Im just curious what the cheapest FD you have seen in GTA(well Canada would be fine). Im more thinking of the cheapest rolling chassis .

Prices just seem so jacked here(compared to the US)

Any help is appreciated.

 

On average the cheapest FD's are the imports. In Edmonton here they usually go between 12 to 15k.

 

There just aren't that many rolling chassis' to be had. The closest you will get is to buy a RHD and sell the motor. You'd probably still be in the 7-9k range. You're better of looking south and bringing it up here. Cheap and FD don't seem to go in the same sentence.

 

the lowest I've seen is an imported model for about $9K on autotrader. I've also seen fairly clean (in the pics) domestic FD's on autotrader for up to $25K. Usually they sit between $15-20K. If you don't mind the RHD, import one. Usually low mileage, but include a rebuild in the budget just to be safe. There's no way to know the shape of the engine until it gets here. Alot seem to be on their last legs, and we all know those Japanese like to drive their cars. Otherwise look in the states for a cheaper one to bring up.

 

Ya rollers in canada are few and far betwen. Ive seen a couple LHD ones in the last few years, but they where still $10,000!! Ya importing one from japan, or the US is by far the best way to do it. Like orion84gsl said, the ones from japan are usualy on their last legs. (trust me I would know) lol

 

If looking south of the border, just keep in mind RIV and US export requirements; specifically for FD's, Canadian spec front bumper reinforcements need to be added (as well as the usual DRL's), and the US requires all required documentation received at the border crossing 72hrs in advance of the car arriving, or you'll be held up by the bureaucracy.

Keep an eye on RIV: manufacturers don't have to supply TC/RIV with the compliance information on US market models. As a consequence, a number of manufacturers, amongst them BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, MINI, and Honda and Nissan (just on '08 Hondas and Nissans so far) are now saying none of their US cars comply, where previously almost all complied or could readily be modified, unless you go through thru Canadian dealers and the Canadian distributor to certify individually (for which they'll be happy to delay about 6 weeks, making purchasing extremely difficult, and charge you handsomely), as well as having all needed modifications performed at their Canadian dealers. This is a transparent move to head off people shopping south of the border and prop up prices on the used/lease return market, since currently prices on new and used vehicles run 25%-45% higher for the same vehicles new in Canada - even after all the noise and advertising about how we're getting a better deal thanks to our strong dollar.

RIV requirements have been revised on an almost weekly basis over the last few months as more manufacturers play games with the certification of their new and used vehicles for Canada, to prop up Canadian prices. Dealers and manufacturers will really take a bath on lease returns (because of the assumed resale values built into the original lease pricing) if the used market, which currently seems to average about 40% higher in Canada for comparable vehicles, falls to near parity, which pure market forces would suggest it should. Shouldn't affect you looking for an FD, but if Mazda decides to join the others already effectively blocking US imports, it could.

I 'm up on this as I've been following closely, because I've been interested for some time in finding a nice E36 or early E46 M3 down south, where they're way cheaper and less likely to be rusted and stone-blasted - now I'm f#$*d thanks to BMW Canada

 

Oh wow, great info!!!! thank you.

I figured rolling chassis werent all that abundent up here. *sigh*

US shopping it is(though ill have to make sure the RIV stuff is ok)

 

don't even tell the americans you're crossing the border, just cross, if the canadians mention it be like "oh, I didn't realize canada enforced US laws" and they'll STFU about it because it's not our law.
if you purchase a car that has a build date at least 15 years old it's RIV exempt and you don't have to do any bumper crap or DRL's, or any of the other stupid RIV program stuff.

right now 15 years old is FEBUARY, 1993 BUILD DATE OR EARLIER which is probably 80% of FD's in north america.