Im 16 years old and am getting my car next year. Im saving 7,000 dollars and am opening a loan for 5,000 my parents are helping me out with 4,000. I want a 1993 and up rx-7 do you think i will be able to handle the maintenance that goes along with an rx7. Im also looking into a 1993 supra tt but i really want the rx-7 are they really as hard as evreyone says to maintain.

 

Yep, U should do some research if I were U.

 

In my opinion, if you are going to be paying someone to work on the car for you, you will go broke trying to keep it running... this is due to a few factors:

1 - A perfectly working used RX-7 is hard to find even with 16k to spend
2 - Mechanics cost an arm and a leg
3 - Most of them don't do the job right anyway... doubly true for RX-7 work

So my advice if you get an RX is: Buy one that works VERY well with no problems from the start, then learn how to do all your own work.

If you try to get a Supra, you're going to find out how hard it is to find one for 20k, let alone 16k in any sort of decent shape.

Brian

 

Read my review on epinions.com for the 94 RX-7.

http://www.epinions.com/content_92709097092

 

Yea same thing with me im 16 years old and im getting my licence in the beginning of next year(2005).I work at an autobody shop and repair cars. So far i have 4000 saved up and i want to get an rx-7. I want a 88 rx-7 turbo and i think i should have $6500 by then. How many mileage do u think the car should have for a $6500 (88 RX-7 Turbo)?

 

Can anyone name me some nice paint colors that would go with a 88 rx-7??

 

Does anyone know any good sites where i can find body kits for an rx-7?

 

just search around for the kits. For 6500 you should be able to find a 2nd gen in good shape with decent miles on it.
As for the kid who wants the FD, wait and do alot of reading because if you dont you are either going to:
A.) Destory the engine and/or:
B.) Wrap it around a light pole
If you do get it, post up your insurance premium, I always need a good laugh.

 

Rx7Turbo93, just FYI you will get virtual slapped for asking all those newbie questions and hijacking someone else's thread. In fact, this is the 3rd gen forum and you're asking about 2nd gens. Some use of the search button is required ON YOUR PART.

Consider yourself lucky to have been warned.

 

You don't want one...belive me. It is an extreme financial burden to keep one and maintain it. They are beautiful cars and I love mine to death...but until you have some real expendable income, don't do it....

When you have all the money (not including the loan), about 3000 for reliability mods, then another 3.5-4k for another motor when (notice I didn't say IF) it blows. Then I would say you are ready...And even then...You will still be saving your lunch money for mods

Here's what you do...Take the 16k you have and get a used Subaru WRX. Super fun and reliable...When you graduate college and bringing in the big bucks then pick up a 7.

Good luck and I hope you make the right decision.

 

Actually, a non-turbo Supra can be found in his price range. They are pretty dependable and might make a good car to have some fun with if you're not intent on racing every idiot you come upon. Good condition full out twin turbo Supras are bringing $25,000 to $30,000 in my neck of the woods. Makes my 94 3G look like a real bargain.

 

dont get one

 

I know exactly where you are coming from.. I was around 15 years old when I first wanted a FD. I didn't know much when I joined these forums, but I joined to learn more about the car... From learning the basics about the car, to learning about its maintenance, to reliability issues/mods, to more fun and interesting things such as performance/styling mods. I am now 18 years old, and I have learned so much from these forums. I still have yet to get a Mazda RX-7. But, I am hoping to get one within the upcoming months. This car has been my dream, and if you think this car can be suitable for you, then LEARN about it first. Your going to get flamed by everyone if you ask if the FD is a good car for you or not. Honestly, I think the RX-7 can be the right car for anyone as long as they know a lot about the car and are willing to work with any problems it may have, and become a smarter and more knowledgeable RX-7 owner. If I were you, I would first search this forum for posts like this and other posts about the RX-7, because you need a good basic knowledge about the car before you purchase it. Once you learn more about the car and save up enough money, then you should buy the car and go from there.

just my .02

1FAST7

 

Yes they are a PITA. I have my second one since April and I already put over $2k on it mostly fixing things that I found broken and i still not done. I need a new turbo (yes Turbo)soon. for you case I would go for a MR2 or for $16k you got a very good chance of getting a 240SX and putting a Skyline RB25DET in it.

