That depends on the kit and how much boost:

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/dyno.asp

 

you think the mr2 has a tight working space around the engine? pop the hood on an FD and take a look. it may be bigger, but it's jam packed to all hell. there's a joke around that if you drop a golf ball into the engine bay of an FD it will never find a path to the ground.

from all of your requirements, i would say the mr2 fits them so so much better. they're cheaper. they're FAR more reliable. WAY less maintenance. i would guess an average lifespan for the 13btt motor has been around 75k. the mr2's 3sgte probably has an average lifespan of 150k.

get the turbo model and you will be able to stay competitive in terms of power. lots of mods are available. they perform great, although learning to drive an MR setup is more challenging... they have great turn-in, but they're real tail happy too.

insurance is also a little bit cheaper. gas mileage is going to be way better as well.






If there is one car that will dig you into a financial hole, it's definitely this one. Don't get me wrong, you might get lucky. I personally find it hard to think of a car that's more expensive to keep, aside from maybe an old worn out ferrari? The sticker price is definitely cheap on this car, but it's the upkeep that really costs you.

Since you're trying to figure out whether you can afford it or not, i'll add up how much i spend per month before maintenance....

payment: $220/mo (i paid $11,000 for the FD.)
insurance: $160/mo (i have a clean record, but i'm 23.)
gas: ~$400/mo (i use it as my daily driver, and it gets 12-15mpg on average with my driving style. i've read around the forum and that's pretty typical. premium octane.)


now if you start considering the maintenance involved, i would say it would almost make sense financially to buy a new car, if there are any out there you like.







my point is that if you're worried about buying a money pit, this car is not for you. if you're going to rely on this car to get around, it's not the car for you. gas mileage, insurance, maintenance... this is FAR from being what would be considered a cheap car to drive.

on the flip side, if you really do love this car and can allocate alot of money to spend on it, then it will reward you greatly! the driving experience in an FD is unlike any other. you will fall in love with it.. i just hope you don't have any other hobbies or something better to do with your money.

another thing to consider, since your aim is to train your driving skills, is how much driving time you're actually going to get in this car. your rx7 is going to have to sit awaiting repairs more often than most cars. there will probably be times when your teamates will want to go out and practice, and you'll have to stay home or ride passenger. if you're looking for driving hours, this car isn't for you, either.

i hate to be such a downer, but owning an FD is a big responsibility and alot to take on. this clearly isn't a logical choice, it's a choice of sacrifice.

the number of responses you got right away on this subject should show you how strongly us FD owners feel about the topic. we've gone through it, and it hurts!

 

I am in college and I just recently bought a FD. I can say I love it, but think to myself man is it worth all the money and trouble? YES! Yes it is. I have never had so much fun with a car. If you dont have a job, be prepared to be spending alot of money that isnt yours. This car is very expensive, I think I have spent over 6 grand on the car since I have had it. I bought it in around August of last year. That six grand includes mods, new engine, turbo, and other stuff, but just today I spent around 100 bucks on this car. Its expensive is all I can say, but I also believe it is worth every penny I have spent on it. My girlfriend doesnt agree, but I sure as heck do.

 

Thanks for all your input guys. I'm not all that worried about the car being "cheap" to drive. I have a car that could be used for normal point a to point b.. However, Mindance you are probably right about not being able to train myself with a car that is often in and out of the shop or not running.. I simply want a car that will be fun to race and still be somewhat reliable. I dont want a car that i can only drive once a month, but I dont need one that I can drive every day, although when I test drove the FD I think I would WANT to :-P.
I was shopping around for a nice fd, and I found one that has virtually low miles, and all of the reliability mods installed, and he claims that the car has been properly warmed up, cooled down etc. What do you think?

As for the MR2, Mindance have you ever owned one? How does the ride feel compared to an fd? I test drove the FD and was immediatly impressed, I almost bought it on the spot. If the MR2 is anywhere near that, it might be an option for me.

Any thoughts on the rx8? What about the possible upcoming 2006 rx7? Anyone got any more rumors on whether or not its coming out?

