Hey all, i'm currently an MR2 sw20 owner but towards the end of the year ill be selling that and importing an rx7 from japan.

Because i don't know much about rotaries and rx7's at all, i'd like to hear suggestions and more info about what to look for in an rx7 when buying one ie condition, engine, decent mileage for a rotary engine (i heard they often require an engine rebuild around 200km?).

I'll be buying a 1998 FD series 8 twin turbo to be specific.

I'm not sure exactly what to ask, i just really want to learn more about the rx7 before i buy it so i know what i'll be looking into when i buy it, whats decent and whats not, you know.. the common important stuff

Also i noticed the rx7 market in australia isnt as big as other import cars, so i was wondering where you guys get your aftermarket parts from? ie cf bonnets, kits, etc.

I'll be mainly going for looks and not as much engine work, but of course i'll be putting in some $ to kill the average evo or skyline ******* around my area.

Thanks in advance - Jonny

 

get a car that have the most stock parts as possible. oil leak? get a compression test. history of the car. body damage?...

 

Thanks mate!
Just wondering why most stock parts as possible? i'm not really a car fanatic so i wouldn't have a clue lol
thanks once again

 

because its not worthwhile buying used aftermarket parts. most ppl who use aftermarket stuff, race their car, and besides, ur gona upgrade or swap the parts soon anyways, why waste money on stuff u don't want USED?

 

ah good point lol

thanks

 

Rx7's are a passion, either way, ur going to have to spend dough on ur Rx7 anyways. just don't be silly and splurge it, but don't expect an rx7 to be cheap like a honda civic.

its a beautiful car, and drives just as amazing, and for a pretty low price, compared to most of the other GOOD LOOKING sports cars =O

i'd say go for the cleanest looking one, with lowest mileage, at the cheapest price possible. i got mine really cheap, but i have to spend extra money part swapping and saving on labour by doing it myself.

like we say, don't jump ontu the band wagon unless u learn a thing or 2 about it from the forums. would help u alot if u read up info.

i kinda got ripped off, on an auto 93fd, with 185k miles, bought it from a friend, and he lied about the mileage -.-' whatever, never trust friends, especially if its over things like MONEY... u never know when they'll stab u for that few extra bucks

 

jonnysun, also, if you're importing into aus from jap, you'll need a stocker to get it complianced.. hace a shop around on J-spec and the like (google it, i cant remember the site) and you'll find a whole list of laws and regs regarding the importation of a vehicle. much easier to buy locally IMHO

 

oh nah, my dad owns a few importing car yards for about 6 years now i don't think it'll be a problem hehe thanks though

 

RX-7 buyer's guide
http://www.rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq.../bguide3g.html
I had great success with their FC buyer's guide. I'm hoping/presuming the FD one is also good.

RX-7 project car (scroll down to the links)
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...ars/index.html
Besides the performance upgrades, they mention just about every reliability upgrade there is. Important b/c the stock FD's reliability is pretty poor; a lot of the stock components can blow the engine when they fail. Unfortunately, the engine's reputation is what suffers.

 

as was said try not to buy one with heaps of mods so it hasnt been fucked with.stand behind the car and line up the wheels to c if it has been guttered and bent.allot of series 1'2'3 have this problem....

 

http://www.epinions.com/content_92707589764

if u dont know much about them thought this might help.just stole it off the jap forum lol

 

dont know if u import the car yet. but make sure that is the one u like. and stuck with stock part. just like the mention from above, dont spend your money on the car that u can't even see it in person or dont know the history of the car. make sure it the one u want, cause u dont want to kill urself after buying the car.

 

you can always buy mine! spent over 107k on it to date, its a finished show car. nothing to spend unless u want to go big single turbo kit :P

 

lol stu83 i saw your 7 on carsales a while ago! its too expensive + i'd rather get a stock and do it all myself, thanks for the offer though! how much are u selling for anyway?

money - thanks! im still waiting to sell my mr2 after i fix up all the problems. then im gonna import one through my dad from japan, i'll get photos and history but that'll be all, wish me luck will probably get it for 22k~ on the road

 

FD's shouldnt have much wrong, but it is still nearly 10 yrs old. Mostly check all the basic things when you buy a car.

Rotary engines do need alot of care, especially older models. If the motor is properly maintained and you find a good mechanic that knows their stuff, you shouldnt have problems.

Parts are the hardest thing to find. I've had to source from wreckers all over Australia. I've also found that after market parts are all about $$$.

 

Make sure it has now body damage as this will affect the resale value when you want to sell. Dont get a car with a respray, as even if its a genuine respray and not covering anything up, it too will make the car harder to sell in Oz.

Stock engine will be alot more likely to be in better condition and probably treated nicer.

22 on the road....goodluck. i live in Japan and watch the prices alot. If you get an FD landed and on the road for less than 30 its a piece of **** and bound to have many issues! Rx7s are still very popular in Japan and resale is high.

 

good to know the resale of ur fd is high. and i'm thinking going to japan to buy some parts for my fd. Do u know where i should go (BigWillie styles). Thanks. By the way, sorry for changing the topic