New Here: Hopeful Future Owner
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From: Midwest
New Here: Hopeful Future Owner
Hi all,
Honda guy here but looking into the RX7, as it’s a car I’d love to own one day or at least drive/experience. Just trying to peek into the rotary owner lifestyle and get an understanding of what it’s like to own one, surprised I didn’t join this community earlier but I may be in a position to buy an RX-7 in the next few years so I figured I’d better start getting educated.
If anyone wants to share their car or their stories please do!
I guess if I had a question it would be: is the RX-7 (especially the FD) even worth it nowadays? My understanding is that it’s quite expensive and time consuming.
From what I’ve read, there seems to be some significant barriers:
- high initial cost, 40k+ USD (and hard to find, I see they pop up on BAT every now and then)
- questionable reliability, costly repairs and limited qualified mechanics in many areas?
- part availability? I suspect there is plenty of aftermarket stuff?
- garage (being a homeowner) is a must I presume? Has anyone ever had their car in storage?
- being mechanically inclined? I work on my own car (civic si) and do basic repairs and maintenance (oil, alternator replacement, brakes, etc.) but just HOW much of a mechanic do you need to be to own one?
- Owning one short term? Buy, enjoy and sell it within a few months to avoid the headache? Is this a feasible option?
- What’s a realistic monthly cost of owning an FD? Of course, it would be kept in a garage or storage, driven sparingly on the weekends, etc. I’d likely have to finance it so I would have a monthly payment.
Honda guy here but looking into the RX7, as it’s a car I’d love to own one day or at least drive/experience. Just trying to peek into the rotary owner lifestyle and get an understanding of what it’s like to own one, surprised I didn’t join this community earlier but I may be in a position to buy an RX-7 in the next few years so I figured I’d better start getting educated.
If anyone wants to share their car or their stories please do!
I guess if I had a question it would be: is the RX-7 (especially the FD) even worth it nowadays? My understanding is that it’s quite expensive and time consuming.
From what I’ve read, there seems to be some significant barriers:
- high initial cost, 40k+ USD (and hard to find, I see they pop up on BAT every now and then)
- questionable reliability, costly repairs and limited qualified mechanics in many areas?
- part availability? I suspect there is plenty of aftermarket stuff?
- garage (being a homeowner) is a must I presume? Has anyone ever had their car in storage?
- being mechanically inclined? I work on my own car (civic si) and do basic repairs and maintenance (oil, alternator replacement, brakes, etc.) but just HOW much of a mechanic do you need to be to own one?
- Owning one short term? Buy, enjoy and sell it within a few months to avoid the headache? Is this a feasible option?
- What’s a realistic monthly cost of owning an FD? Of course, it would be kept in a garage or storage, driven sparingly on the weekends, etc. I’d likely have to finance it so I would have a monthly payment.
Welcome to the forum. I think of owning an RX7 now as more of an obsession than a passive car interest. These cars require extra knowledge and care, and being over 30+ years old means there will likely be a lot of tinkering and replacing things. You'll want to feel comfortable doing all the work yourself or finding a very reputable shop that specializes in rx7's, not just your normal shop. More responses below:
I know you're probably not going to want to hear this, but if you can't afford to buy one outright, it might not be the car for you. If you're making payments on this and it's down for X or Y reasons, you'll quickly get frustrated and might have to dump it at a loss. I don't consider these cars "reliable transportation", more of a weekend/fun toy. If you already have a bought/paid for DD, and you're comfortable making payments for something that might sit for a while, then go for it.
Hi all,
Honda guy here but looking into the RX7, as it’s a car I’d love to own one day or at least drive/experience. Just trying to peek into the rotary owner lifestyle and get an understanding of what it’s like to own one, surprised I didn’t join this community earlier but I may be in a position to buy an RX-7 in the next few years so I figured I’d better start getting educated.
If anyone wants to share their car or their stories please do!
I guess if I had a question it would be: is the RX-7 (especially the FD) even worth it nowadays? My understanding is that it’s quite expensive and time consuming.
Worth it is relative. If it gives you that special feeling any time you drive it (which it should), then you should consider if that's worth it to you or not.
From what I’ve read, there seems to be some significant barriers:
- high initial cost, 40k+ USD (and hard to find, I see they pop up on BAT every now and then)
BAT examples will usually get you the better condition cars, and most often low miles and fewer mods. If I were shopping for an FD today, I would either focus on a completely stock one that hasn't been molested, or a VERY CLEANLY modified car that has proof of receipts, proper care and can be thoroughly inspected. I would not try to save money by buying a basket case and "saving it", unless you really see yourself putting in the work before enjoying the car.
