Used car question, Japan related (and intro I guess haha)
 

(Posting here because it involves 99+ year model purchases, kinda moot point in the US only forums haha)

Hey everyone, just joined today, and got a question involving used FD purchases. If I'm to buy a used one here, should I go for the absolute most recent one, one with least miles possible, or what? I read up all tons of info on how to gauge if its in good shape and was treated well, but I'm still really uneasy since I'm still affected by the horror stories of rotary engine ownership and rebuilding expenses. Basically, I'm not sure if I should spend 35,000$ equiv for a 2002 Spirit R model with 10k miles, or for a 1999 RB model with 40k miles, even if both check out well on the "used FD checklists". I've seen some good looking used ones over in Sagamihara at a big dealer, ranging from 1999 to 2002 yr models, but I want to spend as little as possible for obvious reasons while of course making sure I dont regret my purchase later down the road.




As for an intro, I'm new to Japan, just moved here to Mishima (Shizuoka Prefecture) not too long ago with a new English teaching job. Sad thing is, with how much I'm loving it here and the fact that I definitely want to fulfill my long ass contract, I'm gonna have to let my Z33 go that I left back in the states. Costs like 10,000$+ to ship and register it :(

First thing I wanted to jump on once I sell the Z is to try to get my other favorite car (and never owned) which is of course the FD. :)

Thanks for your time, sorry for lengthy post for such a short question haha

Welcome!

First off if you are planning to take this car back to the states you will need to do a lot of research which will most likely leave you at the point of realizing it is not worth it.

So assuming you will realize it is not worth taking home or you never intended to take it home, my next question is why do you want a 99spec or a spirit R?

There are plenty of very cheap and well built FD's available for very little money which could allow you to potentially keep your Z back home or could leave you with plenty of spending money to make this FD fun for the few years you will own it here in Japan.

If you want something with low miles and something that wont break that can be had also for far less than the money you are talking.

PM me if you have more questions or anything else.