FD buying dilemma
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hong Kong
FD buying dilemma
http://www.car8.com/2cardetails.php?id=173917
i am considering this car atm.
went to check out the car, there are many many problems.
1992 jdm model. odometer not working, mileage unknown. seems to be original engine.
the obvious mods are shown in the pic. no need to list them.
couldn't test drive the car, asked for a ride in it, asked for WOT 3rd to check boost pattern. Fuel cut immediately upon WOT. boost needle nearly jumped to 0.9 bar. the owner said he never WOT nor drive pass 5k rpm. stock ecu, i explained the fuel cut @ 12psi to him, he has no clue and he doesn't understand what i am talking about.
a substanial area of bronze color rust appearing near the rad cap, he's loosing coolant and he's adding water maybe every 2 to 3 times he drives it. his rad seems fine. actually i didn't check carefully as i was hugely disappointed after the ride. no fuild dripping at all after driving.
could it be an easy fix to the coolant problem? the rad cap and ast cap seem to be in the right place and not mixed up (can see from the pic). can it be just a bad rad cap? his water temp gauge shows normal reading 90-100 celcius
the car is listed @ $12.5k with this many problems. i wonder what he has been smoking, it's sad, and the FD is literally crippled atm. he went to the dealer and they offered him like $4k. i hardly doubt anyone will buy this car with this price..... if i could convince him....would u take this car for $5-6k?
i don't understand how he's boosting at near 0.9 bar. is it normal with just intake, catback and intercooler?
the fuel cut problem is something fixable with a power FC or boost controller. I don't need a fast car, i need a reliable fun car.
the coolant part, i really dunno, as i have no way to test things myself.
is this car even worth my time and money to send to my mechanics for a check and compression test? or i am just looking for trouble?
i am considering this car atm.
went to check out the car, there are many many problems.
1992 jdm model. odometer not working, mileage unknown. seems to be original engine.
the obvious mods are shown in the pic. no need to list them.
couldn't test drive the car, asked for a ride in it, asked for WOT 3rd to check boost pattern. Fuel cut immediately upon WOT. boost needle nearly jumped to 0.9 bar. the owner said he never WOT nor drive pass 5k rpm. stock ecu, i explained the fuel cut @ 12psi to him, he has no clue and he doesn't understand what i am talking about.
a substanial area of bronze color rust appearing near the rad cap, he's loosing coolant and he's adding water maybe every 2 to 3 times he drives it. his rad seems fine. actually i didn't check carefully as i was hugely disappointed after the ride. no fuild dripping at all after driving.
could it be an easy fix to the coolant problem? the rad cap and ast cap seem to be in the right place and not mixed up (can see from the pic). can it be just a bad rad cap? his water temp gauge shows normal reading 90-100 celcius
the car is listed @ $12.5k with this many problems. i wonder what he has been smoking, it's sad, and the FD is literally crippled atm. he went to the dealer and they offered him like $4k. i hardly doubt anyone will buy this car with this price..... if i could convince him....would u take this car for $5-6k?
i don't understand how he's boosting at near 0.9 bar. is it normal with just intake, catback and intercooler?
the fuel cut problem is something fixable with a power FC or boost controller. I don't need a fast car, i need a reliable fun car.
the coolant part, i really dunno, as i have no way to test things myself.
is this car even worth my time and money to send to my mechanics for a check and compression test? or i am just looking for trouble?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 241
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From: Hong Kong
Thx for input, I m aware of that. I checked with goo exchange from japan and they only charge $750 for shipping to Hk. And japan used cars are very cheap
Getting the car legal on the road is trouble. If I wait one more year, can import a year 1992 model as a classic with year of make more than 20 years.
The question is "would u buy a fd without test driving it even it is cheap?"
Getting the car legal on the road is trouble. If I wait one more year, can import a year 1992 model as a classic with year of make more than 20 years.
The question is "would u buy a fd without test driving it even it is cheap?"
