Buying a 1997 Bathurst RX-7, just have a few small questions (pictures inside)
 

(sorry if it's in the wrong section - if it is, just direct me to the right one and i'll post it there instead)

Hey guys, I've just got a few questions regarding this car. First off, i'm no new comer to rotary, so we don't have to worry about that issue, but i am a bit of a noob when it comes to FD's. I live in New Zealand btw, so don't give me "that can't be insured in North America!"

Soo, I've been shopping around for another RX-7, and yesterday i was at a local importer, and came across this RX-7:

1997 Chaste White Bathurst RX-7 (series 7)
91,300 kms on the body
Red leather interior (Flawless - only marks were on the doorsill scuff plate, not even a rip in the driver's bolster)
Exterior is immaculate - no dents
Car is 100% stock
Only thing that needs may need attention in the somewhat near future is it may need new rear tires. (left was at a grade of 2.0, while right was at 3.0, both fronts were 4.0 - scale is a 4 point scale, but once tires reach a low level of 1.5 they need to be replaced)
comes with a certificate authenticating the KM's on the car, along with New Zealand and Japanese inspection sheets. (i read these in person yesterday)
Clean title, never been in an accident
no NZ owners
(pictures bellow)

Soo now for the questions.
1) is there any way to authenticate that this is indeed a real Bathurst Edition? Would it be on the ID tag in the drivers door frame?
2) What are some of the advantages of a Bathurst? (isn't is just larger brakes, 120 litre gas tank, and 10 kW of power due to an upgraded ECU ?)
3) It has Mazdaspeed strut bars, i'm guessing these don't come stock with the Bathurst, correct? (only mod on the car)
3) The car landed here in New Zealand in March, and has never been registered yet. Who ever is the lucky bastard who buys her will be the first NZ owner.
4) Price is aimed at $19,990 (negotiable), considering the condition of the car and everything, do you think this seems fair? (i forgot to mention that this is an import dealer, not a private sale...but mind you they've been doing this for over 5 years now..what i'm getting at is that they aren't a shotty dealer).

PICTURES!
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/phot...67348_5343.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/phot...67347_5129.jpg
Note the difference in the rear wing

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/phot...67349_5558.jpg
Best shot i could get of the interior - stock Momo wheel too!

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/phot...67386_9181.jpg
General Info sheet on the car. I forgot to get a picture of all the inspection sheets

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/phot...67378_1900.jpg
Price.

So what do you guys think? Should i take the plunge into FD goodness??

So Gorgeous >.>
I want it T__T

So cool to see them relatively 'new', on car lots.

I had a look at this one a few weeks back - its real nice aye.

The VIN should be able to tell you if its a legit Bathurst model. Didnt think they had a 120L tank, I thought all FD's were a 76l

I test drove a white one on trademe a few nights back and Im gonna try buy it this weekend. Are you in wellington?

Have you driven the WCD one? I was really impressed with the one i drove compared to my FC.

Hey, yes i am in Wellington, and this is the one at Wholsale Cars Direct. I haven't driven it yet, but i will probably be setting up a time in the somewhat near future.

you said you've driven this one, and plan on buying it? or another one on Trade Me?

nah differant one on trademe, im not too keen on the red interior. I went and saw this one in person though, really really nice example of an FD.

I wont buy your fd if you don't buy my fd!

I have a 1995 Bathurst X. On the silver plat on the inside of the door it has "Special Edition" written on it. hope that helps.

Alright, deal! lol

sephir0th, thanks, i'll go back and take a look for that, along with getting the VIN number.

That's nice. Rare Red interior (not what I like, but still is rare). It's great, and I say go for it.

You are however, more than entitled to buy my FC :P
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...675&key=176770

did they even have a bathurst model in 1995? I don't remember.

I thought cars were labeled as ifini during that time?

They did have a Bathurst model In japan and abroad. In 96-97 They used the 4 spoke Momo steering wheel. I believe the one with the Red leather seats is the Type RB Bathurst X. Which is the one shown in the pictures. The Bathurst also came in an RZ but that had aluminum footrest for passenger, bucket seats and was more sportier.

Even in 94 Efini Rx7s came in a "bathurst" model through dealerships to commemorate the FDs wins in australia. The Zenki model 93s saw the Touring X, The Type R and the Type RZ with the BBS wheels, Black Recaro Carbon seats, and Bilstein dampeners.

Nice Car, i love the white.

It's not a Bathhurst, but looks sweet none the less

Ahhh, yes i remember taking a look at that FC on trade me a little while ago. Sorry, but i'm not an FC person. Either FB or FD


Soo being a possible Bathurst Type X, would that signify a Bathurst edition of the Touring model? If so that still doesn't seem quite right..If i recall it didn't have a sunroof, or the bose system in it..

Either way i'll probably be getting it.

Well, I took 'mine' for another drive today and wound up buying it. Paying for it all next week.

If the ones ive been driving are anything to go by, you will not be dissapointed.

GL!

isn't thebathurst supposed to have the front lip

and have the stickers on the pillar?

It does have the front lip, it just kinda blends in with the floor.

Stickers on the pillar?

Alright, thanks. I'm sure i'll see you around at the local meets or something like that!

Yeah it is, Im 100 percent sure. I Post scans from a japanese magaznine to prove it.

Alright, so i've found out that it does indeed seem to be a Bathurst X, which is a Bathurst RB, EXCEPT the only difference is that the X has a red leather interior. Secondly it is only one out of 700 made.

it just seems to get more and more tempting.

Just buy it, you know you want it. Just change out the ugly steering wheel i guess To a mazda nardi or something.

Sweet looking fd. If you're from victoria bc, make sure you check with the big 15yr rule we have here in Canada before you go importing that. Otherwise it won't make it past the docks once it lands. I'm sure you can buy now, but you won't be able to drive it until 2012. You can try it, but don't be surprised if it ends up in the crusher once it lands.

If you'd read his initial post...

yeah..i forgot to update my location. But good guess on your part, since Victoria, BC is my hometown. I just live on the other-side of the world now, where these things are legal :D

btw, any guess if the 15 year rule is still in effect, or did they actually change it to a 25 year rule now?

would someone tell if this is a bathurst ? http://www.icedesign.org/foto
i bought a while ago and told me it was one ... but with vieuwing this topic i wasn't sure. in the door it says Type R2 Special Edition (1994) it's a real jap

There's all the production run info for all Japanese FD's produced between 1993 and 1994

source: http://www.rx7.net.nz/fd-jp-models.html (has information on all FD until the end of production in 2002)