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Like this:
This is for a car I'm hoping to purchase, the gap is a little more apparent in some other angles. It is no big deal if it is just a striker adjustment (or even replacing the door), my bigger concern is that one of the hinges is bent or the unibody is tweaked. Anyone have experience with this? Any input is appreciated!
It's impossible to say. Most likely it could be re-adjusted. Also impossible to say why it's like that.
Look for any other signs that the car has been in a major accident - Carfax, frame rails not straight, other gaps off, etc.
All things considered if it's a nice car and that's the only issue you're doing good. I would probably use that as a bargaining chip to lower the price some.
Thank you as always Dale. I guess I was hoping someone would chime in and say "yeah, FD doors do that sometimes, nothing to worry about". I'm basically where you said - I'll be inspecting the car thoroughly in person, but will likely buy if this is the only issue, as the car seems very nice otherwise.
Closely examine the hinge pillar and left front sheet metal. If no signs of refinish/paint work and the cloth plugs are still intact between the the fender bolts then it seems like it would be either an adjustment needed at the striker or the hinges…or both. But careful at the door gap. Personally I like the leading door edge in just a half-millimeter or so from the trailing fender edge.
Closely examine the hinge pillar and left front sheet metal. If no signs of refinish/paint work and the cloth plugs are still intact between the the fender bolts then it seems like it would be either an adjustment needed at the striker or the hinges…or both. But careful at the door gap. Personally I like the leading door edge in just a half-millimeter or so from the trailing fender edge.
I have heard of the cloth plugs/tape over the fender holes and it appears they are still intact:
Other side:
Hood latch area:
Looks like the fender tape is still intact? Not pictured, but the rear driver-side one appears intact as well. Only thing that appears amiss to me in these pics might be the paint drip on the side of the core support (?) shown here?
The plot thickens... I was watching the video provided by the seller again and it looks like there is overspray on the door weatherstripping near the hinge pillar:
I think it is pretty obvious something has happened with the driver's door or hinges, and some paintwork was performed with the door still installed?
EDIT: Actually that might just be paint transfer from the weatherstripping rubbing the door frame. The same coloration appears in the same spot on some other red FDs I'm seeing. So... nevermind? I'm still curious about the "paint drip" on the driver-side core support mount thingy.
so the fenders are original, and look undisturbed, which is great. next is the rocker panel. the undercoating should be there and have a nice crisp edge, adding a coat of paint makes the edge not as crisp, not a big deal, but we're looking for accident damage. also the door skin has a bead of sealant around the whole seam to the door shell, most other non Mazda cars have either nothing or just a dab at the corners.
next is the rocker panel, the bottom seam/lip should be painted black (95 and up is body color). also the rubber plugs should be unpainted, they went in after the car was painted.
then the seam between the rocker and the rear quarter panel should be visible, and you should be able to see the spot welds.
if it passes all that, the door probably just wasn't all the way closed in the S*^% video
Thanks, buying the damn car is the current plan. : ) Also appreciate your stamp of approval about the alignment of the front end! Panel gaps also look good up there.
This car was posted on Craigslist a few months ago and I have been in contact with the owner ever since. Plan is to fly out Friday, buy the car, and then have it trailered back to Texas. It is a 14k mile (original Bridgestone tires!) example in my ideal spec--'93 R1 in VR--so I'm pretty excited. Appears to be original paint as well.
Thanks, that would be awesome! I have already had a mechanical PPI on it at Sakebomb, and they recommended replacing the radiator and fuel filter. Spark plugs were just done, also going to have all fluids replaced. And tires, of course. After that the plan is to source a stock head unit to replace the Alpine that is in it, and maybe even get some 17" Regamasters in FD fitment (17x8 +45, 17x9 +45) while the stock wheels/tires stay in the garage. I like the stock wheels but someone chromed them early in this car's life, which I'm not a fan of...
