jxu

Hey guys, I live in GTA and is looking to get a RX-7. Any ideas where i can get a JDM one? Which one should I look for? FD?FC? Thanks!

londonmazda

iTrader: (2)

theres a few FD's on the autotrader from japan..

1.3Ldreamcar

iTrader: (1)

where to get one? Im not sure about ON, but here are a couple sites:
http://www.tyeeimports.com/
http://www.terra2imports.ca/
http://www.importconcern.ca/
http://www.japaneseimports.ca/
http://www.j-specimports.ca/
http://www.jdm-imports.com/
theres also one called tiger imports I think that ppl where talking about in ON.

I got mine from http://www.jdmconnection.org/ william ther is really good with the whole process, and will take custom orders for a specific type of car.

as for your FC/ FD question... well put it this way I made $70K last year, and pretty much all of my expendable income went into the FD I had shipped over. This is a normal occurance for FDs. as for FCs... theyre pretty much like your run-of-the-mill import as far as **** breaking, just watch out for the engine before you get it (have it compression tested). If you plan on getting an FC, I havent seen many good deals on importing one at all, becuase the taxes/shipping/procedure costs are quite high, so low-cost cars like old FCs arent really worth it in the end. Ive seen lots of USDM turbo FCs in the autotrader for less then $6000.

hope that helps

P_Lav

All I've heard about tiger imports is that they're garbage, but I maybe wrong, I haven't dealt with them, but I've heard alot of horror stories about bad engines.

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

You don't even have to search, just scroll a bit to find threads like this one on Tiger:
https://www.rx7club.com/canadian-forum-42/tiger-japanease-fds-ontario-727258/

There's lots more like that. I can't say as a I recall anyone saying anything good about them, and lots of bad.

As far as finding a car - start with the Canadian classifieds section. Lots already here, JDM and NADM cars that have already had the work done on them to fix or improve them, so why bring in an unknown quantity. Some really nice cars in there, FC and FD, and penny's on the dollar to what you'll spend if you bring over a JDM FD, for example, and find, as many do, the engine fails almost immediately (lots of speculation out there on why, but suffice it seems to be a very common story).

As far as which one's better - the FD is sex on wheels - awesome looks and performance, but also more expensive up front and to maintain. I like the FC, obviously, and it's probably easier to live with as a daily driver, if it's going to be more than a sunny-day toy for you (larger hatch area, little bit more cockpit space). JDM FD's in particular are noted for lack of leg room for the driver (combination of a tiny back seat being put in and shorter seat rails to accomodate it, and shorter foot box; same goes for FC's but less severe. Which matters if you're tall, and particularly if you're long of leg.

What are you looking to spend? What level of performance do you seek? How much work can you do yourself, vs paying others for. Bodywork always sucks, in my mind at least, so I hate rusty cars - what are you prepared to do, or loathe to do?

jxu

thanks fo the info guys. I was looking to spend less than 10k for it. FDs look really good compared to a FC. work I can do is very limited, and I am also looking for a everyday driving car with some looks=)

1.3Ldreamcar

iTrader: (1)

Id definitly go with an FC if I where you.
But of course Im not, so do what you want with your $10K. I can tell you that of the prob about 300 FDs ive seen on importers' sites, and at the japan auction you will get an FD that will need something major if you are spending less then $15 all said and done. Or you could get luckey, and happen upon the 1 in 1000. who knows

L-Spec

If I had a choice between only and FC or an FD, I would choose the FC hands down. It's sexy, bad-***, classic, and reeks of manliness. I only got my FD for looks. Plus FC are more rare nowadays (well kept ones anyway), so that makes them that much more cool!

Nismo Convert86

iTrader: (7)

Yes manliness!! I like that, still looks like a Porsche!

Well at least you are man enough to admit it, 95% of people on this forum can't do that!

I doubt that considering there were like 10 times less FD's produced (not sure on the real figures), and they have been wrecked, and been mistreated too

B6T

iTrader: (2)

So you want a pure driver's car only to drive around in and look pretty, that requires lots of maintenance that you can't do yourself, for $10,000, without a blown engine or broken... everything?

You should probably buy a used RSX or something. An FD probably would end up costing you a lot more then you think.

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

You can pick up an FD for 10k or less, but expect 5-7k into a motor and other mechanical work soon, and probably a less-than-pristine body likely as well. You might find a nice example for that kind of money, but with a year or so of JDM FD imports having gone by, the consensus seems to be the genuine bargains are few and far between. A JDM FD in comparable condition will be less expensive than it's Canadian counterpart, but don't expect to get a JDM for $10,000 that will be in as good condition as a $20,000 Canadian/US car

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

Accidental double post

JDM-FD3S

We can get you one...

FYI.... JDM-IMPORTS.com is now www.onijdm.com I have a couple of customers on this board who can attest to the quality of my cars...

