My Girlfriend Doesnt Believe Me!!!
Originally Posted by 93VRTouring
if u couldnt maintain a TII, an FD will eat you alive.
I read that, and that was enough..I was on the floor haha. No need to read the rest of the thread 
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 521
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From: West Palm Beach,FL
Originally Posted by 1QWIK7
Thats true and thats what people should know right away. If you're gonna buy a 10k FD, you'll know sooner than later you're gonna be fixing something, minor or major. For the person who spends 18,19, 20k on a prinstine FD, then all you have to do is enjoy and take care of it.
I choose not to DD mine, not cause i cant. I feel like what you said, if i DD everyday, i might feel bored with it. For the days im not driving it just builds excitment for the day i go take it out.
Plus i like having that "o **** that red rx7 is driving around" type of feeling when i take my car out. If i take my car out everyday, people will be like o i just saw that car yesterday, no biggie. But if i take it out once or twice a week, people will feel excited cause they saw it, which is not so often lol. Idk, thats how i feel.
I choose not to DD mine, not cause i cant. I feel like what you said, if i DD everyday, i might feel bored with it. For the days im not driving it just builds excitment for the day i go take it out.
Plus i like having that "o **** that red rx7 is driving around" type of feeling when i take my car out. If i take my car out everyday, people will be like o i just saw that car yesterday, no biggie. But if i take it out once or twice a week, people will feel excited cause they saw it, which is not so often lol. Idk, thats how i feel.
I have been daily driving mine for almost nine months and took it on a long trip through the desert to Vegas. I have had the following issues:
-clutch master cylinder failed, replaced, no further issues
-coolant hose right below the filler cap popped off, replaced and zip-tied, topped off coolant: no more issues
-current (original) clutch is slipping, replacing on tuesday
-y-pipe gasket failed, leaking boosted, installed series 8 pipe: no issues
-oil pressure gauge not working right, replaced sender: no issues
-fuel level sensor reads lower than actual, will replace with fuel pump upgrade
So basically its just been minor issues and maintenance, I think that if you find a car thats in good shape and not unreliably modded then you won't have any issues
Although it's still nice to have another vehicle when it's in the shop for a day or two, I mean with a 13+ year old car there's bound to be some little things failing. I say buy it and enjoy it 
-Andy
-clutch master cylinder failed, replaced, no further issues
-coolant hose right below the filler cap popped off, replaced and zip-tied, topped off coolant: no more issues
-current (original) clutch is slipping, replacing on tuesday
-y-pipe gasket failed, leaking boosted, installed series 8 pipe: no issues
-oil pressure gauge not working right, replaced sender: no issues
-fuel level sensor reads lower than actual, will replace with fuel pump upgrade
So basically its just been minor issues and maintenance, I think that if you find a car thats in good shape and not unreliably modded then you won't have any issues
Although it's still nice to have another vehicle when it's in the shop for a day or two, I mean with a 13+ year old car there's bound to be some little things failing. I say buy it and enjoy it -Andy
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 405
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From: Airdrie, Alberta
Originally Posted by AcesHigh
Mahjik, I think an M3 is a little outside a college student's budget.
Anyways I would say keep the 2.5rs until you get out of college. The Impreza is not a bad car at all, and the AWD will get you anywhere. FD's are just too unreliable, even with the most meticulous of owners. You will always be afraid it will break down on you, and there will always be little quirks like cheap plastics breaking. The car looks great, unfortunately that is about all it has going for it.
If you are really keen on getting something like this, try an S2000. Any twin turbo car from the 90's is pretty much garbage.
Anyways I would say keep the 2.5rs until you get out of college. The Impreza is not a bad car at all, and the AWD will get you anywhere. FD's are just too unreliable, even with the most meticulous of owners. You will always be afraid it will break down on you, and there will always be little quirks like cheap plastics breaking. The car looks great, unfortunately that is about all it has going for it.
If you are really keen on getting something like this, try an S2000. Any twin turbo car from the 90's is pretty much garbage.
