Is it worth it to drive my new FD home???
08-23-05, 09:14 PM
#1
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Is it worth it to drive my new FD home???
I've just bought a 94 RX-7. This car has a rebuilt street ported engine with less than 10k, the chassis has <130k. I was planning to fly into the seller's place(for free, it's the end of a business trip) and drive the car to a truck and tow rental place( 300 miles) and then tow it home, 600 miles. Well with the truck and tow, it's going to cost me around $500( I checked Budget, Penske, and UHaul) including gas. Is it worth it? Or should I just save myself $400 and drive the car all the way home? This car is going to be my weekend driver, so 900 miles is about what I'd put on it in two years..... This is my first FD so I'm really apprehensive about driving it for so many miles right off the bat. Or should I just enjoy myself with tons of straight highway roads? What do you guys think?
08-23-05, 09:35 PM
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True, a nice looooong drive would be alot fun. I just wanted to get some more opinions. This is my DREAM car! I can remember the first time I saw one. I was driving in Williamsburg, Va when I an FD drove by me. I was like WTF!!! Since then I've been hooked! I used to have an FC and my wife and I were going to buy a new minivan. But we decided to put some money in our current minivan and make it nicer. I figured since I was already approved for a loan, I'd look for an FD...... And voila! I found one my wife approved of and I close on the loan this week. Just thought I'd get the opinions of some fellow rotary nuts.
08-23-05, 09:45 PM
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It's a CAR. It is made for DRIVING.
I hope you'll put more than 900 miles on it in 2 years, LOL, what's the point of owning one? It's not like your particular car is very valuable or anything (high chassis mileage). Enjoy the damn thing!
I hope you'll put more than 900 miles on it in 2 years, LOL, what's the point of owning one? It's not like your particular car is very valuable or anything (high chassis mileage). Enjoy the damn thing!
08-23-05, 09:48 PM
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treat yourself and take it for a spin. If you want I will drive it for you. hehe
Did the previous owner hint that you should not drive it? I drove mine from North Carolina to Texas in one day and it did fine. The car is tougher than you think.
Enjoy yourself.
Did the previous owner hint that you should not drive it? I drove mine from North Carolina to Texas in one day and it did fine. The car is tougher than you think.
Enjoy yourself.
08-23-05, 09:53 PM
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LOL, I guess the "ayes" may have it. I talked to some of my Mazda/Gearhead friends and they had the same advice. Looks like I should drive the car and use the extra money for a few mods!
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08-23-05, 11:17 PM
#8
Personally, I'd ensure that all the fluids have been changed recently, and that the tires are in good shape before making the decision to drive an unfamiliar car on such a long trip. You might also want to bring a container of coolant and a quart of oil, just in case.
Good luck,
-s-
Good luck,
-s-
08-23-05, 11:42 PM
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Drive it! This is a perfect opportunity for you to learn about your FD and it's attitude. Every FD has a different personality so if there is something wrong with it in the future, you'll know exactly what it is.
08-23-05, 11:58 PM
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Plus a nice long drive gets you used to the car and familiarizes you with all the in's-n-out's. I drove mine back from Eugene, Oregon to San Diego and it was definately a good get-to-know-you session. It sounds like the car is in good shape so you should have no issues at all on the trip - and if you do, then I guess it's good to find out sooner rather than later.
Cheers,
Simon
Cheers,
Simon
08-24-05, 01:13 AM
#12
Unless you meant 30k instead of 130k for chassis miles, I don't understand why 600 miles would be of the remotest concern. Hell, the difference in market value between a car with 130k miles and 150k miles is probably a few hundred dollars at most. With 130k chassis miles already, extra miles will have an irrelevant effect on the residual value of the car. Drive the damn thing!
08-24-05, 02:24 AM
#15
Call me gramps!
Originally Posted by Mahjik
Are you buying it to look at or to drive? Drive the darn thing. 
900mi really isn't that bad, especially if you split it into two small trips. You could rent a motel halfway there and make sweet, sweet love to your new girlfriend in it. It does have a dual tip exhaust, so a friend cou... I'll stop now.
Last edited by WaLieN; 08-24-05 at 02:26 AM.