- questionable reliability, costly repairs and limited qualified mechanics in many areas?
There are very few shops left that specialize in these cars, and if you needed a mechanic that would be the only place I would ever trust to work on one. Joe's shop down the road will not have a clue how to properly work on these.
- part availability? I suspect there is plenty of aftermarket stuff?
Yes and no. There are still a lot of aftermarket parts that you can find, however if you're looking for OEM parts (dash parts, interior parts, etc) those will be expensive and difficult to source. Once again, buying a complete and nice car up front will end up cheaper than piecing together a total project.
- garage (being a homeowner) is a must I presume? Has anyone ever had their car in storage?
Mine is garaged all the time. It's far too special to me to leave outside. Hell, I won't really leave it parked anywhere I can't keep sight of it.
- being mechanically inclined? I work on my own car (civic si) and do basic repairs and maintenance (oil, alternator replacement, brakes, etc.) but just HOW much of a mechanic do you need to be to own one?
Depends on the shape of the car you pick up. I would have it thoroughly inspected. Expect normal wear and tear...brakes, hoses, suspension work. Most of that is common to any type of car. Again, this car is passing middle age, so expect there to be things that need to be addressed.
- Owning one short term? Buy, enjoy and sell it within a few months to avoid the headache? Is this a feasible option?
Can't help you here. I don't plan to ever sell my car.
- What’s a realistic monthly cost of owning an FD? Of course, it would be kept in a garage or storage, driven sparingly on the weekends, etc. I’d likely have to finance it so I would have a monthly payment.
Honda guy here but looking into the RX7, as it’s a car I’d love to own one day or at least drive/experience. Just trying to peek into the rotary owner lifestyle and get an understanding of what it’s like to own one, surprised I didn’t join this community earlier but I may be in a position to buy an RX-7 in the next few years so I figured I’d better start getting educated.
If anyone wants to share their car or their stories please do!
I guess if I had a question it would be: is the RX-7 (especially the FD) even worth it nowadays? My understanding is that it’s quite expensive and time consuming.
Worth it is relative. If it gives you that special feeling any time you drive it (which it should), then you should consider if that's worth it to you or not.
From what I’ve read, there seems to be some significant barriers:
- high initial cost, 40k+ USD (and hard to find, I see they pop up on BAT every now and then)
BAT examples will usually get you the better condition cars, and most often low miles and fewer mods. If I were shopping for an FD today, I would either focus on a completely stock one that hasn't been molested, or a VERY CLEANLY modified car that has proof of receipts, proper care and can be thoroughly inspected. I would not try to save money by buying a basket case and "saving it", unless you really see yourself putting in the work before enjoying the car.
- questionable reliability, costly repairs and limited qualified mechanics in many areas?
There are very few shops left that specialize in these cars, and if you needed a mechanic that would be the only place I would ever trust to work on one. Joe's shop down the road will not have a clue how to properly work on these.
- part availability? I suspect there is plenty of aftermarket stuff?
Yes and no. There are still a lot of aftermarket parts that you can find, however if you're looking for OEM parts (dash parts, interior parts, etc) those will be expensive and difficult to source. Once again, buying a complete and nice car up front will end up cheaper than piecing together a total project.
- garage (being a homeowner) is a must I presume? Has anyone ever had their car in storage?
Mine is garaged all the time. It's far too special to me to leave outside. Hell, I won't really leave it parked anywhere I can't keep sight of it.
- being mechanically inclined? I work on my own car (civic si) and do basic repairs and maintenance (oil, alternator replacement, brakes, etc.) but just HOW much of a mechanic do you need to be to own one?
Depends on the shape of the car you pick up. I would have it thoroughly inspected. Expect normal wear and tear...brakes, hoses, suspension work. Most of that is common to any type of car. Again, this car is passing middle age, so expect there to be things that need to be addressed.
- Owning one short term? Buy, enjoy and sell it within a few months to avoid the headache? Is this a feasible option?
Can't help you here. I don't plan to ever sell my car.
- What’s a realistic monthly cost of owning an FD? Of course, it would be kept in a garage or storage, driven sparingly on the weekends, etc. I’d likely have to finance it so I would have a monthly payment.
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