I've noticed that there are a hell of a lot of FDs that basically, are crap. When looking to buy my car I ran into a lot more Fds in really bad condition than Fds in nice shape. Its very rare to see one with everything original and still look basically mint. Now I'm looking for one for my buddy and it seems even worse. Most of them have dings everywhere, faded paint, the door handles are gross, and the interior is absolute garbage. On the other hand, when looking at Supras its very rare to find one in bad condition. Most of them look basically mint...even the 93.5s and 94s. Now I know the Supras are slightly newer but not that much to make this large of a difference. It even seems like the 300zs are in better overall shape than 7s and those things are ancient. What is the deal? Do Mazda products not hold up that well??? or were most of the original owners of 7s very abussive and careless? Has anyone else noticed this besides me?

 

Yea, I noticed that also. I ran into plenty of beat up FDs that were going for cheap when I was finding mine.....kinda made me wanna puke.

 

I would bet it's mostly due to the availability of replacement parts for other cars such as Supras.

Most of the replacement parts for the FD cost a ton if you go to a dealer or get some aftermarket stuff (for instances $400+ for FEED door handles).

I'm in the process (slow process) of repainting the interior panels of my FD, and hopefully next year I'll be able to have the entire car repainted (building a house and that comes first).

I've seen price estimates on some other replacement parts like interior carpet and such, and it's just crazy sometimes. I would bet that most other cars don't have the same trouble getting affordable replacements for aging parts.

 

I would have to agree. Prices on parts for our cars suck! Also most ppl don't know how to take care of them properly and so when something breaks they just ignore thinking they can make it just alittle further when they are in fact screwing stuff up more.

 

I think most cars get caught in the vicious circle of:

*buyer can't afford to fix something, sells car

*parents buy their 16 year old the car

*said 16 year old beats the **** out of it, car breaks, parents sell car for even lower price

*another teenager who can't afford to maintain the car buys it, beats the **** out of it some more and trys to sell it to you

A little pessimistic perhaps, but probably not THAT far off either.

 

You aren't. I've personally seen it happen to 2 people.

People just don't understand the costs involved to upkeep an FD. That's ok. It leaves us good examples a lot of space to shine

 

Maybe it's bc FDs are cheaper than Supra. At $22000 or so, Supra do cost a bit more. 300Z usually aren't in much better shape than FDs. However, Nissans are more reliable with more durable interior.

With lots of 93 FDs dropping down to $12k, drivers can't afford or won't maint/fix the car. Ppl also treat their cars differently depending on its value. If it's a $500 car, they won't even bother changing the oil every year. At $12k, you'll find that ppl aren't as motivated in maint/fixes. As they should.

I was really amazed to see many FDs in almost new condition at SS4 last year. I thought my car is one of the few that's basically like-new.

 

Supras were worth $7000-8000 more when brand new.

 

Because tons of idiots are buying them and putting on big wings, "coolest sounding blow-off valves", slamming them, putting 18's on and doing other "mods" while ignoring the basics that keep the car running.

I've seen several FDs with "mods" that do nothing but slow them down. Yeah I'll cut open the IC duct so more air gets to the engine, uh no. Yellow paint on misc engine parts ends up looking like crap in a few months. Even more true when you didn't clean the parts or even take them off the engine.

Tune the car up, flush coolant, change plugs and wires, fuel filter, fix all the minor crap before you modify anything. Interiors seem to be fragile and they are even worse after a few crappy stereo installs. Punching holes through the dash for boost guages, LEDs, etc. Wiring strung all over the engine compartment, loosely, oh ****. It all adds up..

Sorry for the rant, I'm just tired of seeing nice cars "modded" and turned into POSs. I guess that just makes mine all the better.

Refuse to talk to anyone with LED washer nozzles and valve stem covers...

Jeff

 

and this is EXACTLY the reason why the letters N, S, and X keep on running around in my head...

 

also, since FDs are getting cheaper by the day, they are ending up in the wrong hands. dumbasses who could not afford them a while ago, could now have their dream car if they sell their Accord or Sentra. also, the fairly newer FD owners on this forum are staring to scare me. "i just got an FD. where can i buy a 20B?" or "i just got an FD. its stock right now. whats the best looking body kit, and what are the best subs?" i think the reputation of the FD is going down the drain.

i might be going the NSX route after all...

