Well guys. I've got some bad news or good news depending on your perspective.
I have decided to end this project and sell my car.
My reasons are pretty much the normal stuff. I got older, got married, have a child on the way, have zero time, have an ever shrinking budget, and my car needs have changed significantly now that I'm out of my 20s. Time and money have been a real obstacle recently. Many of you are keenly aware that quality work takes time and money. Well, I have noticed that working on my car in 1 or 2 hours increments is just a recipe for shoddy work and frustration. I have never settled for sub quality work, so it ends up just being frustrating as I have to stop and restart multiple time to do a job that should only take a few hours. I just don't have that kind of consecutive time anymore.
On top of everything else, my rx7 has just lost its pedestal status. I simply relate it to the fact that I've had to work through all of the problems that have come up which really shows you the ugly side of a car. It just sucks the appeal out of a car. Even though my car is a car I'd rate as very well sorted (aside from paint and a good tune) it's just been the 4 year process that's drained my enthusiasm.
I'd like to go ahead and clear my wife of any blame for this project's end ;) Sure it was hard for her to understand the kind of money involved in it and my time spent was always a battle, but in the end the decision was my own.
Along with the sale of this car I'm also planning on selling my 2004 E60 525i BMW. This decision falls into a second category for why I have decided to sell the RX7. I have officially caught the bug to live debt free. I know, it sounds crazy, but I want it and I'm willing to make some sacrifices to get it haha! Even though both cars are paid for, my wife and I have substantial student loan debt that I'd really like to take a chunk out of.
So what's the future look like for me? Well, I'm not throwing ALL that that to student loans. I mean, I've gotta drive something right? I'll be looking for something that's fun but family friendly. An older but nicer BMW Lexus comes to mind. I'm also open to a 01-03 WRX STi, but I'm cautious since I want to try and get away from the modding itch and the STi may be too tempting ;)
I'm going to start a general thread to get some pointers on a fun sedan.
Expect a for-sale ad in the next week. I'm planning on listing it for a month or two in hopes of finding the right buyer. After that I'll consider parting it out. I WILL NOT take offers or dibs for parts at this time. Neither this thread or my for sale thread will become a huge list of parts claims / dibs until I've made the decision to part out!
I'll stick around. It's been a fun ride.
Lane