Fritz Flynn

iTrader: (263)

Absolutely agree

It's an extremely special car that performs at a super car level with very little investment. My track car keeps up with cars that cost 3 times as much and aren't nearly as fun to drive.

I recently bought a GT3 RS and it's just as fast but not as fun to drive and although it's a serious upgrade over a stock FD it's not much different than my track FD and I actually prefer driving the FD. This is a 150k car folks and quite simply that's how special the FD is. You won't find any car that's as satisfying to drive for under 50k PERIOD. So it's important to realize that this car deserves the utmost respect in terms of up keep and repairs. It's a highly developed sports car that's going to cost a few grand a year in up keep and improvements so if you can't afford it then you should wait until you can. I was driving 260s, 280s and finally a 300zx before I considered buying my 13k FD at the age of 34 (47 now). I owned a town house and had decent stock portfolio etc..... What I'm trying to say is this car is the biggest bargain out there in terms of what it cost and what it gives back. Once you sell it and buy something else it'll take about 2 months for you to realize you made a mistake if you sold it in search of something with more performance BUT if you sold it because it's too expensive then you absolutely did the right thing. It's a very expensive car versus say a Honda civic but other cars that perform at the same level, are as much fun to drive, as attractive etc... cost 5 times as much so from that perspective the FD is a bargain and it will soon be recognized as such.

Justin,
I'd suggest selling the CYM and buying a boring compact that gets good mileage and save SAVE SAVE until your previous FD expenses seem trivial compared to your everyday expenses.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

It takes time and effort to own a 18 year old car. Any 18 year old car. Even the FD.

Spending all your money on a car ain't the most beneficial move for one's financial health - dream car or not.

Athanon

iTrader: (4)

I might have to say that this is a vary good thread as it gets to the heart of the fd community through statements of hard times and the good. It is definitely a true trial of life sometimes owning these cars just like with anything else that is special to someone. hard to keep and hard to let go.

93rx74lyfe

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the reply Fritz, im glad you shed some light on your GT3 experience. Just one question, I know your respect for the FD runs deep so why the need for the GT3? Maybe we are on the same mind track and have been around these cars for so long you wanted a new experience too? To be honest when it comes to all out sports cars the FD is all I've ever known so with all the knowledge I've acquired over the years and seen all the trends come and go im not sure there's much left to experience with this platform so my passion for them has faded a bit. I would want nothing more than to truely believe this is the end all be all car for me but with the mentions above I find it difficult to keep that level of enthusiasm.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

As others have said, you can't dd your "special" car, or it will very quickly lose its appeal. Spend all week commuting in your econobox and then when you do step back in the fd it will seem like magic again. But, even at that as with anything else , it's just human nature to want change at some point. Whether that be new modifications or a new car in general.. That parts up to you. I'd love a few other newer sports cars, and I seriously may pick up a c6 z06 in the future, but it will be in compliments to the fd, not to replace it.

twinsinside

iTrader: (34)

I've had my FD for about 10 years now I guess. Have been through the range of problems I'm sure everyone else has experienced (it's a 92, yes 92, FD). I've daily driven this sucker nearly every day during that time except for the 5 months it was down needing an engine rebuild.

A large part of my love for the car is that I've done all the work myself, except changing the fuel filter which I hate doing and have been too lazy to re-locate. I had never rebuilt an engine before which is why it was down for 5 months while I did research. The experience was extremely satisfying if somewhat terrifying..... I must have sat there with the key in the ignition for 10 minutes before I could man up and turn the key. Felt like a 10 year old at christmas for two days after that.

I can't imagine paying someone else to work on it, unless it would be something way over my head or if I was going for high end hp. It would probably have cost me 10 times as much money as I have sunk into her, which honestly hasn't been that much. Maybe 10k in parts in 10 years....you'd pay more than that for a new car anyway, and that includes the engine rebuild.

When I drive my wife's CRV it feels like driving a boat in comparison. Sometimes I forget that on other cars you need to use the brakes before turning, and one time thought I was gonna flip her car over It really has spoiled me getting used to how it handles.

The car certainly isn't a show car, needs paint, some cosmetic fixes but there's nothing else I'd rather drive. Even if it looks like I went mudding in it its still beautiful in my eyes Couldn't care less what other people think about the car, I don't drive it for other people to point at, I drive it for the enjoyment of my labor of love.