 

get a non-turbo 2nd gen first. good first car and you can learn about rotaries. plus, it will be MUCH more reliable than a boosted rotary

 

The only 3rd generation RX-7 you should have at your age is a matchbox.

 

Im 19, got the FD about a year and a month ago. So far about 5 cases of overheating, Ive blown and replaced EVERY hose in the car. Came with aftermarket radiator. Had to do ALL the work on my own, and Im lucky because my dad has just about every tool (compresor the works). He bought me the tires, and I make 8$ an hour, clocking around 25 to 30 hours a week. I would do it ALL over again, and go with a turbo 2, just because I would start out with a cheaper car and have more cash for mods. Or get a 1st gen, and bridgeport with nos and run 12's all day .

 

I'm just turning 18 and I had my FD for about seven months. I'm in the kind of situation you are where my parents took out a loan and they put 5,000 dollars down so I could afford the monthly payments. (hell of a graduation present huh) I have two jobs and I work 6 days a week to have my baby, and I wouldn't change my mind if I could do it all over again. (But I haven't had anything go wrong with it yet I'm sure I won't be saying when something does) Yes, it's been stressful at times but for me it's all worth it in the end. I wish I had more money so I can modify my car quicker but it will be a good project car for 5 years. Just get the critical/reliability mods done first when you have the extra cash. I've been wanting a 3rd gen RX-7 since I was old enough to know what it was. If you do decide to get one make sure that it is in great working condition at the start, and learn how to do somethings on your own but do a lot of research first before you start pulling on things. Make sure you know some general information and know what to look for when you're buying one and find out if there is any rotary shops around you so they could check it out and see if it's in good shape. If you have any friends or family that has or had one, ask them about who they recommend to take it to. Go around to rotary shops, dealers, exhaust places, peformance places or (street racers that have FD's) and get connections so when you have a problem they can tell you were to go or maybe they will fix it for you and get a good deal because they know you. Now that's a pretty nice car your going to have at 17 years old if you get it. What I'm I talking about I'm just a year older :P but think about when you have snow or anything like that the car is rear wheel drive so it will be hard to get around in the snow (Even with a Supra, you shouldn't take it out in the snow period, cmon it's your baby) I have a truck so when it snows I have another car to drive, and I also drove the truck to school because if you drive to school and take the car you WILL get door dents, and it's not good to start and shut off the car all the time becuase it will add a lot of stress and wear on the turbos and motor. You have to let the car warm-up and cool-down if you want to save the life of your turbos. I hope this gave you something to think about. If you think you can handle working, go to school, and get GOOD GRADES then go for it, but just be smart about it. It's not a car to play around with cause if you brake something, your car is going to sit for a while until you have enough money to fix it (atleast that's my situation.) The car has so much power even at stock and it can do some scary things when you're not ready for it so be careful and be smart. Listen to me I sound like a mother but it's true. Thanks

NyteRyder

 

And that's my life story ;P

 

Nicely said....

 

An FD at 16 is a bit much IMO.. Good job on saving that much cash to buy the car, but I would definitely recommend a different more.. "tamed" car. If you like rotaries and the rx7 name, then get a 2nd gen.

Just know that if you don't buy a solidly running car at the time of purchasing it, you may not have enough money to buy the mods to fix it.. and may have to end of selling the car. it's a shitty thing, but it's reality.

 

Even if you could somehow afford it, there is absolutely no way you could have the proper driving skills to handle one. The limits on a 93+ RX-7 are so high that once you've crossed them, you're going way too fast for most people to even react. Name me one person who didn't crash, damage, or ruin a car from lack of experience during the first three years they were driving.