I might be repeating myself here, but if I do buy an FD I would most likely go for one in as pristine condition as possible, then modify it for reliability if it has not been already. Has anyone bought a near perfect fd, or even perhaps a new one? What can I expect in, say, the first year of buying it in regards to repairs and maintenance?

Thanks again for all your input

 

I used to have an FM II kitted Miata.

http://www.geocities.com/fmii_miata/r_pkg.htm

Most of the people on the Miata Power List (yes, there is such a thing ) w/ the same kit or equivalent put out 200 - 210 RWHP @ 12 PSI which is double the stock horsepower.

 

Far less than the price of a new car in a similar category, but also without warranty, without as much support (IMO), and with high prices for parts/labor.


I'm not the rotary expert, but I feel that the 2-rotor has its limitations in terms of how much it can be pushed to higher hp.
It is also my opinion that the power of an FD is "capped" to maybe 400 whp, anything over that will severely reduce the life of your motor and other components, unless you go 3-4 rotor or ls1 or whatever (also expensive).

I think if you want decent reliability and ability to have a lot of hp, you should just get a sports car that wont be as prone to blowing up. Examples might be high end camaro, cobra, corvette, vipers, sti, supra, 300zx, , etc.

I totally agree. I have friends with 100k+, motor & turbos still going strong.

I think I lost my oil cap, several sockets, and other misc stuff this way, only to find them again a few month later when I'm changing oil or plugs or whatever.

 

Well thats two who recommend mr2, any other recommendations? I'd really like to stick to rotary though.. lol. I found a few nice Fc's that I was interested in, what are your opinions on the fc in comparison regarding reliability?
The mr2 is a very nice car, so I will have to take a test drive in a turbo to see how it compares to an fd performance wise. I know its 0-60 time is already a full second behind a stock fd, and I doubt it has the same amazing feeling of an fd behind the wheel.. haha I guess I'm begging someone to find a way to convince me against the rx-7 because I just want one so much I'm starting to feel like forgetting all of the budget and reliability restraints and just getting one... Anyone else got an opinion?

 

HEY how about a Miata with a RENESIS in it , reliable and pretty quick. RON

 

Hahaha, you said "investment" when refering to an FD...

 

Well, some investments gain value, others are a loss...

 

investments it is....

 

One more thing I'd like to clear up. When I stated that I want a car that is reliable (at least to some extent), I meant that I want a car that I can drive often, meaning that its running. When you guys referred to bad maintenance costs, are you referring to engine problems or maintenance involving asthetics (interior, exterior, etc). Thanks for the input

Also, how often do they need to be rebuilt, say if I bought an fd with about 40k miles on it?

 

Engine.

Depends on it's condition and how it was treated. There are dozens of threads on this... Nobody can tell you how long it will last.

 

FD is a true sports car. With True sports car problems.

 

I'm having a great time reading this thread! I currently own a FD and a 944 Turbo (my track car). Before the FD I owned a Miata with a turbo kit on it which I loved and had a hard time parting with.

Overall, the stock FD might be a hair faster then the miata running 13PSI. The FD has a high RPM range, is geared for the power of the engine, and is overall a faster car. But, that's not the say that the miata is slow! I could kill just about anything between the lights because of it's low gearing. The car could snap your head back when you dropped the clutch, but was out of gearing around 100MPH. I really wouldn't want to push the engine more then 100MPH normally. BUT, the engines were very cheap and easy to replace when/if it blow. Parts are very cheap and where ever you go, you can always seem to find junk cars.

The 944 Turbo is maybe one of the best cars for the track for the money. Parts a little pricey, but after looking at them and comparing them to other cars, you quickly realize what makes a Porsche a Porsche. Each part is engineered for the car and for the speeds that you'd see on a track. The balance, performance, and overall build of the car speak for themselves. That's why after 20 years the 944 is still being talked about as a track car.

The FD is a great car. Performance, balance, rotary smoothness all make for a great car to drive. For taking the FD onto a track, I plan to take mine onto the track once or twice, but not more. I'll come out and say it, I'm scared of crashing it. It's just to much money for my taste. There's a saying on the track "don't bring anything to the track that you can't walk away from." You know your finances best, but if you're going to the track for real driving, expect to spend a lot of money regularly.

