Hey guys, i am not a noob, so don't be thinking that! I have been a member for 2 months or so, and was viewing the site for 3 months before that.

I am moving to LA and wanna buy a car. I love the rx-7, but am seriously worried about reliability as it will be a daily driver. I know there are loads of you guys without problems, but there are a fair amount with many...

At the moment i have a VW Golf, which is a nice car, but i want something more sporty (the 7 def. is!).

Compared to the power of my car - 1.6l - 105hp The rx-7 in stock form will be more than enough for me - i will only be performing the essential mods such as gauges for boost, water temp etc. I will be getting a veilside 'smooth' kit also, but that's if i get the car!

I have 13,000 to spend on the car. I will not be buying a car with a motor with more than 35,000 miles (looking for a rebuilt engine with low miles). Do you guys think that the FD is the correct choice for me? I simply cannot decide. Mind insurance may be expensive due to my age - i will be 19 by the time i buy it. Would it be possible to put the car under my parents name and just put me down as a listed driver? Is that expensive?

I know there are lots of questions, but i need to think carefully, because if the car has problems, i will have no transport - especially in LA!!!

Thanks guys, Josh. UK.

 

If you just want a sporty car with some power (and you aren't going to mod it), get something like an older Vette. Power right out of the box and not much maintenance.

Here's my line to anyone looking to purchase an FD: If reliability is a concern, get a different car (or have a 2nd car around).

 

If you REALLY want a ROTARY-ENGINED Sportscar as a DAILY DRIVER,
an FD3S RX-7 is ok but can be somewat unreliable and a definate money pit.
As an ONLY car I you reccomend a clean 90-91 RX-7 T-II, Much less initial investment, Good Power & Handling, and significantly more room inside than an FD.
That being said I Daily Drive & Commute 85miles a day in my FD and it only stranded me once in almost 3 years of ownership, and the one time was the day I was scheduled to take it in to have the engine rebuilt! of course I do have another car and my mechanic has a loaner program so I am covered.

 

$13,000 won't be enough for a FD in good condition in L.A. (I hope you mean Los Angeles). They start at around that much for one with 75k+ miles and/or rebuilt. Even salvaged ones and collision-damaged w/cheap repair jobbers were going for $11k+. This is before you do all the reliability mods/tune up (expect $500-$1k for that).
I got these numbers when I was shopping for mine from June '01 - Feb '02. They could have changed a little but not much..
Oh yeah, expect prices to climb a little if you wait until after F&F 2

 

Come on guys! If not an rx-7, what car do you suggest?

 

I personally like 240sx's (~$5-10k), 95 or older Integ (under $10k), whatever yr Prelude you can afford, 91-92 Mr2 turbo (~$10), Eclipse GS-T/X's (the newest you can afford).... Dunno much about Euro cars. A '93 bmw 325 i/is will run you about $8-12k depend. on maintenance repairs. Hope this helps

 

If reliability is a concern, you should look for a non-turbo car (as they are usually more prone to problems). My personal picks for something sporty with a little power would either be a N/A 300zx or Vette (as I said above).

I owned a 300zx for about 3 years. The only thing I replaced on it in 3 years were the front brake pads. Loved the car.

 

If you are going to be spending much time in commuter traffic, you should not by an FD. The car won't like stop and go traffic, especially on a hot summer day. If you are 18, or even 19, full coverage insurance will be unaffordable. Expect around $10,000 per year for your own policy.

If you won't be traveling during rush hours, and your parents are paying for your insurance, go for it.

 

i may go with an audi 1.8t quattro or golf 1.8t - i already have mods on my car that i can bring over, and they push 200hp with only a chip. I think that may be enough for me - plus if i use 15,000 i can get a 2000/2001 (in either car) with maximum 30,000 miles!

A 240sx is damn nice, but if i compare them to the 1.8t - which will be new and reliable anyway (apart from the damn window regulators), i may aswell just get that...

What do you guys think about the 1.8t golf or 1.8t audi a4?

Josh.

 

I paid 300 a month at age 18 for an FD with 2 accidents and a 31 over the posted speed limit

 

Moving to Los Angeles? Purchasing an FD will only lead to heartache. Your car will be stolen and end up on blocks at a San Ysidro parking lot. Reliability is a factor, and sitting in stop and go traffic in an FD trying to get to where the 210 meets the 10 in San Dimas sucks. Try an old celica or integra.

 

I like the new celica actually - could get a 1999 for around that price...160hp

 

The one good thing about living in LA with a 3rd gen is all of the different rotary shops around.....

I use to live in Hermosa Beach and coming from Ohio, it was a big welcome with all of the knowledgable help.....

but it ain't cheap!

the 7 was my daily driver too....

I love this car...if you can swing it I would....just don't expect to eat or have extra spending money anytime soon.....

 

EJMACK1 You don't live in LA. Probably among the highest insurance rates in the country. If you have 2 accidents, maybe you should sell your fd to someone who won't wreck it.

 

this is an rx7 forum lets talk rx7 or at least rotary THX!

 

I dont recommend a fd as a daily driver either. If you want a FD get one but keep your old car also. If you want rotary get a N/A S5 FC otherwise you want turbo go with a T2. I am lucky enough to have my parents cars around and some spare cash invested so just incase my fd breaks I can use my parents cars and get the FD rebuilt. I have only put 500 miles in 1 month due to me not driving it and only problem I have had is a leaking TB coolant line which I have bypass'd

 

Why would you bump this thread after almost 2 years to say that?


This thread should probably be locked as I'm sure the thread starter has made up his/her mind.

 

If you haven't noticed, no one had contributed to that thread in about two years!