So I'm going to be importing a Series 7 Rx7 soon from japan. I'm working with Craig from Bonsai Rides. He has started to send me pictures of FDs up for auction in japan but I'm not really sure what to look for beyond the mileage and the grade.

Does anybody have any tips on how to pick a good auction car, or general tips about importing RHD Rx7s? Craig is saying that we will probably need to replace the ECU due to the lower octane gas here in Canada, is there anything else that I am going to have to do to get the car road worthy?

Thanks,
-Benjamin

 

You won't need to replace the ECU. I won't get into RON octane Vs. MON octane. You can google that or take my word that you'll be fine.

Look for a compression test unless you plan on replacing the engine regardless.

I imported a JDM car in 2010 fully knowing the engine was blown because I was having a core rebuilt and installed.

-Geoff

 

Craig is actually my client, and the reason he suggested the ECU replacement is because the OEM one got fried soon after he had imported his last RX-7 ('96 or '97 RZ) and had put in a PowerFC. When he asked Mazdees regarding the issue, they said it was a common problem with them. Craig is an honest & great guy to deal with and you get exactly what he tells you you're getting. His stuff is top quality. I've helped him unload containers and such and I've yet to see a car in bad condition. Though I would assume had a customer wanted a fixer upper then that would be a different story, but you would be getting exactly what you asked for.

 

There is no difference between a JDM and a USDM ECU, the gas is the same. If the car was tuned, thats another matter because you do not know what fuel it was tuned on.

Why don't you just buy a nice Canadian or American car so you don't have to deal with the RHD bullshit?

thewird

 

I couldn't find any canadian cars on autotrader or kijiji that looked nice and I sorta wanted a series 7 cause they have a couple reliability mods that I want (namely the deletion of the rats nest of vacuum lines and stuff).

I definitely would have bought a canadian or american car if I could find a nice one. I'm looking for something near stock in good condition with only minor performance and reliability mods.

EDIT: By RHD bullshit you mean getting insurance right? I'm hoping that will be OK since I have a perfect driving record.

 

Awesome thanks for the advice, I'll definitely see if we can get a compression test done before buying a vehicle. I don't mind having to do a rebuild but I'd definitely rather not.

 

So Craig and I just purchased a 1996 type rb Bathurst in white. I've attached a pic, definitely going to get that front bumper replaced cause I don't like it but the car only has 70k km on it and seems to be in great condition so we will see how it goes!

 

Congrats on purchase. Hope you like it.

thewird

 

Your driving record won't have anything to do with it.

Filed rules will ruin your life.

-Geoff

 

Just move to Alberta and register it here. You can register and drive pretty much anything here.

 

Am I totally screwed for insurance?

My permanent address is in ottawa, I've got a perfect driving record, and I've had my full g for 5 years no accidents. Do you really think nobody will write me a policy?

 

Your address and driving record will have nothing to do with it.

Your problem is not going to be you, your problem is going to be your car. Many (read: lots if not most) insurance companies have Filed Rules that state "No Right Hand Drive" cars. This means: under no circumstances whatsoever will we provide insurance for a vehicle that is right hand drive.

I never would have imported my car if I did not work in the insurance industry myself. And before you ask (because many have PM'd me) I will not help you get insurance on your RHD car. It's nothing personal and I'm more than happy to answer insurance-related questions on this forum, but I'm not mixing business with my hobbies.

I'm not saying you won't be able to insure it, I am saying it may take a lot of time and effort.

-Geoff

 

So what insurance companies don't have a filed rule against RHD cars? How should I go about attempting to get insurance?

 

Absolute worst case I can get facility for like 500/month right? That would suck huge ***** but I could live with that if it came to it.

 

if you have 10 years driving experience and a daily driver car silver wheels through lant will insure it. I was lucky i got my policy a few months before my company stopped insuring them, but they let me keep mine on the policy because i'd been with them for so long. I pay $260 a month for 2 rx7's and a beater car

 

Wouldn't it have been easier to buy a clean LHD. There are plenty well maintained one's for sale all the time. And if none is to your liking, you just need a little patience.

Anyway, classic car insurance is your only affordable option but you need special requirements that have been mentioned.

thewird

 

So craig was able to get me a quote for $2k a year, definitely happy with that I'm just glad I had the connection and didn't have to do it myself!

 

Don't let these guys scare you
I had no issues whatsoever insuring my RHD FD with my insurance provider. They took the JDM VIN with no issues and insured it for the purchase price
I email them each fall to take full coverage off (and leave fire/theft) and each spring to put it back on
No problems at all
I end up paying under $500/year for coverage (in addition to my 2 other vehicles' policies)

 

You don't live in Ontario >_>. But anyway, he found insurance already so he's all good

thewird

 

Told ya, Craig is the man. If you're ever looking to import anything at least check him out. Lowest prices I've seen, and like I said, good quality cars/trucks.