WaLieN

...given that the car had a fully rebuilt motor (w/ 3mm apex seals), trans, and turbos, would you still purchase an FD as a daily driver? (Keep in mind that I'm going to college). Given that I maintain it well from the start, what could go wrong?

NorthwindHost

hehe, its a 10 yr old car. Time is going to wear down the car just a bit.

Overall though, I use my FD as a daily driver. It runs fine. Just make sure you really read up on this car, as if it you don't treat it right, it won't treat you right either. =)

WaLieN

I read about some of the flaws that can occur... but no one seems to really have anything MAJOR go wrong besides the O-ring faliure (correct me if Im wrong). Usually, it's just vaccum lines or turbo problems, or both.

NorthwindHost

yeah, well you make it sound like a vacuum problem is simple. =)

Guaranteed you will spend at least a full day to find the loose hose. Anywho, honestly, I don't find anything really major. Its just when they made this car, they made everything really close together so its hard to work around. But if you have the patience to work with it, its a great car. =)

oddball327

why not!??!

NorthwindHost

why not what oddball? You need to be a bit specific as there are a few things you can say that too.

Jasooner

I think he means to the overall question.

I drive it to and from the university as a daily driver. Though, for my line of study/work, I need something with more trunkspace, but so long as you treat it right (obviously) it should be just fine. If you're racing the hell out of it everywhere you go it will break down faster (as with ANY car).

However, Imma offer some advice: *ahem*

If you do decide to get it, you need to make sure you have at least one of the following, more the better :

1. Understanding friends with cars that don't mind driving you places (most importantly, class).
2. Money.
3. A beater car.
4. An apartment/dorm that is close to school.
5. If you've got a significant other, he/she has to be very understanding.

I know alot of people won't agree with me, but it sucks when your car is down and you can't make it to class.

AJT

I agree. You *could* have just about any car as a daily driver. My thing has always been (especially as a college student) I want something that is going to start up the first try every morning without worry, get decent gas mileage, I won't have to worry about where to park it (door dings, theft, etc.) and basically not have to worry about it all that often. That's my idea of a daily driver. That's why I bought a Honda.

-Andy

EviLPeNeviL

iTrader: (2)

I'm all for #4 man. However I drive my FD every single day and she runs fine. I'm 110% on the part about treating the car right and she will last much longer without major problems, even with a buncha mods. Only thing is that she will cost MONEY (#2) for gas and regular fluids.

Other than that I love driving her everywhere.

-Dan

mazdaspeed00

iTrader: (6)

if everything is rebuilt and the car looks like it has been taken care of then the turbos/engine/trans should have a lot more miles left in them. thoes 3 things are the most expensive anyway. so, if you buy a car w/ thoes thing replaced then the car should last you. just make sure the owner is knowlegeable and the things were done by a good shop.

WaLieN

"1993 MAZDA RX7, touring pkg, 5 spd, ac, stereo, snrf, fully loaded, less than 100 mi on new eng, turbos, clutch, plugs, wires, batt, etc, new 17" whls, tires, $16,500."

The guy sounds like a really nice guy, and he knows A LOT about the car. The guy said the motor (rebuilt w/ 3mm apex seals) was built by either "Rotory Power" or "Rotor Performance" (forgot which one he said) in S. California; I hear it is a reputable shop. He has all the paperwork to go with all that work, but should I still compression test it? If so, I guess I should go to AutoZone and buy a cheap-o compression checker. The rims are a bit tacky, but oh well.. I can always change it once I get more $. Also, he has a muffler w/ a 4" tip on it -- I'm gonna change it over to a Dynomax Ultra Flo Welded (1->2[3"->2x2.5" w/ Chrome tips). The carfax came out clean... and I am gonna go buy it this upcoming Sunday.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

i already did and it works fine

WaLieN

I think you replied in the wrong thread.

MAVrick

Why do so many FD's that are for sale have very recent motor rebuilds? I've noticed that here is AUS too. I mean, who pays top dollar for a motor rebuild then sells it a couple of weeks later?

DMRH

I own a series-8 & have to say that its simply the best production sports car ever to come from Japan. Especially in "Type-RS" form like my one

With under 9000km on the clock, my car drives like new.

As for the question................. The car very very impractical & I do not like using it for everyday use. I prefer my 4-door + auto car for everyday city driving anytime.

At best, the FD RX-7 is a weekender.

