cheap FD expensive fix
 

I found an FD for 5,000 bucks. I have some pros and cons. I would like your guys input on this because I am torn on if I should buy it or let the guy keep it.

PROS - motor is completely stock with vacuum lines switched to silicone line, the interior is in damn good shape, motor runs fine and has new turbos installed by mazda, Its 5 grand!

CONS - has a half molded, falling off, primered bodykit so it needs both front fenders, sideskirts, front and rear bumpers, wheels, windshield, tail lights, both door panels, and paint

Interior is black and I'm not sure on the original exterior color (black I think)

Here is some pics

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g4...2/IMG00244.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g4...2/IMG00241.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g4...2/IMG00238.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g4...2/IMG00229.jpg

If I dont buy the car then this guy is gonna have a hand made replica veilside fortune kit made and molded on and painted like the F&F dirft RX7. Do you think it would be worth my time to try and fix all the messed up stuff or just let it go?

Thanks for your input fellas

If the rest of the car is mechanically sound, it has a clear title, and besides cosmetics has no structural damage, id buy it for $5k. Even if you have to put another $5k in for paint/body work you will have a nice clean fresh paint FD for ~$10k. But its hard to tell from the pics how good condition the rest of the car is in.

If the guy already has a failed project car with a different replica aero kit, what makes this guy think his next project with another replica kit will be any different.

To be frank, regaurding his previous work, I would say do not even go near this thing. Most importantly, you did not post pictures of what the engine looks like.

alot of FD's need paint work anyway..

this gives u a chance to get the bodykit u want, and in the color u want

If you have the money and time I say go for it!

Most fds these days need all new wiring harnesses and some paint work. It all depends on what you want out of it. Dont take this the wrong way but if you are going to put a ricey kit on the car I would rather you start with a rough car to begin with.

Thats a good deal if the motor/trans/turbos are good.

I'd make him an offer for less than 5k but that's just me. Buy it fix it!

I'd buy it...

If for no other reason you should buy it from him just to keep him from doing this.

So this guy thinks that if you don't buy it, he is going to take an already poorly executed project and take on one of (if not the) most difficult body kits and have a replica made and installed. Yeah, right.... My advice to him is just drop the cash and buy the original b/c it will end up costing the same. And if he plans on saving money by doing it himself, I hope someone saves this FD from becoming another failed project in a junkyard...

Honestly, if the motor, trans, and interior is in decent shape it is worth the $5k. Like mentioned above, most FD's need a fresh coat of paint and a little body work. They are old cars you know. If you are mechanically inclined then pick it up and give it a fresh, new , respectable life. The hood actually looks to be in ok shape, it may be salvageable if it is in your taste. Maybe $7k top end to finish if only exterior work is needed with nothing major. Of coarse this depends on the quality of parts you purchase as well as quality of body work you are willing to pay for.

Do It.

buy it

What I want is bone stock FD. Stock body with a front lip and slammed to the ground. He says it runs and drives fine. I havent test driven it yet so i'm not sure. The only parts i'm worried I wont be able to get are the door panels but other than that I am sure I can find what I need for the car.




As for the body kit the previous owner was tweaking and tried to put it on in a storage unit. Then was sold to the guy who owns it now.

I picked up an FD with engine and mint interior...the outside though has some bad rust and other minor damage for $500. I'm working on a restore...I also have the resources to do it right.

If you don't have at least 5k-10k available for your project, I'd pass.

It's apparent the outside wasn't cared for, so there's no reason to believe the rest of the car is any different. If the internals were as good as he says they are, he would make more money if he was to finish what he started with the body and sell the car for $14Gs.

Can you count the number of started and unfinished projects in those pictures? I would have left after seeing the bondo job on the fender.

And there's no such thing as a "cheap FD."

One of my good friends has been doing body work and paint for 25 years so I'm covered in that department

It looks like it has been sitting a long time, isnt that a recipe for coolant seal failure shortly after you start running it?

I think I would plan on a rebuild or a used motor in your budget.

$$$$ x Time = :icon_tup:

Then don't make any compromises and buy what you want. Decent FD's can be had "cheaply" these days for around $12k. Find one of those that has been cared for. You may be driving/flying to pick it up but who cares. Spend the money, do it right, and get what you want.

here is my experience on previous projects that ive done..
went both ways before.. bought a car that need all engine component and body work. the mechanicall was not that hard for me but always have problems getting a good body work at an affordable price..
so this time i just took an FD project with good body/paint/interior will need engine/tranny/shaft/wiring/intercooler.

what i meant here is understand your strenght on a rebuilt means. and dig in your budget to finish the car. ..

my suggestion is i would buy it.. try to offer him about 4k for it..

I like the idea of buying it for $4k. If he is asking $5k for it then he will take less. Make sure to compression test the engine as well. If the numbers suck, and you still want it, you'll have that much more bargaining power.

Its a turd...better off buying a nice one for around $9500. :)

If you're anything like me, buy it. I bought a expensive, tidy FD. I've owned it two years & have/am in the process of changing everything on it. Imo its best to start with a cheap, standard FD...Then turn it into what YOU like :)

mine sat for 12 years.... been 3k miles now and a year an no coolant leak