Hey all,

Brand new member here. I've found an FD at a local used car dealer and it appears to be in excellent shape. I'm going to check it out this afternoon and hopefully get to drive it. Its montego blue, 110,000 miles shown on cluster, not sure of the service history(will investigate), it has TE37s, it appears to be lowered, catback exhaust, greddy turbo elbow, IC piping, possibly an upgraded stock location IC. Interior is mint. They're asking 25,995. HALP! PS anyone know this car?!

 

It could’ve been changed but from the interior it’s a touring model and probably single oil cooler. Doesn’t appear to be an original paint color, so it’s been repainted. The quality of that color change would be big factor imo. If it’ been lowered it’s not a lot. Maybe just the larger wheels...maybe with lowering springs. A picture of the engine bay would help us tell you more.

Recommend getting a compression check which a used-car dealer won’t likely be able to do. Maybe you could work out a split for the cost of the test or if the compression is good and you buy the car they take the cost off the purchase price?
Probably nothing but what’s hanging off the inside mirror?

Check the FAQs at the top of this section under ‘B’ for “buying”. A lot of good info there.

I don’t monitor the market closely...no comment on the 26k price tag. Maybe others can chime in.

 

It looks like the original montego blue to me It looks to be base with leather seats added.

I found the ad online, I won't share for OP's sake. It has coilovers, apexi intake, larger smic, hks bov, exhaust. I would definitely do a compression test. With the mileage and mods, thats probably the top end of what its worth even if it turns out to be really nice in person.

 

Could be MB. Maybe just photo or my old man eyes...it just looked a little too blue.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. Based on what I saw yesterday(bad light/covered in pollen) it looks like it could be a respray on the paint. Again, I'm going to check it out today and maybe test drive. I just wanted to know if I had room to negotiate on the nearly 26k price tag. Also, I've attached an engine bay photo and had already planned to get the compression checked. Thanks again for the help, I'll check out the FAQ

 

1

 

Apexi open intakes. Usually, imo, you want to source ambient air. One filter looks smushed.
Hard to say, kinda looks like an eBay ic. Is the metal duct work is on top of the stock duct or a completely custom duct?
Hard pipes look nice.
MIGHT be an efini ‘Y’ pipe...which is definitely good. You can confirm or eliminate by checking if that crossover leading to the IC bolts down or has a coupler at its base. With the open intake and larger ic I’d look for a boost controller.
Looks like emissions are still present which is good if you have testing.
Stock ecu?
No shock tower brace.
No battery cover
Stock AST...I’d like to see a metal version.
Looks like it has or had an aftermarket stereo.
Aftermarket hood struts instead of hood prop rod.

Looks like they sized those t-bolt clamps with plenty of extra.

 

Make sure you check the carfax as it looks to have the gauge cluster changed to a 94 style.

 

Service history / receipts for sure and almost need a comp test if no history at minimum. May have to factor that in for price negotiation or else a steep price tag in long run

 

i didn't look at anything other than the posted pics, but fender and front core support are original, it still has the tape over the alignment holes

 

Nice looking car. Pending the test drive and compression test, looks like a nice purchase for someone.

 

the colour code looks like IBM to me and looks very well looked after overall, it is clean for sure. if you like it get a compression test, and negotiate down a bit.

-- i actually really like it, IBM with touring khaki leather, win/ win.. good luck.

 

Oil pan leaks, turbo leaks, motor mounts, pillow-*****, 5th Gear synchro...lots of things mentioned in those buying-guide links that should be checked in addition to the compression. And it’s been used-car lot detailed. It might very well be “clean”, but hard to really tell for sure from pictures...especially just from above.

 

That is what MB is supposed to look like. Most call it Montego Green because they have only seen sun damaged examples in person over the years. Original MB paint in great condition is a thing of beauty and the reason so many were sold in that color.

 

You need your eyes checked asap.

 

Now to the OP's question. That car is overpriced by $4-5k. Assuming good compression, AC functioning, no pillow ball issues and it is overall clean it would be a fair buy between $20-22k.

 

Also, it has a tachometer out of a 94 model but based on vin the car is definitely a 93. I found the add on FB and its an overall clean example but I wouldn't pay close to asking for it.

 

+2 on a bit too expensive for mileage and other factors

 

Thanks again for the insight everyone. I pulled the carfax on the car and the mileage is accurate, no accident history, and overall appears to have been well cared for. It has an aftermarket IC and oversized aluminum radiator(unknown manufacturer). It didn't have a boat gauge but I think I may have an old one lying around that I could install to ensure the proper boost is being achieved. It's obviously been lower on springs which would ultimately be getting replace with coilovers anyway. I was toying with the idea of trading in my M2 for this but I'll have to see what figure they hit me with for my car first. I'll keep you all in the loop if I pull the trigger. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of noob questions

Cheers
BATLWAGN

 

I'd offer 18-20k(pending good compressions), That intercooler feeding right into those intakes makes me nervous for intake tempts, I put ducting(tin sheets) between the two to keep them separate, all that hot air going into the motor can't be good...

It looks like it melted one of the filters?!

That duct is 100% not stock. I've only ever seen black plastics which people often remove and it's in 2 parts one funnels air up(covers that fuse box on the left) and the second feeds the intercooler/stock intake box. I took off the direct feed to intercooler/stock intake to keep the apexi from sucking hot air back through the inter cooler which can be an issue.

Make sure that thing doesn't smoke heavily too! Drive it too and if you can check the boost. Also make sure they start it cold I noticed most problems on my friends broken FD's is rough first starts. It should just chirp chirp chirp vroom no problems.

Also be aware that BOV is a COP MAGNET no lifting off aggressively with them around it is LOUD. search up SSQV BOV you'll hear it. It turns heads!

Also 110k miles??? That sounds like full bushings/pillowball replacement which is usually 1500$ before labor. I'd factor in a rebuild in there too (2,500$) lest you wanna revert it back to stockish and keep the boost stockish.
Mine is stockish and I think it's a RIOT reliability mods and make sure the boost works and it's a fun car the twins give the funniest feeling of torque going way up then slowing then UP again which often makes my uninitiated friends scream and I can't stop laughing. Just make sure you got a nice pair of shoes on her she will light up some harder tires if you ask her to.(granted I daily a base civic so the 7 is a breath of fresh twin turbocharged air)

TLDR: if your gonna mod it maybe not. If your gonna enjoy the stockish form/keep up with the maintenance I'd offer 18k.... She's beautiful but she's old and is going to need your love(wallet/time).

 

Filter isn't melted, I've seen that all the time on K&N style filters. Someone tries to twist it or work with it and it twists the whole frame of the filter. Not a big deal, just cosmetic.

OP, the things I would worry about in order on the car are:
- Paint/body being good
- Interior being good, panels not all messed up, seats good, carpet good. A bad interior is CRAZY expensive to fix.
- Good compression on the engine, no smoke
- Drives decent, no sounds from the transmission or rear end that are scary.

That's most of the expensive stuff. A good boost pattern is nice but many times a car with this much mileage may have boost issues, they just need some troubleshooting time and some cheap parts. I'd rather have an FD with a poor boost pattern than one with a good pattern and a blown engine.

Mods are very personal, the car looks like it had halfway decent mods done (not super cheapie) but they may not be what you want or how you want the car to be. Again, not in my list of concerns.

Listen to DJSeven, he is on the money and has owned more RX-7's than most people have ever seen. I think he's in the right ballpark on pricing.

Dale