HotCoffee

Hello I am looking at purchasing a 2001 or 2002 unmolested Japanese import FD - low km.

Can anyone direct me to a link on what I should be looking for with the 2001/2002 model. The sticky on this website seems to be towards the 93-95 series or first version of the FD which is fine for most things.

The intended use would be as a weekend car as fuel prices is way too high for a daily driver.

My intention is to keep the car as stock as possible except for pre-cat wheels and slight lowering. I have fun with my other passion which are exotic motorcycles such as MV Agusta 1000cc which are a 10sec 1/4mile stock bikes.

96fd3s

well i think you should look for basically the same as if you were looking at an older model car..read the FAQ's for what to look for..should be basically the same..
make sure the engine has good compression, check body for rust, interior..make sure it hasent been in a colision..and if the previous owner can provide some kind of service history thats always good..
good luck

DMoneyRX-7

iTrader: (2)

what he said.

Also, if you do those mods as you said I would do them with Mazdaspeed parts to keep its value more.

HotCoffee

I saw a blue spirit R on the road the other day. But the owner decided to put a dirty big carbon fibre wing and a body kit. I think that was a real waste.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

You don't need to change the pre-cat. First, it's a major PITA for RHD cars, and second it doesn't have a catalytic element in there to plug up. The rest of the info about reliability, maintenance, and whatnot still apply.

Dave

R-R-Rx7

iTrader: (24)

if i you want something that will keep value you are better off with a type R bathurst R ...spirit R is becoming more and more common ! :P limited edition yellow with carbon interior

HotCoffee

If this is true about the precat - then thats is great news. I assume its only on the JDM model ? I know the JDM do not run a EGR valve as I can't see one when examining modded and stock FD in the car yard.

HotCoffee

I really want to get one of the last models that was manufactured. There is not much price difference between 1999 to the 2002 model so might as well get one of the last models.

I just want to get a very low, mint and unmolested model. A limited edition version would be even better.

R-R-Rx7

iTrader: (24)

on the jdm cars theres is only have one cat..and dont use the EGR

crazyboosta

Hey hotcoffee jump on ausrotary.com or fdowners.com and have a search, as they are Australian based sites and you will get more relivant info to Jap import for Australia.

maxg765

Hello

Did you say JDM and unmolested in the same sentence.

My knowledge of how the road taxes work over there is limited so if someone can add or correct me feel free to do so. I have one suggestion for you. Seek a car that is NOT being sold for export that still has the equivalent of what the would call the ROAD MOT or Tax payment still valid for some time to come. That wont help you but it will better assure that the car is unmolested or less so and still valid for sale locally and thus not an export dumping to save having to recertify or MOT. If my limited knowledge is correct and this is why you see many of the bad cars coming over for export is that they would not pass for a sale locally in Japan without great cost. At least not wroth while to a local buyer so hence the export sale. Its similar in Sweden where sometimes it easier for a seller to sell his car out of country then locally. The cars that usually still have the certification are well kept and a safer bet. Again, thats my limited knowledge of overseas MOTs and road Tax but I do know they play a factor.
Max

HotCoffee

Thanks for the heads up on the link.

Gomez

It's a buyers market ATM. Plenty of nice FD's being sold off due to rocketing fuel prices.

CarSales have a nice Titanium Spirit R in WA for sale in the low 40's bracket...that's good buying for a low km car. Good luck with the hunt.

I imported my RZ myself, there are too few of them in Australia and I couldn't find a nice one. You have much more choice if it's a Spirit R that you're after.

Cheers

Gomez

Oh, and to answer your question......buy something that's been imported as auction grade 4.5 or better. They are low km cars, and they're mickey mouse.

Mine was a five with an "A" interior....the car is absolutely unmarked and as new. It's had twelve dealership services in it's 15,000km life. They love their FD's to death, the Japanese.

spike10000

Yep, getting one with with log books is a definite bonus too.

spike10000

sorry, double post