rotaryinspired

iTrader: (3)

I have been in them all. The best is intake, exhaust, intercooler, + reliability on a sequential car. 325 at the wheels is a lot in a FD and its tons of fun. I enjoy it more than the big singles. That's why mine is staying w/ the twins this time. I'll save the single for when I do the 20B, since it already has torque down low.

JBurer

I think the decision was more of a toss up. Sure, $20k is rich for a mostly stock FD with a budget rebuild. Then again, the cost of acquiring another, transport and addressing any small concerns that might come up reduces the gain. Six one way, half a dozen the other.

Turd? Wouldn't own one if given it??

I have owned 4 FD's and currently own a 135i. Aside from a couple widely known mechanical items and new-car depreciation, think it's been a good car to own. The powerband and inline 6 is ideally suited for 90% of the driving the average person does on a regular basis.

The BMW isn't a FD comparable... it completely destroys the FD in the categories it was designed for - a multi-use, practical, around town sporty-driving car. No rattles, no cheap plastic interior, no lack of low rpm power, no limited seating capacity. Those are things that are useful in a car that's going to be driven to work ... and still be fun to drive.

Increasing the performance - $700 and 30 minutes gives the BMW 380 horsepower and *420* torque nearly right off the line. It takes a redesign of the intake, exhaust, motor, cooling system and clutch replacement to do the same thing in the FD ($ thousands and a few months of downtime). Even then, the BMW brings with it no attention-attracting exhaust note, no stink from a catless exhaust system, rich mixtures or burning oil.

In turn, there really is no comparison for the two cars in styling or in pure driving fun. If I were looking for a weekend toy, it would be the FD without a second thought. Powerband is great when the motor can be wound out in the rotary (versus the lackluster high rpm performance of the BMW) and styling and handling are both a complete win for the FD.

To the OP - I think your decision comes down to what you really want in a car.

I agree. Vintage red looks incredible on the FD. My next one will be red!

IMO - this was the car to buy!
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-vehicles-107/93-vr-touring-black-interior-5spd-socal-immaculate-81k-miles-%2414500-obo-915778/

While 911 Turbo prices dipped nearly in half, RX-7 prices were steady. That's really saying something.

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

^^very well said.

You forgot to tell them that engine won best engine of the year award like 3 years in a row

allrotor93

iTrader: (126)

Yeah mid 8s is hard to get with a new everything rebuild!

ludvig83

iTrader: (7)

Yeah I've pretty much made my decision as to my next vehicle. I'm going to wait around 3 years to purchase another sports car.

I've been looking at the car media news, and there's quite a few new cars coming out, or some cars that will be redesigned for this upcoming decade.

I'm waiting to see what the new rx9 will be like with its redesigned rotary engine. Direct fuel injection anyone, thinner and taller housings, and lighter than the current 13b? I'm curious to see the added benefits of that in the rotary.

Right now I'm thinking something for snow. Anyone have a 95-97 Landcruiser that they would like to sell?

JBurer

G,
I was multi-quoting several people. The turd comment was from someone else.
I can totally understand why you wouldn't like the new BMW's... if I didn't have a commute to contend with, I'd make a different decision, too!

MSTHTD1

iTrader: (16)

I'm in the same position as the OP, in which I've been getting offers for my car. I don't need to or want to sell it especially since I've accepted orders to Japan & had big things planned for my FD. Well My dilema is this:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I took a job this weekend to help out the owner of this car & just fell in love with this machine. I've always wanted one but would like to hear from the community or members who've owned a car like this.

ludvig83

iTrader: (7)

How is it even possible for a 911 turbo to be that cheap. I thought they were much more expensive even used. Closer to 70-80k. The 911 993 series is my favorite Porsche ever, but they still command a high price. Did you see the one in your results page for 47,900. I could buy it outright with my re-enlistment bonus. I would be afraid of the maintenance costs though.

MSTHTD1

iTrader: (16)

^
I just picked up a part time job working for the owner of that car he said he'd give me a good price sooo i'm really tempted to buy.. I love my FD & took orders to Japan just for that damn car! but i've always wanted a 911 Turbo, its got some nice upgrades but I dont wanna take throw 50k down on a porsche if it aint as fun as the FD..