Start out with something that's cheap and fun, if you want to stay Mazda get a Miata or something. If you want RWD get a nissan 240sx, 2nd-gen RX-7 (non-turbo) or something like that. Stay under 160HP for the first couple years you're driving, otherwise that car will get away from you real quick. Less power will keep the speeds down, which gives you more time to react, more opportunity to push the car to its limits safely. I know they're goofy and a bit too trendy lately, but an 84-87 Toyota Corolla (AE86 rear-drive chassis) is really a good learner car, well-balanced, lightweight, and just the right amount of power. I own one.

Trust me, the RX-7 TT is a beast that anyone with less than 5 years' driving experience should really not even attempt, it's that fast. And now back to how you can't afford it...

 

Got mine at 16, and it kept me broke through high school, so I stayed out of trouble in that I had no money to waste on girls or alcohol. Now I'm 19, amazed I didn't kill myself or wreck the damn thing, and just spent a couple hours working on the front brakes. I spent several thousand just keeping it running while still in high school, and have spent a coupld more on parts and mods since graduation. I love it, the girls at my school dug it, and driving puts a smile on my face. The Supra is generally more reliable, but, also about $10k+ more then a comparable RX-7, and I don't think you should get that deep in debt at 16. My dad has a 1998 TT and my 18 year old sister is trying to buy a 1994 TT, so I feel pretty experienced regarding both of them. If it were me, and I found a Supra, I might go for it (assuming the price difference were very slight and the Toyota was TT and had a 6 speed). However, the RX-7 is a better feeling car to drive. But, as has been said before and will be said again, learn as much as you can. Spend a couple months looking at different cars, look for great maintainence and low mileage. A fresh rebuild (with proof) isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if it was done at a reputable shop. I have a friend who bought a MB seven when he was 17 and has spent a lot of $ keeping it running, and works hard to pay for parts, but he still loves his car too. Overall, if I could give just one piece of advice, it would be to take your time, don't rush anything. Good luck, Josh

 

I'm 16 too.. getting my license in November. My parents will buy me the RX-7.. my dad actually appreciates sports cars. My dad has a shop so if it breaks, I'm gonna try to fix it myself over there. I'm saving money for bolt-ons which I will do myself, but I would have professionals do stuff like porting and turbos. Anyways, I know its a big risk getting a car like this but I'm gonna go for a low mileage one, possibly with a new or rebuilt motor. And I'll make sure to get the "reliability mods" out of the way first.

 

personnaly, learning on my fd was easier on me to tell you the truth. On the fc's things are easier to get to but its not necessarily easier to do things on them (there are a lot more rusted on bolts and lots of plastic things crack much more). also, newer car=less things to fix but then again it would really depend on how both were taken care of. fc's are much cheaper then fd's though although parts cost just about the same amount (not really very much if you have a paying job )

In anycase, it really depends on what you wanna use the car for. if you wanna learn to drive hard and have fun on the street and haul **** around in, get a fc. if you wanna cruise or do highspeed runs or autoX in empty parking lots or on empty airport tarmacs, get a FD. Just remember, you do have to pay to play and with FD's your gonna pay a crap load more if you hit anything then a fc where you can just throw it away and just buy another fc for less then how much it would cost you to rebuild it.

FD=$8k-$21k
FC=$100-$3.5k

pick your poison either way, both are fun to screw around with and both cost cheaper then a (low end) new honda or toyota


as for "it will be MUCH more reliable than a boosted rotary" that is sooooo very true!


either way, buy the rotaryaviation.com's videos about how to pull and rebuild an engine and you will be much more prepared to work on your fc or fd. they will also tell you what is involved with fixing anything which is wrong with the car when you buy it so you can figure out if the car you are looking at is worth the money.

P.S. There are much more how to's (pictorial especially) online for FD's; they also look about 10000X better looking and handle so much better stock!