Okay, I know that I always seem to be "about to get an FD." Well, I found this really gorgeous chaste white in my area that is stock except the muffler and super clean. It's all but mine...I am just wondering what you guy's opinions are on buying an auto FD in this situation. It is gorgeous and pristine, and I will end up paying probably 11K for it...but the total cost will inevitably inclue a five speed swap.

Opinions? I just feel like it's harder and harder to find NICE fd's that haven't been stupidly modded.

 

1. Would you be happy owning an automatic sports car if you are unable to do the 5-speed swap?

2. The swap is only going to be cost effective if you have the time to source the parts yourself and do the conversion on your own. It's not cheap to have a shop do it.

IMO, if you want a manual, just find/buy a manual. You might not get "low miles", but the cars aren't getting any younger.

 

That's the reason I feel pretty okay about the thought of buying this FD. Yes, I would be happy with it. I like nice cars for the performance in normal driving situations; my autocross car if I had one would be built specifically for autocross, etc.
The FD would be a car that I enjoyed on weekends and maybe occasionally let it loose on a highway or something. But I am not going to do some boy racer initial D crap in it. So yea, if it was auto I would probably be fine with it.
Kevin from RR said himself that the auto FD was still really fun to drive.

 

You might PM "weaklink" here on the forum. He said that for a while, then did the 5 speed conversion.

 

I agree. If you are buying it thinking about doing a transmission swap, then I would suggest not buying it. Of course I'm not a mechanic and would never attempt the swap myself. If you have the ability, time, money, and patience to do the swap yourself, the that would be different. The nice thing about this car, is it sounds like it is all stock. What some think are great ideas (like a tranny swap), someone else may think is a "stupidly modded car" in 10 years.

An auto FD would be fun to drive. If the car is in great shape, then the $$$ seems worth it. If, OTOH, you think you will end up always wishing you had a manual, then I'd wait and keep looking.

 

Contrary to a lot of thinking, there isn't that much difference at all between the auto and the 5 speed, performance-wise. Hundreds of posts about this...no need to get into it all over again.
IF, as other, wiser folks than I have stated already, you REALLY want a 5-speed...then wait.

 

only get it if you will be happy with it as an auto. i have a auto and it still is tons of fun. i dont plan on putting down huge numbers, i just want a nice car that is pretty fast.

 

wait and find a 5 speed. it will be worth it. I love Chaste White FD's (like mine!) but I can't stand an automatic. Especially in a car like an FD.

 

there should be a rule. any sports cars made should never have a choice to come in automatic ... i hate seeing a sexy sports car Porsche Ferrari lambos anything even 7s in auto.

Even though i hate the SRT 4s they only come in manual, i like that idea.

 

i love my auto..


i say buy it and enjoy it. If you convert later then you can pick up good deals on the parts while you enjoy.

If you're gonna track it though, you might want to wait for a 5-speed. Drag strips and the 1/4 mile are owned by automatics.