Kotetsu

Hi to everyone!

My name's Nick. I'm a Swiss guy who's moved to Japan for good. I actually work for a Trading company and exports cars. That was for the introduction.

Actually I came here to ask questions to RX-7 owners because I plan to get one before the end of the year. The point is that despite the fact I've driven a lot of japanese cars, I don't know a lot about FD's and I thought I may get some precious help here (if I've posted in the wrong topic, plese move that thread to the right place).

I hope you can help me on that one and I would like to thank you in advance for helping me.

Best regards.

eric e

hi nick,
if you are in the car export business you are going to be way ahead of most of us for buying and maintaining an FD. shizuoka is not a bad place for good driving roads either.

to find out more about the FD do some googling for "RX7 review" etc

http://www.mazdarotary.net/fd_rx7.htm

http://www.netcarshow.com/mazda/1999-rx7/

my own priority system for buying 2nd hand cars is

1. price can i afford it
2. condition has it been looked after
3. km under 100,000km if possible, esp. for rotary
4. age only if all others are equal will i go for the newer car

there were 6 versions of FD made in japan that can be checked from the chassis number stamped on the engine bay FD3S-1??????? to FD3s-6???????
and around 4 or 5 models/types per version giving over 20 different models to choose from 10? years of production

the following pages will tell you a little more if you can read some japanese

keep clicking "next"

http://groups.msn.com/2wheelsgood/rx...to&PhotoID=804

eric e

Kotetsu

Thanks Eric.

Yes it's true, I don't really worry about buying and maintaining a FD, I just don't really know a lot about this baby since it'll be my first one. I'll check the links you posted.

In fact, what I really need to know is about the maintenance of such a car and which weak point I should be paying attention to. I know this car has several weaknesses with the engine and I would like to know how to best maintain it.

Thank you again for your info.

eric e

i've recently bought a mitsubishi gto to go with my FD, after owning 2 other FD's

the comparison has been quite interesting

the gto is a big, heavy, complex car with a lot to go wrong. 4wd, 4ws, active suspension, active-aero, electric seats, something like 10 interior lights etc.

i had to change the cambelt just after i bought it and it took 4 times longer than doing the same job on the 7

they were more expensive than the FD when they came out but they are a better daily driver as they are more a grand tourer than a sports car, they make you just want to cruise fast

the 7 in comparison feels tiny and drives like a go-cart with it's light weight. it makes you want to thrash the car and take every corner sideways!

both cars are difficult to reverse park in japan. the gto is wide and has poor rear view. the 7 isn't as wide but as the body flairs out so much it's wider than you think and it has less rear view than the gto

without the gto's 4wd the 7's rear will break traction much easier and has to be driven carefully in the rain or snow

in traffic the 7 is so low you often can't see ahead far

i'm 190cm and often bang my head against the top of the door when cornering, getting in and out is more difficult due to the stylish cut of the door .
inside space is small but all switches fall to hand much easier than the gto

but all in all the gto has made me appreciate the simplicity of the the FD more, get a good one, look after it and it will reward you

the weak spot of the 7 is probably the rotary engine, maybe 50% of engines need a $5000 rebuild before 100,000kms

- try to get a compression check done if possible to check the apex seal condition

- as they burn oil as part of the design the level needs to be checked regularly

- it gets very hot under the bonnet and all the plastic hardens. the cooling system has to work hard. on an earlier 7 i had 1 ast tank split on me while the car was cooling off on the turbo timer and i had walked away. luckily the timer shut down the car before it over-heated. rotaries hate overheating and often warp, lose compression and need a full rebuild

- pop some clamps and check the inside of the y-pipe that passes air from the airbox to the 2 turbos. no oil inside should mean healthy turbo bearing seals. a little oil is to be expected on high km cars. a lot of oil means turbo rebuild needed soon

- they flood easily if started and stopped cold and it can take hours to going again. so fit a turbo timer and set it 1 minute

if you want a good car for less than 1,000,000en you'll need to do your homework so you can find the diamonds that are out there on places like yahoo auctions

if you've got more than 1,000,000en to spend, probably best to check out mazda dealer cars that have known service histories etc.

eric e

Kotetsu

Thanks again Eric (Shall I call you sir??),

That's exactly the points and I wanted to know. These hints will help me in my quest.
Actually, I think I've found a pretty good one but it's still around 2 millions yens with less than 35000km. Looks pretty good after a short test drive.

I plan to buy the car after my business trip in Europe which should take approximately two months. I'll let you know about the car I will have bought.

Thanks again for your time.

BigWillieStyles

2 million yen should get you a really tidy S8 in my opinion.

