I want to buy a 3rd gen
12-06-2005, 12:35 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by Signal 2' post='784007' date='Dec 5 2005, 10:14 AM
RE....good advice EXCEPT for that Dealership recommendation. Most MAZDA technicians have never even seen an FD. Other than being a rotary, there is little they are likely to know about the REW, especially when it comes to the sequential operation. I guess they could probably do a proper compression check, but IMO, he'd be better off looking for a good rotary specialty shop in his area.
Dealers, I feel are still a good place to take a FD for an inspection, becuase they look at the suppension and drivetrain besides just the engine and the prior 2 are specific to an FD. The prolbem with dealerships come into play when trying to diagnos and fix a prolbem with the complicated turbo/vacume system, which most dealerdhip mechanics have not been really been trained on. In addition, the dealer can tell you if the recals have been performed on that car which is a somethig anyone will want to know before buying the car. If the car has a boost prolbem, the dealership would not be my first choice unless recomended from another FD owner, then the rotory specific shop would be more appropiate.
12-06-2005, 07:31 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 233
I have dailied my 16 months now. It has been solid ever since. Its a 94 w/ 71000 on it now. I bought it w/ 61000 on it. I am very picky about the maintenance on it. I did remove the turbos last winter and replace them. Let me say this I have worked on quite a few 7's and I am not afriad to tear into anything on the FD. All I hear was horror stories on the FD. I have yet to have one. Althought I already have every part for a rebuild if need ever. But my motor is still very strong. Today my battery started to die. I could bearly get the motor turning over off the battery and it fired w/ no prob. That is exceptional for any rotary. I also have a hard time paying for a car and not driving it very much. I will say I am putting together a motor for a 88 FC to start dailying due to the stuff I am starting to haul around for work and I dont wanna tear up the FD interior.
So I say go for it.
So I say go for it.
12-06-2005, 10:03 PM
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10
first, I WILL NEVER take it to the local Mazda dealership. because they are all ford repair guys, and I know one of the mechanics and they know nothing about Rotories, asside from that, I know how to work on cars, it's not a problem it's also why I'm not afraid.
and somehow I still feel myself calling B.S. on the lack of drivability and over all cost of the thing... I know plenty of people who drive FC's and FD's and rarely have problems
Ok, to be honest this is where I'm having a problem setting the truth apart from fiction, the people that are stating fact seem to say they last a long time including shop owners and racers, the people who seems to talk about not being able to drive them daily, or that they blow, or cost GOBBS of money...... never seem to state fact.
Stripping the engine aside it's just another motor and car, so nothing out of the ordinary there usually dumb problems that might happen with 13 years of weather. Its expected, then you add motor that has a racing history behind it to land many 24hour races and La Man and Heures Du Mans races(same thing? theres a poster on my wall), not to mention many shop owners who seem to say that there isn't a problem with driving one daily as long as proper steps are taken... which reading seems to be normal proper modifications steps are. (Less the rats nest problems)
Honeslty I'm just trying to get things cleared up, because I look at the Pros and there doesn't seem to be a problem, but then I look at the poeple driving them and there is this HUGE conflict in opinion, maybe it's a little bit of chance, luck, and a pinch of support, and a whole lot of paying attention it's probably really well off..... I think this is what I am seeing (hence wanting an un-modified one)??????
and somehow I still feel myself calling B.S. on the lack of drivability and over all cost of the thing... I know plenty of people who drive FC's and FD's and rarely have problems
Ok, to be honest this is where I'm having a problem setting the truth apart from fiction, the people that are stating fact seem to say they last a long time including shop owners and racers, the people who seems to talk about not being able to drive them daily, or that they blow, or cost GOBBS of money...... never seem to state fact.
Stripping the engine aside it's just another motor and car, so nothing out of the ordinary there usually dumb problems that might happen with 13 years of weather. Its expected, then you add motor that has a racing history behind it to land many 24hour races and La Man and Heures Du Mans races(same thing? theres a poster on my wall), not to mention many shop owners who seem to say that there isn't a problem with driving one daily as long as proper steps are taken... which reading seems to be normal proper modifications steps are. (Less the rats nest problems)
Honeslty I'm just trying to get things cleared up, because I look at the Pros and there doesn't seem to be a problem, but then I look at the poeple driving them and there is this HUGE conflict in opinion, maybe it's a little bit of chance, luck, and a pinch of support, and a whole lot of paying attention it's probably really well off..... I think this is what I am seeing (hence wanting an un-modified one)??????
12-06-2005, 10:52 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: fredneck MD
Posts: 4,107
I have dailied two FD's.
The one was fine for over a year of...hard...driving, but i took care of it.
the other's motor blew, but i had it rebuilt and running in a week or two.
that one (sold) is still goin strong today.
The one was fine for over a year of...hard...driving, but i took care of it.
the other's motor blew, but i had it rebuilt and running in a week or two.
that one (sold) is still goin strong today.
12-12-2005, 01:52 PM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
thank god i came across this thread. i have ALWAYS loved FDs and i have owned a 88 turbo II but i had very bad experiences with the FC. i had it in high school and it was my DD, BUT with all the problems that arose i found out that i bought a LEMON. i was 17 and was excited about the car and never got it looked at by a mechanic. since i had those bad experiences i was hessitante to buy a FD. now i have owned 300zxTT for about 3yrs and im considering buying a FD, but those bad experiences r in the back of my mind. what should i do buy a FD a car i have ALWAYS wanted and finally have the money to buy and own or stay with the Z?
