Hi everyone. I'm new to the boards (recommended by a friend in a LiveJournal community) and will be the proud owner of an FC in July (finally getting rid of my Honda). With that said, on to my question.



In July i'll be getting rid of my Honda Accord (finally...). My budget is $5000 and after doing some consideration, i've decided i'll be getting one of my (affordable) dream cars, the FC3S. I've been in love with this car since I was young I finally have the chance to get one.



After searching autotrader.com and ebay, i've run into a fork in the road. Should I buy a car with a recently rebuilt engine (probably more expensive at first), or should I get one with the stock engine and wait to see what happens (probably more expensive in the long run).



I paid for my Honda and my dad is the one giving me the $5000 budget (he's basically buying the car from me for my brother), so it really depends on if HE wants to buy me a rebuild (he's not giving me cash-in-hand, obviously) or I can start saving my pennies to get it done myself.



Did anyone here buy their FC with a newly rebuilt engine? If so, how's it workin' out for you?



Or did you buy yours with the stock engine? Have you had to rebuild it yet?



So, in short:

1) Buy car with newly rebuilt engine

2) Buy car with stock engine, wait to see if it blows



Thanks in Advance

 

i bought mine with a bad motor for $200, spent like $3500 and a few weeks to get it running. so for a little under 4k i had a pretty neat ride.

 

How much of the work on the car will you be doing yourself? Would you have something else to drive if your RX-7 is being worked on?

 

I wouldn't be doing the engine swap by myself, i'd have it taken to a rotary specialist. However, any mods I do to the car (exhaust, intake, etc.) would be done by myself with the help of a Chilton or Hayes manual and a few friends if need be. I probably won't have the car here at college (in Richmond, VA), so the 7 will live at my house. Since my brother is also at college, the Honda will be there to. If the 7 is ever broken or being worked on, I could use the Honda or, if need be, borrow my mom's wagon.

 

I'd suggest buying one with a blown engine, then. There are plenty of good rotary people around VA, so getting help and answers shouldn't be too tough.

 

Thanks a lot I've already checked out several sites as far as what to look for when buying the car, so i'm not gonna take up space by asking such questions.