Hey guys - after being in California for my entire life, my wife and I are relocating to Austin where I'll be working for the UT System. I was planning on selling my FD before I left, but if it doesn't sell over the next couple weeks, I may just bring it with me.

Just wanted to introduce myself and find out what I can about the area:

1. Any decent rotary shops in the area?
2. How does smog checks/registration work in Texas? I think I read that Austin still does have visual and 2-speed smog checks, is that true? Is there a waiver if the cost (i.e. to replace all the smog equipment) gets too high?
3. How's the track scene? A friend of mine from the area said that Harris Hill Road was close and pretty decent. I'm REALLY looking forward to the F1 race at COTA and am hopeful that they will have track days there in the coming years...that would be sick to be able to drive the RX-7 around a legit F1 track!

Looking forward to meeting other FD owners in the Austin area!

Allen

 

Hey Allen, not in Austin myself but lived there for many years.

1. There is a local shop that people turn to for some work (previous owner of my car spent over $13k there) named MZM Performance. In Dallas there is Rotary Performance (can't go wrong here if you have the money) and Brian Cain runs a smaller shop that gets good reviews and should cost less. For Power FC tuning needs the man of the hour is Chuck Westbrook here in Houston.

2. All info you need should be here:
Texas Smog Checks - Emissions Regulations, TX Smog Testing Stations at DMV.org: The DMV Made Simple

3. Not sure but I've wanted to check out Harris Hill Raceway -- they've got great deals on HPDE events from time to time. And it's a Mazda track

 

Thanks Chiefboon - super helpful!

Any additional insight from you Texas folk?

 

It's hot here

Austin is a great town, lots to do, and very diverse. it should have a lot of the "wacky" that you are accustomed to in California..

 

lol yeah that's pretty much the #1 thing I have to get used to. Going from San Francisco (always too cold) to Austin (always too hot) is going to mess up my homeostatic systems!

But yeah I'm definitely looking forward to the diverse Austin culture. Flying over early next week to find a place to rent.

If smogging the car becomes a problem, the car may be up for sale for any of you locals that are looking for a well balanced street/track car. Original ad HERE.

 

Another Californian moving to Austin, what a surprise lol jk. I was born and raised in Austin yet would not take my rotary to any shop here and I work at a shop. Dallas is 3 hours away and they have reputable shops there (Rotary Performance, BDC). The track scene is decent yet you dont see too many rotary vehicles here. Usually ill head to MSR Houston which is 3 hours away for a good track but Harris Hill isnt bad either especially since they just repaved.

 

Great insight, thanks! I guess it's like going to Laguna Seca from San Francisco - about 2.5 hours away, so it probably means an overnight trip for track time in Houston? Harris Hill looks like a decent track with some elevation changes and some good run-off. I didn't know they repaved, so that's a plus.

You work at a shop as a mechanic? Any interest in doing FD work on the weekends? =]

 

keep in mind that if you are willing to live outside of Travis country to the south, east or west then you don't have to emissions test your car. Once the car is 24 years old (not to long away) they are exempt from testing. I have run my FD at Harris Hill a few times and it is great fun. Look forward to seeing you and your FD assuming you can hold onto it.

 

I had considered that option, but my wife is not thrilled with the idea of living too far from the city. Interesting point on the 24 year limit...if I can just get through a few more years, I'd be in the clear.

Thanks!

 

Clean car! My vote is to definitely keep this track beast if you can sort out your emission situation.

 

Allen! Guess who moved to Austin 4 months ago? Its me. You sold me your konig villains. Sadly I just got into a wreck that totaled my rear right wheel. But already in a new FD. You should send me a pm when you get here, we can get lunch and I'll show you around.

Josh

 

Hey Allen,

I'd recommend you bring your FD with you. There are some amazing roads in the Hill Country that make for incredibly fun drives. You can head over to Boerne through Wimberly for some great BBQ and find some real gems to drive.

 

Keep the fd, there are plenty of places to "get" a sticker if you know what I mean. I'm single turbo, no emissions lol. You should check out the texasrxs guys as well. they are the local rx club in Austin and go to Harris Hill often.

Also how many miles a year do you put on the car?

 

Awesome info - thanks guys! Josh, I PM'd you already, so let's hook up when I get there. I'm currently getting the AC fixed on the FD, so I will be bringing it with me. In San Francisco, I probably put on less than a thousand miles/year, but I may be driving it a bit more in Austin - I know that there's some kind of waiver if I put on less than 5,000 miles a year, so I may go that route.

Looking forward to meeting some of you at the track!
Allen

 

the waiver is a long process but if you can do it, its the way. Completely legal being the best part. I was 67miles or something over 5k last year....

 

im near the dfw area but do make it down that way occasionally...

...pretty nice area.

 

Could yall please elaborate / post links as to this waiver you speak of?

 

Check out this page:

TxDPS - VI Waivers and Time Extensions

Basically if you drive less than 5k miles a year, you spend $100 on emissions repairs, and you fail the emissions test, you can apply for a waiver.

 

Texas wins again, thanks guys. Great knowledge to have.