Wait...radiator cap? Or do you mean the filler cap on top of the thermostats housing? If he is adding water constantly I will not be surprised if the o-rings are gone. Then you be looking at a rebuild.
BTW if you are looking for something fun and reliable, then the FD isn't really the car for that. They are fun but not exactly reliable. Sure they can be daily driven but they are temperamental and an aging car that needs more attention than other older cars.
BTW if you are looking for something fun and reliable, then the FD isn't really the car for that. They are fun but not exactly reliable. Sure they can be daily driven but they are temperamental and an aging car that needs more attention than other older cars.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hong Kong
Wait...radiator cap? Or do you mean the filler cap on top of the thermostats housing? If he is adding water constantly I will not be surprised if the o-rings are gone. Then you be looking at a rebuild.
BTW if you are looking for something fun and reliable, then the FD isn't really the car for that. They are fun but not exactly reliable. Sure they can be daily driven but they are temperamental and an aging car that needs more attention than other older cars.
BTW if you are looking for something fun and reliable, then the FD isn't really the car for that. They are fun but not exactly reliable. Sure they can be daily driven but they are temperamental and an aging car that needs more attention than other older cars.
at first when he mentions to me that he's adding coolant constantly, i had the same thought as u pointed out above as well. but there are obvious rust around the filler cap area. so, coolant are not misteriously gone, or got burn inside the cooling system caz of the o-ring failure. that's why i wanna check out the car again, to give it a second chance.
the FD has always been a dream car of mine. i am looking at other FDs as well, and i am very close in buying one which is in much better condition, and there are other candinates too - impreza, silvias, skyline etc. my eyes are pretty set on the FDs tho.
i don't believe that RX-7 are not reliable. they just require more attention. yes, in a way, i am looking for troubles =D
i wanted to get one 10 years ago but i couldn't afford it. and now i can, so here i am...
There are so many things wrong with what was said about the car. Stay away. I'd consider the car as a roller if it was especially clean but I'm sure you can find a better one.
If I was you and I was set on a FD, I would look for a newer model with the fewest mods possible. If you have to get an older one, I would look for a clean one with low miles. That way you know it will be in better mechanical condition and you know what you are starting with.
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I'm looking for an FD myself, honestly with 13k you can find one with 50,000 mile or less and in good condition. If I were you I would find a newer model from Japan and import it, it would be much cheaper and probably in better condition. I'm from HK as well but I've never own a car there, as I moved after high school. So I don't know how much is it to get a car on the road after you import it, I do know you pay about 100% of the car value to get it to register. Also that car seems to be modded quite a bit, I would look for a stock one to start it off fresh as the chances of being abuse is probably less, and the non-working odometer is kind of fishy so I would stay away from this one.
Its fairly obvious the FD your looking at has the early signs of a blown coolant seal/jacket..... which at worst case, means an engine rebuild which can cost about $1500USD right off the bat provided everything else is in good condition, which being a 92 and having that many problems.....i'd stay away from.
Are you a local resident or are you stationed in Japan?
Like what has already been mentioned...... get a newer year with less miles...... less potential for problems and less money you'll spend on repairs and more money you can spend enjoying the car
Are you a local resident or are you stationed in Japan?
Like what has already been mentioned...... get a newer year with less miles...... less potential for problems and less money you'll spend on repairs and more money you can spend enjoying the car
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hong Kong
thx for inputs.
Of course there's no way i pay $12k for it. However, like i said at the beginning, i am considering if it's like $4-5k.
I actually had a FC which suffered from blown coolant seal. I was constantly adding coolant to the car. The coolant go missing /burned obviously thru the system and the coolant has an petroleum smell, and of course there were many air bubbles in the coolant.
For the case i mentioned here, the coolants are somehow pushed thru the cap and are being evaporized near the filler cap area, leaving obvious rust marks. Tat's why i think it is possible to be an easy fix, maybe it just needed a new cap, maybe a hose crack. maybe he's AST is fuxked...who knows?
