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Hey there,
I am in the market for an RX-7 and given my budget (40k€) rather flexible on the specs. I contacted the seller of the 92 JDM RX-7 shown below and was wondering the following things:
1. Is the carbon style interior stock? I saw it on many pictures so i am not sure at this point anymore but i can't imagine this style being stock in the early 90s.
2. Concerning the shift ****, strut bar and bodykit i think someone really wanted an Spirit-R ... Seller says: Original Spirit R Bodykit and original mazdaspeed rims and strut bar (front&rear) - Was there really ever an original bodykit from mazda for mounting on non Spirit-R models?
3. Spoiler looks different from what i know - black / grey sidepiece looks like it is aftermarket.
4. Yeah that dash is not original, given the big hole lol. Is this a turbo timer?
5. Is this an Type S or Type R? It can't be an X o RZ. An definietly not an Spirit R given the year
I like the looks (except the colour tbh) but the price is heavy at 40.000€ (car is in the EU already so propably just needs different headlights and registration) but a 92 doesn't seem that desireable with what i have read so far. Maybe you can prove me wrong, i would love to learn more about the FD.
Last edited by Staubkappe; 02-04-23 at 06:35 AM.
Reason: 5. Is this an Type S or Type R? It can't be an X o RZ. An definietly not an Spirit R given the year ;)
Pretty much nothing you mentioned is stock on that car. If you want to know the type, run the VIN through carvx, it's like the Japanese carfax. You can get the basic information free, then history on the car is like $25.
Front end is 99-02. Same goes for spoiler although it has an aftermarket blade. Skirts are OEM option. Carbon effect interior is not stock. Mazdaspeed make some of those panels. Shift **** not stock. Strut bar is mazdaspeed. Wheels are mazdaspeed and look like 18in MS-01S (highly desirable). The seats are not from that car, those seats are from a 2000- Type R or RS. Interesting its got an RE-A Greddy thing. Ive got one of those new in its box but I couldnt get it to communicate with any JDM FD. Aerial isnt stock. even the cluster is a mish mash of 99- and early. If its actually a 92, then most likely its a Type S or Type R. No sunroof so wont be an X. If it is a 92 (easy way is post the vin - a 92 vin will start FD3S1XXXXX), then the speedo isnt from a 92 car which would make me question whether the KM is genuine.
Front end is 99-02. Same goes for spoiler although it has an aftermarket blade. Skirts are OEM option. Carbon effect interior is not stock. Mazdaspeed make some of those panels. Shift **** not stock. Strut bar is mazdaspeed. Wheels are mazdaspeed and look like 18in MS-01S (highly desirable). The seats are not from that car, those seats are from a 2000- Type R or RS. Interesting its got an RE-A Greddy thing. Ive got one of those new in its box but I couldnt get it to communicate with any JDM FD. Aerial isnt stock. even the cluster is a mish mash of 99- and early. If its actually a 92, then most likely its a Type S or Type R. No sunroof so wont be an X. If it is a 92 (easy way is post the vin - a 92 vin will start FD3S1XXXXX), then the speedo isnt from a 92 car which would make me question whether the KM is genuine.
Thank you for the detailed feedback. This all sounds kinda chaotic to me but i am also happy to hear the "bodykit" is more or less OEM.
Is it normal for RX-7s to have that many parts cross swapped from different model years? I now it tends to be a thing with Lancer Evos.
Originally Posted by boostin13b
Pretty much nothing you mentioned is stock on that car. If you want to know the type, run the VIN through carvx, it's like the Japanese carfax. You can get the basic information free, then history on the car is like $25.
I will ask for the VIN, if it gets more into detail about this car in terms of a purchase i will run a history check, thanks for the info!
Its common to put 99-02 parts on earlier cars but the way this one is done is a little strange, especially the instrument cluster and the seats. I can understand why the front end, rear spoiler and the dash panels are changed as the exterior parts are more desirable and the interior parts on a 92 are the rubbery finish which scratches and tarnishes easily. Do a CarVX check as that instrument cluster is a big red flag for me
So, got more Info: That Greddy thing is kind of an OBD reader you can configure to read out and display different parameters.
VIN is FD3S-107124
Grade R, given the engine is stock (except for HKS intercooler piping) and the exterior is just midly modified, i guess it was in a heavy accident.
Seller says according to the export cetificate the mileage is correct and given the overall condition he would be surprised for it to be a grade R.
Think i need to sleep another night about whether to take a closer look as it is a 3 hour drive away.
