FD as a daily driver
11-12-07, 03:49 AM
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FD as a daily driver
I currently have an '04 AT RX-8 (bleh to the AT). I am selling it to a friend in a couple months, to buy a manual RX-8, but it's not for a couple months, and it got me thinking... when I bought my RX-8, I didn't test out too many cars, and I didn't even know about certain other ones. I've started test driving some, and snooping around. I'm pretty dead-set on getting another RX-8, there is - after all - a big reason I bought it in the first place, but one thing keeps cropping up in my mind, and that's an FD.
I love the looks of the FD, even more than my RX-8. It's so sleek, so subtle yet sharp, it doesn't look like it's trying to be anything it's not, yet its still very aggressive. I also love the rarity of it, which is something that brough me to the RX-8 at first, and is starting to pull me even moreso towards the RX-7. I would have a car rarer than my dad's (he's got a '65 Mustang Convertable, and I am always looking for a way to one-up him).
However, this is going to be my daily driver, and I know that FD's, with the Twin Turbos, have had a few reliability issues. How much is the general upkeep on the car, and is it worth it to have an FD as a daily driver? If I did have it as a daily driver, would it be the type of thing where I would want a little beater car for when it is in the shop? From what I've heard, it will be there fairly often...
I also auto-cross, and it would put me up into Super Stock (assuming I found a stock FD, which is probably pretty tough any more), or into a modified class. Does the car have many problems competing in any of the classes it would get put into? Placing first isn't a big concern to me, I mostly enjoy the thrill and the adrenaline rush, but there is still a part of me that always wants to do well.
The backseat on my RX-8 gets used on occasion to sit people, but I can honestly say I would be completely fine without it. 90% of the time it's driven, I'm the only one in it. Another 50-75% of the remaining time, there's only one other person. How is it for storage space, though? Can it fit a set of golf clubs in the trunk? Skis? A couple suitcases for a cross-country trip?
What else about having an RX-7 as a daily driver is there that I should know?
I love the looks of the FD, even more than my RX-8. It's so sleek, so subtle yet sharp, it doesn't look like it's trying to be anything it's not, yet its still very aggressive. I also love the rarity of it, which is something that brough me to the RX-8 at first, and is starting to pull me even moreso towards the RX-7. I would have a car rarer than my dad's (he's got a '65 Mustang Convertable, and I am always looking for a way to one-up him).
However, this is going to be my daily driver, and I know that FD's, with the Twin Turbos, have had a few reliability issues. How much is the general upkeep on the car, and is it worth it to have an FD as a daily driver? If I did have it as a daily driver, would it be the type of thing where I would want a little beater car for when it is in the shop? From what I've heard, it will be there fairly often...
I also auto-cross, and it would put me up into Super Stock (assuming I found a stock FD, which is probably pretty tough any more), or into a modified class. Does the car have many problems competing in any of the classes it would get put into? Placing first isn't a big concern to me, I mostly enjoy the thrill and the adrenaline rush, but there is still a part of me that always wants to do well.
The backseat on my RX-8 gets used on occasion to sit people, but I can honestly say I would be completely fine without it. 90% of the time it's driven, I'm the only one in it. Another 50-75% of the remaining time, there's only one other person. How is it for storage space, though? Can it fit a set of golf clubs in the trunk? Skis? A couple suitcases for a cross-country trip?
What else about having an RX-7 as a daily driver is there that I should know?
11-12-07, 04:22 AM
#2
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I DD my rx7, and as long as you do all the normal reliability mods, check your fluids regularly, and are a little handy with a spanner (so you don't get a stupid bill for reconnecting a vacuum hose or something) you should have no worries...
...shame the same can't be said about the fuel bills!
Jon
...shame the same can't be said about the fuel bills!
Jon
11-12-07, 06:08 AM
#4
Not the company
Yes, it can be used as a daily driver with the right reliability mods and good maintenance.
As for ski's or golf clubs, it would be a very tight fit, if they fit at all. You'd def. have to remove the center divider between the storage bins and the rear hatch.
Small to medium suitcases shouldn't be a problem.
As for ski's or golf clubs, it would be a very tight fit, if they fit at all. You'd def. have to remove the center divider between the storage bins and the rear hatch.
Small to medium suitcases shouldn't be a problem.
11-12-07, 06:36 AM
#5
......However, this is going to be my daily driver, and I know that FD's, with the Twin Turbos, have had a few reliability issues. How much is the general upkeep on the car, and is it worth it to have an FD as a daily driver? If I did have it as a daily driver, would it be the type of thing where I would want a little beater car for when it is in the shop? From what I've heard, it will be there fairly often...
I also auto-cross, and it would put me up into Super Stock (assuming I found a stock FD, which is probably pretty tough any more), or into a modified class. Does the car have many problems competing in any of the classes it would get put into? Placing first isn't a big concern to me, I mostly enjoy the thrill and the adrenaline rush, but there is still a part of me that always wants to do well.
Last edited by Sgtblue; 11-12-07 at 06:42 AM.
