Hi there folks,

Just thought I'd take a minute to say hello. I haven't said much because i've been just lurking for a while. I'm an SRT4 owner presently, but i'm looking to get rid of the SRT for something a little more economical for daily transport, and then an FD in the not-so-distant future for a project / fun car. I've been drooling over RX7's for years now, but i think it'll soon be time to make the dream a reality.

Anyone have any tips for someone new to rotary's? Is it worth it to import from Japan, or from the states, or should I just look for a clean canadian car and save the hassle? I've done extensive research, but not sure about what to look for in a used FD, what the usual failures are (except for water jacket, apexes, and vaccuum lines). Also would like to get to know some people in the area. On SRTforums.com I'm srtboosthead, and the GTA guys get together on a regular basis, so we sort of have our own unofficial club meets and track days. Curious if the same holds true for you folks.

Anyway, hello, I'm looking forward to an FD in the future

Matt

 

Welcome

There's lots of info on buying a 3rd gen (FD) in the 3rd gen specific forum at the top of the home page. Tonnes of good stuff in there.

As far as what to buy, its all about how much you have to spend and what you're looking for. The options of importing (from US or Japan) are good ones, but come with other headaches such as actually getting it here and buying the vehicle sight un-seen. But there's upsides as you could potentially save some money. Buying in Canada is a good option and easy seeing as you can check out the car and (depending on how you buy it) may not need to even saftey or e-test it.

There's many local meets for your area in the "go" season, and the track days that are already set are in a stickied thread at the top of the Canadian section. But keep an eye for threads about local meets and other track days etc. because when the season is here, we're at it.

Good luck with the buy and welcome aboard! (in the near future lol)

 

Welcome to the club!

The best thing you can do is pour some coffee and do a LOT of searching on this forum. It is a goldmine for info, but you need to go through it all!

Here's my only piece of advice: If you are going to buy an FD, spend the most amount of money on the absolute best car you can find. Buying one that has been abused and not maintained will cost you 10X as much in the long run. Buy one with a good history that has been cared for is your best option - it'll cost more but be worth it.

Good luck with the search!

 

As everyone else has said, Welcome. Also if you need info search the site, I had a basic knowledge of rotarys when I first joined this site and in a couple of months I have learned soo much about these cars. There is a very big group of helpfull people here.


If you have any questions on importing a car from Japan feel free to message me. I don't have all the answers, but I am in the middle of importing a car right now so if anything I will be able to give you a good start to searching for a car and will be able to answer most questions for you.

 

sweet! Thanks for the warm welcome gents, it's much appreciated. The other thing is, as far as LHD rx7's, isn't that a royal pain when you're driving in normal traffic?

 

do you mean RHD? I have heard that it can be somewhat of a pain, but like most things once you get used to it you won't even notice it.

 

The only thing thats a royal pain in the sack is making a left hand turn at a large intersection. If you have someone in the car with you its a snap though. But to be honest, when alone in the car (knowing the way other people drive) a left hand turn at a large intersection can be down right dangerous. It turns into a "I don't think any one's coming" deal. lol

But its no REAL biggie and 98% of the time you're not making left hand turns at large intersctions anyways.

 

RHD is also a pain on 2 lane roads when you want to pass the car infront of you, as it is hard to see what's coming towards you!

That and, while amusing, drive-throughs are a PITA when you are alone. lol

 

yeah, i meant rhd... i clearly wasn't paying attention to what i was typing

 

welcome

 

Solid advice for a a non-rotary owner, buy a 84-85 GSL. Getting you feet wet in this car will allow you to get an idea if
A) you could be a rotard like us
B) Will allow you to see how the rotary works.
C) Will be easy to get rid of and not cost you an arm and leg if you in fact cant handle the awesomeness of the rotary.

 

well, i have driven a couple of FD's when i was looking to buy one a few years ago. Loved every second of it. The only reason i bought an SRT4 is because i moved out to Fernie, B.C., and I couldn't see using an RX7 for a daily driver when snow depth is measured in metres. That, and looking back on it, I'm glad I made the choice I did.... i can only imagine how much i'd cry if i bought an rx7 and it took the mountain winter abuse. I had to get the windshield replaced and the whole front end repainted after my first year with it in Fernie because they don't sand or salt out there.. they throw down rock crush. Generally you lose a windshield every winter. Brutal.

The budget isn't going to allow the purchase of a totally cherry low mileage FD, unfortunately. It'll probably end up being a project car purchase. As long as the engine's good and the body's sound, i can deal with the rest since i plan on it being a long term investment / hobby / summer / track ****. Once i get one, it won't be sold.

 

The budget isn't going to allow the purchase of a totally cherry low mileage FD, unfortunately. It'll probably end up being a project car purchase. As long as the engine's good and the body's sound, i can deal with the rest since i plan on it being a long term investment / hobby / summer / track ****. Once i get one, it won't be sold.[/QUOTE]

With these few comment's you have made I think you will be fine, don't count on getting a sound engine though....Project FD's allways include a engine rebuild.
Focus on a nice clean body /interior North American car, the mechanical part is easy.
Keep a open mind , search these forum's, get to know some local FD guys for support and try to do most everything yourself.

