I just sold this car last week and bought myself a brand new element off the lots 2 days ago. I'm already missing the power and handling of my old car, but definitely loving the A/C and the spacious interior of the new.

FYI, it was a 1993 RX-7 Touring with Chevy 5.7L LS1/T56 6-speed tranny. It put out stock 313rwhp from a chasis that only weighed in at 2770. Maintained perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~kim307

http://kim307.bol.ucla.edu/images/IMG_0867_jpg.jpg

oh man, why would you ever get rid of that thing!!!

just curious, how come you got rid of it. Seems like a dream car to me

just curious, how come you got rid of it. Seems like a dream car to me

Financing on the fuel was too high? :shock:

Regards,

I have a hunch... just a hunch... while we're waiting for the real answer... and having been there... reliability or trustworthiness was becoming an issue. Vehicles with major engine swaps typically come with a bunch of compromises - most (or all) minor, but in total over a long time period an increasing annoyance. Then factor in the age of the chassis. Combine the two, and there is a point where you get tired of having to spend every other Saturday fixing this little bug, that little bug, this little bug, ad nauseum. You still love your old wheels, but a new car is such a relief at that point.

With the light chassis I would have suspected the fuel economy to be not all that bad relative to the E - probably in the 20-22 mpg range. The GM 5.7L is a pretty good motor, it only gets really thirsty when you put it in big vehicles and make it work hard.

EDIT: I just looked at the photo collection, and now know the REAL reason we bought the E - time to clean out the garage. :razz:

I have a soft spot in my crusty old heart for those old RX7's. I wanted one badly whe I was in college. They were so basic (in a hard-core sports car way), with the really stiff suspension and incredibly light weight. Ahh, those were the days when every Japanese car manufaturer had a true sports car, with Toyota even having two (the Supra and the MR2 Turbo).

You're going to miss that RX7 for many years, even though the Element rocks (in a much different sort of way).

Good guesses! Gas mileage was actually pretty decent: 18-19mpg in the city, 28-30mpg on the highway.

The biggest reason for getting rid of the car was no A/C and small interior space. I was using it as a daily driver and I just got tired of driving it with windows open all the time and crawling out of the car. I'm 6'1" 220lbs and I could really appreciate the spacious interior of an Element.

As far as missing it, yeah....true. I miss it already. As a matter of fact, I think I almost rolled my brand new element on the first highway ramp that I got on to. Oh well, but I'm getting myself a motorcycle(yzf-r6 maybe?) and probably pick up another FD in about a year.

But in the meantime, I'm expecting to enjoy my new ride to the fullest. Got so many plans for the car already.

I had to show this one...this wasn't my replaced car, but it was a car I had...
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/Delicious88/DriveSlant.jpg

What sucks is that when I sold it, I could have sold it now (4 years later) for the same price. A 1998 model, I bought it in 2001 with 15K miles on it...oh well. I keep telling myself,"Let it go...let it go..." :-(

That RX-7 was beautiful....

I exchanged a 200whp, 230wtq Mazda Protege5 wagon for the Element. Upon the change I dearly missed the power/handling of the wagon but found myself adjusting my driving. I slowed down and wasn't so impatient (good as I have a 5 year old). I found myself driving for efficiency rather than speed (coast down hills and shut off engine at long lights) - wouldn't do that in the wagon for fear of it having restarting problems. I also found the Element to be the best long distance driver I've owned with lots of space and reclining rear seats for naps and reading in the back at night without disturbing the driver with an interior light. Camping was also great. But I will be selling my Element in 3 weeks as need to buy a real pickup to haul a trailer/racecar.