At the end of the day though, it's just a car. If it was pinning me in the corner financially I'd buy a Corolla or something I've known guys that have beautiful cars and live in one room shacks eating instant ramen 3 times a day. No thank you on that one.

jjoshj

I have loved FD's for years, I used to browse auction sites and for sale ads and just wish I could one day own one. About 5 years later, I decided to bite the bullet and sell my, at the time, beloved project I had put so much blood, sweat and tears into, and decided I was going to buy an FD. The first one I test drove I fell in love with, and purchased it a week later.

I still get butterflys when i go to turn it on, and having just dropped a new ported motor in myself and waiting on a fresh tune in 3 days time, the crave to drive it is INTENSE.

In fact, I was set to move overseas, but realised I didn't want to leave my FD behind, and knowing I couldn't take it with me, selling or putting into storge wasn't an option. So i stayed where I am so I can enjoy the car that can put most things on the road to shame

era1oner

iTrader: (1)

I feel all of you on this....I talk so much **** about the car sometimes to people and even people that want to buy it .its like at times I don't want anyone to know how happy this car makes me , honestly I don't know what id do with my free time if I didn't have it. I think its the abuse we enjoy...to serious?lol

Natey

iTrader: (19)

I've been around the block with mine, too. It's also right at about 180k and I've replaced pretty much everything from the seats to the paint to the rebuild and turbos to everything in-between. The thing that keeps me going is the way 70 year old men to 12 year old kids look at it. If I had a buck for everytime I had to explain what kind of car it is, I'd probably have enough money to...I dunno, buy one of those JDM armrests maybe?

lol. My point is, if it makes you smile when you drive or even look at it, then it's worth every penny. We only get one go around in life; may as well do it in a cool car.

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

I've always said this about my FDs, they're the cause and solution to all of my problems. My life would be much simpler without them but I don't think it would be better. Everything else seems so boring now. They are such a big part of my life that I don't think I could imagine getting rid of them.

whiteweazel21

iTrader: (2)

Hmm... I am a fairly new owner to RX7s. Picked up a mint, tastefully modded TII with 17k miles, that I absolutely adore. I felt so inexplicably guilty driving it, even though every second would bring a smile to my face. I found a low mileage, stock, well maintained FD 20 minutes away from me about half a year ago, which is rare in New England. I had to have it (as a DD for short commute), and enjoyed it for a short while. Unfortunately various problems kept popping up, and now I am waiting on getting a new engine in due to coolant seal failure.

It's funny, because every week or two, with the FD, something new would pop up. But in those 1-2 weeks I drove it before something happened, I was just so happy driving it. I wouldn't even put on the radio because it was so enjoyable listening to the motor with the windows & sunroof down. That experience for me, is enough to keep going, and hoping to get it running reliably. Although, the expense is a bit daunting.

It is nice, when you go for a drive, and people just flash you from every corner, or run up to you as you get in the car, etc. I am more of a humble guy, and don't like the attention, but I will admit it is sort of nice My favorite occurrence was at a stop light, with two ~10 year old kids who just gaped with excitement while both pointing their fingers at the car. That was just something.

As someone else hinted on, figure your average new car is going to cost about 20k. The car you'd want to drive, new, would be 30k+. If I can get the FD under control for under 30k, I will be happy, because, for under that amount, you're not going to find anything that's going to make you smile like you will with a rotary. And keep in mind, with only about 8,000 of these on the road, it's like driving a piece of Mazda history, keeping the legend alive.

Sorry for the ramble, I am technically at work haha.

rx7rcer09

For myself its simply Love, ive been given the chance with my dad being a car dealer to drive just about every car possible. From Junk to Lambos, but i always loved the FD RX-7 since i was little every week i would ask my dad "did one come to the auction?" always the same answer NO. i just followed them and read every thing i could about them when i was young, i honestly think it was the only kid in grade school that was more excited about Cars then the next new Lego set lol. I now keep my FD at my dads house and rarely get to drive it, only living 20minutes away i just never get the time to go for a good drive, but when i do it reminds me why i love the car why ive spent many late hours covered in oil or just talking about cars with people. it has honestly opened the doors of conversation that i would have never had if it was not for the RX-7.

got_hp

Not true for me....