By the way are you Navy? If so you must be a Nuke if you can drop 50k on a re-enlistment bonus..lol

AmviciousRav

iTrader: (5)

how small of a person are you if you think the seating a 1 series ISN'T LIMITED, it's so cramped inside for someone who's 5'11, on the other hand the 3 series is hell of alot more roomyier

also Call BS on the 380 hp and 420 tq, last time I looked into a newest 3 series with a sport ship, it only made 320 hp and 330 tq...a 1 series wouldn't be able to do 380 at the wheels with jus a chip

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

The 335 and 135 share the same engine.

Also they do offer different "chips". The JB3 can offer 80/80 gains over stock levels.

ludvig83

iTrader: (7)

Yeah I'm a nuke. Currently looking for something cheap and 4wd for New England winters. I have to deal with 4 years of it.

JBurer

Tough call. I wound up buying a modified '91 911 Turbo last year. Great car, incredible exhaust note, fantastic build quality, fast as hell... but not without it's drawbacks. No car is perfect. The Turbos are ridiculously expensive to maintain and don't give the same driving experience a lightweight sports car gives. There is a reason basically every production car measures itself up against the 911 Turbo. It is one hell of a car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-9Wzp3F_as

Also, in my opinion, that is an expensive example of a 996. I have seen full EVOMS build cars sell for less than that in the last 12 months.
That said, I'm a fan of the older aircooled turbos ('75 to '98), particularly the 930's and 964's, before the 4 wheel drive system.

All that said, I still think about buying another FD. Nothing really matches the driving experience or the way the car wraps around you.

I'm 5'11 about 165 lbs. I'm not claiming a morbidly obese man will fit in the back seat - but I've had 4 average sized adults in the car. No issues.

On the BS claim - how difficult is it to do a google search?
http://www.vishnutuning.com/main.htm
http://www.burgertuning.com/
http://www.dinancars.com/store/produ...cat=783&page=1

JBurer

Right - and the things these tunes can do to the car as a whole are pretty amazing. It's fully integrated into through the CAN Bus, so anything/everything can be co-opted for other uses. I believe the latest iteration of the JB3 and Proceede allow the user to set the analog fuel gauge so that it reads boost pressure, or air intake temp..... or whatever you want.

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

Those same numbers on the FD would feel much, much faster than on the 135. The 135 is HEAVY. You can't really compare the two that way. I'm not hating on the bimmer, for what it is its pretty good and for a daily driver and winter car I think its fine but for the money I would probably look at something else. The newer BMWs bore me, except the M3.

Also are those numbers at the wheels?

no_more_rice

I drove the car bone stock for at least five years. It was nice, but seriously choked off on the top, and basically underpowered. Rotaries are all about high rpm breathing in my book. The way the engine keeps pulling hard all the way to redline and beyond is only achieved when you uncork it. With the BNR Stage 2s, the car accelerates with authority anywhere above 3400 rpm, which is perfect. The sequential system is not as smooth as non-sequential modded, I don't care what anyone says - and I don't miss the stock FD experience one bit.

no_more_rice

Yes, yes, we know Fritz.....how many do you own right now? I want that black R2 you have

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

Sell it and if you really want an FD again, buy another and find one in better shape or a more desirable trim in your eyes.

Simple as that.

If someone offered me 12k for 95 as it sits I would sell it.

JBurer

Sure - but I think you missed the point of my statement.

1. How much money would it take to see that happen?
2. What on the car needs to be redesigned?
3. What are the comprimises? How is the car as a daily driver?

Yes, unfortunately it is. Multiple catalytic converters, safety devices, sound deadening, luxury seats, etc add a lot of weight. One could strip all this stuff out for performance - but I wouldn't for my fun-to-drive, daily commuter car!

Have you driven one?
I have, am in a position where I could buy one, and was not at all impressed. It's too heavy to be a sports car, but still has the high revving motor of a sports car.

Nope!