Does Experience Matter???
 

I've been lurking on here for the last year or soreading everything I can about the FD which I plan to buy this spring... but as the title says do experience working on cars really mater when buying an FD?:scratch: I'm 27 years old with a pretty good job, I have the money, time and the space to work on it... just don't have that much experience working on cars but I love the car and am more then willing to learn. What do you guys think... should I buy the FD or go with mk4,evo, 350z or something like that???

oh yeah it would be a JDM model I would buy if that makes any difference in your opinions

thanks in advance for your help

My opinion is that it does matter.
When i first got my FD i didn't know anything about it i just liked the way it looks.
My FD came fully built it was pushing 360 whp on M2 turbos, buying a fully modded FD was a bad thing for me bc a week later my motor blew.
Over the 3 years i've had the car im still learning about the rotary and had alot of problems with it til this date(3 different motors). But luckily theres this forum to help me out. Also i learned how to work on cars through my FD i had no experience before the FD.

My suggestion if you were to buy a FD get the mods that helps the motor breath better and the cooling mods before anything else:).

Also i had time and space to work on the car but not alot of cash (biggest mistake ever) so having extra cash is good.

thanks for the reply... from what I've read on the forum I'm trying to learn from everyone elses mistakes!!! Before I do any power mods I want to do all reliabilty mods and getting everything running 100% before I try adding power!!!

thanks again... anyone else????

As long as you're mechanically minded you will be okay. Just read up a as much as you can before you fit/buy mods - And you will be fine :)

IMO, experience doesn't matter. What does matter is:

* Time
* Tools
* Money
* Desire

* Ideally you'd add space to that list for working, but if you have desire you'll find the space. ;)

If you have those 4, you can overcome experience. If you have the desire, you can do the proper research/reading to learn what to do. Many owners have never touched anything outside the cockpit of a car until they bought their FD3S. I personally never even did an oil change before purchasing my RX7. However, I had time and money which allowed me to increase tools. My desire has faded over the years, but my knowledge grew over that time so most tasks aren't as time consuming as they once were.

Basically, if you are easily frustrated skip this car. If you can maintain your cool and have a desire to keep a good running car; you'll be fine.

IMO experience does matter. I find it interesting that I've had far fewer problems with my FD in the 16 years I've owned it than most seem to have in 1 year. IN fact, it's been a very reliable vehicle for me. I attribute that to my experience and substantial understanding of automobiles (as well as my engineering background).

While it is possible for a newbie to successfully own an FD (following some of the guidelines others have posted above), I do not believe it is a good car for a novice or beginner unless you are mature and well disciplined.

I think basic knowledge on engines is all that it is needed. As long as you know how to find a part and know how they work you will be fine. Remember every one started some where. One way I started learning about a car was like you I would read in the forums. If I have access to FSMs I would "study" them.

As for searching for a car, yes a completely stock one would be my recommendation. That way you know how the car is from the factory and not molested.

Mechanical aptitude plays a big part in this: For some, your logic will follow and the process will come with relative ease. For others, it will be difficult, if not impossible. Not everyone is, or cares to be a mechanical wiz. The operative word in the forgoing post is "study." This requires discipline. Sure, it's doable if you're determined; however, if you just want to tear into the car and put a bunch of mods on it and be Speed Racer (before you learn it and really understand how it works), then you're headed for trouble. This is where maturity factors in. Experience really helps you understand what matters, helps you approach your project smartly and avoid many pitfalls/mistakes.

Keep in mind, people have to start somewhere. They just don't come out of the womb with an impact wrench in their hands. ;)

Some sort of common knowledge or basic understanding is required. Or at least the ability to gain that knowledge. I have met some people that are just plain stupid when it comes to common sense things, people like that would pretty much end up destroying an RX7, or pretty much any other car for that matter. If you can read through things on here and don't feel completely lost and have the desire to read and research for hours on end if need be, then you will be fine. It all depends on how far you want to take the car as well.

