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Hi all I was just wondering if anyone could recommend the best place to import an rx7 from for cheap as im looking for a new project. than you!
US? Europe? Location matters quite a bit, as local laws apply.
Also, I hate to break it to you, but out of the words 'import' 'rx7' and 'cheap', 'cheap' is the odd one out here. Prices in general are skyrocketing, and its almost prohibitively expensive to purchase one. Listing your budget would be a good starting point, but using a registered importer in your location will likely not be cheap.
+1 on the above comment - the cheapest I have seen for imports are still around 30k unless they are automatic which are sometimes slightly less.
Personally I find Japanese Classics in VA to be fairly reasonable, but they haven't had an FD in a while. And if you're not on the East coast then it may make sense to find somewhere closer to you.
+1 on the above comment - the cheapest I have seen for imports are still around 30k unless they are automatic which are sometimes slightly less.
Personally I find Japanese Classics in VA to be fairly reasonable, but they haven't had an FD in a while. And if you're not on the East coast then it may make sense to find somewhere closer to you.
Japanese Classics does seem to be a nice one to deal with, however, I did ask them about custom importing an FD after looking at what they had in the past. I was told they only come across about "1-2 a year" and don't mess with them often because of how "complicated" they are. I was basically told to put my name on the notification list for when one arrives, with no idea when that'd happen. Now that I think about it, I need to take my name off that list since I found mine elsewhere. I think unless its a Skyline, they don't really have much of an interest in getting it.
RHD models are up there, I paid closer to 40 for mine, but it's a special case.
I remember seeing them pop up on those importer's sites with some regularity, but they were always either really beat, or extra pricey special editions. The good thing, for those with skinnier wallets, is that some of those importers finance. I would consider this if the right model popped-up. The entire car market (new, used, classic, muscle, import, etc. - You name it) is bananas right now.
I remember seeing them pop up on those importer's sites with some regularity, but they were always either really beat, or extra pricey special editions. The good thing, for those with skinnier wallets, is that some of those importers finance. I would consider this if the right model popped-up. The entire car market (new, used, classic, muscle, import, etc. - You name it) is bananas right now.
Not all importers are created equal, though. I dealt with one and backed out almost two weeks later because of how many things they conveniently left out until after a small deposit was sent.
We probably have one of the deepest pools of RHD FD anywhere. But most are squirreled away and few are up for sale. Some nice examples of S8 have traded hands at C$34~38,000 this year. As S7 and S8 approach eligibility for export to the US over the next few years, and if that coincides with a downturn, you might see some nice cars come out of hiding, including Spirit R and other limited edition versions.
Our borders open up on August 8 to double-vaxers. Bring your trailers!
I was very happy with Duncan Imports. They treated me well and sold me a PERFECT car. Looks like they're cleared out of 7s right now, though.
I haven't dealt with Duncan, though I did look at the time. If they had a five speed I probably would have went with them. The company I went with was just very misleading. Before I sent a deposit over, they made it seem like prices in Japan were going up every day, and for x price I could get "a really really nice one", told me it'd probably be a 95-96, gave the impression they looked all over japan, etc. Not the case.
After I sent the deposit over, suddenly "Thursdays" are their big auction days (translation, only once a week did I ever get any information.) They knew ahead of time what level of car I wanted, and what I'd accept. When I asked why I was getting one car a week I was told they "liked to stay away from larger areas" and "gas and tolls" were common excuses. What cars I did get pictures of, they never disclosed the condition sheets at auction, I had to ask multiple times to get that information. I'd get a video of a walkaround of the car at auction, and that's it.
The cars their "buyer" showed were all from the same USS auction every week. After about three weeks of that charade, I was shown two R grade cars, and a white Series 6 that I actually wanted. They made it seem like I had to give the approval and amount right away before bidding started, as up until then I'd turned down the R grade stuff they had been throwing at me. Once I did that, it turns out the results wouldn't roll in and bidding wouldn't start for hours later. The next morning I was told that one "got away" and "landed and titled it would have been mid to high forties." This car was a decent shape car, I'll admit, I think it was a 4.0, but had a replaced hatch and was a Type R I believe.
After hearing that I was mildly annoyed, as before I signed the contract I was told with my initial budget I'd get something "really really nice." When I asked about that, I was told the 4.0 grade "was what got us" and I might have to "settle for something that needs some work." Before I sent a deposit over, it was my budget would get me a really really nice car, then it turned to a car with over 100,000 miles and would need work, in addition to them throwing two R grade cars at me that they knew I didn't want, I made my expectations crystal clear from the beginning.
They make it seem like they look constantly, and they have staff over there who do this constantly, but imho, their "buyer" is a guy who does it once a week at one auction. Mildly annoyed because I felt like they wasted my time. Before I got my money back, they didnt' even tell me they weren't going to go to auction for golden week, I feel like disclosing information ahead of time would have been nice, which they neglected to do in many cases, felt like a bait and switch, to be honest.
Last edited by SwappedNA; Jul 28, 2021 at 07:30 PM.
There is a chance your 4.0 car will turn itself into an R soon after arrival. Need to budget for a new motor sooner than later for any auction car you get.
Meaning don't write off an R as being a write-off.
There is a chance your 4.0 car will turn itself into an R soon after arrival. Need to budget for a new motor sooner than later for any auction car you get.
Meaning don't write off an R as being a write-off.
It may just have a bad scratch.
Mid-40s (US$) for a Type R. Lord have mercy!
I didn't get any car from that importer. The first two R grades had body kits that were riveted on, which may or may not have hid damage, so that alone was enough to make me pass. I believe they had over 100,000 miles as well. I understand what you're saying, but I'm not about to buy an R grade car based on a video they sent me that is three minutes long for $30,000 USD, that's just not a gamble I'm willing to take.
I went with another importer, and found my Bathurst-X. At the end of the day it cost me high 30's, but it had about 74,000 kilometers, and 100+ PSI on each rotor face. Looking at the past auction reports, it was a 4.0 with a B interior. Made the trip across the entire country without a hitch.
I couldn't believe that first importer told me that white 96 would have cost mid to high 40's USD landed, though. Ridiculous.
Last edited by SwappedNA; Jul 29, 2021 at 02:05 AM.
