This could turn out to be a long post, as I'm going to lay out all my thoughts and concerns for you all. I came to this forum specifically due to a friendly user base and what seems to be some extremely knowledgeable people.

First off, I'm in the market to buy a car. What started out as an interest in the B-series engines (I still love em) has evolved into my love of the FD. I've been researching both cars for around a year (B-series awhile longer, researching the FD rotary for about 2 months). So I know somewhat what I'm getting into with either car. So here goes:

I am 18, a senior, and I have been working for a year and a half (part time through school and worked 2 jobs throughout the entire summer). My goal at first was an Integra GSR. But as time has moved on, I really want an RX-7. Lets say I have 11+ g's to spend, with my limit being around 14.5 g's. Not going to name specifics, but giving a ballpark figure for you all.

I will probably be getting a full ride to a somewhat local college through either a NAVY or Airforce ROTC program (I want to fly fighters for the military, and have a career in aviation). So if this happens, tuition will not be a drain on myself or my parents. I also have a full-ride to an extremely local college waiting at my feet if I wish to take it. Giving you all a look into the near future as far as finances are concerned.

Now with my budget, I hope to purchase a car by November. I could easily purchase a GSR. Have enough left over to do all the BPU's along with a supercharger or completely repaint it with a bomex kit. The GSR would surely last through my college years, as the B-series engine is extremely reliable. While this is really tempting, I want an RX-7 more.

I found an RX-7 im very interested in. Heres a quick preview of the details:
Theres others like this (usually without some of these upgrades) that usually catch my eye. The RX-7's with rebuilt engines understandably go for a lower price, so these are the cars that are within my budget range. I dont want to purchase a non-rebuilt car with 60k+ miles on it, because I know whats in store for me in a couple thousand miles.

So my questions are:
1. Im hoping to buy a car that will last me 3 1/2 to 4 years without having to rebuild a motor. The initial 1-2 grand that I spend on my RX-7 will be completely towards reliability mods. Will a rebuilt motor with rebuilt turbos (I know its somewhat a case-by-case thing) generally be able to last to 70k miles, with say 15k miles being put on it a year? It will be a daily driver, maybe driving it hard once every other month at the strip.
2. How much a year do you all generally spend on trouble shooting / repairs?
3. Rebuilt motors, do they tend to last the same length as the original? Anything to look out for?

If any of you have anything extra to offer, I would love to hear what you have to say. Also if anyone has been in a situation like mine, or have any stories to share, again, im interested in hearing them.

This car will be paid for by yours truely, and maintened by this great guy too. Im very interested in a FD, but am trying to look at the situation practically, and making sure im not getting into something that is over my head.

Thanks a ton

 

I am 17 a Junior in High School and I just bought my FD. It is completely stock and I had to put about $2,500 in repairs that are common problems with RX-7's. I had to replace the rear main seal, oil pan gasket, and driveshaft. I say get the RX-7. If you do, be prepared to pay high prices for Mazda products. RX-7's are great cars and can be very reliable when the reliability mods are done.

1) A rebuilt motor can last 70k miles depending on how well you take car of it!
2) By the end of this year I probably will have spent about $3,500
3) Rebuilt motor can last shorter, same or longer as the original engine. It just depends on how you drive and if you do cooling mods.

Also when looking for an RX-7, BE PATIENT! You want to make sure that you have found the one you want and not end up with one that it trashed. Take a look at many other RX-7's before you buy one so you get an idea of what to compare others to.

 

Im selling mine since im trying to move. I have built it to be reliable and last a long time, as well as making almost 400 whp. Look here. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6327

 

Thanks a bunch man. I plan on babying the hell out of it. So if i can get 70k miles out of a rebuilt motor, this is great news. One big disadvantage for me is my location (Memphis TN). Not a big hotspot for imports, so most of the cars i see for sale on autotrader and ebay are 500-1000 miles away. So I cannot check them out personally.

As long as I'm not spending 5 grand a year on repairs, this is good as well.

Another quick question. You said you spend 3500 this year on repairs / troubleshooting. Do you think this will be an every year kind of thing? Or once its taken care of, its taken care of? If you get what im saying.

Thanks again.

 

Very nice car. I am interested, depending on price. Am not sure I am ready to bid and commit just yet though.

I would definetly run at a safe boost level, and the fact that you seem to have taken care of it and built it to be reliable is a definite turn on.

 

I think once that I have done the reliability mods my yearly cost will probably drop. However I am aiming for a very nice and clean looking FD. So If there will be anymore costs, it will only be for mods, break-downs, or interior pieces getting replaced.

 

Good deal Oblique. Thats what I was hoping, to take care of any and all problems from the get go. Then toy around with things.

Good luck with your car man.

 

Just remember that hard acceleration isn't necessary all of the time. Try to limit yourself to only floor it once a month. This way you will always get that adrenaline rush and you won't get tired of it. Also you will be saving alot of wear and tear on the car!

 

Didn't plan on pushing it very often. So thats not a big problem.

Just read the post about your engine, sucks man, sorry to hear that

 

I've had my car for two years and my motor blew. I had some shitty work done on my car by Brett at M2 that probably contributed to many disasters. I had him replace my synchro. I later found out he replaced the synchro with used parts. The synchro later broke apart and ruined my transmission. I got screwed by Brett at M2 and I am now spending over $8,000 to make sure nothing goes wrong with the car for a long time. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU BUY THE CAR FROM!!!

 

I would expect to spend $3000 the first year and $2000 every year after that on maintenance and repairs. This is assuming you don't go mod-crazy and drive it somewhat normally (but regularly). It also sort of depends on how **** you are about things like leaks. I personally hate even small leaks and this is an expensive pet peeve. People may say once you do reliability mods, the car is reliable and you don't have to worry, but if you took a poll of everyone and asked how many years they've owned their car and how much money they've spent on it, your jaw would drop (we a bit crazy around here).

 

Im 19, got mine shortly after highschool, and decided to take a year off (bank account build up) before I start taking classes at the local college.
I looked for a year and a half for my car.
It's starting to feel slow. I guess I should drive my daily beater huh?
If you are worried about having problems with the car dont do it.
My car is a 93 with ~74000 miles on it.
I paid 15,000 for it (look at the rims- I paid ~13000 for the car) and it was said the turbos were replaced ~8000 miles ago. When I removed the elbow to change the spark plugs, I see the turbos are leaking oil.
These cars are like women. Some days they wake up ready to kill.
I love my car.

 

The more I think about it, getting the GSR at this time would probably be the smart decision. I know what I WANT more, but maybe waiting till a year or 2 into college before I get the 7 would be the smarter decision.

I'm not sure, I'm pretty torn.

 

double post, my bad

 

Im selling mine. I live in Knoxville. Its a red 93 r1 in mint condition. It has 46k on it and im the second owner.

Duff

 

Haha damnit. Your tempting me. Ill send you an e-mail, cause Im interested.

 

I'd get the GSR.

Its a 10 year old car and along with the regular maintenance, things just break. Vac hoses crack, coolant hoses burst, and the interior falls apart. Forget living up the college life, start thinking about being broke at all times and spending lots of quality time with your rx7 instead of your buddies.

If I could do it all over again, I would have gone with a different car. It's just not practical unless you've got very generous parents who are willing to help you out.

 

My parents would be willing to help if I take either scholarship. But I really dont want their help.

Ive pretty much decided on the GSR. Practical, fun car (I'm sure it doesnt compare to a 7), will get me thru the first 3 years of college, and I can save and have some fun with my money. By this time I should have a steady job with a good idea of what the futures gonna have in store, then I'll start lookin at 7's.

Thanks for all the replies.