On the other hand if you have the money, and there's a good rotary shop in the area you can always put the car in their hands for anything beyond your ability. Don't take it just anywhere though, even a decent mechanic/tuner can screw things up when it comes to an rx7. Most every beginner will go through at least one engine in their ownership of an rx7. So keep an extra $5000 ready. I agree a stock car is best to start with, you never know what the previous owner has done. Then at least the FSM's will match what's there.

This here is a big key. If you are fairly mechanically inclined you should be just fine. But really be honest with yourself on this one.

I had always done small modifications to cars in the past but after I purchased my FD I have learned SOOO much more. My mechanical skills and knowledge have increased exponentially.

Why a JDM?? Just to have a LHD? I would squash that idea and just purchase a US version car. It will be much easier and cheaper to find parts. It is the same car, no need to make things unnecissarily difficult. Remember this is an old car and parts are difficult enough to resource if Ray at Malloy Mazda does not have it.

I DD a 350z, it is a fun car and would be even more fun with a TT kit added. BUT, it is no where near the joy of driving my RX7. Two completely different animals. Good luck with your decision!!

Does not matter! How else will you gain experience without doing it in the first place? You sound like you're mechanically inclined and have the drive to learn- that's the most important thing. Beyond that, get advice from real tuners, read books on the subject, and be meticulous. Trial and error (and success) is challenging and rewarding. Plus, 350Zs are for douchebags :D

Majik and the others have really good points. I'll reiterate that you have to REALLY have love for the car to stay motivated to make it run like it should and to fix things promptly when they break. I personally never did much mechanical work on any car until I bought my FD. Now, I don't trust anyone touching it besides me.

If I was you, since you're new to this game, you should absolutely try to find a stockish car. Like Gordon said, at least you know what you're starting out with as opposed to a modded car that will likely come with a host of "aftermarket induced caveats" to how you can drive it, start it, idle it, etc. I think every modded FD for sale should come with a rewritten factory service manual :) So I would say that experience does not matter ;) As the others have said, you absolutely should have some capacity to read diagrams, understand technical manuals, AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!

Thanks for all the responses... I was thinking the samething that I could learn it as I go. I know I have the desire to learn so thanks everyone.:)

Someone was asking why JDM... well hear in Canada I can get a JDM for anywhere from 6-14 grand and the LHD US versions are usually going for like 24-32 grand which is just CRAZY to me for a 16 year old car!!!!

Well heres another question for you guys, I have 16 grand to spend initially on the FD... would you buy a car for cheaper with maybe a few problems and rebuild right away or look for the cleanest FD possible????:dunno:

Thanks again for all the responses:)

I didn't read all of the replies, but in my opinion needed experience to work on the FD is like needing experience to get hired for an entry level job.

You're GOING to learn how to work on the car or the car is going to fire you...metaphorically speaking.

I learned how to work on cars on my rx-7 more than any other car I've owned. The main reason for this is that the 7 breaks more than my other vehicle, there's a lack of capable mechanics near me who are able to work on the car, and it's even more expensive when you don't do it yourself.

I completely agree with mahjik, if you have those four things you'll be okay. I also agree with what Gordon said, start with the newest *looking* fd you can find.

The only thing that will make up for a lack of experience is sheer perseverance and a willingness to make the car a higher priority than any of your other hobbies.

I'll add " and money" to arghx's list.



I think the rx7 is honestly a good car to learn on though.... if for no other reason than the forum members here and the availability of OEM and aftermarket parts. Also it's nice that all of our FMSs are online for free.

doesnt matter. if you have enough common sense and a willingness to learn thats all you need.

yeah that was implied at least. if you like to go golfing, you won't be golfing much anymore and you won't be spending money on golfing. If you play guitar, you won't be buying any new guitars. If you take long/expensive vacations, they will be shorter and cheaper. If you like nice clothes, you'll buy them a lot less often.

