Thinking of buying an FD...
07-31-03, 01:38 PM
#1
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Thinking of buying an FD...
Hi guys,
I know, I know, I've been reading the newbie part of the site and the "buying a used FD" page for quite some time now.
But I'm thinking of getting my first RWD car in the form of an FD. I've been facinated with the FD for years now... but never really had the stones to get one amidst all the fuss about reliability etc etc.
I've come across what I think is a pivotal time for me now, the FD (outside of Japan) has reached it's 10th birthday and what seems to be a good candidate has come into my sights, it may be my time to jump...
Here she is:
Silver '93 FD with 129k kms (about 80k miles) on the odo, but sports a '96 engine/trans/turbo which was rebuilt in '01 with 3mm Apex seals, ported and polished.
I'm assuming that the '96 assembly must be a JDM, but I am not sure what percentage of the 129k kms was on the '93 engine, the '96 engine or '96 engine after '01.
I am not so much worried about the suspension/handling mods as I am with the engine.
What do you guys think? Should I bite? What should I look for? It almost seems too good to be true... (that and FD like this exists amid all the horror stories I've been reading in the "newbie" section)
Thanks!
I know, I know, I've been reading the newbie part of the site and the "buying a used FD" page for quite some time now.
But I'm thinking of getting my first RWD car in the form of an FD. I've been facinated with the FD for years now... but never really had the stones to get one amidst all the fuss about reliability etc etc.
I've come across what I think is a pivotal time for me now, the FD (outside of Japan) has reached it's 10th birthday and what seems to be a good candidate has come into my sights, it may be my time to jump...
Here she is:
Silver '93 FD with 129k kms (about 80k miles) on the odo, but sports a '96 engine/trans/turbo which was rebuilt in '01 with 3mm Apex seals, ported and polished.
I'm assuming that the '96 assembly must be a JDM, but I am not sure what percentage of the 129k kms was on the '93 engine, the '96 engine or '96 engine after '01.
I am not so much worried about the suspension/handling mods as I am with the engine.
What do you guys think? Should I bite? What should I look for? It almost seems too good to be true... (that and FD like this exists amid all the horror stories I've been reading in the "newbie" section)
Thanks!
07-31-03, 01:55 PM
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Just to elaborate on my feelings about this one...
I'm just not sure as to why he really wants to sell it and why there is a '96 engine in there either.
I guess there are two ways to look at it, the rebuild in '01 is almost like a "clean" slate for me to start with, however on the other side of the coin, why did it need a rebuild in the first place? Did he do it just to install 3mm seals? or was it the other way around? he installed 3mm seals because he had to rebuild it anyway?
The same can be said for the fact that there is a '96 engine in the first place... did the '93 get blown? or was it a JDM performance upgrade?
So many factors...
I do plan on babying any car I buy, but will this one be worth it? It will be somewhat of a "daily driver", depending on your definition of it... I do plan on taking it out to work probably a few days a week, at least in the summer and fall months... Is an FD really right for me?
Those with experience please clue me in...
Thanks again.
I'm just not sure as to why he really wants to sell it and why there is a '96 engine in there either.
I guess there are two ways to look at it, the rebuild in '01 is almost like a "clean" slate for me to start with, however on the other side of the coin, why did it need a rebuild in the first place? Did he do it just to install 3mm seals? or was it the other way around? he installed 3mm seals because he had to rebuild it anyway?
The same can be said for the fact that there is a '96 engine in the first place... did the '93 get blown? or was it a JDM performance upgrade?
So many factors...
I do plan on babying any car I buy, but will this one be worth it? It will be somewhat of a "daily driver", depending on your definition of it... I do plan on taking it out to work probably a few days a week, at least in the summer and fall months... Is an FD really right for me?
Those with experience please clue me in...
Thanks again.
07-31-03, 04:52 PM
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3 Engines on 129K!!!!!!!!! He has got to be
I would be very carefull with this one. If he has 3mm seals, find out who did it. Then call the shop and get some more info. My car had a blown engine and was a girls car. It is almost best to start there when all things are equal. Good luck!
I would be very carefull with this one. If he has 3mm seals, find out who did it. Then call the shop and get some more info. My car had a blown engine and was a girls car. It is almost best to start there when all things are equal. Good luck!
07-31-03, 05:59 PM
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at that many miles, it's time for a preemtive rebuild anyway if you're on the stock motor, sounds like he imported a 96 engine, and had it build BEFORE going into the car, where it's run since.
find out how many miles are on the engines and turbo. then the normal stuff, rear suspension, ast, radiator, 5th gear synchro. also see if he put a new clutch in @ the rebuild. what boost he normally runs, ecu, IC, fuel. blah blah, you get it. just be sure and run the VIN if you guys have that up there.
find out how many miles are on the engines and turbo. then the normal stuff, rear suspension, ast, radiator, 5th gear synchro. also see if he put a new clutch in @ the rebuild. what boost he normally runs, ecu, IC, fuel. blah blah, you get it. just be sure and run the VIN if you guys have that up there.
08-01-03, 08:13 AM
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make sure you check the compression before buying the car. Also, how much is he asking? If there are some unknowns but the price makes up for the risk then it may be worth it, but if you are paying premium then make sure everything checks out. Does he have other mods, intake/exhaust, is he providing adequate fuel, upgraded ecu, etc. Insure that it has a stable idle, w/ air and parking lights on also. Check the boost pattern. Also check for oil leaks and excessive roll/clunking of the engine during starts (motor mounts). Make sure you get $ off for anything that is broken/missing,etc.
08-02-03, 02:21 AM
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He is asking about $19k USD. He does have a catback exhaust setup, but I'm not sure about an intake or fuel pump/management. But still sounds like a pretty good deal to me...
I just hope he is selling it because he is bored with it and not because there is something wrong or because it is too high maintenance.
I just hope he is selling it because he is bored with it and not because there is something wrong or because it is too high maintenance.
08-02-03, 02:23 AM
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As for the compression test, it's likely I would have to take it off his hands and to a shop right? I'm not sure how well that would go over with him. For boost pressure, any recommendations on a guage that I can attach easily for the test, but still use later in a real mount (if/when I buy the 7?)
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