FD, practical choice?
 

Hi.

I was wondering if you guys think the rx7 is a practical choice for a high school/ college student. I'm mostly focusing on the financial aspect of it, since, from what i've read here, they are high maintenance (reliability mods to keep it running, careful but hard driving, reliability problems, previous owner issues). I"m currently a junior (well, senior i guess) and am looking to start saving for one now and hopefully in 2-3 years if saving i'll have enough to put a large downpayment down. If i did it woudln't be my daily driver, just a weekend/nice day cruzing vehicle (and autoX).

Yes i have read through the forum and seen the "how much have you spent" threads and read through the majoirty of the sites in the newb thread, I"m just looking for everyone's personal opinions. From what i've seen people have varying ages so...

(please exscuse typos, my typing is...er...bad)

I think you've answered your own question. What is it that you want to know?

All of us here love our FDs for the legendary piece of engineering that it is but I think most would agree that in no way is it "practical". It is a true sports car that requires attention. If you want practicality in any realm of the meaning of the word, buy a different car.

I got over 40 Grand invested in Mods/Repairs. I bought this from a Guy who was a college student. He had it a year and it drained him dry and still had a pile of problems when I finally got it.

personal opinions besides mine, i'm less informed than everyone else

I love my 93 Rx7, but if reliability and cost of ownership are important to you, you may want to consider an Integra Type R. They hold their value, run forever, plus they're fun and completely practical.

I used to own a 94 Rx7 plus a beater, then I sold both for financial reasons and purchased a Type R. Paid $17,000 for it, put 30k miles on it in 2 yrs, then just sold it a few weeks ago for $16,000. Just replaced a wheel bearing the whole time I owned it. Now I own a 93 Rx7 and a 94 Camry for my daily driver.

Please guys, no flames here. I'd like to clarify I'm not saying the Type R is overall a superior car to the Rx7, but rather for a college student on limited funds who wants a fun car, I'd recommend the car from a financial standpoint.

If you do decide to buy a 3rd gen, I wouldn't just wait to buy it once you have a good down payment saved, but rather a good down payment ~and~ a reserve fund of about $8000 to cover the unexpected, ie blown engine.

Regards,
Tony Alvarez
93 Rx7
94 Camry

Yeah. Well, i have a few other cars in mind, i'd raher have a FD because they're beautiful and can handle corners. My other options are the "popular" turbo AWD configs (WRX, 2g eclipse GSX), or to just modify my next car to the point where i enjoy it. Oh well, i have a while to think about it, heh. Thanks for the input everyone.

-Adam

Yeah get something else for right now and just get the Fd after college.

That would be the smart thing to do.

WRX is a good price, good choice, Has a warrenty.

I'd be honest with you. The RX7's can be a pain in the ass but let me tell you its all worth it. for the price you wont find a better handling or faster car. Just make sure you check the rx7 out first because you dont wanna be stuck with huge repair bills.

Do you need one?
-No
Do you want one?
-Oh yeah!

Finish college 1st, it requires a lot of maintenance & upkeep: consider it a gorgeous but high-maintenance mistress.

I have one and I'm going to an university. It is my daily driver. I don't have much money, especially after paying tuition, rent and buying books, but if you manage your money properly and treat the car well, it'll yield great returns. Of course, it helps that I have a very very understanding girlfriend. :D

So if you understand what the car requires (sounds like you do) then I would say yeah, get the car! It's priceless the opened-mouth stares I get when I drive around campus. I'm the only RX-7 here and everyone knows it. :cool:

I'm gonna be a second year college student, and I got my FD in late January of '03. HUGE, no no, HUGE financial burden. I'm working full time to support it, which isn't easy while in school, and then my motor and turbos blew on me. Just a bad example of what can happen.

But I wouldn't change my decision to get it for the world. I know exactly what you're thinking too. I'd wait till I get out of college to get it, because I know thats the practical thing to do. But what if there aren't many left in 5 years? Then I'm screwed.

I'd say, if you're willing to work for it, and hopefully have someone in your life with money they can loan you for when things break ( they will!) then go for it. But you have to be able to put time, and money into it. Always remember that.

basicly if you hve to ask if you can afford it you probably can not but if you can great buy one you will love it!

I got mine almost a month ago.. had a second gen before hand. If I was in your shoes I would go for a second gen. With this you can learn about tech details with rotaries as well as save hella money instead of buying a third gen now. the TII is a sick car... and it gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Digging yourself in a financial hole this early in your life is NO WAY IN HELL a good thing to do now man, I've seen too many guys screw themselves over with their cars and I bet a lot of guys on this site can contest to that.. few years down the road maybe a new 7 comes out.. you want that you're SOL... just take your time.. drive the cars you like yet can afford and you'll find a sick ride for a sick deal.

would you guys recommend a 3000GT vr4 as an alternative to the very high maintanence rx7?

supra, rx-7, vr4 doesn't matter all high maint cars even without mods

i agree with rex4x

but the vr4 isn't close to the amount of maintanence required from a supra or rx7, correct?

every sports car has its maitenence/mechanical issues. Every car is different.. so is every previous owner that had the car before you. Sure some cars are more prone to problems.. yet that shouldn't deter you from buying what you want. If its your dream car, you won't worry about how much money it costs to repair/upgrade it, you'll be so wooped on it that nothing else in life will matter besides your car =) thats when you know its love. Go to consumerreports.com and see how the cars you like rate... do your homework =)

I'm pretty sure a Supra or VR4 will be much cheaper to maintain than an FD.

RE: FD, Practical Choice.
 

No

Keep in mind though, he asks, "FD, practical choice?"

While there are exceptions, for most, i believe the answer is NO.

:noyes:

actually, once I thought about it the name of this thread is an oxymoron. :)