Hey guys, this isn't exactly a "WTB" post, more so just hoping to get some news on what FD's run for in Canada, and the all so popular question "Is importing from the US cheaper".
It's summer, I am without a sports car for a year and I miss the 7's. had an FC, now just drooling at FD's but not quite after 25-32k immaculate show cars I'd be afraid to park at the mall.

SO whats the best way for a prarie guy to buy an FD these days? I see two 20k FD's on autotrader in BC, but I don't suppose finding FD's could get as low as 15k with much ease?

Well ya... Enlighten me with your knowledge!

 

If you can't afford the FD, how are you going to afford the maint on it?

FD is the one car you shouldn't be looking for the 'cheapest' example. (Unless you're going to swap the motor/trans/turbos anyways).

Sorry, gotta pay to play...

 

I'm asking for useful information about prices and comparisons across Canada and the US from members who have constructive feedback on the matter - Not assumptions on my bank account. Thanks for coming out

 

You would never see me park my FD at the mall to begin with, thats why you need two cars, one being your daily driver grocery getter. leave the FD at home.........

 

it seems you know what they run for already but state you dont want to pay it. Mint any where from 23K to 30K, ruff can be as low as 15k to 20k

 

I do beleive I stated at the start I made this as a post to gain possible new information on what FD's go for across Canada that I may have overlooked, and the US average I am not aware of.

Stating I was not fond of a $30,000 car may portray me as a cheapskate to some of you, and I guess must've hit some wrong buttons. I do not see my price range posted, just 'assumptions', but then I'll leave the important financial worries to my MDM lol.

So, about 15 is a possible realistic price in Canada? That is one question I am happy to have answered.

 

Yes $15K is possible but I think what people are trying to say is that you get what you pay for and a $15K FD will likely be a maintenance nightmare. Basically prepare for a rebuild of motor and/or turbo if there are more than 120K. If a rebuild is inevitable then it might make more sense to pay a little extra for one in good condition/lower mileage.

 

I might have an FD for sale.... pm me for my asking price.

 

When I was looking for and FD, I came across some all original low mileage cars. These were not show cars, they were just one owner low mileage '93's and '94's (from 24k to 58K). The lowest one was going for $27k and the most expensive wanted $33.5K. One of these cars was in Alberta, and the other 3 were in the GTA. They were great cars, in good condition, but you have to pay to get them. It is very rare to come across a lower priced car, and generally when you do they will need some major work (engine/turbo/tranny rebuilds). If you can't do this work yourself, you're looking at another $10k at least, depending on whether everything goes at once or a little at a time. So.... your basically looking at a minimum of $25k, but the lower priced car has more than likely been abused pretty bad and there may be other problems with it. As far as importing from the U.S. its pretty much the same story. You will find good conditioned cars for $20-$28k, and higher mileage, more beat up FD's in the mid teens. The only problem is that upon importing into Canada you'll have to pay GST (7% now, 6% after July), PST (if applicable, 8% in Ontario) and a "border or duty" tax of around 6% (if my memory serves me correct). In addition, you'll have to get some daytime running lights, have it pass e-test (where applicable), and there is a front bumper modification required to have registered (around another $500 to have it done). Now, the exchange rate has been pretty decent lately, however you're still going to have to tack on another 10-13 cents on the dollar. If you're looking for a good conditioned FD, I would say its not worth importing from the states. If you're looking for something to strip and rebuild, there's definitely more selection south of the border.

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to pass on my opinion, based on my experiences. BTW, an FD is so sweeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You already know how much they are. If you're asking if there is a 15K FD in Canada. Yes, there is.

If you're worried about leaving a 25K car in the parking lot, AND you're looking for a 15K FD, then the assumptions I have about your bank account are pretty much dead on.

 

Since when is trying to find a good deal, considered cheap? I've been looking at FD's for well over a year yet, and i've still not found one I want. As far as i can tell, there is a risk/reward problem with FD's.

I would pay good money for the FD i want, if i can visit it locally, and have some friends come look and double check it.

However, realistically, any FD that I, or most FD shoppers, buy, is going to be a labourour bout of patience. The problem I have with FD prices is that, yes, there are a few FD's in immaculate shape, that command a 30k price tag, and you see these show up on autrader, and a week later they're gone. HOWEVER, most other FD's are not in that great of shape -- but still are asking alot for their car -- look at the guys in regina for an example of an absolute **** FD, that's never going to sell.

The problem with buying an FD "long range", is exactly the same as it is in accross canada as it is in the US. Once you step out of the city or province you're living in, you may as well get one from the States, and unless you somehow have any kind of "lead" or inside info, any car you buy is going to be a crap-shoot. My thinking, is if you're gonig to spend 30k on a good canadian FD, hit up the US autotrader, and see the kind of amazing 1 owner cars, and souther state no winter, low mileage FD's you can get for 20 USD, they're amazing. And even after all said and done, for a 20k US FD, you're looking at about 27,100 canadian and that's including 1500 for RIV modifications. the extra 2900 could pay for an awesome flight down and a great road trip holiday back.

