I'm new to the boards here but I'm pretty familiar with the RX7. I know what I would like to do to it and what not and im keeping it under the $3500 price range for upgrades.

First I wanted to know if I bought a salvaged FD probably with rear end damage if it would be worth while rebuilding it? I have found them for around $3-5k with clean interiors and engines but with body damage and one had frame damage.

Second I am a college student and I do not work as of right now. I am on a lacrosse scholarship so I have no time for work. My parents have opted to give me a small allowance for things I want to do and they have been paying for my gas when I was commuting but now they dont. My question is how bad is the gas milage? I read on autotrader that it was under 20mpg. How often would I be filling up my tank if I'm doing occasional driving such as weekends only?


As far as parts I was looking at putting maybe 250hp to the ground, with Cat-Back exhaust, FMIC, intake, maybe underdrive pulley, high flow cat. along with the necessities of the boost guage, controller/timer, a-f ratio guage.

Im also looking at purchasing a bodykit and rims but nothing fancing, I dont want to much attention for crazy looks. Along with the headlight conversion if someone can tell me where to buy that at?

I also planned on doing an engine overhaul by replacing seals and hoses?

Thanks for all your help

---Scott

 

Don't buy one without a job.

Read through this as well.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

You can buy the mods you're looking for by visiting the sponsor banners displayed on the top of the page.

 

Rear damage is much harder to repair correctly than front damage. There are more expensive parts in the front of the car. The rear of the car is pretty much the entire body, the front is relatively separate and can be replaced.

 

^ This guy is the expert on wrecked FD's. Listen to him. The stuff you want seems like it will cost a lot more than you have. Congrats on your scholarship.

 

You're looking at spending a ton of cash. Things like body kits, wheels, and engine rebuilds mean $$$ if you want it done right. I would wait until after you graduate.

 

can you clerify your self as to why I should not buy one without a job? I own a 96 celica right now that I have midly modified and I pay for everything on it and that is with out a job.

NO I DONT SELL DRUGS EITHER

I have good money management and i move my money around in different accounts and stocks. If you want to call that a job I guess you can.

 

the main thing I am worried about is reliability and gas money. I can work on the car myself which is my plan if i have to do body work. I can pretty much do everything except paint the car.


2 weeks ago I complete an Auto-Manual swap on my celica (if that means anything to you guys ) Along wtih all the other work I have done myself.


Ive been looking at putting a 3sgte in my celica from a JDM GT4 but the $6k I would spend seems a little outrageous on a car that is worth $10k.


I have also thought about selling the celica and purchasing a used FD but I like getting 28-30mpg as a daily driver. However I rarely drive due to friends who get everything they want from there parents so they have never pay for there own gas and constantly drive.

What do you guys suggest, your the pros on this car im just the newb.

--Scott

 

Because an FD is not a car that you can just buy and forget about? With all due respect, the Celica is a sporty economy car. It's reliable, and it doesn't protest when you stick a 'Cold Air Intake' on it. You apparently have absolutely no idea what a leap it is from a Celica to an FD in terms of commitment ($ and lifestyle).

If you have $30 grand to put into the car, total (cost of car, budget for replacement turbos, engine, or anything that more then likely will go out), for the next 4 years (or however long until you plan to be able to get a well paying job), then I say go for it. If you're worried about trying to save a buck with a salvage title, you're wasting your time (and a likely a bunch of money).

13mpg combined is the best I ever got before going single turbo, though I've heard of others managing a bit better.

 

I do understand that I will put more work into this car, I helped build and install my friends custom turbo kit for his integra, yes its not equal to a FD but I am mechanicly inclined to do what ever I need to do and make sure its done right. I hate seeing a car and then realising how much of a **** install job they did on something.

I was thinking of buying a salvage title because I enjoy working on cars. I enjoying toying with them and doing my own work. Im not looking at a salvage title just to save $5 or 6k.


I think my main question is this?
Will a 3rd gen FD last for at least 4 to 5 years if I maintain it well, and will it be worth the money spent?

 

so the rear is basicly a unibody?

relating to my celica it also has a rear end unibody. I had to reweld in a portion of the rear panel due to a hit and run.

So if i did go this path I would be better off with a car that has side damage like on the door and front fender or front bumper?

 

What's your economic threshhold that determines if/when you throw in the towel? There are too many factors to give a simple yes or no, but the odds lean towards a no. Pick up a cheap beater, may the sports car gods smile on you, and it could go the other way.

