What do you guys think? Buying FD
03-22-08, 11:47 PM
#1
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What do you guys think? Buying FD
5 minutes from where i live there FD sitting. The owner wants 3 grand for it. Its been sitting there couple of years. Automatic, Touring, Red. He told me its been sitting for half a year which he lied about. My buddy tried buying it 2 years ago and he wanted the same price for it. I asked him what was wrong with the engine. He said that the oil pump broke but the gauge showed that everything was fine. He didnt know that the oil pump was broken so he kept driving. I assume that the engine blew. Is it worth it buying it for 3 grand then dumping almost 3 more for engine rebuild (street ported). I am new to rotaries and cars in general. Im 17 years old. When i saw rx-7 i fell in love with them and i really want one. I am willing to learn and baby the car like no other. I just dont know where to start.
03-23-08, 12:48 AM
#4
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Rebuild, from what I've researched, will cost anywhere from $2000-5000. Which if that makes the car run, then you've just purchased a running FD for $5000-8000. One heck of a deal.
How is the exterior and interior of the car?
How is the exterior and interior of the car?
03-23-08, 12:53 AM
#5
depends if a new motor is all it needs, i think a rebuild/port is more around 4500 after you replace at least one rotor and one rotor housing. also it gets expensive to keep the car up and maintain it. especially if you dont do all your own work. but for 3 grand, id buy it. even if you dont get it running you could still turn a profit.
ryan
ryan
03-23-08, 02:06 AM
#6
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All the exterior needs is paint. On the drivers side the door needs a new keyhole. The enterior needs cleening. The seats are leather. I will take some pictures and post here. I will try to take some pictures tomorrow. Hopefully the guy will lower the price a little bit.
I want to learn and will work on my own car down the road. Only if i knew where to start from. A lot of my friends are motor heads. I can get a lot of the stuff done really cheep or free. But the problem is that the engine is rotary. Not many people know how to work on them
I want to learn and will work on my own car down the road. Only if i knew where to start from. A lot of my friends are motor heads. I can get a lot of the stuff done really cheep or free. But the problem is that the engine is rotary. Not many people know how to work on them
03-23-08, 05:08 AM
#7
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Buy it. I cant even find an EMPTY shell around my area for less then 8,000$
If I had a deal like that in my area.. I'd be on it in a flash. But then again... I've got an R1 front clip sitting in my garage ready to get bolted into my FC.... So... I'm in a little different position then you would be.
If I had a deal like that in my area.. I'd be on it in a flash. But then again... I've got an R1 front clip sitting in my garage ready to get bolted into my FC.... So... I'm in a little different position then you would be.
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03-23-08, 06:38 AM
#8
Do you have a lot of spare money?
Where in PA are you? I'm in Hbg. It could help to have an experienced member poke around at it. It would help if that member had no money to buy it out from under you, such as me. My wife's business ate the tax return. And half the savings account.
$3k is a steal for an FD. Obviously you'll need new tires, a bunch of maintenance, and fix everything that's broken. You absolutely want to do a compression test and bring some premix oil in case the OMP is actually broken. If it's the oil pump proper, it won't even run. But it might be something simple and it may not need a new engine.
Now I've got to step on the uncomfortable subject: If you're 17, buying an FD is a risky proposition. You won't be able to safely drive it in PA at least 2 months of the year due to weather. You'll get 15mpg average. Your insurance may not cover you, and if they do it will probably be really expensive. Repairs are expensive, if you have a rotary shop anywhere nearby. Being 17 is also a major issue because of a lack of hours behind the wheel. I recommend you realize that the street is not a safe place to learn the limits of this car. Enroll in a performance driving school or something to accelerate your abilities as a driver, because regular daily driving IMHO does not prepare you for handling a high hp rwd car like this.
Check out the FAQ thread: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/
Where in PA are you? I'm in Hbg. It could help to have an experienced member poke around at it. It would help if that member had no money to buy it out from under you, such as me. My wife's business ate the tax return. And half the savings account.
$3k is a steal for an FD. Obviously you'll need new tires, a bunch of maintenance, and fix everything that's broken. You absolutely want to do a compression test and bring some premix oil in case the OMP is actually broken. If it's the oil pump proper, it won't even run. But it might be something simple and it may not need a new engine.
Now I've got to step on the uncomfortable subject: If you're 17, buying an FD is a risky proposition. You won't be able to safely drive it in PA at least 2 months of the year due to weather. You'll get 15mpg average. Your insurance may not cover you, and if they do it will probably be really expensive. Repairs are expensive, if you have a rotary shop anywhere nearby. Being 17 is also a major issue because of a lack of hours behind the wheel. I recommend you realize that the street is not a safe place to learn the limits of this car. Enroll in a performance driving school or something to accelerate your abilities as a driver, because regular daily driving IMHO does not prepare you for handling a high hp rwd car like this.