12-12-2005, 02:25 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 791
Originally Posted by boostincoyote' post='785720' date='Dec 12 2005, 01:52 PM
..........i have ALWAYS wanted and finally have the money to buy and own or stay with the Z?
If you haven't already, check the links I posted earlier in the thread.
12-15-2005, 06:11 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Woodstock, Georgia
Posts: 583
Lets seeeee....
I had an '88 Turbo II with an S5 longblock, rest being S4 components, upgraded T4 turbo, exhaust, suspension, etc etc..
I drove it every day. School, work, cruising, name it.
That car NEVER gave me rotary-related problems, except for the expected, OLD car problems.
Diff mount, pinion gear seal...that's it.
170 miles a tank...but at 36-65psi of fuel..it's to be expected. The car ran rich, and at the time, and my age, I couldn't afford to modify it. I eventually sold it, to try and make money off building 240's, and pay some debt...didnt' go so well.
Now I work full-time at a job I love, pays well, and after about 6 months of driving around an '89 Accord and getting my 300+ miles per tank, I decided I was ready for another turbo car, another rotary turbo car.
Turbo II was first, and I never really thought an FD was feasible, but here I am now: Proud owner of a '93 Montego Blue Touring FD.
The history of the car does concern me, and I have yet to investigate if the recalls were done, but I did have a compression test done, numbers were good, and after my 12 year old AST breaking on me a few days ago, I went ahead with a Pettit AST.
The FD is MY daily-driver. Gas-mileage, and un-streetable twin-plate clutch aside, I love it. It's nice to be able to just casually cruise to work in it every day, and it's nice to know that if I mash the throttle, I'll actually go some where. I don't mind the attention either, it's like a reminder of "Hey, I drive a baddass car...and other people agree."
As soon as my brother finishes his RB25DET-powered Datsun 240Z project, I plan to take my Honda back and use it as my gas-go-getter. I want to have the FD for weekends, and probably once-a-day cruising, but for longer drivers to my mom's house...to shoot pool...etc, I'd prefer the Honda. 180 miles a tank WILL hurt your pocket, considering it just cost me $40.27 to fill up today.
Bottom Line:
The FD is daily-drivable, but just as all the others have stated, keep up with general maintenence, and although the FD you're looking at has lower miles, be sure to look into the non-rotary-related faults of it being...a 12 year old car. Mounts, bushings, struts, etc etc.
I am not afraid to get my hands dirty on my own car. In fact, I enjoy it.
In the end it's all about trusting the car, respecting the car, and appreciating the car. The FD is a dieing breed, and at only 20 years old, I'm proud to say I own one, thus, I try my best to treat her accordingly.
Go for it, if your heart, and your wallet, tell you to. Leave money on the side though...a good amount at that, for any unforseen repair costs, parts, upgrades, etc.
Reliability mods are your friend. Down-pipe, AST, radiator, etc.
Good luck to ya, mang.
Rotary powaaa.
I had an '88 Turbo II with an S5 longblock, rest being S4 components, upgraded T4 turbo, exhaust, suspension, etc etc..
I drove it every day. School, work, cruising, name it.
That car NEVER gave me rotary-related problems, except for the expected, OLD car problems.
Diff mount, pinion gear seal...that's it.
170 miles a tank...but at 36-65psi of fuel..it's to be expected. The car ran rich, and at the time, and my age, I couldn't afford to modify it. I eventually sold it, to try and make money off building 240's, and pay some debt...didnt' go so well.
Now I work full-time at a job I love, pays well, and after about 6 months of driving around an '89 Accord and getting my 300+ miles per tank, I decided I was ready for another turbo car, another rotary turbo car.
Turbo II was first, and I never really thought an FD was feasible, but here I am now: Proud owner of a '93 Montego Blue Touring FD.
The history of the car does concern me, and I have yet to investigate if the recalls were done, but I did have a compression test done, numbers were good, and after my 12 year old AST breaking on me a few days ago, I went ahead with a Pettit AST.
The FD is MY daily-driver. Gas-mileage, and un-streetable twin-plate clutch aside, I love it. It's nice to be able to just casually cruise to work in it every day, and it's nice to know that if I mash the throttle, I'll actually go some where. I don't mind the attention either, it's like a reminder of "Hey, I drive a baddass car...and other people agree."
As soon as my brother finishes his RB25DET-powered Datsun 240Z project, I plan to take my Honda back and use it as my gas-go-getter. I want to have the FD for weekends, and probably once-a-day cruising, but for longer drivers to my mom's house...to shoot pool...etc, I'd prefer the Honda. 180 miles a tank WILL hurt your pocket, considering it just cost me $40.27 to fill up today.
Bottom Line:
The FD is daily-drivable, but just as all the others have stated, keep up with general maintenence, and although the FD you're looking at has lower miles, be sure to look into the non-rotary-related faults of it being...a 12 year old car. Mounts, bushings, struts, etc etc.
I am not afraid to get my hands dirty on my own car. In fact, I enjoy it.
In the end it's all about trusting the car, respecting the car, and appreciating the car. The FD is a dieing breed, and at only 20 years old, I'm proud to say I own one, thus, I try my best to treat her accordingly.
Go for it, if your heart, and your wallet, tell you to. Leave money on the side though...a good amount at that, for any unforseen repair costs, parts, upgrades, etc.
Reliability mods are your friend. Down-pipe, AST, radiator, etc.
Good luck to ya, mang.
Rotary powaaa.