11-12-07, 06:45 AM
#6
HAN-SOLO
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I DD my 94 FD, and like everyone else has said, as long as you do all the reliability mods (just do a search for them) and keep up on maintenance you'll be fine. as for being able to lug things around, thats a different story. there really is not much room in the car for such things as golf clubs and wut not. small suitcases or a case of beer is about the best your going to be able to do. remember to let your car warm up and cool down also!
11-12-07, 07:39 AM
#7
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So many threads on this, but...
I like to open the bonnet for 1/2 an hour after driving. Remember the highest temps will be after the car has been turned off.
I love the FD seats but after driving in traffic it can become a bit cramped.
I like to open the bonnet for 1/2 an hour after driving. Remember the highest temps will be after the car has been turned off.
I love the FD seats but after driving in traffic it can become a bit cramped.
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11-12-07, 08:57 AM
#8
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search the FAQ's for more information. if you dont plan on modding it out to higher horsepower ranges then just perform the reliability modifications and be watchful over its condition very often.
the words "conventionality" and "practicality" were thrown out the window in the FD's design, all that is left is "performance". you cant exactly take this car on a big road trip without some degree of worry, use a daily driver for that instead.
the words "conventionality" and "practicality" were thrown out the window in the FD's design, all that is left is "performance". you cant exactly take this car on a big road trip without some degree of worry, use a daily driver for that instead.
11-12-07, 09:31 AM
#10
dude why do you always gotta be a dick? just answer his question, if you havnt noticed most of the time the forums search tool isnt very helpful
anyways...a basic knowlege and a little reseach will get you really far.(as long as you get a nearly stock fd)
12+boost will prob make it difficult to dd, considering how many problems may arrise. one being engine failure
11-12-07, 10:50 AM
#12
The FD has a higher probability of cooling issues compared to the RX8.
A/C on the FD isn't the best.
The FD is smaller and less comfy.
The FD has a stiffer suspension and can be less comfy on the daily grind.
The FD doesn't do well in snow at all.
There is no traction control or heated seats.
The FD sucks down more gas.
The FD is harder to repair. Expect to be down for a while when things break or need maintenance.
The FD requires more maintenance for the simple fact that it is 15 years old.
I love the FD, but I would be hard pressed to favor it over an RX8 for daily driving year round in all weather. I think the RX8 is better at that and is easier to setup, drive and win at the autox if you are interested in competing and winning your class.
A/C on the FD isn't the best.
The FD is smaller and less comfy.
The FD has a stiffer suspension and can be less comfy on the daily grind.
The FD doesn't do well in snow at all.
There is no traction control or heated seats.
The FD sucks down more gas.
The FD is harder to repair. Expect to be down for a while when things break or need maintenance.
The FD requires more maintenance for the simple fact that it is 15 years old.
I love the FD, but I would be hard pressed to favor it over an RX8 for daily driving year round in all weather. I think the RX8 is better at that and is easier to setup, drive and win at the autox if you are interested in competing and winning your class.
11-12-07, 11:52 AM
#13
Mine is has been a DD since February...although I must say I've put on less than 6K miles this year. It's been in the shop for about two weeks in march, a week in may and two weeks in June...
3 oil changes, two with oil filter changes. And soon to be one coolant flush.
I have taken two 200mi round trips and one 500mi round trip this year.
Non-standard issues that came up for me have been, high-flow cat for emissions (replacing a straight through mid pipe), New Clutch Fork and new clutch/pressure plate, new battery and a new SS oil return line.
~CYD
3 oil changes, two with oil filter changes. And soon to be one coolant flush.
I have taken two 200mi round trips and one 500mi round trip this year.
Non-standard issues that came up for me have been, high-flow cat for emissions (replacing a straight through mid pipe), New Clutch Fork and new clutch/pressure plate, new battery and a new SS oil return line.
~CYD
Last edited by CYD; 11-12-07 at 11:58 AM.
11-12-07, 11:56 AM
#14
Follow the search link (https://www.rx7club.com/forum/search.php?f=16) and use the search terms daily and driver. Any of the threads with "Daily" in the subject line or "newbie" or "thinking of buying" will address the issue. I saw about a half-dozen when I did it just now.
One reason why this subject doesn't get one-line answers is because it's not a one-line answer. I could write paragraphs about it and have done so in the past because it's really a complicated question. It's not reasonable to expect forum regulars to re-write it all every 4 days.
Dave
11-12-07, 12:07 PM
#15
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=driver
Works for me.
edit: This is just from the first two pages.
Last edited by Sgtblue; 11-12-07 at 12:19 PM.
11-12-07, 02:01 PM
#16
Turd Ferguson
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https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
The search tool works just fine.
11-12-07, 10:50 PM
#17
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Thanks for the answers guys (those of you not bickering about search, at least). I do appreciate it. I think the RX-7 is going to go on the top of my "Damn, I wish I had more expendable income for a fun weekend car" list, and I'll be sticking with the 8 as my daily driver. Such a beautiful little car... I have to stop and stare every time I see one.
11-13-07, 04:13 AM
#18
Why is it considered me being a dick when someone doesn't take any time to do ANY research about a topic? I just did a search for "daily drive FD" and came back with more information than is humanly allowed.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
The search tool works just fine.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...daily+drive+FD
The search tool works just fine.
your are right though, this topic should have been very easy to find...i am sorry for jumping on you the way i did.
