

Hello there,

I am actually very new to this forum and I have always been a fan of 3rd gen RX7s. I've been reading countless amounts of info from the archives and general FAQs about these cars but I couldn't conclude one thing; How many of you guys actually legitimately daily drive your RX7?

I know these cars are not known for reliability, but as I've read there are several mods you can do to assist in this. It also seems there is a different driving style for these cars as well. They seem to require a bit more spirited driving am I correct?

I would love to be a future FD owner but I'm just iffy on subject still because I enjoy a rock solid car.

Thanks for your input!
Matt

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

Yes
I dont drive it to work but I do go to the grocery store, a restaurant, and the mall, and of course if i need a quick five guys fix.

Natey

iTrader: (19)

Yes I do, but I have a daily driver/grocery getter Protege5, too.

lol, In the FD owners manual, it says that one of the tools you'll need to keep it running is a car that can ALWAYS make it to the auto parts store.

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

I did for 2 years. I wouldn't recommend it.

GreatShamanGT

iTrader: (9)

+1

it also gets terrible gas mileage

MclarenF1

iTrader: (1)

Every day it is running I drive it. I bought the car to drive it, not look at it.

the_saint

In the summer I daily drive it

Mrmatt3465

iTrader: (10)

Good info to know! I really wanted to buy one to daily drive it around base [I'm leaving within the next month for Air Force BMT]. It seems like its more of a weekend warrior type car. Correct?

GreatShamanGT

iTrader: (9)

For me, I'd rather have another car as a daily driver. It might be fun to drive around, but it certainly isn't great on gas, lol.

TimeMachine

iTrader: (10)

I did at first: I had to have it, and it was my only car for about 2 years... but then I wised up. It's hard to use for everyday tasks like going to the grocery store, etc. considering the trunk isn't much larger than a shoebox. It really is more of a weekend car, and I appreciate it much more now that I can drive it when I want to instead of when I have to.

lucnguyen

i like to drive it on weekend only!!

rdahm

iTrader: (6)

did. dont.

winters in MI to the RX-7 are harsh. I teetered between having my car be a simple sports car or a babied high performance machine. When i moved out of my parents, it went in my garage and no longer DD

rx7rcer09

on nice days yes ill drive it when its to hot no lack of A/C takes a toll on you, and when its to cold being thats its Ohio cold=snow so it hides in the garage.

Speed of light

iTrader: (8)

I daily drive my FD and have for the last 16 years....and I don't 'putt' around either. Even considering that I do own two other cars. If the FD is properly maintained and not been f***ed up, it can be plenty reliable. I have made many road trips in it and the biggest failure I've had was a blown RR tire. In short, it has been no less reliable than any other car I have owned. In fact, there was a period were I didn't need to work on it at all for three or so years (other than oil changes).

My FD was originally stock for a few years, then I began to sanely mod it for performance and reliability. Each mod was carefully thought out and improved the overall drive-ability and performance of the car.

Anyway, I drive it most of the time and at every chance I get because it's just plain fun. It's like good sex; somewhat rough but exhilarating and extremely satisfying.

zammm

iTrader: (6)

I've been DDing mine the past 4 months without any problems...but the gas milage is TERRIBLE, the exhaust is LOUD, my B&M short shifter is LOUD, not to mention my alternator is dying and the radio turns off everytime I hit the brakes...

Thank god I just fixed my 74 bug...way better for DDing

GMO-RX7

iTrader: (21)

With some good modifications to the cooling system and the right owner this car can be easily daily driven and highly enjoyed. I daily drove mine for over a year. The only problem that occured was a boost leak because a bolt came off the hot side of the stock twins. I'd say changing your oil every 2000 miles and checking it when you get gas can go a long way. Waking up in the morning and remembering that you have an FD is like nothing else. When the garage door opens and I see it I am enlightened.

arghx

iTrader: (3)

You can, but don't put yourself in a position where you have to. [/thread]

mannykiller

iTrader: (93)

I dd mine.. 6 months.. a few problems from the previous owner but just watch your oil level, Coolant level, change the oil every 3000 miles, and make sure your very very aware of every noise. Its definitely not the cheapest car to drive...thats for damn sure... It's loud, terrible on gas, but my god do I love it.....haha. If you can get a beater alongside it..i'd say get one.. if not..its not the greatest car to rely on everyday.

my day usually goes like this:

wake up
check oil level
check coolant level
Start car to warm up all the way about 12-15 min
Eat breakfast
Get gas
school, HW, Studying
get gas haha
go home

next day...usually the same thing..give or take 3 days on gas...depending...

Nateness

iTrader: (7)

I've DD'd mine for the past 2 years, but I am seriously considering buying a 2nd car for that duty. The gas milage is terrible, but this car is also terribly fun =]

I've done the typical radiator/intercooler upgrades and have a power FC. As far as major maintanence, I've had to replace the water pump and the alternator.

staticguitar313

iTrader: (2)

Will be DD'ing mine as soon as I can get get it through emissions testing, I have a pretty reliable setup especially once i setup water injection.

joel_rx7

iTrader: (7)

Insurance is so expensive where I live that I can't really afford having two cars. I car pool with my wife and use public transport the rest of the time.

Does it suck? Yes it does! But every time time drive the FD (some WE and summer time) I am so happy to have such a car instead of a front wheel drive medium performance car.

rx7>rx8

If you only let the car warm up for about 1 min, and keep the rpm's below 2000 until it's warmed up is that acceptable? I'd love to daily one in the summer... below zero winters REQUIRE a block heater haha.

JP's 93 fd

iTrader: (28)

I've been dd my car ever since i got it back and running(3-4 months ago). doesn't snow over here but it rains and I try not to drive it then. new rebuild, turbo's, clutch etc and runs like a champ. like everybody says, gas sucks. I drive 80 miles a day, 5 days a week. need to get my honda back up and running.

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

There is alot of debate about this. I remember reading that oil pressure is different at temps but that could be BS. What I think is certain is that idling to warm up is easiest on the engine.

Nathan Kwok

I've daily driven mine for about 10 years now. It was my only car for 9 so I didn't have much choice :P. Now my wife has a car that we can drive around on weekends but I still am left with the FD to drive to work every day. Luckily my commute is only about 15 miles each way, so its not a long drive.

My recommendation if you plan to daily drive it is keep the car mostly stock, focus on reliability mods, such as an upgraded radiator, ast, dp, hose job, etc. Personally I regret getting coilovers as a daily driver because even my relatively soft setup (450lb F / 350lb R) isn't as comfortable as stock and has less travel.

When it comes to maintenance I follow this philosophy: as soon as you spot a problem (a leak, a strange sound, etc), fix it right away, and fix it such a way that its exactly the same as before it was broken. Don't use a broken part as an excuse to buy an aftermarket one. The aftermarket part may be tempting because its cheaper and offers "improved" performance but usually it will hurt daily driveability. If the aftermarket part truely is an improvement, you should already have it . Remember, the key to reliability is consistency, and if you are constantly tinkering with the car it won't be reliable. Plus, making multiple changes makes it very hard to diagnose problems. This is also why you should fix problems right away, because if you have two problems stack up sometimes its harder to fix them both (this is common with turbo problems where you have multiple failing solenoids and cracked vacuum hosess).