Thanks!
Mitch

jxu

Okie so far what i concluded is:
FD: Prepare for 3-5k motor change almost immediately, which can easily get my cost up to 20g
FC: Don't need a motor change or not as fast?, looks *good*, more reliable?
As for JDM-Imports, you guys only got one FD for sell and its over my budget, got any others?

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

It's my opinion, not a hard fact, but I think many will agree, $10k isn't enough budget for an FD, but that doesn't mean you can't look. It's just generally not going to get a healthy, well-cared for example that isn't going to need significant money into it soon. FC's are generally more reliable - partly because they made less power in the first place, and even the turbo's weren't as prone to overheating, which is the big killer for rotaries. FC's and FD's (actually, just plain Mazdas to the mid-90's) are known for their bad paint (fading, dulling, sometimes peeling), and on a low-buck FD, that's likely one of the reasons it will be low buck. An FC asking much over $5k had better have a good quality repaint or been extremely well cared for.
That said, FC's are older, and less exotic, so more of them have higher kms and have been driven in winter, and so on, meaning a lot of them are pretty used up and suffer from rust and just being worn out. That said, some very nice FC's have been up for sale recently, for $5-$8K - and I mean Turbos, with low kms, nice wheels, well thought-out suspension and engine mods, well cared for. In some cases, they're cars making well over 300whp - reliably, so they'd show their taillights to a stock or lightly modded FD. So I think given your budget, a FC is likely a better bet - more car, and more reliable car for your money. For under 10k, you should be able to find a nice S5 ('89-91) Turbo even, which made more HP the the s4 stock (200BHP vs 180), even though like FD's, they didn't sell a lot to begin with, so they're relatively hard to find now.

1.3Ldreamcar

iTrader: (1)

Ummm..... manlyness.... well... it all depends on what your definition of a "man" is lol

sexy... a FC?? I dont think those words should be placed in the same paragraph! No offense to FCs I used to own one and I loved it, but its no comparison in looks to an FD, porche, ferrari, etc.

and I also disagree on the rarity... Ive seen many well kept FCs, but only 5 FDs (including mine) on the streets.

L-Spec

A man is one that smells bad, blows gas out it's rear end occasionally, is obnoxiously loud, and most importantly, doesn't have curves lol. Of course, sexy is subjective. It's kind of like people and the AE86. To some, it can be a sexy car, to others ..well, you know. I like the look of my FC much better than the looks of my FD, to be honest. Most people do, however, prefer the FD.

Come to Regina, you'll have a JDM FD on every block. Nobody cares for FC's here anymore ever since the JDM FD was legal to import, only a select few, so to me, it is a nice treat to see an FC in Regina (especially an S5).

I hope that cleared things up. By the way, I wouldn't exactly group the FD with Porsche or Ferrari. Although the FD has some sexy lines, beside the exotics, the FD sort of looks... cheap. Don't flame me

jxu

Aight so...
Looks: FD
Reliability:FC
And at my position: FC?

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

Why do you want a JDM one? Why not just buy a LHD one. there's plenty of t2's for sale in the canadian classified section for under 5k. That leaves you with another 5k in upgrades. Be warned, if this is your only car, gas and parts will really add up. I suggest looking into 240's or integras if you wanna save money.

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

You know that expression, "friends don't let friends drive ____"; fill in Nissans or Honda's here. Although if fuel costs are a concern, a '91+ 240 is a pretty respectable ride that will get better mileage than a Turbo or NA FC. But I think we've done enough in leading the OP away from an FD as first choice, I'm not about to talk him out of a rotary entirely!

jxu

I was looking into the 300zx actually, but not sure yet. Gas is a factor but I didn't consider it to much because I won't be driving to much. Well if FDs are high in maintenance then i think its outta my area haha. Thanks!

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

lol, I'm not trying to discourage him. I'm just being realistic. There's nothing wrong with 240's...

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

tiger japanese auto parts ripped me off, they will rip you off too!

FYI, 300ZX's are REALLY high maintaince, and if you haven't worked on an import car before, they certainly are NOT the first thing to start with.

jxu

How did tiger rip you off? What import is lowest maintenance then haha.. basically all I care about, or else its the RSX or Hondas=]

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

The 240sx is the best bang for your money and the easiest to work with. Here's why I say this.

Used parts are cheap and everywhere. A clean chassis is hard to find, but if you find one everything else is easy. Sr20's are affordable, and there are alot of bolt on turbo upgrades that dont require a new manifold. They're super easy to work on, and tuning isn't as much of an issue as FC's. I think for 10k you can have a much nicer 240. The problem is all these cars you're looking at are OLD. Little things add up like you wouldn't believe, but that all depends on how much little things bother you.

But you know what was the kicker for me? Driving them. Go drive all these cars you wanna see and than make a decision. If you're still shopping around May I'll take you for a ride when exams are done and my cars out