Good luck, welcome to the world of the rotary and yes they make nice track *****....lol

 

Srt 4.....haha

 

There are a tonne of JDM FD's that eather require a new motor, or some interior work that can be brought into Canada for around $5-$6,000. So depending on how big of a project car you would want, there are ways of getting a fairly cheap FD. The only extra cost with a non running car would be that you would have to pay to get it transported to your door instead of being able to drive the car home.

 

or meet some of the rx7 owners and maybe some will tag along when you are ready to buy. it is a love and hate relationship with these cars.

 

Here is an example of a cheap JDM FD that needs a new motor. Its price if 300,000JPY FOB which is around $3000 + shipping +custom fees=between $5-$6,000




Here is the extra info that they give along with the car.

"Additional Options: Rear spoiler,AM/Exhaust,AM/Shift ****,AM/17inch alloys,AM/Aero front bumper,AM/Aero mirror,aM/Turbo timer(APEXi),AM/Low down spring

Comments: Manufacture date:1992/02, Mist on right fog lens,Color fade on roof,Paint crack on right front pillar and left front fender,Paint crack on right door,Paint crack and scratch on right/left rear fender,Right front fender and left door paint not good,Stone chip on windscreen,Scratch on left door,Engine not good"

 

Hey Football, does the car have to be running to have it registered (I don't mean plated)? I mean legally transferred ownership with a "fit" title?

 

I don't think so, but I don't know for sure. I know that at the port/customs they do not do any mechanical inspections on the car. I was actually told that I should find a boost box to bring with me since my car probubly won't start once its unloaded. I am pretty sure that you should be able to get a non-running car into Canada. But obviously before you can register/insure the car you would need to pass a OOP which requires a running car.

 

hey, i know it gets the 'boy racer' image, but it's actually quite a fun car, and as far as SRT community goes, most of the GTA guys in the canadian forum over at srtforums.com get together on a regular basis, and would give the shirt off their back to help a club member. I can't really complain as the car and the club have all been really kind to me. When i was living in Fernie, I had the same experience with the calgary boys.

As far as the car goes, it's solid, responds well to mods, makes a great daily driver, does okay in the snow, and still pulled a 13.6 on street tires with minimal mods last summer. That's not bad for a mostly stock front driver, in my books. It just doesn't fit the transportation needs anymore. I've got a pretty good commute from Barrie to Alliston coming up, and I just can't justify the car payment, plus insurance, plus cost of premium fuel in a daily driver. That'd be okay in a summer / second car and/or track vehicle though, which is where i'm headed with an rx7 project car.

 

The only issue for me is the RHD. I don't want to find myself hating the car because i can't turn left in traffic.

1. what do you guys think of importing a US-spec RX7 in a year? I've seen ads in the trader for what looks like fairly clean cars with popped engines. Is it a good idea to look towards something like that, and then just buy a rebuilt engine and turn in the popped one for the core charge?

2. The other thing i'm not sure of is aftermarket turbo setups. From what i've read, the vaccuum system that works the sequential turbos on this car is a pretty weak link. Is it worth it to go aftermarket? I would think that with modern DBB turbo technology, that you can achieve equal response with a modern single turbo setup, as long as you're not shooting for stupid power levels.

3. I've also read that simple mods can spell doom for an rx7 (upgraded intercooler, intakes, larger exhaust, etc.) Thoughts?

Matt

 

1. If you can't find one local....USA is where I'd be looking first

2. There's a few different options as far as the turbo or turbo's go, the vacuum lines are not the issue it's the 14 or so solenoids/ actuators that control the car's operating system. These are the cause of many problems you hear about .....full non-sequential or a single set up is very popular and eliminates most problems.

3. Be Very Carefull! Seek help before you do any mods to these cars

 

Thanks, the advice is much appreciated. Looking south of the border is the direction i was leaning to, just because i think the RHD would be far more of a hassle than I want. I know the JDM look is really important to some, and for those people, importing is definitely the way to go if you want it to be unique. I'd rather my car be 'cool' to me first, which means being able to drive it in traffic.

Just in response turbo setups, i'm guessing that converting the car to a single turbo setup requires all the same things that an SRT does when stepping up to a GT30 or GT35... standalone, upgraded fuel system, upgraded ignition, and a whackload of tuning?

 

there is a thread about this in the 3rd gen section up top. It should still be on the first stage as it was only started yesterday I think.

One thing you can also look for is check out the registration months/years on the cars in the U.S. I heard somewhere that some of the 93 FD's have a 92 build year. So you might be able to import a USDM FD to Canada this year. It might be worth looking into, although I could be wrong.

 

You can import any USDM FD as long as you make the required modifications (bumper, DRL, etc)