Check out the FAQ thread: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/
Last edited by dgeesaman; 03-23-08 at 06:53 AM.
03-23-08, 12:44 PM
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My driving skills are fine. If i had an rx i probably never romp on it. Like i said i would baby it. I have 2 jobs right now. Hopefully money wont be a problem. I dont think there are rotary shops around. I want someone to help me with it and look at it but not buy it from under me lol. A lot of my friends have camaros. They but all tunners down. It pisses me off. They say that camaros are like the best cars. I just laugh in their face. Weather wise. They still drive them in the winter. I will definitely buy it. I drive a dodge spirit, 91. This car has no *****. I have to floor that thing just to get up to the hill.
03-23-08, 01:19 PM
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$3,000 for car
$300 to ship car to a real mechanic/rotary person
$4,000 to overhaul your engine, including labor
$300 ship car back to you
$2,500 paint job
spare money -
$1,000 in case turbos are garbage
$1,000 in case tranny is garbage
$300 to ship car to a real mechanic/rotary person
$4,000 to overhaul your engine, including labor
$300 ship car back to you
$2,500 paint job
spare money -
$1,000 in case turbos are garbage
$1,000 in case tranny is garbage
03-23-08, 01:28 PM
#14
17 second FD
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At least for the vehicles you've been driving. When I bought my FD, I thought I was an amazing driver. I previously had a slow-*** Eclipse. Since I could handle that at high speeds, what would make the FD any different, right? Wrong. I almost went into oncoming traffic less than 3 miles away from the house I picked it up at due to the unexpected power from the sequential twins. That's when I realized this was a whole different beast I had to learn to tame. Even when I pull it out of winter storage for the beginning of a new year, it takes me a week or so to get used to the power.
I said the same thing
I said the same thing
03-23-08, 01:54 PM
#15
I am guessing you stated the highest prices possible. I spent 3250$ for a ported motor with the black seals, you can pick up a spare set of turbos cheaper then 1k. 1k for a trans? I think he could find another trans for cheaper or get a estimate on a rebuild. I wouldn't even give a **** about the paint on it till after it's running. A FD for 3k is a steal of a deal, no questions asked! I think he could have this car running for under 7k excluding labor if he does it himself or has help.
03-23-08, 02:06 PM
#16
Also what MADDSLOW stated it very true! It is a car like no other, I had 2 turbo fc's before my fd. They handled great, drove beautiful, and I think a great all around car. Now when I got my FD, when I put my foot down for the first time, it really gives a kick! In no way you could compare it to a FC turbo with basic bolt ons, the transition from primary to secondary turbo is just astonishing. This car can get away from you easily. Just take it easy with these cars, totally different feel then a V8!
03-23-08, 02:19 PM
#17
All the exterior needs is paint. On the drivers side the door needs a new keyhole. The enterior needs cleening. The seats are leather. I will take some pictures and post here. I will try to take some pictures tomorrow. Hopefully the guy will lower the price a little bit.
I want to learn and will work on my own car down the road. Only if i knew where to start from. A lot of my friends are motor heads. I can get a lot of the stuff done really cheep or free. But the problem is that the engine is rotary. Not many people know how to work on them
I want to learn and will work on my own car down the road. Only if i knew where to start from. A lot of my friends are motor heads. I can get a lot of the stuff done really cheep or free. But the problem is that the engine is rotary. Not many people know how to work on them
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...41#post7858841
Theres the thread so you can see for yourself. They are fun to work on but at first you will want to push it into a pond and **** on it, after completing it the feeling is unimaginable!
03-23-08, 02:25 PM
#18
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I am probably the most rotary ignorant person here. I know I don't have the skill set or knowledge to pull an engine and then reinstall it. If you do, or are willing to take lots of time, then it sounds like a great deal. If you have to pay someone to do all the work for you, then it starts to look less attractive. Still, I'd take the estimates that silver93 gave and use those to negotiate the price down even farther.
As others have said, if I lived close and had spare space (and time) for a project car, I'd buy it if you didn't. For the total price to have it running, an auto would be kind of fun to have. I could let my daughter drive it. :-)
As others have said, if I lived close and had spare space (and time) for a project car, I'd buy it if you didn't. For the total price to have it running, an auto would be kind of fun to have. I could let my daughter drive it. :-)
03-23-08, 02:33 PM
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Time for the pictures.
Thanx to everyone for your quick responses. Im new and already loving the community. It seems like everyone wants to help and to try to steal the car :P
Thanx to everyone for your quick responses. Im new and already loving the community. It seems like everyone wants to help and to try to steal the car :P
03-23-08, 04:04 PM
#24
I would have $10k in the bank for this car in addition to the purchase price. Everything has gone to **** on it, I promise. It's been sitting for a while, the previous owner didn't give a crap about it, it's still an auto... and you may have to take this to a reputable shop unless you have someone knowledgeable to help you with it. You will get in over your head.