jay3

just curious, how many of you guys, or anyone you know, got a FD as a first car? im asking because im about to get one after a ton of thinking and rethinking. at first, my origional plan was to buy a fc as my first car, but along the way i decided just to go the whole 9 yards and get a FD. im one of those stubborn people who dont settle for second best, even if it means doing something crazy like getting a turbo rotary as a first car. and when i say 'first car', i dont mean it like i know nothing about basic car maintainence because i know the main stuff.

Upgrayedd

iTrader: (1)

Well it's the first car I've paid off.... First rotary I've owned. But the 5th that has been in my name and 3rd I have owned outright. Good luck with your purchase.

FDZero

iTrader: (10)

My FD was my first car I've purchased. But if you're referring to first car ever driven, I've drove all types of cars in the past in order: truck, mustang, suv, and now I have both FD and a DD truck.

NeedFD

nothing wrong with having an fd as you first car as long as you get used to the car first, and be a safe driver. look at takumi, he started at 13 and now a drift master! hahah sorry had to bring up initial d..

yuichiror

iTrader: (1)

LOL, my FD is the 8th car I've owned. The 2nd rotary and my first dream car. Number 5 and 6 are my Outback wagon and Sienna minivan.

'87 turbo II

iTrader: (1)

um first of all F you for calling my FC second best, even if it is(only people who own the car can talk **** about it). 2nd, F you for getting an FD as your first car (jealousy)

jic

iTrader: (1)

its always better to start off with something you can learn on and not learn on a fd
i dont wanna see a perfectly fine fd F***ed up

rajahFD

eh..i'm guessing you're around 16-17.

i don't think an FD would be good for your first car. i'd say go with an NA FC/FB or a civic. it will show you responsibility and care. since you (im taking a strong guess with this seing it'll be your first car) lack driving experience as well, i think something bad will happen (god forbid).

these cars, even at 255rated hp, are not forgiving cars. you've seen the pictures of "skilled drivers" crashing them and bent to hell metal chunks; they are not forgiving cars.

i am young as well (18), but i started out with a 115hp civic, modded it, and ended up running strong, even then it was forgiving. then i got the FD, i did ok, but after 2 years of ownership of the civic - that helped to prove my responsibility in both, how to treat it and not be a dumb *** driver. too much power and lack of experience will get you into trouble, FAST AND it being RWD as well.

now after some time of experience, i'm moving up on the power with the LS1 (315ishrwhp).

my point is, you'd be better in moving on up and not just getting something with the power and potential to cause MAJOR damage - trust me, you say, "oh im not going to race it, act stupid, etc!" yeah haha ok, that's what i would say (and i think everyone else)

just progress the power as you progress your driving skills - it's like putting a Semi driver behind the wheel of a 787B, might be hyperbole, but you get the picture.

now to save your life, pedestrians, and your parents on insurance (not to mention, to keep another 7 on the road), i'd recommend an underpowered front wheel drive car.

just my $.02

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iTrader: (5)

How old are you? If you JUST got your license and a FD is your first car, spare us and don't get one. I don’t want to get into that age old debate about how kids shouldn't own fd's, and im not saying your not capable of owning and maintaining one, but as your first car? Get a beater car THEN a FD. Besides the speed and power, the maintenance and problems will take up your time, and these cars need more attention then "the basic stuff." Also, im not saying that ALL 7's are finicky cars that break all the time, but as much as I hate to say it, most of them are finicky and break all the time. Oh and u better have money cuz these cars eat money, and lots of it. Fc would be a good choice for you if your set on a rx7.

jic

iTrader: (1)

cant put it any better than that

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iTrader: (5)

thanks!

NeedFD

yup, better have a LOT of money saved up, another car as a daily driver, and prepare to spend a lot of time with maintaining the car

fc's got a cleaner engine bay, and none of the twin turbo hose complexity.

adictd2b00st

yea i'd say start off with an fc if your set on a rotary for your first car, progress your way up

seanbrowning

Meh, I'm not going to say I know everything, but it all depends on your mind set. I learned to drive on a 944 N/A Porsche, so it wasn't powerful, but I could get myself in some trouble, and I never did. I knew my limits and I didn't push them unless it was a SAFE environment. 99% of 16-18 year olds are not capable of that. They want to show boat or they have a lapse in judgement, this is not the car to have that in. I know how to drive a RWD car, so moving up to my FD wasn't that hard. I also plan on going to autocrosses and learning the limits of the car in a safe environment with an instructor with me.

As far as maintence goes, I'm learning on this car, but I am beyond careful. I research for hours and I talk to multiple people before I do ANYTHING. I also am doing all of my own work(with the help of any locals I can get to help). I plan on having down time, I have money in the bank and I don't have a carpayment or insurance to cover so I can spend all of my funds on my car. I also have the ability to drive another car if I need to get to work.

All in all, its a personal decision and none of us can make it for you. Whatever you get, be very careful and LEARN TO DRIVE. Enjoy!

