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I am a frequent forum roamer, but I rarely post. I have had my 93 R1 for about 5 years now. I am the second owner, it has 49,890 miles on it; it's mostly stock with cooling and QoL mods added. The RX7 has been a dream car, like many on this forum and across the world, because of Initial D. I love the car, but it mainly sits in my garage and barely gets driven (I am talking like less than 25 miles over the last year). I want to start wrenching on it again but sometimes it feels like I lost the passion I once had for the car. I was wondering if some of you ever got to this point in your ownership cycle? Is it going to pass, do I just move on to my next dream car, keep it and add it to my collection? A part of me wants to keep it as stock-ish as possible, while the other part of me wants to go single turbo and make it more track oriented. I know I am rambling at this point, but its late, I am tired, and honestly I really didn't have any other place to express my feelings regarding the RX7. Any thoughts, inputs or words of wisdom are welcome.
First and foremost, it's a beautiful car. So congratulations.
Whether you should sell or not. It's obviously up to you but I'm sure you know prices have really climbed in the last couple of years. So it may be a good idea to wait for the prices to plateau (or simply rise). Especially since you really don't have to sell right now. Plus from what I hear, the best time to sell a car is at end of spring/beginning of summer.
Regarding passion. I still buy RX-7's hot wheels whenever I see them and I love to check out other FDs. It doesn't matter whether I am at meet, Instagram or here. I just love to look at these things. With regards to my car, I've never lost the passion for it and I've had it since 1998. Sure there's been times that I've hated the rotary and have cursed it to high hell but those feelings have always dissipated. For me, what i think has helped keep that passion stay alive is the modifications that I've done throughout the years. As they have kept things very interesting especially since I started with a 100% stock car. Since then it has been resprayed a non Mazda color, gone single turbo, v-mount, full exhaust, fuel & suspension upgrades, and some body mods. So I can safely say the car is now a completely different animal than what I started with and IMO it is finally as fast as it looks.
I would without a doubt keep it, even if I didn't drive it. It's very tough to find a low mileage and *CLEAN* FD like that. If you still have passion for the car, even if less than before, personally I would regret it even in that situation. I bought my FD for a reasonable price, but if I were to do it over, I would have dished out the extra for a very low mileage clean example, and my next FD, if I am able to find a decently priced one, will definitely be just that.
If you do end up selling, it will go quicker than you get a chance to regret selling it. Save up for your next passion and definitely keep this. I am projecting so rest is up to you. Beautiful FD, hopefully when I'm done with mine, my exterior will look as nice as that, plus a 99 spec wing and front bumper. Vintage red is definitely one of the best looking stock paints on the FD.
You said it, dream car so maybe get it out and enjoy it a bit more and I'm sure it'll require wrenching in due time, proven. Win/Win ! Lol. Also, if you can add another dream car to the stable go for it. Many times a lot of owners do miss what they had for a long time so consider that.
Keep in mind that if you do sell it the chances of getting another one in that condition for a deal are slim. From what I see thats easily a $40,000 car provided the engine bay and interior are in good condition.
This is one of those tough questions. At the end of the day only you can answer it for yourself, but hopefully we can give you some points to think about.
It's tough for me sometimes to look at the car I drive every now and again in the garage and think that I could sell it and damn near pay of my house with the proceeds. But, for me it's in my blood - I've been into RX-7's since '95 and it's part of me at this point. I did have a short period where I didn't have an RX-7 and when a neighbor moved in with an FD that I saw every day I had to buy my FD (2004).
Anyhow, at the end of the day it's a car. It's also an old car by modern standards - the interior is creaky, the suspension is harsh, and a new Camry is faster. But it's a thrill to drive and looks incredible.
Questions to ask your self -
- If I sold it, would I get a different sports car? What would I get?
- Is a sports car something that I enjoy, and if so WHY? Do you like working on it/modifying it? Do you enjoy driving it?
- Is there a hobby that turns you on more than sports cars - building gaming PC's, woodworking, landscaping?
Also realize if you sell it now you may not be able to afford another one down the road, that's happened with some of my friends.
I've also known guys that just like *cars*, not a specific car. One in particular would buy a near- new car, modify it, have fun with it for a year or so, then put it back to stock, sell it, sell the mods, and get something else. He enjoyed the journey of modding the car and having fun with it but after some time he wanted something new, which is fine.
It could also be a case of "meeting your idols" for you - again, the FD isn't a new car and isn't comparable to new cars for power, comforts, tech, etc. You saw the car, dreamed about it, and after having it for a while and the honeymoon was over you realize it's just not the car for you, doesn't hit the things you like in a sports car. That's fine, the good thing is you have a car you'll probably make money on selling and will have a pile of cash to put into whatever does make you happy.
Last thing I'll say is whatever you do, KEEP DRIVING THE CAR. If you let it sit bad things start to happen, this forum is littered with stories of people trying to bring back cars that have sat parked and rotting for years. Don't just give up on it and let it sit in the garage with a pile of boxes and kid's toys on it.
Drive it more. They are only going up in value and are still a great all around sports car. If it still hasn't have your interest in a few years at least it will likely be worth 80k by then
Beautiful car, I say keep it. Even if you only drive it a little. If you sell you will be regretful and you will never find another like the one you have now.
As someone who bought a 50k mile FD in the condition you currently have back in 2017, 50k miles means you've got 5-15k miles before you really have tons of money into it. Turbos, engine, suspension, etc.
