as time gets closer and closer I try and make sure I have everything figured out, but this I dont.

I know the difference between a R1 and normal is a little bit of weight, stiffer suspension, wing and spoiler, dual oil coolers, and maybe something else (leather and crap to right?)

well do I really need this if i plan on modding a lot? aftermarket suspension will definately be put in, and I really like the r1 "wing" if its what I think it is (small wing, one of the few that look good IMO) so I may have to get one of those and install it. but what about the oil coolers? should i try and buy those or are they not needed/better aftermarket available?

and most of the fd's I find appear to just be the plain base model, or touring (leather) so would that be fine or should I really hunt for a R1.

 

dude i think this is in the wrong forum; actually i know it is. functionally though, the oil coolers is really the only difference. but usually they dont sell for that much more than a base model anyways. if you find one, get it, if not i wouldn't wait around for one.

 

I dont get how a lot of people here say things are in the wrong forums, im talking about 3rd gens arent I?

 

I think the only thing you need is the R1 dual oil cooler. The suspension, spoiler, lip is easily to get or you will mod. them.

 

but this is the "for sale" forum or am i the one that is confused. are you trying to buy something or sell it?

 

Find a nice car. R1 is not important.

 

yes, it's in the WRONG section...and i moved it for you.....

 

there is an aftermarket dual oil cooler kit that is more efficent than the stock oil coolers. But it costs $800. On the other hand, you can always buy the stock R1 coolers off of somebody on this board and install them and have the same thing. My car started out as std, but now has the front lip, rear R1 wing and CWC Oil coolers. Previous owner did the work, but you'd fool me, plus my temps are lower than others, but I also have a better radiator.

In other words, I wouldn't wait on an R1.

 

It also depends on what you really like. In my situation, I wanted leather seats, bose stereo (didn't have to spend extra for a cd player, and i think it sounds great ), and a sunroof. There's very little performance to be lost between models. Oil Coolers, Lips, and spoilers are easy to come by.

 

Personally, I wouldn't wait for an R1. Suspension and audio you would most likely change anyway. Adding a second cooler isn't that difficult (sp). I have an R1 and I would really like a sun roof. The wing and front lip are easy add ons as is the front strut bar. If you like the R1 seats, you can swap those in. Plus, you might get cruise (which could be handy) though the R1s are pre wired for it. That's pretty much it.

Good luck.

 

I, like SiKoPaThX, wanted a touring model, because I wanted a sunroof and the Bose system (i like how it sounds as well). However, when I came across the R1 I bought, it was just perfect for me. I took my time in getting it though. I looked and looked and looked, until the one I bought seemed to just "pop-up" almost in my backyard.

Good luck with the search.

 

It pretty much comes down to: Do you want a sun roof and AC or not?

R1/R2= No AC and No sun roof (Hot)

 

Yes it does.

 

Thats news to me.

 

Take a look on the firewall under your coolant lines on the pass side. See a couple of lines that are unhooked coming out just below them? Someone probably pulled yours before you got it.

I've got mine that I pulled. Wanna buy it?

 

When I was looking I really didnt care if it was R1, base, touring. Now that I have had it awhile I am glad I found an R1. I would have hated life with the reduced headroom of a sunroof, and I have decided that the R1 seats are the absolute best material ever for seats. That stuff is simply amazing and no matter what anybody says, R1 seats are not that easy to find. If you dont mind leather though, it doesnt really matter what model you get. It takes very few mods to get a touring or base on par with the R1/R2.

 

NO.

 

Up in washinton they probably made a lot of R1s/R2s without AC. Once you get down south seeing a car without A/C is more than likely one that has been removed by the owner.

 

I don't believe that the AC was optional (in other words it came stock from the factory that way). If for nothing else than the defrosters.

R1/R2's definitely had AC. Also I have never seen a picture of a dash w/o the AC button.

-bill

 

Thanks for trying to give me an out, but....

My car was first purchased in Florida then some bought it in California and shipped it over there. I found it on E-Bay and then flew down to Cali to drive it home. I am the third owner.

So I guess it has been removed. But hey, the A/C button still runs the fans on high. :-)

 

I have an R1 and the only reason to own one other than the oil coolers is if you want to seriously want to race in "stock" autocross. That is why I bought one. I really enjoy driving a stock car to the autocross track and beating almost every car (about 95% of all cars that show up). And I really don't think I am anything special of a driver. It's the car! Because I love doing that, I am not tempted to spend crazy money on mods. My car is stock except for the fact that that my catalytic converter went bad. Z06's bring the on!

So you do get the autocross bug, and you want to race the slightly modded class. Of course replace by new springs and shocks. Gone is every advantage of the R1 except for the seats.

I can't find the the magazine that compared the R1 suspension to the base/touring but I will paraphrase it to the best of my ability. Both suspenison are hot like tabasco sauce, the R1 is just extra spicy. And to the discover the difference between the two suspensions, push the cars to their limits, and after you are done driving, get out of the car, take you license out of your wallet and wait for the police to arrive for them to take it away. R1 turns a .99 of lateral Gs to the base models .97 later Gs. Not much difference at all. Replace the base/touring shocks with some adjustables, the advantage is probably gone.

If there is one thing to look for it is condition. I bought a gem with 36K miles on it over 4 years ago. I spent the money to maintain her, and the car has treated me very well. If you have the extra cash lying around, spend the money on the low mileage model. If you can't afford the low mileage model, look for an unmodded one. You will get the extra money back 3 times over.

Dan

 

My advice to you is to find the FD with the lowest miles, and in the best mechanical condition for what you can afford... the particulars like options packages is really splitting hairs compared to getting a good car.... heck my car "was" a touring, but since the mod bug bit i've added all the stuff the R1 came with only with better aftermarket versions anyway... just like many of my friends who have R1's.

 

Just remember any FD you buy, low milage or not, is 11 years old. Age does make a difference in any mechanical device independent of use/milage. My advice is to carefully inspect all components in any FD especially the rubber based components and aspects were weight reduction engineering was placed ahead of longevity concerns. This is what makes the FD both desirable and costly to own.

Just open and close the driver's door and see how flimsy the handle copmponents are.