Sold my first FD after wrecking it last spring. I bought an ISUZU Vehicross as my replacement. (I needed some seats for our new son anyway) Since then, I'm still pining over the FD. I figured I could but the rear seat in for my son and be back in an FD.

The real problem is that my wife doesn't drive a stick. To me, its nearly blasphemy to even think about an RX-7 without a stick. However, is an RX-7 with automatic, better than no RX-7 at all?

Big concern, resale value. I suppose for those who want an automatic, the value would be could. But is there really a market for RX-7 with an auto tranny?

 

don't buy it if you plan on selling it again, you've already sold one (unless if you're getting a manual rx7, thatd be understandable). if you plan on keeping it, it seems reasonable enough.

 

I can tell you really miss the FD, but converting it to a family car is going to cost you money and enjoyment. I have an AT FD, and I can confidently say the an automatic is a horrible injustice to an FD. I plan on doing the conversion when I'm done with college. Also, the only reason the Japanese FD's have back seats is because there is a huge tax on cars with less than four seats. The FD backseats are useless to anyone taller than four feet. A sports car like the FD is a splurge. You can try to make it somewhat practical, but why fit a square peg in a round hole? No matter how well you do it, it's not going to be very practical at all. To me, it would be more practical to keep the FD a total sports car (i.e. 5-spd, power upgrades, and poor fuel economy). There are comparably performing sports cars that are more practical for family usage. A good example is the Subaru turbo WRX coupe. It seats five rather well, it's dependable, but it still reasonably good sports car. However, it is certainly not an FD.

 

JONSKI knows whats up. I agree with him. The FD is not in any way, shape, or form a practical car. Personally, i would get an auto FD, but only if the deal i got was amazing, and thats it. I think it would be best to get a WRX, or something of the sort, and have the FD as the weekend car if you can swing it financially. And anyway, to have the FD as grocery getter daily driver isn't right!
(unless your poor like me and cant afford another car!)

 

I use my FD as my daily, but thats ONLY until i get my dads old acura legend. From then on I will drive my FD daily, but only for the hell of it well, except for winter.

 

learning 5spd isnt that hard. I would recommend it on a 7 but its not that hard.

 

What's wrong with an RX-8 Auto?

Ken

 

It sounds like you need to make a judgement call.
1. Buy the FD for yourself only as a treat/toy.
2. Teach your wife to drive stick. She can learn, a lot of women have learned to drive stick. Plus as an added bonus if she doesn't like driving a stick you will certainly not have to worry about her wrecking your car.
3. Shelve the plan till your kids out of school and you and your wife can do whatever you want again. Hey by then you might be picking up a vintage rx-9 or something lol.

 

I think you guys have confirmed what my heart knows. She could learn to drive the car, but I'm afraid with all that power, and the fact that she probably wouldn't drive it all that often, she might get herself in trouble.

Can't afford to own the car as a toy. If only. The back seat is still viable for me. My last FD was a daily driver and provided good service. Besides, I think its great in rush hour traffic. All the other cars are like cones. hehe

As far as the RX-8 goes, I'd like to get really excited about it, I'm behind Mazda introducing a new rotary, but so far I think that car is butt ugly. I've not seen it in person yet, so maybe I'll change my mind. Even so, I think I'd have the same desire for a stick. That car will probably be more accepted in an auto, because of its four door family appeal.

Bottom line, the third gen RX-7 is the sexiest car on the road, even at 9-10 years old. The lines are amazing. I miss it in my garage. (Not to knock my 85GS RX-7 that's been sitting in my garage since 1985)

Thanks guys,

 

Well if you are considering the FD for looks alone, then I say do the back seat conversion in an AT since it will still look the same.

If you are wanting a sports car and dont care about looks get an RX-8 for the four seat action (I dont know that I classify the RX-8 a sports car in the same way the FD is, but you get my point) but in 5spd.

If you want sporty and your better half HAS to be able to drive it, get an AT rx-8.

Now here is the best part as far as I can see it.
If you can afford an RX-8, then there is no reason you cant afford a 93FD and a 2003 Civic (or whatever) at the same time.

So I say go the 2 car route. (maybe get a protege to keep it in the family )

charr33

 

Dude there isnt anything with an auto in a rx7. I have one and love it hell thats what i looked for just cuz every one said dont buy one. Just think alls you have to do is get in and drive. Also I can build an auto matic up for more than half the cost of level ten $2000.00 dollars that tranny will hold up to any thing. thats a shift kit stall and magor rebuild kit.............

 

you dont want an automatic
so dont get one at all...you will regret it

plus automatics in rx7s have so many problems most people with them could have done the conversion to manual with all the money to repair it each time
get the rx7 and put the back seats in. You can sit back there if you want but I'm sure it won't be super comfortable (but this is like every other sports car)
these people on here have probably never sat in the back of a rx7. Its fairly uncomfortable but can be done.

good luck hope this helped