 

Love my FD, but had I not dumped a new engine into it a few years ago, I would do the same thing.

Now, I'm just trying to get my money's worth back out of the car.

 

I think you can find a better bang for the buck than an NSX....what are they going for used? 30k? I like the NSX, but it's pretty slow....I'd likely buy a Supra before I bought an NSX

my FD is in great shape, because I bought it with 10k babied miles I can't see driving anything else in the near term, I still get an absolute gas out of driving it, and it's so easy to get people to race....forget impromptu street races in an NSX....if you do race, say a C5 (or heaven forbid an FD), you will get smacked down BIG TIME

 

---

 

if all i wanted to do was to go fast, i would build a 70s Nova with a blown 454 running a 300 shot of nitrous oxide. that would pretty much tear everyone a new *******.

i do not see the fun in blasting down in a straight line, and it is obviously not one of my top priorities.

and...slow?? if you consider an NSX slow, than whats an FD?? if you havn't noticed, stock vs. stock, an NSX of any year will beat an FD. low 13s is by no means "slow" to me...

 

ha

well, at least pick a musclecar with a little class, not a 70s Nova, what an incredible POS

69 Camaro or 70 Cuda would be my pick

anyway, if you want a sweet handling car for 25k or less, I think you have to stick it out with the FD, there just aren't many other options

how about a turbo Miata?

 

I was a new guy who did zero research on it and only knew the car from Need for speed and remembered the rotary. I am the 3rd owner, and just recently found this out. the guy told me he was the original owner! what a cockmaster!

I got the car, picked out every little problem, took it to mazda spent 9k and got it in almost like new condition. I can understand if someone buys it and doesn't undertsand the car and that it needs a new engine when getting it ( which many sellers try to hide the fact it seems), that car is a goner. I still have a few little problems here and there like a huge piece out of my ashtray, worn seats, and few VERY small little dings that I am getting taken care of. for the amount of money I spent on the car I could have gotten that Supra I liked. but the FD just looks better. and I am going to keep it that way. I'm just lucky I was able to afford fixing it at the time.... everyone just do their best to keep the car running and looking good. and if you sell it, make sure it goes to the right person.

oh yeah, I once got a parking "warning" for not paying in a pay lot, and on the "ticket" it showed the year of my car as a 98

 

WRX's aren't as touted up as they used to be...You could go with a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII GSR, but I bet that'll be around $27,000. Talk about the ULTIMATE 4-Cylinder. Sheesh...

 

Your reasoning is why I decided to buy mine when I did. If I didn't buy it now it would get filtered through some kid that saw Fast and Furious and liked "that red car" and thought that the V6 must be fast ;-)

 

Like posted earlier, if I hadn't dumped 5K into a streetported engine with silicone o-rings, seals, and 2mm Hurleys I might have gone a different route. Now my turbos need replaced and I'll be down another 1.5K!!!!!!!! This car gets on my freakin nerves. If you go into the Supra forum, it looks nothing like our 3rd gen forum like "Boost problem, what can it be?" or "Coolant leak - do I need a new engine?" They just have "Put on a dp and now have 380 rwhp!!" Just about everything on the damn FD needs replaced for "reliability" and if you want it fast, it will become a money pit. After my turbos and secondary injectors I'll have dumped about $12K in the engine and mods department alone - not including wheels and such - The FD is a POS in my book - but a car that can pull 1.00g and put out over 400 hp at the flywheel ......I'll live with it for a while

 

I don't know about you but I'm gonna get that f'n v8 conversion into my fd if I can' still keep some of the sparkling handling. **** all these minor glitches here n there...what kind of a car is worth thinking everyday "is today the day my rings bust and i blow my motor?"

 

supra has better quality interior, replacement parts are just as expensive for supra

 

Dings? how can you say dings man? you dont want dings go drive a TANK!!!

 

Let's not forget to mention that a clean FD is a major aid if your trying to stick your dick in a lot pussies. I don't know if yoy guys agree but from my experience most girls walk right past a supra (they know its fast and it looks different but dont care too much) But when they see an RX7 they begin to experience extreme dehydration due to the fact that their totas are wetter than Niagara Falls, as a matter of fact this is responsible for much of the flooding throughout the country especially where FDs are located.