Originally Posted by AcesHigh
Mahjik, I think an M3 is a little outside a college student's budget.
Originally Posted by Football22
I would still probubly take the FD over a m3 due to handleing and possible power. But thats just me.
Originally Posted by Mahjik
Actually, you'll see faster track lap times on a road course with E36 M3's than FD's in most cases. Don't under estimate the handling of the M3, especially the E36. There is a reason they are still very sought after track cars.
FYI, I thought you might get a kick outta this. There was a limited edition lightweight E36 M3 on Ebay a month or so go
Now THAT I'd give some thought to...Oh and Mahjik, if I understand correctly, the M3 is very much like the FD in that both have their motors factory tuned to the max...and as such, they won't tolerate many mods before the strain is too much for the motor to handle. In fact, I believe it's MUCH more expensive to modify the M3 to make considerably more hp.
Originally Posted by AcesHigh
......... FD's are just too unreliable, even with the most meticulous of owners. You will always be afraid it will break down on you, and there will always be little quirks like cheap plastics breaking. The car looks great, unfortunately that is about all it has going for it.
Originally Posted by adam c
I have had my car for 5 years, and it has never broken down on me. Not once.
Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Oh and Mahjik, if I understand correctly, the M3 is very much like the FD in that both have their motors factory tuned to the max...and as such, they won't tolerate many mods before the strain is too much for the motor to handle. In fact, I believe it's MUCH more expensive to modify the M3 to make considerably more hp.
And if he was wanting to build a fast drag car (which he's not) I would suggest something else.Honestly, you really can't beat a E36 M3 for a track car. They have a lot more support than the RX-7 in the US for that because they are still actively racing them in many leagues in North America. The FD, there are a handful being raced and the few around are basically tube frames. The aftermarket for the FD on the track side is nothing like the BMW side, sadly.
https://www.rx7club.com/race-car-tech-103/fastest-lap-times-3rd-gen-need-results-one-up-m3-owner-116834/
Thread Starter
MattB
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 0
From: Haverhill, MA
Originally Posted by Mahjik
Reliable is one thing. Practical is another. Can it be reliable for a DD? Sure. Will it ever be practical? No.
First, this is not the kind of car you really debate over getting. You either want it and you just "get it", or you don't. People who usually have to debate whether or not the car is for them, generally don't end up owning one long if they do get one. Its not an easy ownership. Its like a marriage but its much easier to get a divorce and forget about it though.
If you want a sporty and fast DD, look at an E36 M3. You'll have about the best of all worlds from a DD standpoint: they look great, good reliability, quick, handles great, room to do things like shopping, interior comforts, and the list goes on. And in the end, you'll most likely end up with more money to shower that GF with than if you gamble and purchase a RX-7.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
First, this is not the kind of car you really debate over getting. You either want it and you just "get it", or you don't. People who usually have to debate whether or not the car is for them, generally don't end up owning one long if they do get one. Its not an easy ownership. Its like a marriage but its much easier to get a divorce and forget about it though.
If you want a sporty and fast DD, look at an E36 M3. You'll have about the best of all worlds from a DD standpoint: they look great, good reliability, quick, handles great, room to do things like shopping, interior comforts, and the list goes on. And in the end, you'll most likely end up with more money to shower that GF with than if you gamble and purchase a RX-7.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Thats the thing...i dont want just a sporty fast car to drive...i want an RX7. Ever since I owned my first one I just want more of them. Its like a disease....I thought id be plenty happy with the Impreza at least until I was out of college but every time I take a turn I think about how much faster I could have taken it in my 7...I want a 7...nothing else...But i just dont know that I could afford it and college at the same time...
Originally Posted by MattB
Thats the thing...i dont want just a sporty fast car to drive...i want an RX7. Ever since I owned my first one I just want more of them. Its like a disease....I thought id be plenty happy with the Impreza at least until I was out of college but every time I take a turn I think about how much faster I could have taken it in my 7...I want a 7...nothing else...But i just dont know that I could afford it and college at the same time...
Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Whiiiich only confirms one thing for me: Adam has a SLOW a$$ FD, and drives like a GIRL
Originally Posted by adam c
If you buy a car that has not been taken care of, you will have problems. That will be the case with any car, especially an FD.
i have driven my fd EVERY day for the past 2 years, its my only car. Never once have had a big problem, been in the shop a couple of times for this and that but even when i am having problems its still driveable.
Yea, I'm working on it...
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,220
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From: Click click fucking click, Africa
I was daily driving mine until it was in a flood. I didn't have to put any money in it (except basic maintenance) It was my DD for a year and made two road trips (1700 miles round trip) and it pulled just as hard as the day i got it. I honestly don't see any problems in daily driving a seven. Maybe mine was one in a million but i had more problems with my FB!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,672
Likes: 413
From: Charlottesville VA 22901
A well sorted or healthy low mileage FD will make a great daily driver. Once you've buttoned everything down these cars are rock solid.
My daily driver recipe includes: Low mileage FD, down pipe, lowering springs, boost gauge and some fancy wheels. When you start adding on full exhaust, stand alone ecu, IC, etc..... reliability goes out the window.
My daily driver recipe includes: Low mileage FD, down pipe, lowering springs, boost gauge and some fancy wheels. When you start adding on full exhaust, stand alone ecu, IC, etc..... reliability goes out the window.
sold--no longer in debt
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 11
From: Cleveland, Ohio
My old FD was reliable as hell.. I put around 20k miles on it in the 1.5 years I owned it.
Had 75k miles on orig everything when I got it, modded it a little (intake, dp, mp, catback, power fc, 1300s, walbro, boost controllers (set at 14psi), springs, gauges, bla bla)
Basic crap, beat the hell out of the car every day basically, including track days, and road trips, etc, etc. Car was great. The only time the car had "down" time was when I had new brake pads overnighted, and they didn't get there untill the next week (but i already had the car on jack stands and all the pads out) so I had to wait a while. Miss that thing..
Had 75k miles on orig everything when I got it, modded it a little (intake, dp, mp, catback, power fc, 1300s, walbro, boost controllers (set at 14psi), springs, gauges, bla bla)
Basic crap, beat the hell out of the car every day basically, including track days, and road trips, etc, etc. Car was great. The only time the car had "down" time was when I had new brake pads overnighted, and they didn't get there untill the next week (but i already had the car on jack stands and all the pads out) so I had to wait a while. Miss that thing..
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 215
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From: St. Louis
Originally Posted by RotaryResurrection
You havent worked on some of the FDs I have. I'd rather sort out an FC than a busted FD anyday. Used replacement parts are a TON cheaper for the t2. You can build a 350rwhp FD (including the cost of the car) for about 10 grand; you can build the same FC for about half that, with both of them being in roughly equivalent condition.
fd nightmare. Most problems ive had with my Fd were elementary to track down and correct. I've had t2's that were possesed by the devil.
You got me man... haha
Full Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 171
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From: PA
Unless it has had a regular supply of new parts over the years - belts, hoses and the like I would stay away as a daily driver. It would probably not leave you stranded but it will take alot of time to get the little stuff fixed that will appear. I did drive my fc for 8 years 96k all the time with very little in the way of problems - traded it for the fd which was a daily in warm weather for about 3 years - no its the second car and it does cost a few $ now and again.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
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alright here's my opinion:
if you want a reliable dd get a honda it's gas and go...
the fd was designed as a weekend car, it's only reliable when it's kept with very little modification, and this means very little, if you do get the fd, do all the required reliability mods, and stay under 300 hp, and you will be fine.
if you want a reliable dd get a honda it's gas and go...
the fd was designed as a weekend car, it's only reliable when it's kept with very little modification, and this means very little, if you do get the fd, do all the required reliability mods, and stay under 300 hp, and you will be fine.
Thread Starter
MattB
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 0
From: Haverhill, MA
i dont think you understand...i have this love for 7's...i dont want a honda or anything else...i want an RX7 and i am trying to think of a way its possible for me to own one...maybe ill just get another TII...