I apologize to you moderators before hand if this is in the wrong section.

Okay here's my story. I graduate college sometime in February and my grandparents are giving me somewhere in the ballpark of 15grand as a gift. (Pretty nice huh?) Well I have been a MKIV Toyota Supra fan since they came out in ~93. I've always wanted one but I was too young to even drive. Well as of the past 6 months or so, I have been drooling over the FDs. They’re truly amazing cars. I’ve driven a few (of each car) but I am undecided on which I want. Now all I plan on getting is either a stock 6spd Supra TT or a Stock RX7 and BPU'ing it. I only plan on keeping it until the RX8 (or MKV?) Come out. Do you think it would be in my best interest all the way around to get an RX7 or a Supra and why? I know you will all be a bit bias, this is an RX7 board after all. But be as honest as possible.

As of right now I own a 98 Eclipse GST and I'll probably get rid of that in December when I get my 15grand. I'll end up with 22,500(Only asking 7500 for my car). I don’t see getting a newer MKIV TT for that much money not to mention having money left over for the BPU'ing. So I would be getting a 93-95 Supra. On the other hand, I can get an FD for under 13grand and have ~9grand to BPU it and have a hell of a lot left over for some other customizing. That’s where I’m stumped.

What do you think I should do?

-Dan

 

Of course we are going to be biased and say get the 3rd gen rx7. But I think in the FD world you'll find 9k spends pretty quickly. The supra is higher priced initially but your maintance costs will be lower and you get more horsepower for the $$. Some of that 9k you'll have for the rx7 will be spent on reliability mods, and maintance. While the supra you can just dig right in and go BPU for $1400.00..

Is there even going to be an mkv coming out? Just in case you think so the rx-8 is not a replacement for the 3rd gen rx7. It's a family sedan. And it's supposed to come out next spring I heard but I don't know if that is the U.S./Japan launch date or just the Japan launch date. If you are already planning on getting rid of the car for a rx8 or a mkv then maybe it's best you don't put that 9k into customizing because I doubt you'll get it back when you go to sell the car.

 

Keep in mind the Rx-8 has greater torsional rigidity and only 5 less horsepower than the FD...

 

What is your ultimate goal?

We need to know that before we can give you better advice. You mention 3 cars, and they each have different specific attributes

3rd Gen RX-7. Supercar with all the related maintanence and peculiarities, best looking one of the 3.

Supra. Cheapest to be an HP monster, good looks, better reliability.

RX-8. Warranty, good HP, mods aren't there and won't be there to make it a monster for a while, but it is new.

If you are definitely going to get an RX-8, then your best bet is to stick with the Eclipse and wait.

 

Blue Goose, I know the rx8 is a hell of a performer I'd like to have one myself, but I didn't want him to think it was a 4th gen rx7, meant to replace the 3rd gen rx7 or anything like that.

 

One thing to realize is that dumping money into any car is an awful investment since you'll never get your money back out of it. If I were you I'd either keep the GST and wait for the RX8 or get an older Supra, put a dp, exhaust, boost controller, and the other small BPU thing you need (fuel cut defensor?) and have 380 rwhp and be happy. FDs are a waste of money if you plan on modding it IMO. I love my car and love ripping the paint off just about everything I run across, but money goes quickly modding a FD. Maintenance is high and tiring. Reliability mods must be done before power adders. Big PITA car. You'll never have a car that can have so many minor issues than a FD. It's only let me sit once (coolant seals, new engine) in 4 years but the little things add up quickly. I'd get something new but if you love FDs like all of us do, then get ready to spend $$$

 

hehe, I just bought my FD recently...what sort of little things are you referring to? Give me some ideas of what to expect down the road

 

With the FD plan on doing upgrades yourself or at least go to a reputable rotary mechanic. The 7's a finicky little focker...she's great when she's running right...and she's a PITA when she isn't...