I've been daily driving my FD for the past 3 years... bought it with 60k, just hit 111k.

I STILL love it every morning when I slide into the seat and fire it up


Sure.... the upkeep gets tiring. I've got a long list of little imperfections and fixes that are always on the to-do list. If i added up all the little things i want to fix/change, the cost probably matches the purchase price of the car itself

But, regardless of how much those little things bother me (old car squeeks, worn interior bits, scratched plastics, etc etc)...

i will NEVER EVER EVVVVVVER surrender to the mediocrity of driving a daily beater.

For all I know, any day might be my last... life is short and i want to value everyday to the max... if im going to spend time driving around in a car during part of that day it is going to be something i absolutely love, and would be proud to die in. Not some boring bland regular car that everyone drives.


I'm a true car enthusiast through and through, car websites are what i read as soon as i wake up and before i goto bed, and countless times in between...

...let "regular" folks drive around in regular cars. i'm way too passionate about cars to give up and drive something boring every day.

The only way I would downgrade to a regular car is if my money situation went down the drain and that was all I could afford, and I would feel as if an important part of my life was dead everyday I sat down in some econobox.



Does it have to be the FD? NO.

But the FD is one of the only true driving enthusiasts car under $30k that I would consider daily driving. There is a short list of other cars I would consider... (NSX, RS4, AMG, ISF, Z06, Viper)... but those cars are are either just as much hassle to maintain and/or much more expensive. (not to mention theyre all heavier! )
There are other cheap cool sports cars out there (s2k, supratt, 300zxtt etc).... but they just don't appeal to me the way the FD does, and once again, maintenance is similar due to age.



Is is tough/tiring to daily drive an FD.... yes... but I truly LOVE cars.. and every single day it is always worth it to me.

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

I bought my FD new back in 1994. Saw a CYM FD on the road and pulled a U-turn just to see what it was. Had one about one month later and I remain amazed at the beauty and performance of the car, even in its stock form. Nothing else like it.

The car was also my DD from 94 until 2004 when I decided to pull the trigger on a 3-rotor conversion. Needless to say, that didn't go quite as planned and I am just now through with the process thanks to the capable hands of Jesus Padilla at Kilo Racing in St. Cloud FL.

How do I still remain excited by the FD after countless bad experiences during the conversion? Sometimes I think I am crazy but for whatever reason, I keep coming back to the FD. Sure, when I'm really mad I'll take a break from the car but I also seem to be recharged for the driving experience. And now that I get to split the time having the car up in the mountains of NC, that helps quite a bit.

In short, there's just something about the FD that keeps me going. And spending and spending and spending...

crmd37

iTrader: (7)

I know I'm new here with the FD stuff but I have a 2005 G35 coupe that has been my favorite car in the world and a freaking curse at the same time. I put well over more money than I should have into that car, FULLY built the motor, rebuilt the heads, twin turboed it, upgraded clutch, etc. (literally the list goes on FOREVER) and I did everything "right". I gave myself (6) 1600cc injectors to make sure there was more than enough fuel running through that car at all times so it would be safe. Well, for a year and a half I had some real issues getting it running right, it was kind of interesting but it only ran perfectly at wide open throttle. Cruising the car around town was a nightmare because the car would jolt back and forth when I would tap the gas. Regardless, I sent the car to a shop I knew could take care of it and they did. Turns out, 6 hours after I got the car, the motor blew...we are talking forged pistons, forged rods, 4.15L stroker kit, 3.8L sleeve kit, forged crankshaft, etc. and the rods stretched, slamming every piston into the heads/valves. I never got close to hitting redline, which was tuned to have redline at 8200rpms and I was at 7200rpms when it blew (I have a witness too lol it was my video camera!). I'm just letting you know that no car is perfect, I am new to this FD (which I just got 5 days ago haha) and I'm going to try to take it easy with this one as pushing your limits OR playing it safe with any car can always result in disaster no matter how you slice it. I have seen a lot of 350Zs and G35s blow their motors when they shouldn't have, but those are the cards they were dealt I guess :-/ I hope everything turns out alright for you man and it seems like there's enough good support on this site to help you out in any way you can :-) I still have the G35 and it is still sitting at the shop where it has been for the last 2 years...I built that car from the ground up and did everything the safe way and I still got effed in the end lol but I still love that car to death.

