what do you guys think....if you dont mind the oil changes, spark plug replacements, and basically little $hit breaking on your car is it worth it? for around the money you have it in would you want anything else...like what?

(should this be in lougne?)

 

i'd say if your not willing to make it worth it, then this car isn't for you

 

I get scared when I try to think of another car that would make me as happy because I can't think of one

maybe a ferrari or m3?

 

Worth it? Not really in my case. I'd rather have a Vette, Viper or a Porsche. The only reason I still have mine still is that it's paid for (and been that way for a long time).

It's the only car I've ever owned this long (7+ years) and that's only because of the amount of $$$ I've had to sink into it to keep it on the road.

Personally, I'd rather have a car I can drive, not work on. I don't enjoy working on cars, it's not my thing.

 

This is my first sports car ever...but after all that I've been through I'd say it would depend on the day you ask me and if the car is running right or not.

Wish I could go back in time with the knowledge I have now about the car. Would have saved some money and some headaches.

 

couldn't agree with the last 2 posts more. it makes me sick to see everyone else out enjoying their cars right now knowing i have 20gs wrapped up in a car that i spend more time under the hood than behind the wheel. if i had known i was going to have so many problems, i probably would have chosen a different car, but hindsight is always 20/20! as much as i like the sound and feel of a fast rotary, the next time i start my car the rough idle could be from a big cam in a ls1, rather than a big streetport!

 

i dont own a car, i cant even drive but isnt fixing the car half the fun of having one?

 

For some people yes, for some people no.

You don't buy a TV to have it break on your every few months do you? Or a computer? Or anything? Nope, you buy it to use it.

 

C'mon, don't kid yourself. You spend enough time working on it, you'd better enjoy it.

I've considered selling mine more than once in the 8 months I've had it, but then I imagine not having it, and quickly change my mind. It's a lot of work, but if you love it, it's worth it.

 

Mahjik: It might be interesting to start a thread on how many of us would sell our cars if we didn't have so much money invested in them. Like stocks, it's never considered a loss until you sell. As long as we hold on to them, we never have to come to grips with the reality of how much time and money we actually spent on them. Tom

 

I just got my car out of the garage this July, after it has been sitting in the garage for two years. There was nothing wrong with it I just didn't have the money to plate and insure my three vehicles so the one that my son could not ride it had to sit. Now after two years of sitting, it is like having a brand new car. I love this car for the looks, power, handling, and how it makes everyone look twice at it and ask what kind is it and what year is it. I will never get rid of this car, and could not imagine anyone who owns one that would.

 

WOW yea..
I bought this car knowing what I was getting in to, knowing that I did not have all of the technical expertise needed to maintain it (but with a strong willingness to learn), knowing that it was a gashog, knowing insurance was going to kill me (19, Male, non-perfect driving record), wow and yea just knowing that my life would be harder not easier with this car..
Some would call it stupidity.. I would call it PASSION

 

And yes, it is DEFINITELY worth it

 

IF you didn't know what you were getting into, this car would really, really suck.

I love to work on my cars, my favorite vehicle isn't my FD, or my Tundra, it's my 1953 chevy truck. I have it about 45% restored and have loved every minute (or hour, or day, or week) of it. I also love working on the 7.

Most of my paychecks go to buying parts for my projects. Sometimes I think about how much money I would have spent if I didn't turn a wrench myself. I think to really own and love a 7 you either need to be rich or be a mechanic. Labor costs are ridiculous (the shop I work at charges $67 to just replace a fuel filter and we're cheap compared to dealerships).

 

it is fun, but i prefer to drive it

 

haha I would say that I enjoy work on a car.. any car.. This one is for me.. I have more fun just tinking with it.. adding this or replacing that.. YA I know.. Im nut.. I see a therapist every two weeks.. so We dont have to go there.. As for power... I use to run low 9's in a 56 chevy (Super stock class) Speed is very fun.. Im intrigued with the rotary and the power out it can achieve with just the basics.. its a lot harder in some ways and a lot easier in others.. Think with out the turbo it has 3 moving parts… My last 350 had a 400 crank, roller lifters, cam, gruted (SP) ports, 371blower ( list goes on ) to make the power some of you have.