After that, planning to enjoy it mostly stock for a while. Eventually will get a downpipe, catback, and PowerFC and have it all tuned at RP in Garland, but that is wayyy in the future. Would also like a brake master cylinder brace.
On a different topic, anyone have an opinion on replacing the stock radiator as a preventative? The shop says the end tanks are discolored ("worst they have ever seen") and wants to replace it as a preventative measure. I can understand that, and I understand the engine can blow easily from a radiator failure, but how common is it really for the stock radiator to fail? They also want to replace it with a Koyo, whereas Chris at RP in Dallas is adamant that the Mishimoto (after their AST fitting mod) is the best for a drop-in replacement.
Good stuff, know you've been searching for a while now. Kind of regret my decision and not buying a 30K 93 R1 that was in amazing condition before I bought my current car, but am still happy about it. Gives me an excuse to search for a grail FD for my second one in the long haul, hopefully by then the prices aren't any more insane.
Can't wait to see you get it and post about it, if it all works out. Car def looks solid from what everyone's said and from your post
On a different topic, anyone have an opinion on replacing the stock radiator as a preventative? The shop says the end tanks are discolored ("worse they have ever seen") and wants to replace it as a preventative measure. I can understand that, and I understand the engine can blow easily from a radiator failure, but how common is it really for the stock radiator to fail? They also want to replace it with a Koyo, whereas Chris at RP in Dallas is adamant that the Mishimoto (after their AST fitting mod) is the best for a drop-in replacement.
Radiators typically start slowly leaking around the end tanks, I don't think they violently go or anything.
Banzai Racing did a great thread on how to install the Koyo -
Personally I prefer the Koyo - they are top quality, fit right, are consistent, cool the car great, and are reasonably priced. Mishimoto seems to be more off in the quality department from what I've seen - things not exactly fitting right, one fits fine but the next doesn't, etc.
RP is a great shop and they may know more on that than I do, Chris is super sharp.
Regardless, I would go with the Koyo, it's not bad and you can do it yourself.
On a different topic, anyone have an opinion on replacing the stock radiator as a preventative? The shop says the end tanks are discolored ("worse they have ever seen") and wants to replace it as a preventative measure. I can understand that, and I understand the engine can blow easily from a radiator failure, but how common is it really for the stock radiator to fail? They also want to replace it with a Koyo, whereas Chris at RP in Dallas is adamant that the Mishimoto (after their AST fitting mod) is the best for a drop-in replacement.
the Mazda radiators start black, and as the end tanks age they turn green, when it gets green the plastic is really bad, and it can fail basically at any time, sometimes catastrophically
Well guys, it happened, and it is glorious. Bought the car on Friday and couldn't be happier about it. It will still be a couple of weeks before it is with me here in Texas, but it is safe in California getting a few fluids changed before it ships out. The car has 14k miles and is as close to a new FD as I have ever seen. The door gap is not big enough for me to worry about - only issue is the door requires a good slam to shut. Overall though, I will deal with that later, and I'm super happy with the purchase. Here are a few pics... something about that California sunlight...
Haven't gotten the chance to really enjoy the car as my trip to buy it was busy and I only had it for a short period of time. It really rips though, didn't get above six grand, but I was surprised at how fast a stock FD is. This is also the first turbo car I have owned and I'm already addicted to the feeling of boost. Looking forward to having it in Texas and doing the things it needs to be 100%...
That's a BEAUTIFUL FD. Can't wait to hear more about it when you get it in person. Btw, i think the driver door is a common problem, my 93 Touring has the exact same problem. I think it can be fixed from what I have searched on the forums, but it doesn't bug me too much.
Very nice ! Glad you are happy with it in the end. I had less than 24hrs to seal the deal on mine and couldn't be happier with it (tons of interest). Glad the seller honored you in this day and age.
11-08-21, 06:14 PM
Looking forward to having it in Texas and doing the things it needs to be 100%...
