Advice for new FD owner?
11-20-17, 07:54 PM
#1
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Advice for new FD owner?
So I am new to the rotary engine as of what it is. But I understand the main concept of them. I’ve been looking into purchasing a fd rx7 and hopefully one with a fresh rebuild for a show car. I have a reliable daily car and want something I can put some blood, sweat, and tears into. I was just hoping I could get some first hand tips from you guys as most of you guys are owners and hopefully I can be someday too! Any advice will help! Thanks guys!
Last edited by Cole Radtke; 11-20-17 at 08:01 PM. Reason: Wrong title
11-20-17, 08:17 PM
#2
My tip of advice is to buy a complete car. Tracking down parts and missing items gets complicated and pricey, as I've been through it...
Dont rush into a purchase, do your homework on the car, and make sure its what you want. At the end of the day even the worst FD is still a good buy if the price is right.
Be patient, your car will find you. Goodluck!
Dont rush into a purchase, do your homework on the car, and make sure its what you want. At the end of the day even the worst FD is still a good buy if the price is right.
Be patient, your car will find you. Goodluck!
11-20-17, 09:27 PM
#3
If you buy a car that’s already “done” you will save yourself a lot of money. But, doing the upgrades yourself leaves no guesswork in the build. It’s honestly a very tough call.
I bought my FD “done” but over the past two years have gone through almost every aspect of the car from a performance standpoint and have had to redo so many things. Point being, it’s hard to know how good a car really is without working on it.
Honestly, if I found a “steal” on a nice, low mileage, stockish car, I would be very tempted to sell mine and then build that car from scratch. It’s just a special feeling when you’ve made every decision that goes into the totality of the build.
Nick
I bought my FD “done” but over the past two years have gone through almost every aspect of the car from a performance standpoint and have had to redo so many things. Point being, it’s hard to know how good a car really is without working on it.
Honestly, if I found a “steal” on a nice, low mileage, stockish car, I would be very tempted to sell mine and then build that car from scratch. It’s just a special feeling when you’ve made every decision that goes into the totality of the build.
Nick
11-21-17, 12:31 AM
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I'm also looking for a FD, but due to budget issues I'm going for a bare chassis, anything as long as the chassis isn't damaged. What's the cost of such an example, I'm not willing to go over 1500?
11-21-17, 03:50 AM
#5
Read thru the FAQ sticky at the top of this section...especially under 'B' for buying.
And don't buy a car with a known issue without knowing how to fix it and how much it will cost. Example..."I bought my first RX7 and it won't come out of 2nd gear and won't start after it's warm. The PO told me 'blah blah' but I've tried that and it didn't help. How do I fix it?".
And don't buy a car with a known issue without knowing how to fix it and how much it will cost. Example..."I bought my first RX7 and it won't come out of 2nd gear and won't start after it's warm. The PO told me 'blah blah' but I've tried that and it didn't help. How do I fix it?".
11-21-17, 07:30 AM
#6
Read thru the FAQ sticky at the top of this section...especially under 'B' for buying.
And don't buy a car with a known issue without knowing how to fix it and how much it will cost. Example..."I bought my first RX7 and it won't come out of 2nd gear and won't start after it's warm. The PO told me 'blah blah' but I've tried that and it didn't help. How do I fix it?".
And don't buy a car with a known issue without knowing how to fix it and how much it will cost. Example..."I bought my first RX7 and it won't come out of 2nd gear and won't start after it's warm. The PO told me 'blah blah' but I've tried that and it didn't help. How do I fix it?".
Nick
11-21-17, 08:18 AM
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11-21-17, 08:34 AM
#8
Half-cut RHD FD’s that have been sitting months in sea air somewhere in Asia still get $2k for parts. Rollers in North America bring at least twice your budget which isn’t realistic IMO. If money is that tight stick with a Honda or Toyota that you can find parts for at the local U-Pull-It.
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asesereker (03-19-20)
11-21-17, 08:37 AM
#9
My advice if you want an FD... Save up, buy a complete low mileage clean roller for $5-7k, and fix from there.
Good luck with your search sir
Mike
11-21-17, 08:38 AM
#10
Again the sentiment is fantastic, but the logic doesn’t work.
My unsolicited advice: start saving and buy yourself a clean and straight car. If you get a rolling chassis you will still have PLENTY to do to it in order to restore it to its “former glory”. But, when you’re done, you have a car with some worth and are less likely to be stuck with an unfixable problem down the road.
Nick
Last edited by Brilliant7-LFC; 11-21-17 at 08:42 AM.
11-21-17, 08:47 AM
#11
Half-cut RHD FD’s that have been sitting months in sea air somewhere in Asia still get $2k for parts. Rollers in North America bring at least twice your budget which isn’t realistic IMO. If money is that tight stick with a Honda or Toyota that you can find parts for at the local U-Pull-It.
Starting with a wrecked salvaged title FD for $1500 (Which I dont think you will find) seems counterintuitive to drop $20k into fixups when you can buy a clean title roller with decent low miles for around $7k. No offense what so ever, but If your budget is only $1500 look into a different vehicle. These FD's get very very pricey and parts are getting harder to find.