 

i really dont think spending 13k on an FD is really a good idea. Sure maybe you can replace ithe engine but i really dont think that equals a nice FD. Chances are the car will have tons of miles, all parts except your new engine will be shot, the body will look like crap. Ultimately it will be one problem after another. I really think that this is one of the MAIN reasons FDs have a negative reliabitity reputation.
To be honest i am pretty sick of people (friends and people on the forum) thinking that they could spend under 15k for a NICE world class sports car. Basically what i am saying is that you get what you pay for!!
For example...i spent 21k (in CT) on my FD 2 .5 years ago. It had 15300 miles on it, not a ding/scratch, the interior is mint.....the car still runs perfect...i have not had to do one thing to it besides regular scheduled maintance (knock on wood).
If you cant afford a nice one then buy a camry (unless of course if you are into projects).
I might be venting alittle here....but...think about it!
matt

 

don't spedn all that money on a car. You need to save some for a rainy day. In case you can't find a good job right away, or if you need to pay first and last and deposit for an apartment, or if you want to give a downpayment on a house.. Please don't go wasting all that money on a car. You just got out of college, you need to start building your life.

But that's just my opinion.

 

I agree with Martini 100%, only being out of college for two years now myself I can relate to your position. Why would you want to get rid of your 98 GST? That thing is still almost new, and they are no slouch of a car.. they take very well to mods. I say take a little money and mod the GST, and save the majority of it..

Matt

 

I think mjw has the right idea.. You should save some of your money for other things. 15k would make a decent down payment if you ever wanted to buy a house..

 

i bought my car right before i graduated..like 2 weeks before for 21k. It didnt hinder me at all. I bought my house 6 months later...dont listen to these guys bro...carpe diem!

 

Matty:

That is great for you, but you can't assume that everyone is in the same situation you are. #1 it sounds like he wants to make this purchase as his main car, not something I would recommend for an FD. Secondly I am not sure where you are from, but buying a 21k car and a house within 6 months, in Los Angeles, just out of college is out of the question for myself and a lot of other people. Living in Po-dunk town in the middle of nowhere (not that you are.. just an example) and making 80k a year isn't the same as 80k in a big city. Everyone needs to assess their own situation accordingly..

Matt

 

And no I don't make 80k, I wish!

 

If you're asking on this forum, then I think you want the RX-7.

 

Pretend you didn't get it and invest it. When you get older you will be glad you did. Wait a year or so with your new job finance a car..

 

I completely agree with the "save for a rainy day" guys - even though we all love our FDs. I saved for years and years after reading 'spy stories' about the FD in 1991 and bought mine new in 96, after a lot of sacrifice, knowing it would depreciate like the dickens - and it has. $15K is a decent down-payment on a home - probably the only appreciating asset you'll ever own. Keep the money. Invest wisely. Think - if you put it on a $150K house, you're living in a $150K home that you only put 10% down on, and it is becoming more valuable over time. Seriously - it's a lot better plan.

 

Toyota has confirmed that there will be a MK5 supra. I personally hope it looks like a beefy older brother to the celica. That's just me, though.
(here's also hoping for a 4 liter twin-turbo v8.)

 

man like all these guys are sayin, im only 18, but if i was in your situation, i would keep my GST and save or invest that 15k... thats a nice chunk of change to have lying around... however, if in the end you cannot change your mind about using that money to buy a car, i would tell you that since it sounds like it will be your only car, buy the supra, as it is a much more reliable daily driver, rather than an FD, that may leave you stranded without a car if it has to go to the shop for a rebuild/etc...

 

Typical 18 year old kid today: (Actually a guy I work with) "I have a 93 n/a 300Z right now (nice car). My goal is to get a recent 240 SX and drop a Skyline engine in it. The engine would cost around $7500 for the install and I'm saving money for all the bolt-ons and aftermarket computer. I should have alteast 400 hp! I'm getting $2K from my parents for graduation and should make a few thousand over the summer to pay for the engine. So I'm almost there." This seems to be the goal of too many kids nowadays - to spend every last penny on a car to make it fast - almost living paycheck to paycheck (while living at home of course) to make their car look better or faster. The absolute worst investment on the planet. It's like literally throwing money in the trashcan. It's different if you HAVE the money and the FD is your project but to get it as a daily driver and dump all that money into it is just a waste.

 

He couldn't be more right. This is exactly what I thought when I first read your post.

Buy as much pharmaceutical stock as you possibly can, then sell it all right before the baby boomers start dying.

 

if you like big girls buy the supra. if you like supermodels buy the 7 if you're smart save and buy a house. easier said than done.

 

oh, if you're not going to get the turbo supra don't get it at all...you'll always feel second class