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RX-7 Winter driving

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Old 10-22-08, 11:59 AM
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QC RX-7 Winter driving

Hey I was just wondering if any of you drive your fds durring the winter, and how does it react, and does the rotary engine have trouble starting up? and if so what did you do so that it starts fine, i'm talking about -10 to -30 celcius here, thanks hope i get some of your responces
Old 10-22-08, 12:00 PM
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Don't do it. Not worth it esp in Quebec where it will rust out within a season. Buy a daily driver and put the FD away for the winter.
Old 10-22-08, 12:05 PM
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I'm in markham, just north of toronto. It snowed a bit yesterday but I don't think they salted the roads yet. As soon as that first grain of salt hits the roads, the FD goes into storage. Nothing will rust out your FD faster.

Plus, do you really want to use your front bumper as a snow plow?
Old 10-22-08, 12:42 PM
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Ya i definetly would not drive an FD during the winter, store that puppy and drive a beater
Old 10-22-08, 02:12 PM
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As posted above, if you care at all for your FD, don't drive it in the snow/salt. It can be done safely with proper tires, but corrosion will ruin your car in short order.
Old 10-22-08, 02:26 PM
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SNOW!?!? i won't even drive my car in the rain; only time is when it starts raining while i'm driving.
Old 10-22-08, 02:29 PM
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My car is already in hybernation...
Old 10-22-08, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by tt7hvn
SNOW!?!? i won't even drive my car in the rain; only time is when it starts raining while i'm driving.
+1, me too...
Besides the problem inherent to driving a pretty powerful lightweight low to the ground no traction control car, why would you put a car you're supposed to love through that kind of disrespectful punishment?

As far as starting cold goes, I have it in my garage and I start her during the winter every couple of weeks and let it run in the driveway for a bit, then I put it back in the garage. I have never had a problem starting the car, it goes on just like the other cars I have. Just make sure that you have it in first gear before you turn the key, or you'll send your 2 rotors revving 3k rpms from sitting stationary for a while in below 0 temperatures...
Old 10-22-08, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by poirier4
Hey I was just wondering if any of you drive your fds durring the winter, and how does it react...
I don't. I think very few do.
Originally Posted by poirier4
..... and does the rotary engine have trouble starting up? ........i'm talking about -10 to -30 celcius here, thanks hope i get some of your responces
Even brand new my FB absolutely would NOT start below about 10 C. It would just instantly flood requiring an oil and a plug change after towing it in and warming it up. Things may have improved, but I still recommend you get a beater for all the reasons stated above. Plus it's light, low to the ground, has a short wheelbase and RWD.
Old 10-22-08, 06:31 PM
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Not a good idea man.
It'll get destroyed, rusted all that nasty stuff and you may get into an accident too.

This is my DD. Wish it's not but it has been for close to a decade.
Rain,Sunshine and Snow upto 2+ft and get pretty freezing here too.
It starts most of the time but there are times that I needed to jump it haha.
Maybe I should change my battery, but it's that click click problem that i'm looking fix soon with that relay thing.
I also POR-15 under there..

here, not too bad.
looking for another one..







Last edited by LAN; 10-22-08 at 06:40 PM.
Old 10-22-08, 06:44 PM
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Damn lan you're crazy!! lol

But serious, thats a really nice FC. Cant believe you would even want to drive it in those conditions.
Old 10-22-08, 07:15 PM
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there's no snow down here.
but thats one nice FC lan.
Old 10-22-08, 07:28 PM
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Thanks guys.
I should look for a little Honda for a beater.
I'm looking for a clean TII S5 FC and I'll take care of it really well like my fd. I promise.

Let me throw this last pic..





Edit.

Last one.
and yep, i drove it that day.




Last edited by LAN; 10-22-08 at 07:37 PM.
Old 10-22-08, 07:31 PM
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Lan, my brother is selling his tercel if you're interested lol

Its a 95, VERY well kept. Selling cheap.

Maybe you can retire the FC for daily driving duty and hop in this gas saving machine
Old 10-22-08, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by KaiFD3S
My car is already in hybernation...
+1 , btw I scammed you
Old 10-22-08, 08:00 PM
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Haha Dom, I will hunt you down, I have your addy and have the money to fly there...Muahhhahahahaha

Hey lan, get a daily and sell me the FC
Old 10-22-08, 08:19 PM
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So wait, would it still be advisable to drive the FD out in the cold? When there's no snow? Just a cold day?
Old 10-22-08, 08:32 PM
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Obviously you could since it is indeed a regular car but why should you?

Just get a cheap daily driver and use that, not even giving a damn what happens to it by snow/ice/salt etc.
Old 10-22-08, 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by tt7hvn
SNOW!?!? i won't even drive my car in the rain; only time is when it starts raining while i'm driving.
Amen.
I saw that you were looking to buy an FD on another post. If I were you I'd buy a daily driver 1st, then save some money for an FD. These are true sports cars which were not intended for snow. I spend enough money on maintenence for one season (5 months).. Forget about year round.
Old 10-23-08, 03:14 AM
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I'll be driving mine, but my winters are a bit more mild.
Old 10-23-08, 03:50 AM
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I drive mine all year round. That being said, it doesnt get too cold in the UK (Just below freezing in the nights), however they excessively salt the roads here. I keep off the main roads where I can in the mornings.
Old 10-23-08, 11:11 PM
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I dont even know how you can control a FD in winter, mine in rain is even hard not to go sideways... I just parked mine today gonna be a long 6 months or so with out her
Old 10-24-08, 03:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Schrodare
I dont even know how you can control a FD in winter, mine in rain is even hard not to go sideways... I just parked mine today gonna be a long 6 months or so with out her
Winter makes it more fun
More sideways action & less tire ware!
Old 10-24-08, 05:50 AM
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yeahhhh i drove my FD ONCE in the snow... and i never will again...

i spent more time sideways than i did anything else, and 90% of the time. You figure, "ill go slow, itll be fine" WRONGGGGGGG

slow or not, your gonna spin the damn thing... its a light weight rear drive car... with TWO turbos (assuming yours is still stockish) especially when in sequential is damn near impossible to keep out of boost and so on.

do yourself a favour and get a daily driver...

no reason to put a good car through that kind of crap.

and LAN, that is a BEAUTIFUL FC... seriously.
Old 10-24-08, 06:17 AM
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Thumbs up

Just put in the cave.


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