I hate to say it though I am afraid of buying a FD under 18k and anything over 35k miles on a original motor. Even a car with more than that miles on a reman, rebuild, etc.. makes me nervous. So it looks like I am just going to have to drop like 20k plus on one. I see a few FD that are like 15k and under that have miles between 30k-60k and in different conditions. I am having a hard time pulling the trigger on a car that is in mid life when compared to other cars. Seems like I do not want to buy a car that is my daily driver, have a payment, then have it engine blown that sets me back 3-6k! ugh, I need a hookah to hit

 

Why don't you buy an FD with a blown motor around 60,000 miles and put a new engine in it? You could get the 7 for a really good price and you know it would be reliable because it has a new engine.

 

don't use the car as your daily driver. seriously, they are not practical for that and like you are saying it ain't cheap to fix them. get a daily beater and keep your fd nice and happy in the garage or racetrack.

 

no can do. I have a Tahoe for the kids and wife, then my car. If I can not find a car that fits me then I will just go get the RX8, STI, or keep my Legacy GT until I do find one. I believe that you can have a FD as a daily driver, you just have to have the right parts on it.

 

Those three choices really sound better fit for you.

 

Its not as bad as you would think. Just take good care of it and it will be fine. The prob is they are so fun to drive and after you put your foot in the gas its all over. WOT every where you go. Just a back up.

 

$#@%$@#$%$!!
I have wanted a FD for so long it make me sick. Only to find out that the car sucks is just killing me. I take that back. The car is just good looking, still have not seen another car that looks as good as the FD. Maybe I can use the "Force" to keep it together, or maybe just my banking account.

 

You are correct. If you want a relatively trouble free car, get one with ultra low mileage for high $$ and as close to stock as possible. Or get an RX8 or STI...

If you are handy and like working on cars, then you do like me (and others) and get one that needs work and build it up your way. It'll take a year up front or more to get all the stuff addressed, but afterwards it should be sweet.

 

The RX-7 is not an awful car for a daily driver as long as you know stuff about it. Get a boost pressure gage, a fuel pressure gage, and a turbo timer set to idle the engine for 1-2 min. after you leave so it allows the turbos time to cool off and thermally contract to normal, and you should be fine.
As with any new car, change all fluids and check everything out paying special attention to vacuum hoses, etc.
I reccommend taking off the extension manifold and replacing all the vacuum hoses as well after you get the car. With the new ones, use small zip-ties to hold them in place. All you need is the wrong vacuum hose to pop off and then detonation.. KA-BOOM!!!
Just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

A well put together fd makes a great daily driver if you can afford the gas and extra time it will take you to go the long way to work

Good luck and I happen to have a great car for you if your interested
Fritz

 

These cars are fine. Just do the reliability mods change the oil & filters often and drive.

Lots of people have gotten over 100k on the factory motors.

Just go see Fritz. His FD's are always quiet as a mouse and fast as a cheetah.

 

Hey I was the same way before I bought mine. Bought it and no probs with it at all. It all depends on your opinions and thoughts though. Just keep in mind,"If you take care of your car, the car will take care of you." I'm not pushing you or anything, just keep in mind anything can happen. Yes, there are many people that have passed the 100k as cpa7man mentioned. BTW I just bought my second RX-7, an FB, and its giving me a lot of problems already, and I thought they were reliable.

May the "Force" with you.

-RX187

 

Ya, well I am going to get one now or near Jan 1st. Just getting worn out looking at cars with this, or with that, or without that. =)
Still think finding a car with a reman, rebuilt, with a few mod is the best way to go for me. Saves a few buck at lest.

 

hey bro i just my fd 2 mon. ago and it had 75k on the odo. and the motor blew. not to discourage u or anything but i knew that 7's are high maintenance car's
BECAUSE they are true sport cars. i knew they were vunerable, so ahead of time i did some reaserch. i found a insurance company that insures used cars like the fd, so i took that chance and i bought the car with the extended warranty with it, which was $1700 btwon top of the cars price. then 2weeks later it blew (i was like ****!!!!!!!) but then i remember i got the warranty! so all i had to do was pay the deductable ($100) and i got my reman in a week. sweet rite??? think about it man !!!!! its worth payin the 1700 bucks and its for 3 years[/B] . if ur unsure about fd's go the same route i did get the extended warranty.

 

Don't rush, find the right car, in the condition you want. Have all the preliminary measures done-inspection, VIN check if necessary, and compression test. You don't want to regret getting a car that will cost you more in the end than if you were to find a good one. Hang in there. I know it took some time for me to find the right one. Also keep in mind warranties can help also if you can get it with your car. Mine didn't have a warranty but it is just something to think about if you are worried.

 

The best way to go is buy one with a blown motor or more than 100k miles cheap, drop it to a reputable rotary builder and go get it after couple of weeks like you get a brand new. It will cost you less than spend 20k+ for a "good condition" one.

 

You have a Tahoe SUV for the wife and kid's and you're overly concerned about FDs with more than 30k on them and seem to base a lot of it's worth on it's looks.

I think you should pick up a new BMW or RX-8 or whatever will impress people around there - there's no way an RX-7 work as a daily driver for you.

 

I've been using mine as daily driver since 97. I'm very happy with it. Overall it's been very reliable and had running costs similar to my roommate's E36 M3. I have a blast driving it, even if I'm just punching it from 10mph to 40 in the city.

 

rad, what company and did you have any mods at all on the car?

 

im a daily driver, I probably have more maintance then the next guy but fine so far

oh yeah, and if your thinking about an sti, get the evo instead. Its a bit more of a refined car

 

BMW?

2003 BMW M3 SMG

 

what mechanical breakdown insurance company will insure a performance car this old??? i looked into getting mechanical breakdown coverage, but i gave up... this was 2 years ago when the car was only 8 yrs old and had 72K.

 

Die hards might shoot me for saying this, but contact Brian Hinson at hinsonsupercars.com. They build an FD from the gound up, getting you a rolling chassis, custom paint job, and an LS1 v8 engine and 6 speed tranny. You can get the exact color you want, with a top notch paint job. It will be very reliable, put around 360hp to the wheels and get around 28 mpg highway. Not to mention it will be about 20 lbs lighter. All of this for in the low 20's.

 

I drive mine daily. I run ~13 psi on 93 octane. It costs me $60/week for gas.

 

I think that's a fair trade. $60/week in gas for 410 hp. I'll take that. lol


Matt P.