I found out today; to add a 93 Rx7 with full coverage to my father's insurance policy is only: $500 for every 6 months!



Same awesome revelation was found in the loan; To take a loan (any size) through my father's union involves a bi-monthly payment with absolutely 0% interest!



After tackling the idea of Insurance/Loan payments for an up-and-coming Rx7, I'll have a sizable amount in the bank (more than enough for a rebuild!) so it seems like so far so good.



The only question/estimate I have is that of Gas. Seems to me its an 18 gallon tank, with 18mpg a good estimate (I estimate above normal, or in this case, lower than normal) considering the car will stay near stock and I don't redline every time I go from a stop. Being she'll be filled never below 1/4 tank I've estimated it probably fills 12-14 gallons at a quarter (Can any FD owners tell me how many gallons it is at a quarter?) 14 x $2.50= $35 to fill. 14 x 18= 252 miles? Sound correct?



Anyways, considering the fact that I'll be able to keep my Acura Integra ($20 to fill, 300+ miles per fill up, at 32-26mpg) it brings my overal MPG to a range between 20-30mpg between driving the two cars thoughout the week,.



So, keeping all of this in mind, I think I'm set/ready for the FD, if you could fill me in on mpg/tank prices and numbers that'd be great! https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...IR#>/bigok.gif



(Or if you can suggets other considerations/expenses). I already know of oil, maintenance expendatures to come,...

hmm, i thought it was a 16 gallon tank?

FD has a 20 gallon tank.

really?? wow. cool. i thought it was 16 cause when id fill up at the "E", it get about 15 gallons worth of gas.



i can tell u that when the low fuel light goes on, u still have like 2 to 2.5 more gallons to go.



at about a 1/4 tank theres like 12 to 14, like u said.

12-14 is what I always put in and I fill at 1/4 or just some times I will let it hit 1/8. So while it sounds like you have normal operating costs figured out, have you considered the high maintenence and repair costs that an FD can bring you? Especially one that is regularly driven. Mine has been pretty good lately except for the turbos that I am replacing next week. I would estimate that costs of just repairs should add close to $1k per year, and that is if you do all your own work. Seriously though, the stupid little crap that can go wrong really adds up, and if you let it go because you didnt have the money at the time the car's over-all condition deteriorates incredibly fast. Definately not a bad idea to keep that daily driver of yours.

Yup. Owners manual clearly states 20 gallons https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png

Okay. So the tank is 20, but the fill up amount will be 12-14 as mentioned, good!



Tom93R1:



Thanks for the heads up! I have considered that, too! As I said, there'll always be a savings acct. with more money than simply a *rebuild* amount for those "Oh $h!t!" times I need something on the rx7.



Any problem, large or small, can be administered through time. As I said, I'll have this Integra (or if not, some other nice replacement..I'm always buyin cars) for rainy days. If the Rx7 needs $1.5k in parts to run again, then she'll stay garaged (Hey I have a garage spot for her too!) until then.



Helihansen, from this forum, is a nice guy that knows a thing or two about FD's and lives a half hour away, I'd suppose he'd help out (he has his own speed shop!) in dire need, and even the smallest of boost leak errors he'll be able to help correct. So as far as labor go's, I should be okay.



Thanks for the replies guys! I am really excited to finally find/buy a car I love every last detail of, from the interior/exterior, to powerband, to handling and style.

I can't wait! https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683473.gif https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683473.gif https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683473.gif

never drive past 1/4 tank and boost hard or motor can go bye bye https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...IR#>/smile.png

id figure in the cost of insurin it your own..

the risk is there for it to rise regardless..

as far as the loan...

also take into consideration the dollars it would tie up monthly..

that is.. should u decide to venture on your own...

This, I have also considered.



I am part time right now because of school, but come this January I will be working full time.

The golden rule of finances is to keep your bills payable with one week's paycheck, well even at part time, the bills (including cell phone) for me are more like 1.6 week's worth of pay. Which isn't bad, considering that I will be making commission (Plus the salary I already make) soon at my job, and then full time next year.



Worst comes to worse, I can sell the car, and as long as it can sell for AT LEAST what is left on a $6k loan (which will be low I'd think) I will cut my losses there.



https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...IR#>/smile.png

Being so concerned about fuel for a car like this, I'd tell you to stay away.

heh, i have a DD, cuz i'm concerned about fuel, there is a difference between being stupid about the car and being frugal..



i'd much rather put upgrades on my car while it sits in the garage, without adding miles, wear & tear, and drive it to race it at tracks and courses instead of giving my money away to gas barons...



so instead of needing it to get ladies and pimp the ride, id much rather use it for what its designed for.. carving corners and beating porshes and vettes on tracks.