My advice if you want an FD... Save up, buy a complete low mileage clean roller for $5-7k, and fix from there.
Good luck with your search sir
Mike
My advice if you want an FD... Save up, buy a complete low mileage clean roller for $5-7k, and fix from there.
Good luck with your search sir
Mike
Take the advice from three FD owners and experienced RX-7 community members. We know what we’re talking about and the advice we’re giving you is sound. Start saving dude and once you get your roller or whatever, we’ll help you every step of the way to make the right choices and fix problems you find. We love seeing cars restored to former glory!
Nick
11-21-17, 06:14 PM
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Take the advice from three FD owners and experienced RX-7 community members. We know what weÂ’re talking about and the advice weÂ’re giving you is sound. Start saving dude and once you get your roller or whatever, weÂ’ll help you every step of the way to make the right choices and fix problems you find. We love seeing cars restored to former glory!
Nick
Nick
11-22-17, 05:30 AM
#13
I've just imported a RHD FD.
Car didn't have A/C. I've already spent a little over a fourth of your budget in parts alone to restore A/C.
And that's because I found a great deal from a local source!
Not going to say you can't find a $1500 dollar FD that needs to be rebuilt. I've seen one personally.
But all that $1500 gets you is a body shell that's been stripped of all parts that's sitting on cinder blocks, a salvage title, and a smirk from the guy who sold you a shell with terrible frame damage.
As said above, the money you'll dump trying to make it even be drive able let alone look good and be complete will be insane.
Save up your money....... Don't buy the fruit that dropped from the tree two weeks ago.
Car didn't have A/C. I've already spent a little over a fourth of your budget in parts alone to restore A/C.
And that's because I found a great deal from a local source!
Not going to say you can't find a $1500 dollar FD that needs to be rebuilt. I've seen one personally.
But all that $1500 gets you is a body shell that's been stripped of all parts that's sitting on cinder blocks, a salvage title, and a smirk from the guy who sold you a shell with terrible frame damage.
As said above, the money you'll dump trying to make it even be drive able let alone look good and be complete will be insane.
Save up your money....... Don't buy the fruit that dropped from the tree two weeks ago.
01-18-18, 05:02 PM
#16
I've got a thick 3-ring binder filled with those plastic sleeves that hold all the receipts and records for the car over the last 15+ years. I've been married along time and smart enough to keep it in the garage where my wife will never see it. I've never been drunk enough, or into self-abuse, to add even a few pages up.
03-25-18, 02:12 PM
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Just to add to the above, three years ago I decided to make my 94 "reliable enough for my wife to drive alone to Chicago (300 miles)." Ten grand later I had accomplished it. I didn't have to do any engine work so I was happy. One year ago an engine gasket went south; water and oil mixed briefly. Two grand to fix, or five grand to fix with some "upgrades." It's still waiting. Buy one that's in good shape or prepare to write checks.
Last edited by Joe Henley; 03-26-18 at 09:51 AM.
03-25-18, 03:50 PM
#20
Rx7
Yes money for sure. Fd means Finicial disaster. At least that is what they say. 2017 i spent only 300.00 dollars for the year in repairs. Clutch master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder. Labor well free i did it. It is good to be handy it will save you a lot of money and this way you know its done right. These cars are awesome and compared to cars with this type of performance i dont find it that expensive. When you do need an engine rebuild take it someone who is reputable and dont cheap out. Buy quality parts
03-25-18, 07:05 PM
#21
coming from someone who previously bought a "complete" yet lightly modified car, DONT DO IT. you'll spend more time trying to figure out why the backyard mechanic relocated things to who knows where. your budget is definitely low, but if youre diligent something will come up. just know you will be spending a fortune on repairs for a very possibly neglected car.
04-10-18, 12:31 PM
#22
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IMO the best thing to find is truly stock car with maybe some reliable upgrades. Stick meaning the whole car stock not just the engine bay stock. No wings, no body skirts, no interior work. A blank canvas, and also try not to buy something over 150,000 miles on the chasis. Even if it has a blown motor it’s okay as long as it was left mostly stock. The issue that you get into is that you get cars that are “Done” but all that means is that they usually are paying top top dollar for a lot mods that you might not like. I’d rather take a stock FD for 11-12k over a “done” one for $18-20k because most of the time those “dine” cars are usually not completely done.
04-19-18, 05:36 AM
#23
Insist on doing or getting a compression test. People will come up with all sorts of claims of why the car needs this little this or that when it could be be very damaged or in need of full rebuild.
06-17-18, 02:18 AM
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I think that the best car that you can buy principle applies here as with all cars. But at the same time, I personally feel that you'll get killed by the markup on low mileage cars. A lot of car speculators have already gone around snatching up pristine examples of these Rx7s and are now listing them in the tune of 40-50k. It might not be a great idea to buy a car that also hasn't been driven in years, though, if someone who has done this wants to chime in...