Hi there folks,

I've been looking to import a 3rd gen rx7 into Canada from the states, and I was looking at a red R1 that's located in Arlington, TX. The only problem is that I can't get down there to see it. Is there someone on the forums that lives in / around that area that would be able to take a look at the car for me and see if it's legit? The guy has great feedback as an online dealer, but i've been burned before on online deals.

Interior photos look great, but i need to know about mechanicals, whether the thing smokes much, what it's like on a test drive, etc. I've put a few bucks down to hold the car for the next week, so I would need it done soon. I'm willing to compensate the person for their time.

Pm or email me if you can help

heeley_matt@rogers.com

Matt

 

Well what is the person's name that currently owns the car?

 

There are a few companies that do this, that may be an option.

http://www.buyerguardian.com/p-14-ve...n-service.aspx

http://www.carchex.com/inspect/order/index.asp

 

If that's the one at that used car dealership off of Division, you better hustle because a friend of mine is looking into that one.

 

i already put a deposit down on the car, and i'm willing to lose half of it if the sale doesn't go through. I just want to make sure that it's a good investment before i wire the money. I'll probably just use an inspection company though. I just figured if there was someone nearby that knew rx7's specifically that they would be a better option than an inspection company that may or may not know what to look for.

 

Well PM me if you're needing someone to check it out.

 

^^i will go wit ya!!

 

I cruised down Division not to long ago and saw a red R1 at a place called Front Line Autos or something? That the one? I only know of my friend mentioning it but I never saw it in person til today.

 

I think that's the one.

 

^^^you drive a silver boxter?

 

A pm from Slammedblk7 reminded me of this thread. I'd been meaning to update it, but I hadn't gotten around to it.

Here's the story....

The car rolled off the flatbed on April 2nd at my house (if it had been the 1st, I would have laughed out loud at the april fool's joke being played) I was all excited, the car fired right up and came off the flatbed. I let it warm up, and after I had paid the transporter, I took it for a rip around the corner to fill with gas, and to show my friend my new toy. After a quick rip, I parked it in the driveway, and was talking to my neighbour who came out to check out my new delivery. And a river of green was flowing down the driveway. My heart sank.

Either the previous owner, or Frontline had grounded the coolant sensor, and switched out the rad cap for a low pressure cap. Basically, it would run fine, but if you pushed it at all, the leak, which was on the exhaust side of the housing would push exhaust gases into the system, pushing coolant into the overflow bottle and onto the ground. Once i put the proper rad cap on, and it built pressure in the system, it became pretty obvious that it was hurt bad. It just blew steam all over the place, it was coming out the tailpipe, everywhere.

I was pretty pissed, especially since I had talked to the 'rotary shop' that the dealership works with, and apparantly works mainly on 7's. He seemed knowledgeable, based on conversation. Basically what it comes down to is either the dealership didn't know, and their rx7 specialist doesn't know ****, or they both saw an opportunity to unload a car with a sick engine on an international buyer that would have no recourse. I'm betting on the latter, since I knew it was hurt 5 minutes after my first drive.

Having said that, I'm in love with the car now. I had it rebuilt by BSC Motorsports, which is a rotary shop that is about 15 minutes from my house. The guy does solid work, and contrary to a lot of 'rotary' shops, which turn out to be butchers, the guy spent 15 years working in tool & die, does excellent fabrication, and builds some seriously strong rotary engines and refuses to cut corners. Needless to say, after lots of headaches, a full rebuild, standalone, and tuning, I have a car that runs great, is involving and challenging to me as a person who likes to get his hands dirty, and is a pleasure to drive.

Sorry for the long post, but I figured you'd like to hear how it all went down afterwards.


Matt

 

at least you got a new car now!

 

oh, yes, and a big thanks to Slammedblk7 for taking the time to check the car out. There was no way for him to know that the car wasn't in fine shape based on the fact that it hauled hard, and without the coolant sensor, or a proper rad cap, he couldn't have seen the issues.

That was a huge indicator that this was the car community i wanted to be a part of.

Matt

 

Glad things worked out for you, even if it cost more than anticipated.