Depending on when the car was exported, CarVX should show you the auction sheet. That should give an indication of where the accident was. It may also show if its been thru a salvage auction in Japan. I wouldnt dream of buying an import without the carVX check. Its like less than 40 euros
So, got more Info: That Greddy thing is kind of an OBD reader you can configure to read out and display different parameters.
VIN is FD3S-107124
Grade R, given the engine is stock (except for HKS intercooler piping) and the exterior is just midly modified, i guess it was in a heavy accident.
Seller says according to the export cetificate the mileage is correct and given the overall condition he would be surprised for it to be a grade R.
Think i need to sleep another night about whether to take a closer look as it is a 3 hour drive away.
Grade R means it should be a Type R. Dual oil coolers, factory strut bar (but that was already replaced) Factory wing (also replaced) stiffer suspension, suede seats (replaced) etc. So pretty much everything that makes it a type R was replaced aside from the oil coolers from the looks of it. As others have stated, some of the 99 spec parts and rare legit mazdaspeed parts can make it more desirable. Some prefer them to be completely stock. Really depends on the buyer, if you like those mods then thats great for you. They look to be decent parts and decently done. I second buying the CarVX if you are truly interested in the car, I paid for several of them on cars I ultimately did not end up buying because of what I found on them. It's worth the $25. Another thing I found out the hard way is cheap respray paint jobs can look great in pictures but once you see it in person they can be junk.
I have a Type R which is 99% stock you can see what it should look like in your year for a comparison.
They sometimes refer to Type R as Grade R. But Grade R can also be the auction rating. This can mean various factors, such as current damage, prior accident, title issues, whatever. It make the car more risky, but some Grade R cars are not bad at all.
They sometimes refer to Type R as Grade R. But Grade R can also be the auction rating. This can mean various factors, such as current damage, prior accident, title issues, whatever. It make the car more risky, but some Grade R cars are not bad at all.
I believe the Grade on the carVX initial report is the vehicle type. This does not refer to the condition, just the initial registration of vehicle and model specs like in this example from one of the ones I was looking at. So a grade R should be a Type R as it was with my vehicle that I bought. The grades on the auction sheets when you pay for that Carvx are different than this Grade.
Thank you all for the input - makes more sense for it to be a type R than a grade R car.
I might check it out next week, the mods mostly fit my taste very well.
However the seller showed me this right here. Rust at the rear window, below the paint.
Also i wasn‘t expecting this on a 42.500€ car. Anyone knows if this is common and if so, how hard it is to repair? I am afraid i would have to remove the rear window.
If there is rust there, then there will be rust in the channel where the seal runs. Realistically the best thing to do if that’s the case is replace the tailgate. It’s too much hassle to repair the channel in a way that the seal sits properly and actually seals.
The speedo may or not be from a 92, if that's based solely on the missing rings on the perspex cover.....lots of swaps of those in Japan and elsewhere once the "chrome" started flaking. With speedo zeroing openly offered over there, maybe best to tread very cautiously though. 3000km per year with rust and the major indicators of use, the interior replaced and door apertures tarted up, would have me looking very closely on a hoist.
Elbow on the engine looks to be from a later car too, unless it's been painted. Possibly indicates a used engine swap.....or hopefully a good rebuild instead.......if that's the case.
Thank you all for the input - makes more sense for it to be a type R than a grade R car.
I might check it out next week, the mods mostly fit my taste very well.
However the seller showed me this right here. Rust at the rear window, below the paint.
Also i wasn‘t expecting this on a 42.500€ car. Anyone knows if this is common and if so, how hard it is to repair? I am afraid i would have to remove the rear window.
Send me the VIN number and I can tell you exactly what it is and how it came out of the factory. Pretty sure it's not a Type X though, no auto a/c option is shown.
Rusty FD are actually quite rare. It may have sat out for a long time. I have only seen one car with rust bubbles in that location. But it is a 30 year old car.
A lot of the kit on that car is what people are paying a lot of money for to do "OEM Plus" modifications of their cars.
That is upgrading using OEM option or later model parts.
Here is a ballpark on some of the upgrades I see;
Pricing may vary.
Full S8 front bumper set including undersupports, etc. C$5000 (see Shine Auto) Not including paint matching.