08-24-05, 06:18 AM
#17
Originally Posted by DGnizer
make sure you have a AAA too.hahaha
I agree with Scotty, stop by an auto place and pick up some oil and coolant (I keep distilled water in a clean container in case something crazy happens and I need to drink it).
Dave
08-24-05, 08:02 AM
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When I bought my FD 5-6 years ago it had 12,000+ on the odometer. It now has 117,000.
My opinion is to drive it home and drive like you stole it!!
By the way, my car is for sale. 93 red touring, black leather, bose wave in the back. Tien coil overs, fiske wheels, 17inch sumetumos (sp?). Repainted the original red by Dan Rose of Mr. Spoiler in Manassas, VA.
@ 30,000 miles on a remanned moter - original blew an apex seal at 88,000. Only mods are a down pipe and a PFS muffler.
Asking $12,000.
Let me know if interested.
My opinion is to drive it home and drive like you stole it!!
By the way, my car is for sale. 93 red touring, black leather, bose wave in the back. Tien coil overs, fiske wheels, 17inch sumetumos (sp?). Repainted the original red by Dan Rose of Mr. Spoiler in Manassas, VA.
@ 30,000 miles on a remanned moter - original blew an apex seal at 88,000. Only mods are a down pipe and a PFS muffler.
Asking $12,000.
Let me know if interested.
08-24-05, 08:07 AM
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drive it! mine is a daily driver. i put 50 miles a day on mine and it does great. i don't really want to put all these miles but i'm just waiting to pay the loan off and then i'll get a bike or scooter for the work commute
08-24-05, 11:14 AM
#21
Rotary Freak
Originally Posted by yuichiror
True, a nice looooong drive would be alot fun. I just wanted to get some more opinions. This is my DREAM car! I can remember the first time I saw one. I was driving in Williamsburg, Va when I an FD drove by me. I was like WTF!!! Since then I've been hooked! I used to have an FC and my wife and I were going to buy a new minivan. But we decided to put some money in our current minivan and make it nicer. I figured since I was already approved for a loan, I'd look for an FD...... And voila! I found one my wife approved of and I close on the loan this week. Just thought I'd get the opinions of some fellow rotary nuts.
Drive the car home.
08-24-05, 11:59 AM
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man, if i just bought an FD i would drive it 900 miles, and then probably tack on an additional 200 miles. hahaha, but i agree with what some of the others had to say and ensure that the fluids are good. i drove my car (it's not an FD 
but it's a 300ZX) from LA to corvallis OR and it was a great get to know u session.
but it's a 300ZX) from LA to corvallis OR and it was a great get to know u session.
08-24-05, 07:32 PM
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This is my first FD. Since it's a 900 mile ride, what else besides coolant and distalled water should I take with me? Oil to premix with the fuel?
08-24-05, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rosrex7
I drove my FD from Oakland California to NYC..wouldnt do it again.. well not if my FD any way.. but it was a hell of an expierance..
but anyways, i just got my fd about a month ago,
i bought it in Ct and i live in ny, wasnt a very long drive but 3hrs 1 way, it was very fun, but i had to behave myself cause the car wasnt reg. lol
but yea i didnt have one prob, besides getting a small rock to the winshield
didnt crack just made a small chipand i got my car back from the body shop today (from that fence accident) and boy ive missed it
i was carless for 6 days
08-25-05, 01:13 AM
#25
Originally Posted by yuichiror
This is my first FD. Since it's a 900 mile ride, what else besides coolant and distalled water should I take with me? Oil to premix with the fuel?
On a long trip, I tend to bring a cell phone, map, sunglasses, extra set of clothing and socks (wet socks sucks), some good music.
For the car, I keep a small toolkit in mine, right now it contains the following:
3/8" drive socket wrench (stubby handle)
10mm , 12mm and (11/16" sparkplug) sockets, with 6" extension
Mechanix gloves
Phillips screwdriver
Small ziplock bag to put parts in
Small needlenose pliers
Quart of oil
Bottle of water (for coolant refill)
Spray-bottle of glass cleaner
Roll of blue shop-towels
Good luck,
-s-