Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S
#1
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Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S
Hi guys, I've been in the market for getting a new car after I sold my eclipse and I came across this FD.
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-imagejpeg952.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419804d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-imagejpeg952.jpg)
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-img00022-20110211-1326.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419806d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-img00022-20110211-1326.jpg)
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-imagejpeg952_01.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419805d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-imagejpeg952_01.jpg)
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-img00026-20110211-1328.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419807d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-img00026-20110211-1328.jpg)
It's a '97 RX-7 FD JDM, RHD w/ 89000 k/m
It's Competition Yellow and has the "top fuel" front bumper.
The modifications it has are:
-Jic Coilovers
-Jic Front Strut Bar
-Koyo Radiator
-Slotted Rotors
-Kakimoto Exhaust
-GReddy temp & Boost Gauge
-GReddy Turbo Timer
Otherwise everything else is stock..the engine bay is clean and even still has the stock air box.
I would like some feedback on the car..I'm absolutely going to be getting the car inspected before I buy but I need some knowledge from the people that have bought used & own FDs. Please give me your inputs.
Thanks,
Adam
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-imagejpeg952.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419804d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-imagejpeg952.jpg)
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-img00022-20110211-1326.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419806d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-img00022-20110211-1326.jpg)
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-imagejpeg952_01.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419805d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-imagejpeg952_01.jpg)
![Looking at purchasing a '97 FD3S-img00026-20110211-1328.jpg](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/introduce-yourself-254/419807d1471916163t-looking-purchasing-97-fd3s-img00026-20110211-1328.jpg)
It's a '97 RX-7 FD JDM, RHD w/ 89000 k/m
It's Competition Yellow and has the "top fuel" front bumper.
The modifications it has are:
-Jic Coilovers
-Jic Front Strut Bar
-Koyo Radiator
-Slotted Rotors
-Kakimoto Exhaust
-GReddy temp & Boost Gauge
-GReddy Turbo Timer
Otherwise everything else is stock..the engine bay is clean and even still has the stock air box.
I would like some feedback on the car..I'm absolutely going to be getting the car inspected before I buy but I need some knowledge from the people that have bought used & own FDs. Please give me your inputs.
Thanks,
Adam
#2
Feedback:
1. Read the 3rd gen FAQ thread - specifically the Buyer's Guides that are in there. That will tell you most everything you should be checking when buying an FD.
2. JDM cars are not legal to register/insure in the US. Should be a thread on it in FAQ but if there isn't search the 3rd gen section for various long threads on the topic. RHD in a LHD US world is dumb IMO. You won't be impressing anyone and resale value is decreased...
3. Car looks ok. The fact that it is mostly stock is good as it avoids badly done mods (unless the PO removed the mods to sell the car). No comment on that front bumper though.
1. Read the 3rd gen FAQ thread - specifically the Buyer's Guides that are in there. That will tell you most everything you should be checking when buying an FD.
2. JDM cars are not legal to register/insure in the US. Should be a thread on it in FAQ but if there isn't search the 3rd gen section for various long threads on the topic. RHD in a LHD US world is dumb IMO. You won't be impressing anyone and resale value is decreased...
3. Car looks ok. The fact that it is mostly stock is good as it avoids badly done mods (unless the PO removed the mods to sell the car). No comment on that front bumper though.
![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#4
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Driving a RHD car in a LHD world can be a bit of a pain at times (drive-through windows, toll windows etc are awkward), but seeing people's faces on the highway when they look over and see no-one in the "driver's" seat can be amusing. I have a RHD car (not FD) that I legally imported myself.
Saying that. I would hate to own a car which can be crushed by the government at any point for breaking import regulations. Only have to look at Skylines which have got nabbed in the last couple of years to worry about it.
I would steer well clear of it. There are plenty of LHD FDs left alive in the USA. Find a nice condition one of those. Make life easy for yourself.
Saying that. I would hate to own a car which can be crushed by the government at any point for breaking import regulations. Only have to look at Skylines which have got nabbed in the last couple of years to worry about it.
I would steer well clear of it. There are plenty of LHD FDs left alive in the USA. Find a nice condition one of those. Make life easy for yourself.
#5
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And as Gracer7 said, read the buyer's guide. 89,000kms on a stock sounds like it's right around rebuild time. You could end up buying it and then have to get the engine taken out and rebuilt which is going to cost you a few grand.
#6
you know im sorry but if its illegal to register and insure in america. then why is there a u.s license plate on it?? means its registered in america. and it cant be plates from another car. cuz if they were. then they would have been pulled over and lost the car by now...
#7
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It may be registered in the U.S. but that doesn't mean its 100% legal. It could be listed as a kit car when imported and registered / insured. That doesn't guarantee that it won't be impounded and crushed by the federal government. There are several ways of getting around the importation and registration process, but that doesn't mean it can't get nailed later. I don't know if series 7's are federally legal.
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/the...-states-1.html
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/the...-states-1.html
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