I'm planning to import an FD from tradecarview.
I'm debating between two cars, the Rx-7 and the Supra, I'd really prefer the Fd over the supra though.

The problem comes when I read more and more into Rx-7's, people say that it's a very high maintenance car and can cost a lot if I don't know what I'm doing.

If I do get the Rx-7, it will be my first car, and I was wondering if you guys could tell me what "high maintenance" would mean? I'm very open to learning how to take care of it, but of course there's a limit to my skills, and available tools if needed.

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

Start by reading the FAQs stickied in this forum. In your case the 3rd Gen FAQ thread would answer your question. Scroll down to the Buyer's Guides.

Read and learn. Your question is so open ended....

 

^^^^ Read, Read, and READ AGAIN!!!!!

 

yea like they told me just read! lol read read! lol

 

You feel good and a lil smarter when you read yourself.

I do! Then I try to ask more specific questions on things I need help with.

You asked a very common and general question that can be answered very easily with the faq for beginners!

 

overall, they're not that bad. but you should be educated. i'm no expert, and there's always more to learn...but you have to no 'what not' to do!!! that's actually more important than trying to find out 'what' to do. enjoy your fd! a supra in my observation is just as damn hard to find. maybe even harder....but it all has to do with funds. $$$

 

Like everyone here said its a very broad question. But everyone has a diffrent definition of high maintnance.

 

thats a tough choice, i love supras and rx7s

 

I agree with everyone above. Read as much as you can about the 3rd gen. If you're not mechanically inclined, or have any wish to become so; you must have a decent amount of money to pay for the labor costs. If you are, then throw down the cash and get the FD over the Supra!

 

basically if ur buying an rx7 you have to be prepared to do the maintenance which INCLUDES changing apex seals

 

IMO you'd be better off staying away from Tradecarview for something like an FD because you'll be buying the car 'sight unseen'

A lot of the checks you need to do when looking at one of these cars need to be done in person, especially one of the most important - the compression check. You also need to drive the car to check the twin turbo system properly.

Also Japanese auction grades don't mean jack these days. I comply Jap imports in my country for a living and have seen my fair share of 'Grade 4' cars with rust and hidden accident repairs.

I remember seeing a 'V Spec R32 GTR' on there for a great price. Only problem was the year of the car (they didn't start making V Spec's til a year later) and the fact it had no Brembos (standard on the V Spec). It had the sticker on the boot though!

Another V Spec II GTR seemed legit (right year and Brembos). They even had a pic of the blue vin plate and the chassis number matched up to a genuine V Spec II.

Only problem was that to someone knowledgeable, you could tell the car had been 'rebirthed' - the vin plate had been tampered with. In other words the car was most probably stolen.

Sorry to bring up GTR's in an RX7 forum but I hope you get my point - Caveat Emptor! Especially if you're not familiar with the car you're looking for...ESPECIALLY with an FD

 

As far as the "no prior knowledge" goes... If it is truely important to you, you will learn. I consider myself "mechanically imclined" but before the fd the most work ide ever done was changing a clutch with my dad or replacing a starter. I researched everything on the fd and fc fir years before i got it. I was answering peoples questions and i never owned one. Start reading the faq, or a thread, when something interests you follow the tangent follow your curiousity.

It has to be something you want to do though. My brothers claim to be into cars but they cant change their own oil. If its really important you will learn. If its not that important mabye you shouldnt.

 

whats up dude, I imported an FD two years ago(risky as it was sight unseen although looked over by a friend). I consider myself pretty mechanically inclined and have an extensive amount of tools/specialty tools and a garage to work in, and although I have owned several sports/tuner cars the FD has seriously gave my tools and garage the most workout ever!!!
It is a great car and is alot of fun, I would strongly recommend going right down the list of recommended mods for the FD, i believe its a sticky on here. I literally did all the checks and replaced/upgraded all the bullets on that list and my FD runs like a champ!

major things that can cause failure are the vacuum lines(still giving me nightmares), the fuel pulsation dampener, the fuel filter/pump, carbon build in the exhaust, and the thermostat/thermoswitch. I will try and copy paste the link to the recommended mods for the FD to keep your hopefully soon to be rotary running happy!