shadowx22120

Hey everyone, I'm 15 and am wondering if the Rx7 would be a good second car. I know there are some other threads with questions similar to this, but they're from a year or two ago and i want to know some more up to date info if there is any. This going to be a long post and i hope you guys will take a little bit of your time to read it and help me out. Thanks. So, I'm currently driving my mom's Rav4(it has as much power as a hamster in a wheel could generate... but it is a decent car and it gets me from point A to point B efficiently) and will probably be driving it for another year or so for experience. Afterwords, I'm hoping to persuade my parents to let me get a manual transmission car(i will be learning how to drive stick shift with this car) and was thinking of getting an Rx7 because I love the looks, and I think it has the perfect amount of power.

Side note: My dad has owned a manual Rx7 before (2nd gen i believe) and so I have someone with experience with the rotary. Also I don't know too much about cars, only just a few things here and there so i'm sorry if i ask for some simple things to be explained.

Anyways, lately the more i look into the Rx7, the more confused i get... I've heard from some people that the Rx7 is unreliable and horrible while others say the engine is ridiculously reliable and awesome. Also I've heard that there is insufficient cooling for the Rx7. Is this true? Another thing that comes up is that many of the Rx7s I see on sale have rebuilt engines. Is it ok to have a rebuilt engine? The cost for a 3rd gen (w/ rebuilt engine) is around 11 - 15k here in california. Lastly, how much do you think the insurance will cost for me?

I'd appreciate your opinion. Thanks for reading this far!

If you have a little more time and are willing to read a little more and answer a few more questions I'd greatly appreciate that. So along with the Rx7, i was also thinking about the 03 350z touring (around 14k here), s2000 (around 10 - 15k depending on yr), G35 coupe, TL, and RSX. I know that's a large selection but those are all cars I'd be happy to own/drive and still possibly be in my price range. I was wondering how the Rx7 would hold up against those cars? Would any of those cars be "better" for a newer driver like me? Thanks~

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Welcome!

I would think about it more for a car starting out. In fact, most of those cars seem to be a bit much for a new driver. I certainly understand why you would want a 3rd gen or some of those other cars, but I think it is better to start with something a bit older and not as fast. Insurance alone would be very high for someone who is just starting driving for the FD and most of those other cars listed.

If going rotary, I would start with a 1st gen or 2nd gen. They are easier to work on, are less expensive, and insurance would be much less.

Are your parents covering the cost of the car? What about insurance? Gas? These are things to think about. Personally, I think it would be good for you (as well as anyone starting out) to get a job and buy a car on their own and take care of insurance, etc. It teaches responsibility and it is a good feeling knowing that it is your car and no one bought it for you. Just my opinion/experience.

willz23

iTrader: (5)

The 3rd Gen. RX7 is going to be super expensive to own and maintain. They are nearly 19+ years old now and if the car has never been rebuilt, it will have a lot of wear and tear which will eventually creep up on you. Parts are not cheap for this car. Its even harder to find reliable rotary mechanics, so unless you have lots of time and money on your hands I wouldn't recommend this as to someone as their first car.

I'd personally recommend any of the other piston sports cars you listed above as a fun car. Those are all fun sports cars to own, but maybe expensive insurance wise.

iiirobbie

I bought a '93 fd back in 2001 when i was 17 years old. i instantly realized i was over my head when the engine started falling apart. i sold it.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I suggest you first call your insurance company and get a quote for what your insurance would be. If they'll even insure it, it leads me to the point that a 3rd gen is very easy to wreck if you're an inexperienced driver. So take the fact that this is a lightweight RWD car with high power that tends to surge rather than follow the accelerator pedal, and get driving skills training in it.

It's also a horribly impractical car for regular driving. No space, terrible fuel mileage, and expensive repairs.

AkaKLUTCH

i say just get it and never look back!! just dont wrap it around a pole either.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

No. Your 15 and don't even have a license yet. You don't need a "second car". You need a car. Anything more and your parents are irresponsible. Sorry, but you asked.
Yes, pretty much any of them....but only if you're working and paying for them. If not, stick with the Toyota and be happy. Knowing how much something cost and what's it's worth are two different things. Again...you asked.

Moksha

iTrader: (5)

Well I had a 1st gen when I was 18 while in highschool and thought I was hot ****. Don't get me wrong, I WAS hot ****, but in the end I rolled it while doing 90 on the highway. Id probably be dead if I had a 3rd gen

Stick with the Toyota. High school boys with sports cars are complete retards.

That's my 2 cents

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Honestly, that's all there is to it.

David

dgross7

yep stick with the rav4, loosing a car that you truely love because poor decisions sucks. Dont make your "second car" something you really love. get some experience under your belt first. Lots of time still for you to get a sports car

Evil Aviator

Yes

Honestly, a 3rd Gen RX-7 will most likely get you wrapped around a tree.

I would rather recommend an unmodified non-turbo 2nd Gen RX-7 with a manual transmission for the following reasons:
- Enough power to safely get you onto the freeway, yet not enough power to get you into trouble.
- Excellent crash test rating.
- Lots of room for luggage. (You will appreciate this in college, trust me.)
- About 1/2 to 1/3 the price of a 3rd Gen RX-7.
- Usually lower insurance rates than most sports cars.
- Less maintenance. (No turbo, no intercooler, longer oil change interval)
- Better gas mileage than the turbo RX-7s.
- Automatic transmissions are expensive to fix when they fail, plus they make the car slower and can even reduce gas mileage.

The 1Gen RX-7 would be a good choice, too, but it has less luggage room, parts are getting more difficult to find, and it is getting more difficult to find one in good shape.

Ah yes, that confusion is typical. The engine is reliable when it is maintained in GOOD SHAPE. If it is not maintained in good shape, then it will fail miserably.