The answer is going be different for each person, so it's something you can only answer yourself. I've got $40 grand total in mine, and it's currently in peices in my garage. $40 grand that I can tally up right now, not including all the mulitple of parts I've been through (4 sets of 18" + aftermarket wheels, 3 intakes, 3 exhausts, etc). Would I have done it again? Definitely - but NOT while going to school. Big, big mistake. It will take away from your studies- maybe a little, mabe a lot, but I gaurentee it.

 

If what you have now works perfectly why would you give it up for something that you need to fix? I don't see the logic there. I too am in college, and in 3 weeks when it starts that car will be the least of my worries. There is no way I could afford to drive it either. Have you looked at insurance? That, plus maint doesn't make it worth it. And I have a great paying job besides.

Bottom line. You got a sure thing.. don't go gambling it away. Its just not wise.

 

You say you're trying to keep the mod budget to $3500? If you own an FD, you need to keep more liek $5000 in the bank at all times, earmarked for the car. If you blow a motor up, or cough up a turbo, the price tag can hurt. I agree with dclin; the FD is not a car you buy and forget about. I always tell people: the people who are ready for the FD are passionate about the car to a point that they won't stop until they own one, and they've also got $5k in the bank earmarked for the car. This car is a lot like a hot, needy girlfriend: She looks amazing, performs even better when you're inside her, but when she wants to, she makes you pay insane amounts of money just to keep her happy. Hang on to your celica, and invest the $6k you were about to spend on that motor.

 

HP goal 250..Easilly achived with the FD even with Intake, Downpipe and Catback about $700.00
FMIC about $900.00
High flow cat $300.00
Pulley and gauges $450.00
boost controller $300.00
turbo timer $90.00
Radiator $300.00
wheels $1000.00 if you get a good deal but probably more
bodykit about $2000.00 with labor and paint but probably more
This is not including the engine overhaul, your gas money and you normal maintenance and what else can go wrong with the FD and also the I want more HP now...

This is already over $6000.00 that you want and not including the maintenance and what can go wrong with the car while you drive it...

The FD is not that much of a budget car unless you plan to keep it stock, then it that case you will only have to worry about maintenance..

 

I bought my car with a salvage title, it was hit in the front, no frame damage but it need'd a new core support, after searching for about a year I found a core support for $600 bucks,everywhere else want'd @ least $1000 plus the cost of shipping. It cost me $1500 to get the core support put on and color match'd then I paid $400 to get a new front bumper. That's $2500 just to get the car almost ready to be inspected by the DMV, (salvage title cars have to be inspect'd by DMV, before they can be clear'd for a tag). I would suggest stockpiling your cash ans by one that is in decent condition that all you had to do is maintain, since you are still in college.

 

Your mods listed below are a good start for about $3500, but you will need a Power FC or aftermarket ECU along with some fuel mods. You could do it without the FMIC for $3500, but I think the front mount would push it over 4k easily.

If your concern for cost for this car is in gas, I would not reccomend this car...

You will put down way more than 250whp with those mods. If youre running those mods, you WILL NEED a Power FC or other aftermarket ECU. I dont know anyone on this board who has an FMIC without an aftermarket ECU. Make sure you add a DP to those mods.


Even a knock off front bumper and wing will cost almost $2000 after getting it painted. Aftermarket rims are going to cost at least $2000 when you include tires.

At least 2-$2500 for a basic reman.

Hope this helps. The mod bug hurts. I've put over $5k of mods in my car in the 4 months I have owned it and it really does get expensive. I would not be able to afford this car while in college if it wasnt for my full time job and small business I run on the side.

Not trying to discourage you, Id just hate for someone to be disappointed when they find out the FD is too expensive or not the right car for them.

 

we don't call FD's money pit for sh*t & giggles. Save up and get you one in good condition. There still be plentty for you to work with.

 

You could always join the Navy to pay for your FD fix AND have your college paid

 

this girl...you see...she is pretty much a worn out prostitute...but shes blonde..has big ****...and i can tell she used to have a nice ***. now she really wants to be a good girlfriend for a nice inexperienced college student. what do you guys think?


yer in over yer head homie

 

look for another chick

Rx-7 is not for you if you dont have enuf cash
i digged myself into this hole, luckily i got a job on time
tho i dont regret it at all
but i wont do it if i dont have that cash

 

Based on your current situation, an FD sounds like one of the worst automotive purchases you could possibly make at this time.

Are you just tired of the Celica and looking for something different? There are plenty of other options.

 

NO.

 

you could always get an FC...had mine for 10yrs and still pulling strong! Just keep up with preventative maintenance.

 

Exactly. Find a good turbo II, and with your money you can mod it and have left over if worse happens. It will be faster and handle better than your Celica and be way more reliable than an FD on your budget.

 

um ...
FC might not be a good choice either
it's cheaper, but it still put a hole in ur wallet