Wont ever stop me from loving them though

bajaman

Pretty much my feeling exactly. While it CAN be driven daily, it is just not practical in any way, shape or form.
Plus, if you live where there is inclement weather...forget it. The cars are nearly treacherous on wet pavement, and snowy/icy conditions put them in the garage for good.
Look, would you drive a Lamborghini Miura or a Ferrari Daytona "daily"?
No.
And I am not suggesting that the FD is equivalent to true "supercars", it has a lot of the same qualities that make it undesirable for a daily driver, mainly the small size, high power to weight ratio, expensive repair costs, etc.
Look, I love my FD, it is such a cool car, one of those cars that you can just go grab a beer and a lawn chair and sit in the garage looking at, and feel that all is right with the world.
But if I am going to travel any real distance, I'll take my Volvo ANY day. Or the Suburban. Or even the Mazda pickup.....lol! My *** can't do more than about 3 hours straight in the seat of the FD!

juliof

I have noticed that too like 50%FD for sale have new motors, thats because people drive them the motor fails most likley with low mileage drop 4K on rebuild or more get fed up plus there local mechanic tells them get rid of it now.

M.Piedlourde

I wouldn't. I don't actually own and FD at the moment, but I plan to, and I definitely don't plan on using it as a daily driver. Why put miles on a gorgeous, classic sportscar driving to work or to the grocery store when you can go out and buy a beat-up Civic for daily chores?

matty

def NOT!

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Depends on the daily drive.

When i worked and lived in the 'burbs, and had nice smooth roads and a 20 min. commute, i daily-drove it.

Now that i live in the 'burbs and drive an hour into the shitty pot-holed distric of columbia in stop and go trafic, i take the '87 626 beater.

r0t0r-rooter

How do you know that the owner spent "top dollar"?

skunks

hell yes its worth it as a daily driver, only crappy thing is that it might eat a bit of gas. also, since your just a student, it might be a bit more tough on you but thats what parents are for

T88NosRx7

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't, just because I wouldn't be able to see it dirty or rained on.

Jasooner

Here's my response to everyone's comments. Each are very valid, and this question has been beaten to death so many times before (search engine).

Why buy a car, no matter how nice it is, if you can't drive it where and when you want to. I understand if it's a Ferrari or whatnot, but for God's sake it's an RX7. I know that's blasphamy around here, but hell, what you have to realize is it's still just a car. Most of us on here aren't rich. I sure as hell am not. So I would never spend my hard earned, rare to have in my pocket, cash on something that I can't drive everyday. Is the RX7 a PRACTICAL dailydriver? No. Definitely not. It gets **** for gas mileage, it's got a stiff sport suspension, it's small, it's a two seater. BUT, people break their necks staring at this car, I love taking corners twice as fast as all the trucks and sport utes, I love/hate the turbos and I love the power.

When you ask this question to people, you're going to get many varied responses because of the variance in age, income, body size, comfort endurance (okay I made that up), etc. But I feel you. If I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn't get this car. Because I hate not being able to take my car when we go out to eat or play basketball. I don't like it when I have to drive my gf's sport ute just because I don't have enough cargo space to carry the things I need. I bought it because I'm a vain *** college student and I wanted a car to set myself apart from the hoards of ricers that plague my school. I've driven Hondas all my life with the exception of an MR2 Turbo. I just plain wanted a sportscar, and this was the best one for my budget.

jeff48

Sorry Bajaman but I have to strongly disagree with your post. I have a high HP ~400 HP, severely modified, 94 touring model, daily driver.

Could not be more wrong, wet weather is easily handled by proper shoes (tires) and suspension... there are any number of proper footwear choices available for our cars. While in general I agree that snow and ice are problems, I have very good luck with OEM sized BF Goodrich Comp/TAs. I would not choose to drive the FD in much snow or ice, but that's one of the many reasons why I own a beater Volvo 244 wagon for the few days I need her.

WTF not? If I could afford one, you could not get me out of it unless you had a very large caliber weapon pointed at my head.


Well, if you won't, I will----In many ways it is superior to those cars (especially the Lambos) "Gateshifters" are not all they are cracked up to be. Often the Lambos, Ferraris and Maseratis are limited showpieces. However every now and then Ferrari pops out an incredible driving machine model that rivals the FD.


Sorry but with the exception of the expensive repair costs, (which you generally won't incur unless you treat the car wrong in some way), the very reason the car is desireable is that it is small (agile and restricts people from asking you to join their carpools) and that it has a high power to weight ratio. (what more could you ask for in daily transport than the opportunity for an adrenaline fix on your way to or from work or school?


Boring!!


I couldn't disagree more, I love my Volvos too ( I have had 6 of them) but for long drives I have never found anything more comfortable than my FD. In fact, the thing that sold me on buying one was the fact that the first time I sat in one I thought someone had taken a pattern off my *** and made the seat custom for me. (BTW I am 5'11" and over 200 lbs.)