I don't know if this is the appropriate place to put this, but I was wondering if someone can lend me their impression of this car:
http://img685.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=picture005io.jpg

It just seems to me like the body has been changed way too much, and the fact that there are no efini emblems on the car also made me a bit suspicious.

I am thinking of buying this car as my first FD, but I'm a bit hesitant for some reason.

Does anyone have anything to say, either positive or negative?

 

I don't understand what you mean by changed too much? All they did was update the emblems to the 99 spec and up FD's and added the 99 spec side skirts. The wheels look ugly, but you can change that after purchase. Body and interior looks straight.

 

I've been looking at a lot of R1 and RZ model RX7s, maybe thats what is throwing me off. Does this look like a lower end RX7? It just seems like the front bumper curves in a bit too much at the bottom, compared to many other RX7s I've been looking at. Maybe it's just me and my excessive searching has made me paranoid.

It's just this dealer specializes in JDM motors, and I thought they may have just found a bunch of RX7 parts and put them together to make a car. My novice eyes wouldn't be able to pick that sort of stuff apart, unlike some expert eyes.

 

Looks like it would be a good buy, it even has the rare RE Amemiya D shape wheel with the horn button...nothing wrong with the car as far as the eye can see, now mechanically I would not know...

 

The body looks OK to me from the pictures. Of course you'd have to check it out in person and get a closer look at all the body panel gaps and fitment, etc. The one thing that stood out to me is the condition of the intake manifold and throttle body, which both look like they were somehow exposed to the outside climate. I would be curious as to why that is. The alternator doesn't look like it was sitting outside, but that could be a new alternator or something like that. But hey, $7,995 CAD.... that comes out to something like $7,8XX USD. If I found one that cheap around here, I'd pick one up (only if it was a US model though).

 

I don't know that much about JDM cars, but are you sure it isn't an R1/R2 car? It has the spoiler, suede seats, strut bar, and no sunroof. To me, for as stock as it is, that indicates that it is an R1. Also, there isn't really a lower end FD. The model differences, besides the rare and coolness factors, are marginal.

I say buy it, as long as it is mechanically sound. It is clean, and looks to be well taken care of. It would be very easy to put back to stock if that is what you are worried about. Best of all
IT'S CHASTE WHITE.
The best color ever.

 

Thank you for your input. Of course I wouldn't expect you to know how the car performs mechanically, that's my part. The thing is, it's around 600km away from my current location. So it's quite a trek to get there. Either way, I'll be spending $200 for the trip alone (gas, food, etc). I just wanted to make sure that the trip is worth it.

The other car I had in mind was this one:
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...dIdZ174392109#

It just looks a lot different, that's why I was concerned. I know the side skirts may have led to that conclusion, but the front looks off to a bit. To me anyways.

 

it looks like a normal r1 to me. nothing too suspicious about that, and the RZ model you have been looking at has the 99 spec front so thats probably whats throwing you off

 

I think the only front end difference is the license plate. The skirts do make a big difference too. If you buy it, I would change them out for some FEED style side skirts.

They both like like decent cars, and both look to be R1 models. Too bad that aren't very close to you, or I would say test drive both and buy which ever one runs better. Unfortunately, I would be biased towards the chaste white one. Although brilliant black is my second favorite color, no comparison between the two.

 

Well the black one is about 20 minutes from me, very close. The white one is a long drive away. Based on the feedback (Thanks again guys for your input), I'll tell the guy I'll test drive the white one tomorrow (5h drive there...). I always had an eye on the white one from the start, but when I started looking at other RX7s, both online and in this forum, and the fact that the dealer selling it specializes mainly in JDM engines and not cars, I felt a bit suspicious buying from him rather than a private seller.

I'll let you guys know how the test drive goes. I've read a bunch of RX7 buying guides, hopefully that gets me through it.

 

white non sunroof, doesnt get better than that.

 

think this one's R1 or R2, produced straight out of hiroshima sometime fall in 92~ 93, the next would be the 265hp version with better ecu. this car in japan oughta be relatively cheap.

white car is pretty much the same model with us market cars.

 

Japan and the rest of the world configured their cars differently than North America. Japan cars put a lot of suede seats into their cars.

 

Where can I find that number plate holder for the front bumper?

 

Dealer...

 

The white one looks like it was exposed to the elements under the hood, based on the condition of the UIM and TB.

 

There were no white R1 or R2s imported to the US. Can't say for sure about RHD models.

 

car look legit, as long as the price is right i say jump on it.

 

Exterior looks good! However as you mention the guy selling, as a business sells JDM engines. Based on the marks on the UIM and TB as others have mentioned, I would bet this engine was sitting around before being used in this car, possibly outside. Be sure to find out the history, mileage, etc, and compression test it.

 

To be honest with you, and I'm not knocking on you or anything, but if you don't have much mechanical skills, I wouldn't start off with an FD. It's a really steep learning curve for an all stock FD if you don't touch cars much.

If you buy this car, you should have someone that knows the rotary like the back of his dak (different way of saying something else, I'm pretty sure guys see this more often than the back of their hands =P) and have him look at it, then have him keep up maintenance on it. Rotaries need to be taken care of in order for you to keep up the fun!!!

I would definitely buy that car for the price, it looks great, except for the UIM and TB as others have mentioned, but the alternator does look really good, but it looks like it might have been replaced. The second one is really clean. Eventually, you'll find out that a lot of FD owners have mismatching parts.


That is unless you're goodfella =P

 

I see about 4 different shades of white in that picture. This car, especially in white, is very difficult to photograph...it may look better in person. I am pretty skeptical about how nice the exterior is or if all those body panels are original though.

Also taking off 99 spec sides for feed sides is about the worst idea I've ever heard (unless the 99 sides go to me...because I want them).

Overall its just a crappy picture. If you can get more I'd ask for some better shots of the outside.

 

depends on how much work you are looking to do.

the link to the second car looks like a more sound choice, the modifications were smart ones.

 

This car is NOT and R1 or R2, those model came only as US spec cars and NEVER came in white. Its likely to be an RZ especially if it has dual oil coolers.

 

Whats the mileage on the white one?IMO the color is the last thing you should worry about especially if this is gonna be your first 7 . The TB and UIM do appear to look as they have been exposed to the elements. Id take a look at the car only 20 minutes away, it appears to be in better shape.

Don't start with an FD with problems for one you wont be able to enjoy it, spend lots of $$$ , or learn it if your paying someone to do your mechanic work for you.Start with the least amount of problems and learn how to fix them 1 at a time.

 

Here is my impression..

Its an RHD FD that doesn't quite have the same pricing as ones here in USA. I've seen early model RHD FD in Canada, running for 6K USD. I'm sure there is an exception as we have exceptions here.. but in general older FD's in Canada are much cheaper than here.

That being said, if it was LHD original white FD in USA, I would of said, how much and go buy it. But since its RHD I say do what you think... because for most of us here in USA, Canadian FD (RHD) means nothing as its nearly impossible to import and get a title.