gio64

iTrader: (1)

Hi, I am looking at an FD3 around here (I live in Canada).
I found one with 71K Km (44375 miles).
The owner tells me (I will go see it this weekend) that it is stock for the most part, except for downpipe, exhaust and a few other things.
The car has a vented hood and those ugly frog lights (no offense to those that have them, I just hate them) and it has been repainted with the RX8 metallic red.
Engine and turbos are still original, the title is clear, stock rims and everything else.
The asking price is 14995 CDN (somewhere in the whereabouts of 13K US).
He said no leaks anywhere, he'll certify and it's smoke legal; the brakes are a bit soft, he doesn't know what it is, maybe the master cylinder, and he said there are no problems with the tranny.
Now, before I pop the questions, I would like you to give me an honest (not a buyer or a seller) opinion on what it's worth; furthermore, keep in mind I hate repaint, unless I got it done where I want and how I want.
What would you pay for it and what would you look for as far as problems?
Another question I have is this: how long before that lovely rotary gives up and I need to put a new one in (along with turbos, maybe)?

snowball

first off you posted in the wrong section
FD3S is a 3rd generation
FC3S is a 2nd generation...

its prob worth about 13k USD
engine life is completely up in the air. the FD's dont have a good track record but it should last another 70k KM with no issues.

gio64

iTrader: (1)

Hi and thanks.
I am sorry, I don't know how it got over here...
I could have sworn I went to the third gen forum...
do you know ho to move this?

gio64

iTrader: (1)

...Did you move it?
If so, Thank you, I really appreciate it.
So you feel it's a good deal?

Montego

iTrader: (1)

Assuming the car's engine is healthy as it should be at 44k miles and the car is in good condition. Here in California average is about 17-20K these days

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...nced=&x=47&y=9

TwilightRotary

iTrader: (3)

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details....ategory=&CAT=1

i'm assuming this is the car that you're talking about. that being the case, maybe its just me but that horsepower seems a little high for what he did to it. i'd ask him if he screwed with the boost at all, and if so i'd stay away from it. that being said, i'm far from an expert on rotaries so i could be way off. just thought i would give my opinion on it.

oo7arkman

iTrader: (2)

Prolly worth around the $15-17K range with that kind of milage. You really need more details about what has been done to the exhaust. If he increased the boost with no new ecu (power FC for example) then you REALLY need to have a compression test done. I would reccommend doing one anyway. http://www.robrobinette.com/ is a great site with lots of good info on buying a used FD. If it is in good shape what he is asking sounds like a good price.

gio64

iTrader: (1)

Hey!
Somebody else from around here...
Thank you for the info.
I called him today, he said to me that the car was tuned and that he had then taken the aftermarket ecu or whatever out and that he had run 12 and change on the 1/4.

Please understand one thing: I could not care less about how much power this car makes. I want a car that is well taken care of and works well, with actually possibly as little modding as possible.

I'd rather do that stuff myself than get somebody else's ideas under (what would then be) my hood.

I guess the bottom line seems to be compression check and -I would imagine- a 50 or whatever point inspection, together with a carfax and an exact list of mods.

I noticed nobody said anything about paint. Is it just me?

And BTW, I didn't check the link, but I'm sure that's it... There are only three listed and only one with frog lights...

Honestly, if the engine is OK, my only real issue is the paint...

Upgrayedd

iTrader: (1)

Well the link won't load for me, but if you're worried about paint inspect the underside of the car and doorjams and everything for any overspray or runs in the paint. Find out where it was painted and that should give you an idea of what kind of quality went into it. $13k for a modded FD is a decent price, but being that it's uner $15k I'd be worried there's something the seller is hiding..... Why would he take the aftermarket ECU out after having it tuned?! Doesn't make sense.... Any proof he ever had an aftermarket ECU, or has he been driving on a stcok ECU and shortening the life of the motor?

RX7LINK

iTrader: (3)

do all the "safty mods", and if u baby the car, the engine will last you till 80k+ miles or even more, if u abuse and drive fast a lot, engine probably only last you 15k - 40k miles.

I'm sure u have lots of questions, but they've been covered many times and consolidated into the *sticky*

so under 3rd Gen, the 5th topic is FAQ. go though that and u'll find almost everything u need..

its a 11-13 year old car. be expected to do some major waxing to the paint or get the car repainted... excellent paint condition 93-95 RX-7s will cost you about $20-25,000

good luck

gio64

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys.

I have read many threads, posts and other sites on "buying an FD3", I have actually completed a list of "standard" questions in regards to these cars, to have something to go by when/if I call somebody (it has happened 3 times, so far I have only gone to see one of those three, but I should go see this one this weekend).

My thread was intended primarily to receive some feedback on the asking price and perhaps some suggestions that might not be frequently heard or discussed, those "insider tips", so to speak.

I had asked about the engine life because it is not clear to me how long you can go with one (at least generally speaking), even in consideration of the fact that I'm going from miles to kms and back, so sometimes, my memory of things I read doesn't assist me properly.

I imagine that these questions are a bit silly, if you will, since in reality I am sure that anyone of you, even the most expert, would probably say: "I gotta see the car before I can give you an exact answer". Hence my "what do you think" type of question, along with the hope somebody would have one or two interesting tips.

As far as the link not loading, apparently they don't load because they are the result of a search and not an actual link to a place.
For those who are willing to look, just go to: http://www.trader.ca, do a search for all Ontario, Mazda, RX7, 93 to 95, submit and it should show up (and you'll see only three cars, so it should be a breeze to find it).

Thanks again,
Giovanni

TwilightRotary

iTrader: (3)

hey again. pretty much the general consensus is make sure that the engine is reliable, after that everything else is up to you.

the power thing seems a little fishy. it could be legitimate but remember that you get what you pay for. the mods themselves don't seem that extreme but definitely not stock either.

as for the exterior, i'm not a fan of the paint or headlights either (but keep in mind that im not a fan of red paint to begin with). if you did end up buying it, you could technically have them replaced if you wanted, but how much trouble or money that would be, i have no idea.

trust me i understand how much you want an FD (i'm currently looking for one myself) but like the guys on here told me. don't rush into a purchase and you wont regret it later. good luck with whatever you choose.

gio64

iTrader: (1)

Thank you.
My problem with the paint is primarily the fact that the car is not all the same colour and I don't know how it was done (remove mouldings, windshield, or just tape and spray), nor I know how good the guy was or how well the job was done.
He told me that he changed the lights because one of the motors broke (I asked him if he had the originals) and then realized he could have bought a used one on ebay, but he had already installed and painted the other ones, so he would have had to re-change and re-paint and so...
I guess I'll go see it, it can't hurt, it gives me something to do this weekend. If it looks and sounds and drives well, I'll get orgainzed to do a compression test, inspection and what not.
Sounds good?

TwilightRotary

iTrader: (3)

sounds good man. can't hurt to check it out. the only condition is if you do buy it i gotta come by to see it. lol.

gio64

iTrader: (1)

Will do.