 

I invest my soul in my FC, and ... *tear .... it just tingles every time I turn the key.




(or that sould be the lose wireing by my feet I am trying to take care of...)

 

Ok put me down as #3 for you getting an MR2, I have an MR2 and I really enjoy it. I have been in the market for the "right" FD for a good solid year, but over that year it has been increasingly apparent that I cant afford this car unless I buy a 18K FD and only drive it on weekends. I can tell you the MR2 is NOT hard to work on, do NOT listen to people who talk bad about the car being overly tail-happy, hard to work on, blah blah blah blah blah.... the car is very stable... that is until you push the car to hard... then you will 98% of the time loose control of the car... trust me it only takes one time for you to know where that limit is and not to exced it, the car has a bit of a learning curve in terms of its handling but it is reliable, gets good gas mileage (20 in town with a heavy foot, 27 on the highway @85), and really is a blast to drive... look into them seriously you can pick one up fairly cheap.

Goto www.MR2oc.com it is the biggest mr2 community online, they are good people, search around for a little then ask some questions, usually they are very helpful and nice


Ok i think i rambled more than helped but MR2's are great cars, Its not an FD by any means.... but it is definatly a fun reliable affordable car

 

oh yeah forgot to put say the engine bay is really fairly empty if you get down to it, just certain things are hard to get to... but it isnt cramped at all IMO

and with a boost controller, 550cc injectors, and an safc you can be pushing enough power to run faster than a stock rx7

 

Thanks a bunch for your insight PhoenixMRx2. I am planning on spending in the range of 17-20k for the FD if I do end up getting one, and it would only be driven on weekands or other events, so it would seem like a possibility for me.

As for the MR2, that information is very assuring. I will definately have to consider it.

Well thanks guys for all of your opinions. I think I've got as much as I can from you, and I think I will go for an FD if I find one that is low enough miles with reliability mods, clean history, good compression etc etc, unless I find a Mr2 first and like the handling. If anyone else has any more, feel free to just post opinions as much as you like, I am always looking for input, at least until I purchase the car. Thanks for all of your help

 

so I guess your budget is no longer $9k

sounds like you are making a more informed decision now.

btw - low mileage FDs aren't necessarily better. the original motor in my car went at 35k in stock trim.

 

Alberto,

If you don't mind answering, what caused your engine failure?

 

Yes, I agree with quicksilver's response here. "Plans" are irrelevant when directed at an FD- something unplanned ALWAYS comes up, and you have to be willing to shell out the extra cash/labor/time/patience to address the issue, and address it right the first time. If you think you can afford owning and maintaining an FD, it's best to wait till you KNOW you can afford it.

And I also agree wholeheartedly with the Miata idea. They are much, much more relaible and affordable than the FD, they handle like go-karts, and with a turbo kit you'll have the time of your life. Having known several Miata owners with turbos, both first and second gen, the tranny and stock engine really seems to be able to handle massive increases in hp and 12 psi like a champ. I'd love to drive one of those set-ups on the track.

Good luck to you in whatever you choose, and take care practicing on the street...

 

I dont recall ever saying my budget was $9k... lol.. I know it will cost me WAY more than that. I am also interested in why your original motor went. Did you buy the car new, used? Did you run a compression check etc? Any info would be helpful, if you still have the numbers from the compression check that would also be very helpful. Thanks guys.

 

if your going to get an FD, make sure the engine is in really good running condition, b/c you dont want to get a FD and then blow the motor to find out you have to sink another 4 grand into rebuilding it. other than that they are great cars and im gonna keep mine till the day i die

 

I'd take a look at WRXs. I bought an '02 today, and I see why they're so popular. Good power, good handling, and lots of fun. I'm sure the AWD keeps things (relatively) safe for clumsy drivers like me. Not lithe or as fast as the FD, but something I'd definitely look at if I were to have only one car. The 4 doors and a back seat means you can bring your friends along too.

I bought the WRX to resell - I being in the right place at the right time to find a steal - but I'm seriously thinking about keeping it to replace the work beater and to serve as the occasional auto-x toy. I don't recommend an FD for a college student.