Hey, I was thinking of getting an FC for my first car. Do you guys have any opinion on it? Would it last as a DD? Thanks for you input.

 

Well, sure.

It could be a daily driver, but it's just a matter of how much work you're willing to put into it.

I'm not saying that it's not a reliable car, it's just not like a corolla or something.

If you take car of it, get regular maintenance , and don't be an idiot it would be a fine daily driver.

Just be prepared to put a little work into it.

 

yep.

If you're willing to work on the car they make great first cars. Some don't require any work but they ALL require maintainence. Change the oil, sparkplugs, etc...

Just keep in mind it's RWD and it WILL bite you if you disrespect it.

 

what consits in a rotary rebuild

 

depends on how extensive the rebuild is. mostly replacing seals/gaskets.


I see you live in new york. Are you planning on driving this car in the winter? If so, i'm not sure this is too great of an idea. I don't have an rx7, so don't take my word as god's own, but the 7 is a very light, rwd car which is pretty much the devil in the snow.

 

An RX-7 is easy to drive in the snow if you know how to drive. It will teach you real quickly as a first car how to properly manage RWD in the snow as you'll be in a ditch or against a pole if you mishandle it.

That said, with a good set of snow tires you'll be fine. Anyone who says an RX-7 is undrivable in the winter doesn't know how to drive.

The disadvantage of driving it in the winter is that road salt will eat the body like nothing else.

 

Winter driving would be the only worry, I had a 7 for a daily driver in south dakota and it was fine, just added a couple sand bags in the winter and it did fine. Also be sure to keep and eye on the oil level.

 

As the others have said, keep an eye on it. An FR car like the RX-7 will be challenging, but it will also be a ton of fun!

 

thanks for the inputs!

 

Another quick question, are the FDs harder to maintain than the FCs? Like maintenance and the little problems with keeping it running and everything. I'm planing on getting either for a DD. Thanks again!

 

FDs have twin turbos from the stock setting so the engine will not last as long as the ones in FCs usually. They eat up more gas and a lil more oil but that's about it. Either way, do all the good maintenance stuff and most of the reliability mods (downpipe, silicone hose replacement, aluminum radiator, aluminum ast tank, boost gauge and temp gauge, etc)

 

You don't want an FD as a starter car. It will kill you either literally or financially. FDs are a car to get after college, not while in highschool. I've spent $20k not including the cost of the car in the 2 1/2 years I've owned mine. I know some people who have spent way more than that in 2 years. Stick to a non-turbo FC.

All in all, FC parts tend to be over engineered and fail less often. I don't know where nickkk gets his information, but he clearly hasn't owned his FD long enough or never owned an FC . FD parts tend to fail critically and fail often. This is an issue for a lot of people, which is why I rarely reccomend anyone buy one. Any ******* can buy an FD, but it takes someone special to KEEP an FD.

So anyway, kid, get an N/A FC or a 240.

 

^what he said. coming from a 18 year old kid about to be on my third Rx-7. exactly what he said.

 

Well it was kind of insulting when you keep referring me as a kid. I'm 19 and in college. Also saying its going to be my first car it doesn't mean I've just started driving . Though your info on reliability was quite helpful thanks.

 

Don't feel so insulted. I'm 22. I consider anyone under 30 to be a kid.

Just to put it out there, I bought my FD just after I turned 20 with my career already established, and it's been tough. Take that into prospective when you consider the fact that you're in college still.

An N/A FC will be just as reliable as any piston car (barring a few little things that you need to look out for like flooding, fouling plugs, etc), and gets half decent mileage. It's a great starter car for any new driver (3 years experience is still a new diver...) and plenty dependable, plus parts are plentiful and relatively cheap, whereas with the FD there are a handful of parts vendors and not enough demand to create any pricing competition. By far the cheapest thing I've bought for my car are the floor mats...they were $125.

 

What is this FD, FR, &FC? Confused new guy!!

 

FR is a layout; front engine rear wheel drive
FD is 3rd gen RX-7
FC is 2nd gen RX-7

 

I Love Driving in the snow! I went to Alaska Last winter for 9months just to snow Drift..(I needed 1 more post)

 

I feel your pain: I'm in over $19k after the purchase price, and you wouldn't even know it looking at the thing.

 

listen to these guys. unless you have money to play with your gonna be in a world of hurt financially. taht is of course if you dont kill yourself in that car first.

 

Do it. youll love it

 

the car will be fine in the winter...i wont be driving this one through any winters because it has 0 rust but i've driven one through a michigan winter when i was 17-18 and it really wasnt that difficult, they sit sorta high for a sports car so that helps..snow tires and starting in 2nd...dont be givin it a whole lot of gas and you'll be fine....oh, and one more key thing

if the car you get doesnt have ABS and you arent use to it...be extra cautious and DRIVE SLOW..pump pump...

stay away from drifting if you're buying it this late in the year because you have to familiarize yourself with the car...and that would be a sure way to start breaking things before you even get to show it off in the spring/summer

but yea definitely dont let the winter scare you away from buying this car, it will do fine.

 

my question is can you build a reliable turbo fc?, and how much would it cost? Whats the best aftermarket seals on the market?

 

The stock TII is quite reliable.

I assume you mean to build a reliable upgraded turbo FC?

In that case, then yes, it is easily done. Figure $10,000 if you want to make 400HP.

Apex seals are not a concern. Stock Mazda seals do fine.

 

Im also considering and FD as my first car... however i was planning to purchase a shell/chassis and drop a 1jz or 2jz in for a more reliable car. I know some guys aren't into the swap but from a reliability stand point would i be better off