The FD is one of the sexiest most rare cars I have loved since I was young, I think it has great potential and every problem that I see is very tedious that can lead to huge problems down the road. I hope that my FD won't be a punk to me but I have not had good luck with cars but that doesn't mean I will stop modding :-) Experience is hard to find with these cars so I would say you're "lucky" (in some regard) that you know what problems to look for and know how to fix/approach each problem that you've had before.

Good luck man!

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

I fully endorse this statement.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Ill just agree to disagree I did that with my S2000 for almost 2 years. Drove that car everyday, even through winter. There was nothing wrong with doing it, the car was great and never gave me a single issue, but I just tired of it and it lost its appeal. Plus always worrying about it, getting scratched, dinged, constant cleaning because of the daily wear. For me I want a nice car for the days I want to play, and a "appliance" for the days I just want to get where Im going or running errands. I now have an 04 Impreza wagon that I DD, and I love it. I have 2 dogs inside and they get it a bit dirty, who cares. Park it somewhere and it gets a door ding, who cares. etc.. Yes its like driving a toaster, but its a dead reliable and useful toaster. Ill save the *Insert whatever sports car you like* for times where I can enjoy it to its fullest.

got_hp

thats the difference.... i do that every single day of my life...


of course, that wouldnt be possible if i lived in a snowy climate, but because i love cars so much, i would not consider living in a place that i could not enjoy my car daily.

ArmitageGVR4

iTrader: (13)

Frame of reference is important. As suggested by others, if you drive it daily, it's going to become commonplace. Same for any car, regardless of how great it seems at first. All the little problems (it's too stiff, it's too loud, etc.) are going to drive you nuts. Drive a beater/boring car every day, and the one or two times a month you get behind the wheel of the FD is a lot more magical. If it's within your means, get yourself a cheap reliable DD and keep the FD for cruises, track days, autoxes, whatever is most fun for you. You'll find that not having to immediately fix the car when something goes wrong makes ownership a lot less stressful. My 0.02

amp

iTrader: (50)

wish it was dedication.. its more of an addiction...
five fds.. two fcs.. the count is from actual use.. not picked up for profit from selling or parting.. dailyd.. tracked.. autoxd.. and the occassional itch to drag..

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

I haven't driven something that wasn't an Rx7 for a long time. I might take a different type of car for a 2 minute drive maybe once a month. All the exciting stuff that's common in an FD does normalize but the minute you start driving a normal car, you realize how much you hate it. I feel bad when I sit in a normal car, I always remark how spacious and comfortable it is but in my head I'm thinking...BOOOORING. The extra room actually makes me feel uneasy. I won't even get into the actual driving part.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Bought my first RX7 in 1981. Get past the kid's college tuition I'm toying with getting something in addition to the FD, but no plans to be without it.

swilson@assetworks.com

iTrader: (13)

I also bought a '94 RX-7 in 1994. It cost nearly 30K at the time. Over all this time I have kept a subscription to AutoWeek it keeps me grounded. All of the cars that I see that I might replace my 7's with are all at least $80K and most are well over six figures. IMHO - this makes a couple of thousand here and there on maintenance or upgrades (I do 99% of my own work) on the 7's seem a real bargain.

I daily drove my 7's for many years. It really does help to not have to drive the car. Only drive it when it suits you.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

I think the cliche "it's the journey not the destination" can explain how most of us stay dedicated. I don't know if it's an addiction, an obsession or a way of meditation for me but I could easily buy something much more expensive with the amount of money and effort I am pouring into this thing yet one look at it (even when it's broken down sitting dusty in my garage) melts my heart. The more effort I spend on it the more precious it becomes.

got_hp

bingo.... in the past month or so ive gotten two rental cars (new bmw 3 series and hyundai genesis)... for the first few minutes, i think "oh cool, this is really comfy and everything feels so new and nothing rattles and the interior is more modern, thats kinda nice".... then after an hour im just bored to death and want to drive the thing into a lake.