I just got an AP1 S2k, waiting to take delivery from the previous owner, not entirely too late to pull out...

So I can't help wondering, when basically, for the same money as my 80,000km 2001 AP1 (in good but not 'immaculate' condition), I could have got an immaculate 95 RX7 FD3S with just 30,000km on it.

Personally, I doubt I will change my mind, the fuel cost alone would kill me, as it would be a DD, but I can't help wondering which car I'd enjoy driving more...

What would you have gone for?

 

You might find the FD more fun, for shear fun factor it's a very difficult car to beat. The S is a better DD. The S is more reliable.

Immaculate FD3S is in some ways a negative. It means you really need to do the basic reliability mods... I'm not an expert on this, but from what I know it means;
1) Replace pre-cat with a down pipe
2) Remove the air seperation tank thing
3) Replace all vacuum hosing
4) Cut the stock air box to prevent it sucking in hot air
5) Replace hose couplings
6) Disable EGR
7) upgrade radiator + intercooler
8) A/F gauge & knock sensor

7 and 8 are sometimes reserved for modified cars... I'd say 7 is required if you live in a hot climate and/or drive hard. You could do without the A/F and knock sensor but they aren't that expensive.

Also, depends on the year... the later model FD3S supposedly had the twin turbo piping issues sorted out. I know nothing about that though as I couldn't be less interested in driving a RHD car.

Basically, the RX7 w/ proper mods and religious maintenance should be reliable enough to DD. It won't be as trouble free as the S, but worth considering. I still wouldn't do it though. Too much hassle and too expensive for a 10+ year old car. If you intend on modding then maybe, but if you just want to keep it stock I don't think the hassles worth it.

 

Yeh, I've heard they're maintenance intensive, which is another put off for me, I already have a hobby I don't have time for. Thanks for your opinion.

 

I'm not sure how rare they are in Europe, but low mileage '95 FDs are highly prized here in the states (last year they were imported), and there is no question it would have better collector value (in the U.S. at least). The FD also has much higher power potential with limited mods, and is generally considered to be the superior track car, but, as has already been discussed, the S is a better daily driver.

Do what I did, get both.

 

lol, I wish. Hows fuel consumption and maintenance compared to the S? Do you really need that much deeper pockets to own the FD?

 

both are higher

yes, if you want to mod it...and the stock car has failure prone or under-engineered components (IC for example), most people are lucky to hit 100k...I got 70k out of my stock car before I decided to turn up the boost

 

Thanks man, it would be a stock car, I wouldn't be modding it unless forced to by failure, for which I wouldn't have the funds probably. lol. And that's before we even get onto the fuel consumption, which I imagine is 'a lot' more? (You got any figures?)

But also, I'm getting it with 30,000 KM on it (are you talking miles? or Ks?), and I definitely wouldn't have it long enough to take it to 70k (KMs) I only do about 7000kms a year with my DDs anyway.

If it would be a problem free car (in a hot climate) for the first 70k, then maybe I should consider it afterall?

 

FDs are lucky to get 16/17 city, maybe 22 highway...they suck gas, and they need 93 octane

I had 70,000 miles on my FD before I cranked up the boost a little too much on a cold night (+ boost creep) and popped an engine...I now have all the supporting mods (big injectors, PowerFC, big IC, aftermarket radiator, aftermarket turbos w/ ported wastegate, 3" full exhaust (no cats), 3mm OEM apex seals, etc, etc, to make the car reliable (and lighter), and it has been reliable for three years of hard driving

FDs are a somewhat illogical passion, they require alot of TLC, and you can't go cheap. They run hot (esp stock), eat spark plugs, dilute the oil with gas, and suck down the premium petro at a frightening rate...but there is nothing else on the road like them, and when you lower it and fit some aftermarket (larger) wheels, it will handle as well as 2008 cars costing twice as much. As much as I love my S, the FD will always be #1, it is the angry, flame throwing, pissed off anti-social attack dog, and the S is the fun vert toy

 

Yeh, I just don't think I can justify it.

Thanks for the honesty, I know I'm gonna go nuts for redlining the S anyway, and they say you can't put down more than 250hp effectively on greek roads (they're like glass, seriously), plus the fact its a better DD, and drinks less gas, and needs less maintenance, blah blah, yeh, what am I thinking, the S is the way to go.

By the way, the difference in price here between 95 and 100 octane gas, is so little as to cause me to fill up even my girls 1600 renault megane cabrio with the 100 fuel, so that's all my cars drink anyway. I'm sure it adds up over the years, but it's always better to know you are using a good quality fuel. You guys don't get 100 at the pump, is that right?

 

I believe the octane rating system is different there, and I don't recall what the conversion is....I'm sure someone here knows

anyway, good luck, they are both very fun cars...for a daily, you can't go wrong with the S

do you have a pic of the '95 FD for sale?