Kotetsu

Yep. Anyway, I'll check for the best I can find in this average budget. I still plan to raise some funds for a GT-R anyway...

eric e

for 2,500,000en there is this

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r37484354

eric e

ReXtreme

yo ho ho,
Another in Japan.

Mine is in the body shop being converted right now.

RE-A + Feed Bits Advan RS etc.

It started life as a cheaper car. Then build up to 2M +

It only has 50000klms, as I am changing most body panels anyway it was not a priority

you have a sensible budget so there are plenty around.


BUY THIS !!!!
http://www.goo-net.com/used/spread/g...000503004.html
If it was around a few months ago , I would have

Its My pic at the moment.
All the good bits Feed Body kit, RAYS Gram lights and Vmount is best cooling setup

Just boost up good for 350hp.

Check out my blog.

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/

Kotetsu

Sorry ReXtreme, I completely missed your message for a loooooog time.

Actually I bought a FD. I saw on your blog a picture of the Okabe Jidosha n°14 FD. Well I know these guys very well. I spent the day in the paddock at the Fuji Speedway during the Super Taikyu and I also bought my car at their garage. They're great people.

I hope we'll meet someday.

Cheers.

Turbo II FC

iTrader: (14)

Post up pics of the FD you bought Kotetsu.

Kotetsu

I did it here: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/my-street-legal-project-773385/

Sorry if it was in the wrong section.

CanyonRunner

iTrader: (8)

Holy crap, you would not believe me when I tell you I know exactly where that spot is! Are you in Yaizu? Ahh I so miss my happy days in Japan!

And those are Racing Sparco NSII wheels, right? I've got NT w/ white spokes on mine...imported them myself waaaaay back in the day, super rare in the States.

The humidity must be pretty bad right about now, though.

Kotetsu

YEEES! It is Yaizu man. My wife's parents live there and I thought this spot would be perfect for a little shooting!

For the wheels you're right too, they were mounted on one of the Okabe Jidosha's race car. I got them with the car...

What a small world man. Anyway, I'm now planning to built a house around here so if you want to come and see us you'll be more than welcome.

CanyonRunner

iTrader: (8)

What a coincidence! I used to go down to Yaizu (most Japanese don't even know where it is) quite a bit b/c my ex is from there. It's kinda on the inaka side for sure but it's a pretty cool place. Plus Shizuoka city is only about half an hour away.

I miss blasting down Tomei from Tokyo at night and making it to Yaizu IC in less than 2 hours! Don't you just love the fresh tuna and other seafood from Suisan Center? How was the sakura-ebi this year?

You got so lucky w/ those take-off NSII wheels...they look like they're in mint condition even though they were mounted on Okabe's race car before!

Kotetsu

Sakura ebi was just fine. A friend of my boss gave me a full bag of these...

You cab indeed find excellent sushi in Yaizu. I also enjoyed the restaurants from the sea port of Numazu.

About the wheels they're in a pretty descent condition. I'm actually thinking of having them painted in the exact same color as the car but...

RotorMotorBoatHer

hi

Kotetsu

hi yourself!

CanyonRunner

iTrader: (8)

Have you gone to that famous cafe that serves the gigantic parfait (I think the name is Country Road)? There are some good roads nearby Yaizu for spirited driving if I remember correctly...either heading up Okabe or Shimizu.

I miss sakura-ebi...

Kotetsu

Do you want me to send you some?

polo451

bien le bonjour kotetsu !
fun to meet you on many forums
by the way i'm swiss too , and i plan to come to japan soon , see ya !

CanyonRunner

iTrader: (8)

Yes, please...by Sagawa!

We can get most genuine Japanese things here in LA but good sakura-ebi is hard to source.

Kotetsu

I can imagine!

I never went to LA and I'd love to. Maybe some day you'll show us around? We'll bring you some sakura-ebi!

I missed this... It's right I've been working as baito at the Gyu-kaku almost just next to Country road...
Did you know that the owner actually won the big money prize (san oku en) and built this insane restaurant? It's definitely a very small world!!!



Hey Polo,

I didn't know you were here too. If you come to Japan come and see us!
Of course I'm a on many forums, I need to promote my business a little bit!

CanyonRunner

iTrader: (8)

For sure...sakura ebi sounds like a good trade!

You were able to work at a Japanese restaurant? Your Japanese must be really good! But I bet all of your customers were shocked to see a foreigner greet them at the table!

Kotetsu

Well, I had to memorize "keigo" sentences. I worked there 6 months after arriving in Japan so my japanese was really basic back then. But as I used pretty polite and complicated sentences, some customers asked me how many years I've been living in Japan! It was really fun. Hopefully, my Japaneses improved and now it's much better

Ok so if I come and visit you, I'll bring some Sakura ebi for sure!