However, i can't stress this enough....-- the most frustrating thing is - I can't get to the car for any kind of testing at all and whatever i suggested to the owner, he simply doens't care. (like the the fuel cut problem). And this pisses me off. wat possibly could be an "ok condition" FD is literally crippled right now due to the owner's self lack of interest to take care of the car. "If you wanna sell the car with the right price, at least get it to run right first!!"
poor dude problaby got ripped off by the local shops, he has an receipt showing that he paid $10k for some engine work + misc work but he doens't even know what work it is. and i have not yet make the effort to try calling the shop and ask about the job.
anyway, i am located in hong kong atm. Rx-7s are very rare here. importing an FD from japan is a very good idea at least from the price point of view. for $13k you can problaby get a 1999 or 2000 model. getting it legal on the road is another issue, it will require a person to prove the ownership of his car in japan for more than 6 months before bringing it back to hong kong for self use. Of course with the right connection you can pay someone in a japan to do this. just $$
anyway, i will probably check out this car a 2nd time for another inspection. unless something magical happens, i am actually buying another 95 FD, pending upon compression test result.
thx for reading.
happy new year =D
Of course there's no way i pay $12k for it. However, like i said at the beginning, i am considering if it's like $4-5k.
I actually had a FC which suffered from blown coolant seal. I was constantly adding coolant to the car. The coolant go missing /burned obviously thru the system and the coolant has an petroleum smell, and of course there were many air bubbles in the coolant.
For the case i mentioned here, the coolants are somehow pushed thru the cap and are being evaporized near the filler cap area, leaving obvious rust marks. Tat's why i think it is possible to be an easy fix, maybe it just needed a new cap, maybe a hose crack. maybe he's AST is fuxked...who knows?
However, i can't stress this enough....-- the most frustrating thing is - I can't get to the car for any kind of testing at all and whatever i suggested to the owner, he simply doens't care. (like the the fuel cut problem). And this pisses me off. wat possibly could be an "ok condition" FD is literally crippled right now due to the owner's self lack of interest to take care of the car. "If you wanna sell the car with the right price, at least get it to run right first!!"
poor dude problaby got ripped off by the local shops, he has an receipt showing that he paid $10k for some engine work + misc work but he doens't even know what work it is. and i have not yet make the effort to try calling the shop and ask about the job.
anyway, i am located in hong kong atm. Rx-7s are very rare here. importing an FD from japan is a very good idea at least from the price point of view. for $13k you can problaby get a 1999 or 2000 model. getting it legal on the road is another issue, it will require a person to prove the ownership of his car in japan for more than 6 months before bringing it back to hong kong for self use. Of course with the right connection you can pay someone in a japan to do this. just $$
anyway, i will probably check out this car a 2nd time for another inspection. unless something magical happens, i am actually buying another 95 FD, pending upon compression test result.
thx for reading.
happy new year =D
thx for inputs.
Of course there's no way i pay $12k for it. However, like i said at the beginning, i am considering if it's like $4-5k.
I actually had a FC which suffered from blown coolant seal. I was constantly adding coolant to the car. The coolant go missing /burned obviously thru the system and the coolant has an petroleum smell, and of course there were many air bubbles in the coolant.
For the case i mentioned here, the coolants are somehow pushed thru the cap and are being evaporized near the filler cap area, leaving obvious rust marks. Tat's why i think it is possible to be an easy fix, maybe it just needed a new cap, maybe a hose crack. maybe he's AST is fuxked...who knows?
However, i can't stress this enough....-- the most frustrating thing is - I can't get to the car for any kind of testing at all and whatever i suggested to the owner, he simply doens't care. (like the the fuel cut problem). And this pisses me off. wat possibly could be an "ok condition" FD is literally crippled right now due to the owner's self lack of interest to take care of the car. "If you wanna sell the car with the right price, at least get it to run right first!!"
poor dude problaby got ripped off by the local shops, he has an receipt showing that he paid $10k for some engine work + misc work but he doens't even know what work it is. and i have not yet make the effort to try calling the shop and ask about the job.
