Looking to get into a FD after taking a long break from the rotary world. Used to have multiple FC’s then got into American classics now itching to get another 7. My question is how can I identify which model it is by looking at the VIN and door jamb stickers? Base, Touring, R1, R2 ect ect. I’m not finding any decoders online that tell you which model they are. Trying to find the best way so I can confirm what it is when looking to buy one. Thanks!

 

It doesn't matter a great deal the trim level. If you intend to mod it then it super doesn't matter. The most important feature is sun roof or no sun roof. Everything else can be made to be whatever. The lack of a second oil cooler can be fixed very easily. Are you specifically looking for a particular trim?

 

modded or not I always start with a particular model of my own preference. If I do mod stuff it’s usually always reversible easily enough back to stock and I keep all the original parts for that just in case moment. I’m specifically wanting a touring model. I know some base models can be had with a sunroof so that’s where I’m wanting the confirmation of being a true touring model not a high optioned base model.

 

I don't know about Japanese or Euro VINs, but the NA VINs only specify the country and model year. As far as I know, the only way to determine what trim level a car is for certain is dealer paperwork. Obviously its a touring/PEP if it has a sunroof, but the only way to tell between a base, R1, and R2 would be looking for items that are specific to those trim levels. Suspension, # of oil coolers, seat fabric, etc. Most of these things are easily swapped out though, so it only really applies if you're looking a fully stock car.

https://www.banzai-racing.com/how_to_vin.htm

 

From what I’ve found there was a few people over the years that had access to a database (unsure which one as they never said) that you give them the VIN and they could confirm what model you have but the database got compromised from what I read? I’ve also seen that base models could be had with a sunroof so that would make things tricky determining if you are buying a highly optioned base model or buying a true touring edition. Which is what I’m looking to buy is a true touring edition. Anybody have any Insight on certain things to look for in the touring editions that are 100% verified only came in touring models?

 

There was a vin decoding post back in October that gave me all the standard info plus all the "unique" factory mods of my JDM example (Type R but had leather and acoustiwave).
That would be a good reference tool. Here's the post https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/jdm-fd-models-you-years-trims-vin-etc-1146319/page3/?utm_source=share-link&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=share&utm_cont ent=post#post12640975
30 years on there's a good chance you can't rely on anything installed in the car being original, even if they tell you it's all original. So if the original build is that important to you I think the Vin is the only sure fire way to know.

 

The only place I know of to get that kind of info from just a VIN is from Mazda themselves. I had them run mine a few years ago, and it is the only piece of documentation that I have that officially lists it as a Touring.

 

Starting to sound like the window sticker is the only way to know for sure 100%. If only there was an archive....

 

That was the whole reason I contacted Mazda. I wanted to get all of the window sticker information in hopes of remaking it for my car.

 

If you go to mymazda.com and sign up you can put in a vin, it should tell you the trim level

 

this is not correct. Base models will never have a sunroof. the Popular Equipment Package (PEP) cars do, but in 1994-1995 the PEP has a sunroof with a steel roof, and the Touring was glass.
the Touring also had a rear wiper, and nothing else did.

in 1993 there were three models, Base, Touring and the R1
in 1994 there were four, Base, PEP, Touring and R2
1995 is like 1994, except that the touring was Canada only