As someone who currently owns his 3rd FD RX-7... I've regretted each time I've sold it. I luckily got my RZ before the market went bonkers and couldn't imagine selling it for anything. Sure, I can add more cars to the garage, but this car in my opinion is timeless. It doesn't need to be the fastest. Everywhere I go in it, people ask - "Is it new?" "Is that an RX-7?" "Is it rotary?" The car just is part of a bygone era of lightweight, "simple", sports cars. To me, the only thing worth adding to the garage, which I still plan to do, is a 997 Porsche 911 Turbo. Those still maintain a lot of the old mechanical / analog feel that you don't get with new cars.
As others have said, drive the car more... if you really can't find any appreciation for it anymore, it may be time to let it go. However, think about what you'd actually replace it with... will you be happy or will you miss it?
Tough choice indeed. I let my 93 r1 go a few months ago after 27+ years of ownership.Reasons are different for each one of us when we make that decision.I still have an old American muscle car to play with that in the long run will be easier to fix and maintain (pre computer ect). I do miss it as nothing I have driven gives you quite the same driving dynamics. I do know it went to a good home where it will be enjoyed. You may have to just flip a coin for your decision?
I really enjoy hearing from long time owner's perspectives on this. I am in no position to voice my opinion, because in two weeks I will have owned my Rx7 for two years. My question is why do you only drive it 25 miles a year?
Interesting thread. I vote sell it... to me. :p Seriously though, we seem to have similar taste when it comes to mods and I would be interested if you decide to sell!
On the thread topic though, I think it comes down to whether the FD is the holy grail of cars for you. If it is, nothing else will satisfy that itch, and you'll eventually regret selling. If you could see yourself equally satisfied with a different dream car though, there's no reason to hold on to the FD after the thrill has worn off.
Some people are happy owning the same car for 20 years, others want more variety. I have deliberately held off on my FD purchase until I had experienced a bunch of different cars, because I know once I get an FD it will be a keeper and won't be able to experience automotive variety in the same way.
One thing you might want to do is check your local Turo/DriveShare (filter by manual transmission on Turo) and see if there is anything interesting to rent. There are often interesting cars to rent for a few hundred bucks that you can have for 24 or 48 hours and really become familiar with - I find this is a great way to revitalize when my interest in cars starts to wane.
Thank you all for your responses. Trying to answer some of these questions in order
- RPF1’s are 18x9 + 35
- I only drove the car 25 miles over the last year because I got a 992 911 C2S in January
- Yes I still love driving it, even though the 911 is light years ahead in every category, I still am quite surprised at how quick and nimble the car is with mostly stock components. I did add Ohlins, but I want to get the car to feel “newer” while driving. I think my next series of upgrades are going to be new bushings, new steering wheel, new clutch and shifter. Will a new rack and pinion help do you all think?
Thank you all for your responses. Trying to answer some of these questions in order
- RPF1’s are 18x9 + 35
- I only drove the car 25 miles over the last year because I got a 992 911 C2S in January
- Yes I still love driving it, even though the 911 is light years ahead in every category, I still am quite surprised at how quick and nimble the car is with mostly stock components. I did add Ohlins, but I want to get the car to feel “newer” while driving. I think my next series of upgrades are going to be new bushings, new steering wheel, new clutch and shifter. Will a new rack and pinion help do you all think?
Ohlins are way too over sprung in my opinion. I am on Fortune Auto 510's, I can send you specs if you are interested.
To add an fc rack will help, 2 1/4 turns to full lock, first bit is real light then wheel gets heavier as you continue to turn.
25 miles in a year means its time to do something different. You're not getting anywhere near the enjoyment the car is capable of providing. At this point its just a collector item which is cool if that's your goal, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. Turn it into a dedicated track car while you keep the Porsche as your street car. Or sell it and use the funds to build a track monster. Or go deeper with mods, port / single turbo, etc will turn it into a different beast altogether.
Years ago I was in the same situation. I had a 93 Supra 6spd, had fun with it for a while but over time drove it less and less till eventually it sat in my garage collecting dust. I kept it several years longer than I should have due to the same reasons you mentioned - emotional attachment mostly. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to own a car that never gets driven, what's the point? I'm not wealthy enough to collect cars like souvenirs, my money could be put to better use, even given the fact that the car was actually appreciating in value, there are still costs that seem somewhat wasteful and add up over years. Do I regret selling it? Hell yes, especially seeing prices today, but it was the right call at the time. In that time I found other vehicles and things outside of the car world to be interested in and enjoy. Now I'm back and looking to get into an RX7. Sometimes stepping away from a hobby you get bored of is a good thing, you can always come back to it. Also it really depends on your financial situation, if you can afford to have a garage queen without sacrificing anything else, then why not? keep it.
Hey there - I remember you had this up for sale a few years ago and I went to go look at it. You were nice enough to walk me through the car
and take me for a test drive. IIRC you went to Japan for "Sevens Day" years back. While you may not drive it much now, I would think long and hard
about how you would feel about it years from now?
20 years ago I sold my MKIV Supra, as soon as it left the driveway I got this sinking feeling in my stomach and I instantly regretted it. Thankfully I kept
in touch with the owner and ultimately bought it back from him a few years later. Don't make the same mistake as me.
Keep it for at least another couple years and drive it more, nothing crazy maybe 100-200 miles a month.. If you don't gain a "new spark" of interest after driving it more I'd put it up for sale at that point. Beautiful car.
