buying a full FD, engine & all, or a full shell that just needs an engine and/or tranny...there is something coming up that MAY allow me to get an RX-7...and i would like to be ready for it just in case...also, i won't get my license for another year and a half, so i can have the car sitting for a long time waiting for an engine

also, i think i'd be better off with the full shell option anyway, right? (brand new engine)

 

I would get the whole car, but if you are mechanically inclined with a garage, tools, and lots of free time.......which is probably not the case if your not old enough to drvie yet, maybe you have friends or family that are willing to help. Still you have to pay shipping for the new engine rather than just drving it home. lol. Considering it took me an hour to successfully change the air filter in my fd ya i get the whole car.

 

I will be the first one to tell you. Buy something else!! This car is demanding as ****. I bought one of the nicest mint condition FD's in the states, came with service records thicker than a book, 39,000 original miles and meticulously cared for. Check my threads and see all the probs I have had and that is mostly maintenance and repair, not upgrades. I could never imagine having one of these cars before I got my DL, its too much unless you are an aircraft certified machanic and lots of money, patience, and time. Good Luck.

 

If you want to spend the time and the money either one is going to be a bitch. Only reason i bought mine was that it had 2k on new motor. Buying the shell would be cool cuz it would be all your own work, be warned this car is a lot of work.

 

about the garage part, my uncle owns a garage an hour or so from my house, and i'm sure he'll let me use his garage to install the engine, and also sure he'll help me with it

also, i have liked RX-7's for a VERY long time (not as long as supras, but long), and just recently started research on it (and supras) and i would honestly be willing to work on it...i mean, everyone i talk to and tell them about it, they say how nice it would be, and i always mention that it's like a high-maintenance girlfriend...beautiful, fun to ride, and very demanding, and i understand that and am willing to deal with it (with the help of these forums xD)

the alternative to an RX-7 would be a 2JZ-GTE engine swap into my 86.5 supra...but i'm still leaning toward the RX-7 (imagine pulling up to high school in a sexy montego blue RX-7 with a hot girl in the passenger seat (close friend that i'll give a ride to school every day...BUT STILL!!) and don't pretend you wouldn't have wanted to do the same thing in highschool)

but like i said, it all depends on this one thing

 

Hey little brother, I am an ASE certified master mechanic and have worked on everything under the sun. There is no higher demanding ride out there. This car is harder to maintain than a woman. At least with the women I can lay some pipe to shut'em up for a while. I don't believe in compromising so by all means get the RX-7 as long as you know what you are getting into.

As for what mehod you should use, buy one that runs with a motor already in it. I know there is something sexy about buying a shell and doing all of your own work but it will nickel and dime you to death. Trust me on this.

 

thanks...i honestly think that was one of the most helpful posts i've read...but just out of curiosity, why would a full car be better than a full shell? since it's a brand new motor, it'll be better off.....right?

 

Buy the running Rx7. That way you will actually be able to enjoy the car right away rather than having to spend months tracking down parts and installing the engine and tranny on the shell.

 

supposedly there is a JMD RHD shell up here in portland somewhere. it's just a rumor as of yet, but supposedly portland motorsports has it and is selling the shell for about $1000.00. it has everything inside (except the motor). it does have a dent on the hood though which is why they're getting rid of it for so cheap.

 

that's why i was considering a shell, because i won't get my license until i'm 17, so i figured i could work on it, and maybe have extra money for reliability mods

infinite- thanks, but no thanks....i'm not really into just learning to drive, then having to learn how to drive a RHD

 

I like keeping things simple. If the car is a shell and you do all of you won work it is great in that you will know the car inside and out. However, the reason why I would buy a running car versus the shell is the same reason why I never do more than one mod at once. If you put all new parts in the car at the same time it will be a pain in the *** to narrow down the problem is one arises.

I help a lot of guys with project cars and they are awesome if you will have another ride. But I would not have aproject car as a daily driver. At least if the car is running, you can mod it while you drive it. If you buy a shell, you will probably spend double what it would cost to buy a running model. Plus, anyone who has built from a shell will tell you that the cars almost never run like they did with the original motor. I like your enthusiasm and applaud your initiative. I iwish you the best in whatever decision you make. I just want other people to learn from my mistakes. Feel free to PM me whenever. Take care brother.

Quid

 

you know, i honestly never thought about any of that, thanks a lot...i think i have decided, but now i'm just waiting on my aunt and see what happens with her