Outside my window, in my driveway, is my porsche 944 Turbo. It's not in my garage because it just exploded, and the fire extinguishers made a mess of my garage. Its totaled, without a doubt. The firemen chopped the hood off with an axe to get to the flaming motor.

The point of all this... probably not getting another porsche. I've only lurked on this forum from time to time, but never posted. Im guessing i'll get about 10k from insurrance, which puts me barely in the FDrx7 range.

So is it worth it? what do you love about fds? what do you hate? i addmitedly dont know much about them, although a friend of mine had an FC.

can i get something decent for 10k, or should i start looking at 300ZXs and 3000GTs?

sorry in advance if this is the wrong section.

 

for 10K look elsewhere. 99% of FD's you could buy for 10K would need another 5K to get it running properly

 

If you have to ask yourself why you'd want an FD I don't think you should by one.

However, depending on what year your prosche was I think you'd make a suitable owner for one. They love to eat all your money. =D

10K isn't enough. I'd say a decent FD sells for about 14-17k.
Then you'd need to invest in some reliability mods if it doesn't have them already.

I've had my FD for about 2 years now, and I love getting in it every day and driving it. Previously, I had a '04 350z and it wasn't anywhere near as fun of a driving experience. GL finding one of these amazing cars.

 

Sorry to hear about your porsche.


If you only have 10 grand, and you really want an rx7, get an FC. It seems like you soley want the FD based on looks if your option is FD alone when you dont know much about rx7s. If thats the case, this is the wrong car for you. For 10k, you will get a half *** running car, if it does run. My suggestion is either wait til you have more money or look into another car.

I had a 300zx twin turbo last year. It was a reliable daily driver til something goes wrong. If you ever popped the hood on one of those cars, you'll understand why immediately. I had a 3000gt also, the NA fwd version. Another pain in the *** car, especially the mitsu v6's. Get ready for valve taps and blue smoke out of the exhaust. Their notorious for that.

 

My thoughts before I even entered the thread...

 

I'm not being sarcastic here so take this the way its intended. If you have to ask "should I buy an fd?" The answer is NO! Not because we think we're special, but because we all know what money pits these cars are and we still choose to keep them. This is a cult car and if you want in the cult, fine, but be prepared the car will not let you go. My son and I each have 93s and sink way too much money into them. If we saw another one for sale we'd buy it!

Honestly, if you're not prepared to fall into this huge trap, don't get started.

 

I really had no idea about the whole "cult" thing when I bought my FD. Didn't take me long to find that one out...

 

+2

 

If you don't get it... Don't get it.

 

You'll always know where your paycheck is going...

 

Like Maddslow said...it is like a cult.

I bought my first Rx (FC) back in '95 because I wanted a sports car and my mechanic was selling his. At the time I had no idea they were such money pits. Ever since I got my first taste of the rotary, I wanted an FD. After I got rid of the FC back in 2000 my desire grew even more.

So, I've been lurking on this forum for a few years now. I've been reading, researching, learning, watching the classifieds. After keeping my eyes out on Autotrader, Ebay, and here I felt pretty good about my ability to spot a good deal. Well, when the townhouse I was selling was in negotations I stumbled across my 93 R1 with less than 9,000 miles on it. Even though it wasn't a steal, I knew how rare this mileage is and at least that it was not overpriced.

Even after learning how much money these things suck up, the reliability is not so great, and it's hard to find someone who can work on them I couldn't help it....I love my FD and wouldn't trade it for any other car out there.

And just like Mototek said... If you have to ask why, you shouldn't get one

 

FDs have had their share of engine fires too, FYI.

I agree with the others, it's the kind of car where if you have to ask if you want it then you should pass. FDs raise enough stink to make dedicated owners sell and move on.

Dave

 

1. do alot of reading and ask alot of questions
2. i suggest you find a friend or someone that "knows" about rotary engines to help you shop for one
3. the support group for the rx7 are the best

p.s. i don't think 10k will get you much, and like the other guys said, assuming you find one with a good rebuilt engine and low miles, and rebuilt turbos, you'll expect to spend 3-5k in reliability mods

 

I found my FD for 9k. I kind of played russian roulet with the deal but won out in the end. If you are willing to wait and keep looking you could find a good deal for 10k. I can give the tip to look stock trim FD's, stear clear of a reman motor (if you see a reman its not always bad, just check compression and do a leak down test), and never buy an FD with a Apexi Power FC. I dont care what anyone says I have seen to many rx-7's blow up due to half-*** tunes on a power-fc. Spend the big bucks and go with an Electramotive Tech3-r. Any way, yes you can find an FD for 10k just know your stuff and dont buy any car with an "easy to fix, just dont have the time" problem. My car has outlasted many of my friends with FD's they spent 16,17,18k to buy. I can say I just found a killer deal but they are out there.

 

1. look at the pricing for a clutch job on a 944T. You'll be lucky to spend under $3,000. I know all about money pits and such.

2. every great sports car has a cult following. I've had a 300zxTT, VR4, and my friends all have dsms. Everyone thinks their sports car is the best. If I were to get an FD i'd probably get just as into it as you guys. I've been building cars since before I could drive. regardless of what i buy, I'll be dumping money into it and ripping it apart.

I'll probably keep lurking from time to time, and keep my eye out for a good deal. Silvias are always an option too.

 

I say do some research - a LOT of research - and see if you can find one to test drive first. I was casually in the market because I knew what a pain in the *** car RX-7s can be. Plus I already had a fast, fun reliable sports car. Then a guy let me drive his FD. A little while later I was selling my Vette and looking for one. Now here I am.

So, yeah, you should get one if you know the consequences and it's truly what you want. They really are ridiculously fun. Oh, and 10 or 11k might actually get you one if you hold out for a good deal, just be wary as others have said. I paid 13k for mine, and it's super nice and probably worth 17 or 18, so great deals are definitely out there.

 

Just by the title.....it not the car for you...unless you like the feeling of being kicked in the nuts and all your money taken away from you like someones sig says...

 

I'm not sure I agree with you on that point.

Built correctly, these cars are a blast. The problem is.....building them correctly

With my friend Chris at the laptop, I was out tuning my FD with my 500R setup at 15 psi today, must have made at least 75 third gear pulls to redline. Car ran like a champ, sounded great, zero problems. When everything's working, they're amazing cars

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHzeGEHWMjo


hhhmmmmmm.....

 

if we have to talk you into it, then NO this car is not for you.

 

try and get behind the wheel of one, if you don't fall in love move on...

then go get help, because these cars are amazing.

 

10K can get you a nice FC

 

Don't let us decide for you. Drive one, then choose for yourself. There is a very good "buyer's advice" article here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_92709097092


Also, please check out the FAQ: lots of useful stuff in there.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

-s-

 

after reading all the opinions and suggestions here, you guys are making a FD owner someone who fell from Mars.

Let him have the car, who knows he loves it after he drives it? If he is not modifying it, the stock car wouldnt worry him much.

And who said Porsches are easy and convenient to maintain?

I think he must read the FAQ thrice. And give it a go

 

I did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions but still could not decide wether to buy it or not. then i drove one and it was over. now i'm waiting for my car to arrive from Japan