Section8

iTrader: (6)

No. Just plain no. IMO, any sports car as a first car is an idiotic move. Get something cheap and reliable until you get some driving experience, do some autocross or driving schools, get a job making decent money, THEN revisit getting an FD when you can afford to get it and have a daily driver

seanbrowning

I agree, I wouldn't have gotten my FD if I had to make payments. Theres no way you can afford to keep it running. That being said, if you've driven a while, theres no reason not to really. If you can AFFORD it, and yes its expensive, go for it. Expect some frustrations, but you can doooooooooo it.

Don't let all the fear mongers get to you. Everything in life has its draw backs, just make sure its worth it in the end my friend.

hus

Not hardly my first car. Let see, I was 15 in 1993 when the FD hit the showroom floor so I don't think I could talk my folks into buying me a $34,000 car. My cars I've owned from 15 years to now:

1. 1986 Pontiac Grand Am (1993-1994)
2. 1985 Chevy S-10 (1994-1996)
3. 1989 Mustang GT (1996-2001)
4. 1989 Nissan 300ZX (2000-2001)
5. 1993 Mustang GT 585rwhp (2001-2005)
6. 2005 Explorer Sport Trac sitting on DUBs (2005-Present)
7. 1993 Mazda RX-7 R1 (2006-Present)

I also own a couple motorcycles...<--don't even get me started on that list.

Anyway, as long as you're willing to learn the rotary motor and take care of it properly and take care of yourself driving it...go fo it!

Upgrayedd

iTrader: (1)

I didn't wanna be the bad guy on my first post but I definitely agree with all you guys!! As stated by everyone who knows me the FD is a "money pit"... Mods + maintenance = empty pockets if you are lacking in the income. Especially if you're making payments.... But who says this kid's gonna be buying the car with HIS money and not someone else's??? Even then, I think ALL the maintenance would become an issue.... Just ANOTHER warning. But it's YOUR decision dude. I would recommend you wait until you're schooling is finished, whether it be High School or College.

TRISPEEDFD3S

iTrader: (26)

If I were you, I'd take in all the advice these guys are giving you. I like yourself wanted to go the whole nine yards, but my parents actually bought me my first car, and that was a 90 240SX Hatchback. It taught me the importance and responsibility of owning a car. It also taught me a lot about handling a RWD car. I spun out a lot actually in the 240SX, and you learn to handle a RWD from making mistakes, but the FD is not a forgiving vehicle. Matter of fact, it still scares me once in a while.

Cars I've Owned:

1.1990 Nissan 240SX Hatchback
2.1992 Honda Civic Hatchback w/JDM GS-R Swap
3.1995 Acura Integra LS 4-Door
4.1992 Nissan 240SX Coupe w/SR20DET Swap
5.1993 Mazda RX-7
6.1995 Honda Civic EX Coupe *Automatic that I just purchased*

If I were you, I'd purchase either a FC3S or a 240SX. FC3S for sure if you're dedicated to wanting a rotary powered vehicle. The FC3S is what I'd choose.

Farhan

First Car = FD .

RaPtOr-T

FD was pretty much my first car, infact, my who automobile experience is pretty screwed up. I drove an F150 as my first real car, it wasnt exactly mine because I was saving up for the FD. Well tires were getting replaced in a couple weeks (Not that it was the tires at fault here), and one rainy night the rearend got loose and I went into a ditch, thank god I was in the truck. I think just about everyone has a first mistake they got to learn off of, maybe you get lucky like me and theres no damage maybe not, but Im glad I didnt have the rx at that time. Not long after that I was real close to getting an FD, so I had to learn stick. I learned stick on my dads 350hp camaro ss, that more than prepared me for the fd. As for maintanence and mods, well I make 8.10/hr and daily drive my FD. I have money for premium gas, insurance, and still can put money away for mods. I was barely 16 upon owning an FD. If you do get an FD and something awful happens, you only live once and atleast you got to have your dream car(If thats what it is). I baby my car, its garaged AND covered nightly, oil changes every 2000, etc etc. Wait for a nice car, be patient, when you get it drive smart and take care of her, youll be fine.

sevensix

iTrader: (1)

miata

jay3

yea i am almost 18 and about to move to la for college. if i do get the FD, i am going to put in a good 7 grand of my own money, and my parents will help me cover the rest(about 7-8 grand i guess). spoiled, i guess, but not as bad as some other kids seeing as i am actually making an effort to pay for the car as much as possible. my plan was to get a pretty close to stock FD and put in some reliability mods ONLY: koyo, dp, PFC, guages, (and maybe a boost controller with a more reliable single turbo w/ minimal boost settings? good idea or bad idea?). as far as the finikyness goes, im not totally ignorant as to believing i wont have any troubles with it even if i'm **** retentive (which i am going to be). i know i WILL come across problems eventually, but i'm pretty sure ill be prepared to spend serious time with the car when time comes. also, i wont be using the FD as a daily driver since i am going to be living on campus and will rarely need to go out on weekdays.

Healing

Why do you need a car in college period (let alone an FD)? Save your money and buy one yourself after you graduate.

Stephen C

This is the second car I've ever owned.