I got it when I was 19 and yes 1 of the keys is EDUCATION. Ive spent many a nights reading everything on this board. I always do regular maintance(This money comes first before play money). I guess I got a prety good deal. I got 106k got it with 93k with fresh turbos and engine. I havent had a problem before except for an aftermarket alarm that my fd didnt like too much...lol. Iam now 20 and have done a few mods but Iam fine with taking my time. I make ok money nothing serious..like 24k a year. If you know what your doing and have a good rotary mechanic by you then go for it. Just the downside of it is Iam not modding as fast as I wanna be. I would recomend having a DD car just incase. Ive needed it a few times when the mechanic takes 2 weeks to get your car done. But all in all. Dont believe the rumors and if you like something bad enough it will work out ok! Have fun... a redline a day keeps the mechanic away..-some other guy?

 

The FD is like crack. It's bad for your wallet, but you get a hell of a ride. My engine went 70k before it died, witn no reliability mods (that was before I found out about the forum). Of course now that I need a rebuild, rotor housings cannot be found, so I have no car until rotor housings are found and add 5 weeks to that to rebuild the engine and put the car back together. Kinda makes you want to do the V8 thingy.


Petros

 

Me and my friends with FD's have come to the conclusion that to live in the SF bay area and want to maintain an FD and give it basic mods (say... below single turbo level) that you have to be pulling in about ~60k / year anything less than that and you'll be eating top ramen every day. But again, this is in the bay area. one of the most expensive places to live. and this is for people who have to pay rent, electricity and other bills. IF you're 18, mommy and daddy are paying for college and your dorm rent, and your insureance, and you get an allowance, and you work in the bookstore for some extra cash and the feeling of independance. then yeah.. you can probably afford to maintain an FD.

.......But most people in that situation who have been given everything and never had to work for it would probably not appreciate it, and **** it up.

I wish I were rich

 

nicely said bigred.

I agree, if you have to ask yourself if you can afford it then you probably can't. I've been looking for an FD for about a year now and still can't find one I'm truly happy with. I'm 35 with a household income of $120K, kids, mortgage, toys, bills, loans, blah blah blah....and I'm still contemplating on the purchase. Whatever you do be smart and don't rush into it. Listen to your elders, stay in school, don't do drugs, don't open an umbrella in the house, don't walk under a ladder....etc...

 

You got another thing coming! FD's are like bitches. One day they'll be alright, then next they'll want to blow up on you. Save some money just in case you need it for repairs or even a rebuild. They can be nightmares, regardless of good maintenance or repairs. I know for sure all FD owners like myself have ran into problems. Yes, it will make you wish sometimes you'd scrap it. But be patient and it'll all work out. My motor went at 53,000 miles if you can believe it due to bad o-ring and housing gaskets. My turbo's were gone even earlier, got them rebuilt also. So sometimes they just crap out. I've heard of other people havingan engine/turbos last over 80+ which is rare, if you drive these car hard. I think most of us do. So think really hard before you buy because at your age, think of payments/insurance/maintenance.then last mods if you have any money left. Just something to think about.

 

I've have had my FC for a while now and I have ran into a few problems that made me want to just sell it and get a piston. But I kept it and am glad I did. I love rotary engines and don't think I'll ever go back to piston (at least keep the rotary has a toy.) I do have help from my parents but just for college. I pay everthing else insurance, maintance, etc...... So I work for my money and love every min of what I earn. But anyways thanks for the input. Keep them coming. I'm on the hunt for a nice FD as we speak.

 

Oh yeah I'm also planning on keeping my 90 GTU so I'll hopfully always have a car to get me from point A to B. And also have lots of fun with. (I am 18)

 

LMAO!

 

I've had bad luck with my car,it can leave you broke and not going out as much,and your girlfriend will give you hell,about spending all your money on the car and saving up for mods,and not going out and doing stuff.Women want you to spend money to,they don't want to bereplaced by your car,OH and staresyou get from women. I'm a firefighter and make 38,000 year and i'm struggling some months,when yo got pay 380 car payment,225 car insurance, repair bill can be couple hundred to thousads,all in a month,then month later your spitting out more cash.It can be a money pit.And if you by you car stock,there's stuff you have to figure in ,like downpipe,fluidchanges,tuneups,you get the pic. it's non-stop.I've owned my car for year and half,and spend 4000 in rapairs and my aftermarket waranty spent 20,000. I would look into a rx7 with a waranty,or get one,it will help!

 

Got my 93 new and only have had radiator and coolant lines replaced. (Thats 9 years!!) I've already had radiator go in 98 jeep so my FD has been damn reliable, but I also have babied it. You would be gettin it used so its tough to say how its been treated. Remember anytime you buy a 8 or 9 year old car you will be putting money into it. I don't care if its a toyata camry, honda accord, or a lexus. Cars this old need expensive services and will have things break down, its a fact of life.

Just a hint, the best thing for engine longevity is basic service and NEVER run boost untill car is fully warmed up. I can't overemphasize this last point. I've lived by this and my car runs as good today as the day I got it.

And someone mentioned to look at a vette instead. DON'T!!! For the same price as FD you would be lookin at early 90's late 80's vette. They are MUCH LESS RELIABLE then an FD. Vettes have a much poorer overall reliabilty then an FD and it will cost much more.

 

If you can find a decent model with low milage that hasn't been abused or raced, it wont be too bad. Look for owners who take care of their car to buy from. I bought mine from a Woman who drove it on weekends to work, she was a doctor.

 

Any more thoughts

 

I think I will be able to afford it. But I think my FC's engine just craped out. So I hope I can find one for a good price in decent shape soon.

 

How far are you planning to take your FD? Will it be your daily? I daily drive my FD, so far it has 116k on the odometer since then it has:
received a rebuilt motor
new turbos
new transmission
had a bad airpump
had a bad radiator
rear bushings went bad
knock sensor went bad
intake air sensor went bad
some turbo vacuum hoses went bad
AST broke
plus some more things I can't recall. I had a new motor at 79k and new turbos (not rebuilt) at 81k and right now the turbo water line is starting to crack and it's coughing up a lot of oil which means it's almost time to get another (single) turbo. I had my car for almost three years and put on all those miles but I would highly recommend a daily driver and use the FD only on weekends or track days

 

Definitely call your insurance company and ask them how much the insurance will be......... at 18 years old it could run pretty darn high........... I'm 44 and it still runs me 900 a year....... and I think the firefighter said 225 month for his insurance so watch out.......

Also a question........ someone mentioned an aftermarket warranty?....... anyone know where to get one..........?

David

 

oops, forgot to subscribe.........sorry........