You may find yourself cutting costs in most areas of your life to pay for the car.

On top of paying for the car, gas/fluids, and insurance, I'd budget an average of $300-$400 a month to pay for

1) tools
2) interior parts that will disintegrate
3) eventual motor rebuild
4) eventual supporting mods needed
5) redoing the stuff you are going to screw up (and we've all done that)

IMO three things can happen after someone buys an Rx-7

1) they give up and sell it within 1-1.5 years, because they had trouble owning a car that has very little tolerance for neglect or poorly chosen modifications
2) they pay out the ass to shops to do the work, even though many rotary shops aren't so great
3) they functionally become an automotive technician and do most of their own work

thats a spot on post...truer words have never been typed.

i lol'd at number 2) interior parts....your not a FD owner until your picking up a plastic piece off the garage floor thinking "where the f**k did that come from"

and to the OP, learning everything as you go like i did(and still do) number 5 will come into play more, so budget extra for mistakes.

For me, I did have experience in working on cars. I've owned and modded maybe 5 cars before I picked up my RX7. I always did my own work and thought I was a pretty good mechanic - until I first encounted the RX7.

I blew my engine in the first year, my car then sat for 1 year as I decided what I was going to do with it. Then one day, it just hit me. I was lacking experience with the rotary and I had a really strong desire and drive to get it done.

I decided to buy a rebuilt motor from DJSeven. I put that motor in and started teaching myself how to tune. The motor ended up blowing 3k miles later due to myself learning to tune.

At this point, I was too knee deep in the rotary game to give up and go V8 or sell the car. So, I decided to do tons of research and watch a few videos, a few weeks later I ported and built my own motor, then next month I had tuning down to a T. I now have a car that is reliable that runs low 11s on the stock twins in the 1/4.

This goes to show that if you have enough desire, you can overcome anything, reasonably speaking. If I did not have such of a good job and an understanding GF, this would have taken a much longer time to do. You DO need a lot of money AND a lot of time, but in the end, drive is most important. This is definitely not a car someone who is not driven, easily frustrated or poor.

However, as much as this car takes out of you, the reward in the end makes it all worth it.

Yeah, I am sorry I did not notice that you were in Canada until after I made the post. I realize the JDM's are much cheaper up there. Although are most of them in decent condition? I know that quite a few that get shipped over are in pretty bad shape to start off. Or at least that is what I have heard.

I 100% agree with purchasing the nicest car you can afford. It is a good idea to leave a little room with how much you have saved for a quick "just in case" fund. Especially if you intend on driving the car everyday at first. You do not want to get stuck b/c you just blew all your money on the car. From the sound of it you are very prepared and have done a good bit of homework. You should be just fine! Good luck on the search for your first FD. You will LOVE the car!!



:squintfin
You must have the Z confused with BMW's.. :lol::lol:

Depends, if you plan on doing all the work yourself, then yes - experience does matter. I learned everything I know about working on cars through my fd and it definitely has cost me. I remember playing with my old boost controller, and one wrong setting had me boosting to 23psi even though boost was set to 10psi. Somehow or another I didn't do any internal damage, but with these cars the smallest minute detail matters. If you want a bulletproof engine go buy a mkiv. However, if someone else is doing the work to your car, just make sure you have a great tuner. If I could do it all over again I would not be in a FD but I am way past the point of return with all the money and time I have invested in this car.

Bryan

With an FD... this could easily be very literal too.


That said, if you have decent mechanical ability, good patience to learn before doing, and the will to spend some time on your FD... you will do just fine. That is exactly where I started. some mechanical experience on piston engines, and then a few years of research, and now a project that is a few years in the making. Go for it!

As far as a JDM vehicle goes. The hoops you have to jump through to even get one... and then the other hoops to drive it on the street (which may be entirely impossible depending on location) is not at all worth it. Stick with a USDM FD and go have some fun!