I 100% agree, daily drivers/beaters are the way to go. But if you're edging on not being able to fill up a tank anytime you want to drive the RX-7, it's time to look to another car. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...IR#>/smile.png

I can understand wantingto make sure you can afford a Fd but no serious Fd owner would ever start counting costs because you would quickly see that you spend insane amounts of money on them.

At least I know that I do. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...IR#>/happy.png

When did I say I'm edging on not being able to afford to fill up the tank?



In fact, I could very easily afford to put both cars on the road all the time, and instead drive the FD 24/7 and fill up $40 every fill up.



The reason I am guaging Fuel cost is to simply see how much it'll cost me, make sense? Not that it's going to make/break if I can afford the car. I just threw it into the consideration of expenses just for piece of mind.



Even after the insurance, loan, *gas* are taken into acct, this still leaves me with money left over to put into savings and into checking (towards going out to eat, buying crap, etc). So considering I have more than "Just enough" for the car itself, the splurges of taking an FD on a 5 hour road trip won't be out of my league.



I kinda understand where you're coming from, as far as buying a turbo car but then worrying if it'll get good gas mileage and such...

I just sold my dd and my 7 is now my daily driver. I only have a 2nd gen, but honestly i enjoyed the 7 that much more as just a weekend car. It was a feeling of "oh yay, i get to boost the 7 and run it hard" and then experiencing boost and the adrenaline rush of something new versus "crap, i need to get good mileage i can't go boosting" and getting used to how fast the car is and having it not feel fast at all and always worrying abotu it breaking.

You should be fine. Heres where i messed up. I run the car like it's suppose to be hard all the time. So due to that i'v blown a tranny, rear end, and replaced a clutch disk. Long as you dont beat the hell out of it all the time. Do all the relilability mods and dont make it too too fast till you can really afford it then you should be fine.

The best rule of thumb is to take whatever project you want to do, budget for it, double the expense, then add half again, you will be in the ballpark of what you need to spend...



FD $8000

5 years insurance $5000

Maint/repairs /yr $1000 x 5 $5000



These are using the examples posted, so take that



which is $18,000



double it $36,000



and add half again $45,000



this is your 5 year outlook on owning that FD



Now before you guys beat feet to your reply button and start bashing, add up all the stuff you have bought for your car, with the insurance and purchase price for the car, and see if you do not also come close to that figure... most of the single turbo conversion guys will



Oki guys do not count :P

The other day I was enlightened...owning an FD is not owning another "car". It's kind of like owning a boat or airplane, a pure pleasure toy. Not for everyday, and definitely takes a lot of money to keep it up. (I'm refering to modded ones...)

I'm going to try really hard here not to be an ******* about this, so here goes what I wanted you to know.



If you're going to calculate and worry about how much gas you put in it and how much money you have left over for gas, then don't buy an FD. You won't be able to keep the car stock, that's the way this car works, it'll draw you in slowly. Mod for mod and gas is raising, problem's are occuring, and you're going to become broken hearted in a very short time.



The first thing I always looked at when buying a car was gas milage. Then I decided to foget it because I was never going to be able to enjoy the car if I was always making sure that I saved money for a fill up.



My .02

1500 a year in parts wont get u anything.so far at this stage i have close to 35k into my car, and it doesnt run yet even. and ive had it for 2 years.



gas will kill you, but it is worth it. plan to get another car for fun and the fd will be used sparingly.

go buy a syphon and get all the free gas you want!!!!!!!! good idea huh? yeah you know you like that idea!! and i think it is a 18 gallon tank. oh and try not to redline an fd is like denying yourself getting to home plate with a supermodel. i get moist when i burn 2nd gear !!!!!!!

K honestly, for the last time: The Gas will NOT kill me.



Read slowly: I CAN afford a 12 mpg DD. (Just choosing a lower number to give you a good idea).



And as a FYI: I don't plan on going any further than 12-14psi ~300rwhp. IF that. As said in this thread and as I've read 1023213 times, the reliability is best the closer you are to Stock minus a few mods towards reliability. That's pretty much where i will remain,...



Say all you want, the Mr2-T guys warned me of the same mod bug that never hit me.



It's a car, it;s not a spaceship, i can handle it. The car will not be street raced, autox's. simply driven "spirited" I have local FD nuts willing to help out in a crazy bind....



wow, I wish i never posted about gas mileage. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub..._DIR#>/sad.png

Hmm...my take is this. Be prepared to have extra cash for the stupid **** breaking, regardless of what type of power you put out. If you can be prepared for that, then buy it.

As I figured. Thanks for the advice.



I just have to work on this loan through the union (0% interest)

Good luck.