Alright guys heres the lowdown... I'll be off to Japan for the next 4 years and I'm trying to figure out the best option... Below are the options:


1. Storage: The car will be devoid of all liquids (except fuel, stabalizer would be added), the obligitory 2 oz of 2-cycle in each rotor chamber (per face) in order to keep lubricity throughout the seals. It will also be on jackstands to remove tension off the suspension (also have suspension lubed), car cover, inside my fathers warehouse. And have all openings blue-taped sealed.


2. Bi-weekly start-up: Basically have my Father or Brother start-up and drive the vehicle on occasion.


Either decision sounds good but there are some pitfalls...


What if my Brother or Dad can't drive the vehicle or just plain forget...

What if after 4 years of being stopped a few seals dry-out hence engine failure...


There are many what-if's but I'd like to know what has worked for you guys...


Thanks...

 

Four years????? Thought about taking it with you?

 

I would have someone take it for a short drive once in a while. Make sure it is someone you trust completely. Once a month should be fine. Even if they forget a time or two, it shouldn't hurt anything. In my opinion, leaving it stored for that long might create some issues.

 

I've had my car in storage for 5 years now. I take it out and drive it around every 3-6 months. The only special precautions I have taken are as follows:

I change the fluids based on time and not mileage.
I put fuel stabilizer and a healthy amount of 2-stroke synthetic premix in the tank.
I keep it in a garage, under a car cover with liberal amounts of rat/mouse poison in the various nooks and crannies of the garage.
I disconnect the negative battery terminal.

In my opinion, you don't have to worry about taking the load off the suspension if the car is sitting on level ground...the tires may flat spot, but for ****'s sake the car is designed to sit on its suspension all the time.

The car is holding up fine with one minor exception. When I took it out for a drive at the beginning of this year, the airbag light was flashing.

After following the diagnostics in the shop manual, it appears that the airbag computer has gone bad....no telling why. Kinda funny that the only thing that has broken has no moving parts.

 

good info guys thanks! As for taking it with me, it would be too much of a PIA to drive in the 5 months and 122" of avg snowfall Misawa gets a year!

Thanks again!

 

get a family member to drive it

 

Well, 4 year is a long time. If you want people to drive it occasionnaly, you'll have to keep the car insured and will have to pay for the shaken. If you cannot take it with you, you should sell it. It's not a big deal to find a FD in good condition here so you'll certainly find one when you come back.

Misawa is a bit far from my place to go and drive it for you anyway!

 

In 4 years, it will be hard.

 

In Japan? Why do you say that?

 

in the US he means...

are you stationed there?

honestly, sell it, buy something there, maybe bring it back here with you? if your military you can get a discount on importing things like Skylines and stuff.

 

too much money invested and the car has a rebuilt title, so selling it would be out of the question. My father and my brother are very trustworthy, so if I tell them keep it under 4K and change the fluids periodically, it will get done... I'm going to just have them maintain it and buy some more parts while in Japan!


Thanks again guys!

 

Sell the car, and save up for the new Rx-7 that is being released in 2 years or. buy a spirit R while you are there, break the whole car down into parts and ship it as a parts car to your parents, when you go home rebuild it and you will have an 02 7!