RX-7 Reliability and engine replacement.
M3 is a different image. It generally attracts a different type of owner, it has its own set of fans, etc. No offense to Mahjik in any way, but most M3 owners I meet have their heads up their ***. They really think their 13 second car is the baddest thing on the block--granted, it's a hell of a lot nicer than an FD though.
FD owners appear the same way to non-FD owners. 
M3 is a different image. It generally attracts a different type of owner, it has its own set of fans, etc. No offense to Mahjik in any way, but most M3 owners I meet have their heads up their ***. They really think their 13 second car is the baddest thing on the block--granted, it's a hell of a lot nicer than an FD though. The only thing worse than many E46 M3 owners are E36 M3 owners, whose cars are about as fast an SRT-4 and yet they're sure they're driving an Enzo. But I guess Euro cars just aren't my scene, and the only one I'd consider owning is a 911 turbo but I'll never be able to afford one. I drove a brand new 6 speed 08 M5 a couple weeks ago and despite excellent the fit and finish I was seriously disappointed with the interior gimmickry and the hopped-up S2000 engine in a Chrysler 300-like chassis...
To the OP, go with a C5 Z06 if you want an alternative to the FD. I've driven them, they're not that nice on the inside but they handle very well and are pretty reliable with solid power. It's a different scene than driving a rare and finicky import, but it might work out well for you.
To the OP, go with a C5 Z06 if you want an alternative to the FD. I've driven them, they're not that nice on the inside but they handle very well and are pretty reliable with solid power. It's a different scene than driving a rare and finicky import, but it might work out well for you.
Interesting because I have owned all three, FD, M3 and Z06. Z06 is currently what Im driving. Its the closest thing to an FD in terms of size, handling and power. Mine makes 575 RWHP, 28mpg on the highway and reliable. I hate to say it but I prefer both the M3 and Z06 over the FD. Maybe its just me getting older but I cant stand the noise of a high HP FD. It could also be that I have been around them 24/7 for the past 9 years and the novelty has worn off.
Whats amazing though is I still think the RX-7 is one of the sexier cars on the road and its 15 years old.
Constant threat
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: near Wichita, Kansas
With a budget of $30K, I'd buy a nice FD for $15K - $18K and then spend about $8K on a good dependable daily driver (Camry, Accord, etc) and keep a few thousand in the bank for ***** and grins and the inevitable FD repairs.
Otherwise, Mahjik is right on the money. Hell, every one of us LOVES the FD, for various reasons but....yeah, there are a helluva lot 'better' cars out there.
For those bux you could get the aforementioned 'Vette, BMW, as well as a 350Z or Infinity G35, Lexus IS250 or IS350, shoot...even some Mercedes models. Any ONE of those cars has a lot more 'pizzaz' factor at the local club when you pull up and hand the keys to the valet.
Otherwise, Mahjik is right on the money. Hell, every one of us LOVES the FD, for various reasons but....yeah, there are a helluva lot 'better' cars out there.
For those bux you could get the aforementioned 'Vette, BMW, as well as a 350Z or Infinity G35, Lexus IS250 or IS350, shoot...even some Mercedes models. Any ONE of those cars has a lot more 'pizzaz' factor at the local club when you pull up and hand the keys to the valet.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 109
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From: Guernsey, Channel Islands
But don't forget that the FD is much more of a hardcore sports car.
When Mazda built it, it was for one purpose only, the all out fastest, two seater, rotary rocket they could make.
Unfortunately they did go a bit too far with some of that, and that's why I think they made the RX-8 first rather than a new RX-7.
Mazda lost alot of money when the FD came out.
I love my car, makes me smile every time I drive it. It's not to everyone's taste, but that's what makes us all individuals anyway...
And most of us have the FD as a "toy", and a cheap car for work. I do, if only because I don't want my FD damaged while I leave it parked in town for 10 hours.
And yes from a reliability point of you, I think that there is a very good argument to leave your car stock.
I've had my car eight years and the only thing that's gone wrong with it was a broken A/C condensor.
When Mazda built it, it was for one purpose only, the all out fastest, two seater, rotary rocket they could make.
Unfortunately they did go a bit too far with some of that, and that's why I think they made the RX-8 first rather than a new RX-7.
Mazda lost alot of money when the FD came out.
I love my car, makes me smile every time I drive it. It's not to everyone's taste, but that's what makes us all individuals anyway...
And most of us have the FD as a "toy", and a cheap car for work. I do, if only because I don't want my FD damaged while I leave it parked in town for 10 hours.
And yes from a reliability point of you, I think that there is a very good argument to leave your car stock.
I've had my car eight years and the only thing that's gone wrong with it was a broken A/C condensor.
Yeah, thanks to dumbass emissions laws
I would replace the turbos with BNR's ... even if I bought the car brand new back in '93 or whatever, along with the other reliability mods. And if I really could buy it new, I would replace the gauges in the cluster rather than having to mount extras... and I'd make a proper passenger door mount "before" it broke!! LOL
my FD is like a MILF HAHA
my FD is like a MILF HAHA
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 141
From: Pa USA
Yeah, thanks to dumbass emissions laws
I would replace the turbos with BNR's ... even if I bought the car brand new back in '93 or whatever, along with the other reliability mods. And if I really could buy it new, I would replace the gauges in the cluster rather than having to mount extras... and I'd make a proper passenger door mount "before" it broke!! LOL
my FD is like a MILF HAHA
I would replace the turbos with BNR's ... even if I bought the car brand new back in '93 or whatever, along with the other reliability mods. And if I really could buy it new, I would replace the gauges in the cluster rather than having to mount extras... and I'd make a proper passenger door mount "before" it broke!! LOL
my FD is like a MILF HAHA
I think their a weak link, eventually their gonna go, start smokin or something else ...
ok so maybe if the FD is like really low mileage (under 30K - which is an expense FD) and the owner was very obsessive, compulsive and never really drove the car too hard, then maybe the turbos aren't on their way out, but c'mon most FD's still stock and were kept in "pretty" decent shape and have around 50-70K mileage, which would be an "affordable" purchase would have turbos that prolly will go in the next 10-20K if not less or already are on their way out. so yah, I'd definitely get BNR's. I did and I'm very very glad Do it and forget about if and when the stock ones are gonna go.
I know others will vehemently disagree, but that's my position... and my $$$
ok so maybe if the FD is like really low mileage (under 30K - which is an expense FD) and the owner was very obsessive, compulsive and never really drove the car too hard, then maybe the turbos aren't on their way out, but c'mon most FD's still stock and were kept in "pretty" decent shape and have around 50-70K mileage, which would be an "affordable" purchase would have turbos that prolly will go in the next 10-20K if not less or already are on their way out. so yah, I'd definitely get BNR's. I did and I'm very very glad
Do it and forget about if and when the stock ones are gonna go.I know others will vehemently disagree, but that's my position... and my $$$
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