OEM "pool noodle" sideskirts: C$1800 (Not including remediation of stress cracking and paint matching)
Mazdaspeed brake handle: C$600
Type R Bathurst R CF dash plastics and drivers door plastics set: C$1800
Aftermarket CF passenger door plastics: C$180
18" Mazdaspeed wheels: C$6500
Spirit R metal footrest cap:C$180
Version 5/6 Upper air intake plenum: C$75.
Source of these prices largely derived from recent asking prices on Buyee and other sources.
The speedo on the car likely crapped out and was replaced with a version 4 unit. Or it could be a mileage fakaroo.
The Version 5 base (rubber weave) seats may have been a matter of personal choice, or a low cost alternative (Say $100 each) replacement of more badly worn seats (which would also give away a high mileage car).
The carbon front lip could be mazdaspeed or aftermarket: At least C$800
Rear mudflaps; C$250
The antanae looks like a popular modification from a Honda S2000.
Floor mats look like an inexpensive replacement set.
The seats are very faded if they are indeed from 1999 or newer. The fading is more cosistent with a 30 year old car. The USDM base seats were also a weave material
Type RZ drivers door knee rest: C$180 (if it has the interior brace, that brace is very rare).
Metal sills were dealer option: C$200 (much more if in good condition)
Hand rest on door frame was also an option. Aftermarket copies sell for about C$35
White sidemarkers were a dealer option, but aftermarket units were also available. ($35 each)
S8 Foglights: C$800 (not including instalation of the foglight switch - which should be in the right-most recess not the middle.)
Early non-aribag Efini logo steering wheels are very desirable (there are vinyl versions however). I would suspect the original has been replaced. Good condition units: C$600
The mystery of the seats might be like what happened to my friend. He bought an 1996 RZ out of Japan, but when it arrived in Canada, someone had swapped the RZ Recaro seats out for standard "faux -alacantra" seats. Given the direction of the other parts put on this car, at some point a PO might have also had RZ Recaro seats in the car. Given such seats can sell for $4000 each these days, perhaps the seats in this car were also swapped out for $100 replacements that are commonly available (check Buyee)..
(I was able to put together a set of RZ seats for my friends RZ. I got one out of Cypress and another one out of Northern Ontario. They were a perfect match! Total cost C$3500 (including only one rail). When my friend sold his car, the next owner took out the Recaro seats and sold the car to another friend. The second owner recently had the set of seats up for sale for C$10,000. But withdrew them.)
With all the changes does not matter much if it was a Type S or Type R. Particularly if new springs and dampers have been subbed in. Surprise might be if it is a very early RZ.
As to value compare to the wrecks posted on Buyee/Yaj. Select a close approximation. Add all the added options. and assign a value to having it already in country (if it is) and being scarce..
Here is a very late period "Shop Options" brochure. Nevermind the markings. Seems the PO bought the catalogue, except he went for the strut bar and wheels from the Mazdaspeed brochure.
The speedo may or not be from a 92, if that's based solely on the missing rings on the perspex cover.....lots of swaps of those in Japan and elsewhere once the "chrome" started flaking. With speedo zeroing openly offered over there, maybe best to tread very cautiously though. 3000km per year with rust and the major indicators of use, the interior replaced and door apertures tarted up, would have me looking very closely on a hoist.
Elbow on the engine looks to be from a later car too, unless it's been painted. Possibly indicates a used engine swap.....or hopefully a good rebuild instead.......if that's the case.
A 1992 Speedo has more graduations between the numbers. That speedo is from a late 93-95 car. To the OP, pay for the full carVx check so you can see the recorded mileages and accident repair history in Japan
Elbow on the engine looks to be from a later car too, unless it's been painted. Possibly indicates a used engine swap.....or hopefully a good rebuild instead.......if that's the case.
What is an "Elbow" on the engine? I am not a native speaker and couln't find any usefull translation.
Originally Posted by Akagis_white_comet
Send me the VIN number and I can tell you exactly what it is and how it came out of the factory. Pretty sure it's not a Type X though, no auto a/c option is shown.
I only have this: FD3S-107124. Is this the VIN or the chassis-number?
Originally Posted by Redbul
With all the changes does not matter much if it was a Type S or Type R
Well that is true
Also thanks a lot for all your replies, i also researchecd the prices and came out a little bit cheaper on some using parts from poland (I am in Germany) but some other parts like the rims are nowhere to be found.
It is a bonus for me as i really like this OEM + style. HOWEVER: My dream is a RE Amemyia widebody. But who i fi will ever fulfill this.
Could you send me a link to tis Website Buyee/YAJ?
02-04-23, 06:33 AM