anyway, i am located in hong kong atm. Rx-7s are very rare here. importing an FD from japan is a very good idea at least from the price point of view. for $13k you can problaby get a 1999 or 2000 model. getting it legal on the road is another issue, it will require a person to prove the ownership of his car in japan for more than 6 months before bringing it back to hong kong for self use. Of course with the right connection you can pay someone in a japan to do this. just $$
anyway, i will probably check out this car a 2nd time for another inspection. unless something magical happens, i am actually buying another 95 FD, pending upon compression test result.
thx for reading.
happy new year =D
Of course there's no way i pay $12k for it. However, like i said at the beginning, i am considering if it's like $4-5k.
I actually had a FC which suffered from blown coolant seal. I was constantly adding coolant to the car. The coolant go missing /burned obviously thru the system and the coolant has an petroleum smell, and of course there were many air bubbles in the coolant.
For the case i mentioned here, the coolants are somehow pushed thru the cap and are being evaporized near the filler cap area, leaving obvious rust marks. Tat's why i think it is possible to be an easy fix, maybe it just needed a new cap, maybe a hose crack. maybe he's AST is fuxked...who knows?
However, i can't stress this enough....-- the most frustrating thing is - I can't get to the car for any kind of testing at all and whatever i suggested to the owner, he simply doens't care. (like the the fuel cut problem). And this pisses me off. wat possibly could be an "ok condition" FD is literally crippled right now due to the owner's self lack of interest to take care of the car. "If you wanna sell the car with the right price, at least get it to run right first!!"
poor dude problaby got ripped off by the local shops, he has an receipt showing that he paid $10k for some engine work + misc work but he doens't even know what work it is. and i have not yet make the effort to try calling the shop and ask about the job.
anyway, i am located in hong kong atm. Rx-7s are very rare here. importing an FD from japan is a very good idea at least from the price point of view. for $13k you can problaby get a 1999 or 2000 model. getting it legal on the road is another issue, it will require a person to prove the ownership of his car in japan for more than 6 months before bringing it back to hong kong for self use. Of course with the right connection you can pay someone in a japan to do this. just $$
anyway, i will probably check out this car a 2nd time for another inspection. unless something magical happens, i am actually buying another 95 FD, pending upon compression test result.
thx for reading.
happy new year =D
I have a bad coolant seal which is pressurizing my cooling system and causing coolant to come out my rad cap.
Personally I'd walk away from this car unless you get it for sub $5k
-Geoff
I would not bother looking at this car anymore. The owner doesn't appear to know anything about the car and is listing it with lots of obvious problems. There are certainly a huge number of problems that aren't obvious also. It sounds like a complete overhaul project and project FDs are notorious moneyholes. So it would be that much worse.
If you can consider spending $12k just keep looking until you find a good car.
David
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i should walk away from this
Thread Starter
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From: Hong Kong
The guy is in Socal. I think he should take a moment to shop locally first. Importing an FD to Canada has different rules than in the US. In other words, it's fully legal in Canada. Not fully legal in US.
I would not bother looking at this car anymore. The owner doesn't appear to know anything about the car and is listing it with lots of obvious problems. There are certainly a huge number of problems that aren't obvious also. It sounds like a complete overhaul project and project FDs are notorious moneyholes. So it would be that much worse.
If you can consider spending $12k just keep looking until you find a good car.
David
I would not bother looking at this car anymore. The owner doesn't appear to know anything about the car and is listing it with lots of obvious problems. There are certainly a huge number of problems that aren't obvious also. It sounds like a complete overhaul project and project FDs are notorious moneyholes. So it would be that much worse.
If you can consider spending $12k just keep looking until you find a good car.
David
well, i dont live in the states anymore (ok, gonna edit my profile signature now =D)
http://www.fotop.net/Davis/Davis172
this is the 95 FD that i will probably buy soon... (pending upon compression test result, if all faces >100psi then i buy, if 90-100, maybe i will think about it, try bargain, or look for another one)
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From: Hong Kong
i think it has potential, i think it would be a good deal for $5k
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