Yes this car is worth it..

now if I could just FIND my meds.

 

I've spent tons of time worknig on my car and spent more then my fare share of money on it and only of be able to put 8k on it in the past 2 years. I just got it done from it winter project and ejnoying it again till i could find time to get it tuned and my boost controler spiked and blew my brand new motor. Most guy would be pissed i but i all excited just thinking about being about to pull my motor and tear into it. I would not trade it for anything. I love working on it and i would be fine if i kept it in my garage for another 6 months while i worked on it some more cause i now when it comes out it will be better then ever.

~Luke

 

Yes indeed!!

Mahjik - I'm surprised by your post. You are like the glimering light on this forum. Your posts are always incitefull from both experience and mechanical expertise. Have you just had a bad week or what?

 

Luke. Man I'm not sure I can agree with this....you got to be able to drive it. Screw the boost, the FD is a blast at stock hp levels. I know there are some people running high boost lots of hp and having no problems. I would love to see a pole on that issue. Who is running single/ and or twin turbos with boost 15 psi and above. How many miles they have driven the cars without blown motors. Do we only hear about the horror stories or do any of you have 50K miles running high hp. I'm thinking not many, but I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

well thanks guys, I know if I got one i would accully enjoy working on it somtimes, it can be relaxing just chilling while working on your car
(as long as your friend doesnt accidently cut nearly all the electrical lines to an ECU...yea)
and I realized its going to **** me off at times, but I do have a daily driver for when it breaks, and a good rotory shop close by in case the $hit really hits the fan

Another quick question, i know you have to frequently change the plugs and oil on the car, how hard is this...like are the plugs easy to get at, and is the oil filter easy to grip...Ive worked on a few cars that the filter is a huge beotch to get at

 

totally worth it!

 

I'm looking for a used 3rd gen and my reasoning is that there really isn't any other "pure" ultra high performance sports car available, new or otherwise, available for less than 100k. Would most of you agree?

I used to own a 91 Supra Turbo and that was a very well built car but it's not a sports car. I mean a sports car should only have 2 seats and should not weigh any where near 3000 lbs IMO.

Here are some of the cars avail under 30K in this class-

300ZX - IMO a V6 engine is not suitable for a sports car. Also, wishbone suspension at all 4 corners is must have.

93- Supra - great car overall, but should have nixed the back seats and trimmed 500+ lbs. Styling so-so IMO. Overpriced.

Mitsu VR-4 - built on a Galant chassis- need I say more? A sports car should be built on sports car chassis.

I mean one could get a Miata and add a turbo kit but I'm not a convertible person and reliability would probably be worse than 3rd gen.

Those new rally style turbos from Subaru/Mitsu are a step back in the right direction but they just don't look like sports cars.

I'd but the Honda S2000 in a heartbeat if it had a turbo but it isn't a supercar as it stands.

I won't buy a Corvette on principle, I have been through hell as far as customer service/quality on the American nameplates.

I seriously doubt we will see any of the Japanese super cars back on these shores for a long time, if ever. Do they still make the rx7 or equivalent in Japan?

So if someone has another suggestion I'm all ears.

I haven't even test driven an RX-7 yet but they have to be one the most fun cars to drive at nearly any price, right?

 

This is a good thread. It's making me feel better about spending my weekend struggling with shoehorning a koyo radiator and an M2 Large SMIC under the hood. Fitment Sucks.

Anyway, to respond to this thread: My FD has been my daily driver for the last 7 years. It has given my much pleasure and quite a bit of frustration. After finding the rx7forum, two years ago, I have found new levels of pleasure and frustration...

More mods = more power = more pleasure...
Working on the car myself = more frustration & more pleasure???

I love this car. If you guys can recommend a suitable replacement someone let me know. Yes, it's worth it.

 

test drive a fd and you will fall in love, just be aware of the special care and headaches you may or may not encounter. i won't be selling mine anytime soon, but i can't promise a rotary will stay under the hood. what do you meen by" a v6 is not suitable for a sportscar"?

 

thanks..but can anyone respond to what i asked earlier about the plugs and oil thing...