The 3rd Gen RX-7 has quite a bit to maintain with two turbochargers, a picky speed-density engine management system, and tons of vacuum lines. Therefore, it will take more work and more money to maintain it properly.

Many people overboost the engine, which requires more cooling than the stock radiator and oil cooler was intended to handle. If you keep the engine stock then the heat exchangers will work just fine as long as they are in good shape.

If the engine has not been rebuilt lately, then it is more likely to fail. It is your choice whether you want to pay more for a car with a recently-rebuilt engine, or pay less for a car with an old engine and rebuild it yourself. Plan on $1,200 to $6,000 for an engine rebuild, depending on what is damaged and how much work you can perform on your own. Regardless of which car you buy, I recommend that you take it to an auto shop for an inspection before you buy it, and be sure to ask for an engine compression check.

A lot! The 3rd Gen RX-7 and 2nd Gen convertible tend to have the highest rates. The 1Gen and 2Gen RX-7 coupe tend to have lower rates. You will need to call your insurance company to determine your exact rate because you will be on a family policy and also your particular region will affect your rate.

I am not familiar with the reliability of any of those cars, but I would imagine that the G35 and TL would be less likely to kill you, and therefore would have lower insurance rates. Also, gas mileage and fuel type (regular vs. premium) may be an issue, depending on whether your parents are willing to pay for gas, and/or whether or not you get an allowance.

Another option is to just drive your mom's RAV4 as long as possible, and save your money to buy something better later. If your parents are wealthy maybe they will buy you a nice car for your 16th birthday or high school graduation?

I think he intended to say that it would be his primary car, but he could use one of his parents' cars as a back-up if his breaks down.

babyhurricane1

just keep reading these forums

6speedrx

iTrader: (2)

Rotary engines in general are high maintenance, which in turn means more responsibility. You cant just get the oil changed and expect it to still be there by the time your next service comes up. Maintenance aside, a car as fast as the FD will require a lot of restraint; being rwd further complicates things. If you recklessly start boosting around corners you'll be backwards in a ditch before you even know what happened. That being said, feel that you should go with what you want. Just keep in mind that this isn't a Honda Civic; it's a very unique sports car, and should be treated as such.

RiceFx306

iTrader: (7)

After owning my car for going on for 6 years (man time flew) unless your parents are going to let you play with their credit card I'd pass on the RX7. I almost bought an RX7 when I was 17 and held off and went for something a bit cheaper ('91 MR2 turbo). Year later I still had the RX7 bug and managed to buy one and it's really a regret of mine. Definitely should have been more selective, but I've spent a lot of money on the car and am finally going to be getting out of it. I'll be selling my 7 for probably an S2000. As time goes by, I find myself just wanting something that I don't have to worry about. Eventually as my income allows I'll look back into owning an RX7. Lots of cost of ownership, expensive parts, paranoia, time, energy and money are part of these cars. Also I found it gets old paying insurance on two cars (if you'll have a DD). Just my take on it. RX7 is a fantastic car if your knowledge/wallet allows. They're just older and can test your patience.

rx2-4

wait till you get a bit older.rotors can be expensive to run.

oyvindjs

iTrader: (4)

Kid, i admire your taste in cars, and i truely do understand your desire to own one...
Excuse the tones of some of the posters above, they only mean good.
The other cars you mentioned are "sports"cars, and sporty cars... The FD is a purebred supersportsar from the early 90s ment to compete with the best of em. Even from stock, the suspension and setup is aggressive and trust me on this, If you try to kick the *** out and cant hold it, it is not like a E46, S13/14 or those kinds of cars that let you know two weeks in advance on when to start turning the wheel and throttle-correct. The 7 will have you goingbackwards into something so fast you wont know what happened. Theese are treterous cars that dont forgive a screw-up.

They are expencive to maintain like any good sportscar, require lots of attention to detail and preventive maintanance.
They are sick expencive to insure for someone like your age.
Parts are expencive
rotary mechs are few and far in between and you MUST be able to do alot of work yourself.
In my mind, you are too young and inexperienced to own an FD. Dont take us wrong here, buddy, but we just dont want to see you killed or injured, or take others with you.
I recommend starting off easier.
A miata NA(1st gen). Lower it, slap on some coilovers, fenderflairs, a front lip, and wide rims. Trust me, it wont be a girly car...! And, throw on a turbokit for 200hp. This is one mean driving machine that actually forgives mistakes...! the FD...? It does NOT forgive..!
Wait a few years, save money, get older, get experience, then get an FD

Miata NA example, :

oyvindjs

iTrader: (4)

Ill give you an analogy that came to mind...
Horses....!

There are some horses out there that most riders will never even dare to ride, and the ones that have tried, have been bucked soo hard they are seriously injured. They will say the horse is unpredictable, stubborn and does what it wants, and even "gloat and laugh" about it as it trotts of leaving you behind hurt... They give you this arrogant look and it looks as if they ponder about you and what they plan to do with you as you saddle up... Every once and awhile, a rider comes along, and everyone warns him about this crazy horse that will kill you... He saddles up, gets up, and sets a new record in the barrel run, and the horse performs flawlessly like it has never done anything else in all its life..

FDs are like this.... They form a bond with the driver... And its either a bond of passion and seamless cooperation... or a bond of destruction and tretchery...

Ok, enough hollywood clichees here, move on!!!

95R_Bathurst

iTrader: (5)

FD is not meant for a 15 yr old. UNLESS, you're an experienced mature driver and have deep pockets. Case closed...like this thread should be.

Seriously though, you're so much better off getting something different.

Federighi

iTrader: (1)

I'd recommend a 1st or 2nd gen for a new driver such as yourself. They're still a ton of fun & will let you get a feel for rotary.