On the flip side, most of the canadian FD's need some work, so if you're getting into a car you KNOW is going to need a rebuild or new turbos, you may as well get one from the states. You can find alot of FD's in the 12-14k range in the states that aren't that bad. Spend the 200$ have a local mazda or rotary shop do a test on teh motor and look at the car. They're honest, they'll give you a good idea what to expect, and they've give you the indicators of someone who probably coudln't afford that car in teh first place, like low tread tires, poor breaks -- vehicle wear and tear stuff that should be maintained.

In that scenario, yah, you can get an FD into alberata for 16-17k. There are lots in Texas, arizona, colorado, northern California, and the NW states. 13k USD converted to CDN$ x 1.131(7%gst+6.1%duty) + 1500 for RIV stuff, and you're at 18,000$ canadian.

Not even going to get into selection either. In canada, you want and FD, so you look at whats avaialbe, at least in the states, with a bit of patience, you'll be able to get what you want, especially if you want a 1994.

 

BTW, here are the phases i go through, about once every 2 months.

"FD - fever"

you want it so badly, you spend 1/2 your work day refreshing rx7club.com and all the various used car searches you bookmarked for FD's lasts until "FD - superfever"

"Fd - superfever"

You've found *THE* one, and your wife or i guess parents in some rich bugger's cases, says you can get it. So you call the seller up, and start talking - this leads to two possible stages. "God damnnit all" and "Oh my god, i'm going to get an FD".

"Oh my god, i'm going to get an FD"

This is the worst stage -- everything checks out, story seems good, you like the car. At the point. You can't sleep, your wife wishes that you'd just shut up already, all you friends at work keep bugging you if you've gotten your car yet.... NOTE! *HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED* at this point. Having the car inspected usually leads to "God dammit all"

"God damn it all" stage. Car looked good, smelled good, and you wanted it so bad it hurt, BUT, something is tragically flawed, or there is some kind of snag -- owners with liens in the US, make for headaches, btw. "God damn it all" if the car is phsycially close by, abosolutely WILL lead to "Ah ****-it"

"Ah ****-it" is the stage, when after "god damn it all" you've managed to independently convice yourself that the trubos smoking like aunt agnus on bingo night is probably just a feed line, or that you somehow think that your 51 piece set of craftsman wrenches a long weekend is all you need to do an engine or tranny rebuild anyway. So you say to yourself, "ah ****-it, i'll just get this one anyways". Without fellow FD owners encouraging patience and level headed-ness, this stage is almost impossible to avoid.

and afterwards

"Fd - fermentation" -- the process of trying, and failing to buy your FDream car, has failed. You're pissed off, you hate these things, you had the people selling these things, and you hate the mechanics who fix these things, and your done.

This lasts about a month, then you'll get "FD fever" and the whole thing starts over.

I suppose there is an "FDream come true" stage, where you manage to get the car you've always wanted. I've not had this yet, so i'll remain a cynical bastard.

 

This is AWESOME, I can totally related and I am currently in the "FD - Fever" stage. Might I add, everytime you drop by Canadian Tires, you would if there are any tools on sales that could be used for the FD in the future. =D

<- who just got a set of ramps over the weekend with the FD in mind.

 

Dude.

You passed on Amir's single turbo GODLY FD for 17K. I don't think you should be posting on what/who/when/where to buy a FD anytime soon.

(Sorry man, not going to let you live that one down!). I still can't belive you didn't buy it because of INSURANCE. Jeez.

Sorry folks, Crymson forfiets all rights to FD'dom by passing on the deal of the century, and also for not letting me know about it.



How can you live with yourself man? Oh wait, you're in the Fd - fermentation phase

(Notice all the smileys..)

jp

 

Also, I did make some assumptions, but they were based on your previous posts. 18 years old and looking for a FC under $2000 are some of your old posts.

Trust me on this, you might have 'FD Fever' but don't go into hock over the FD. Save your pesos, because half the fun starts AFTER you buy the FD.

It's not meant as a slight, it's meant as good solid advice. You'll get the same advice if you ask any FD owner. (Well, unless they're selling their FD...)

Also, I hate the fact that so many people want a FD, but are trying to devalue the marque. You don't see Supra owners doing this, so why should FD owners tolerate it?

 

Oh ya, I bought my 93 touring for $18,000 four years ago(which was cheap) and now I'm up to a extra $28,000 invested into it and thats just parts alone, all the work done myself so if your not mechanicly inclined, oh boy it can be very expensive. and you can't cheap out or you'll have to do it over again the proper way at twice the costs.

 

If you absolutely have to have an FD and want a decent one for a good price then the only solution is to move to japan. Because they stopped importing the FD to north america after 1995, it's considered really rare just like the supra, but in japan since it continued straight through to 2001, the FD's value has depreciated just like every other sports car of it's class.

 

I read in an earlier post U.S import bumper mods cost around $500, Hate to say this but it is more like $2000. My thoughts are a decent car for $20k.If you are looking for a low mileage clean car you will be looking at $28-33k.
John