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Hi folks, I still stalk here but living in the US now rarely post. I couldn't share a post I made to the FB group thus posting here, I'm sure many of you have seen this and I've discussed it with rotary friends in the UK. This is a scam, I did a bunch of investigation the short of it is among many other easy to spot red flags the BoL provided to a fan in the UK is fake.


Rotary friends this listing on Ebay.co.uk is a scam:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-RX-3-4-Speed/383173420043…

The car sold on BaT in the US 6 months ago for 30k USD, there is no way it's selling in the UK for 12.5K GBP! There are many many other red flags including the BoL the seller sent a friend, I contacted the shipping company who confirmed a) they don't ship out of NA b) the BoL is falsified.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-mazda-rx-3/

I've asked Ebay twice to remove the listing but nothing... #ebay #ebay.co.uk

Spread the word

Can you find out the series letter for the engine please. Will be next to the 20B on the housings, A, B, C or D. Depending on the series it can be on the irons too.

Thanks

"they are not for the faint of heart and pocket"

Doesn't the same apply to an RX-7? :p

Mind you, 50% more rotors, more complicated electronics and added rarity, I can see why running costs would be even higher...

You made 2 valid observations ;-)
I've not owned an FD for a number of years but I expect it is still fairly easy to obtain parts and it is a well understood and documented car.

I have a 20B, I live in the US and keep it in the UK (I am British and use it when I visit). There is no doubt they are amazing to drive, even friends who are not rotary passionate say so. Prices and scarcity of them (especially 20B) in Japan has been increasing fairly heavily but I see this with all old school JDM, compared to say 8+ years ago there are less appearing for sale in Japan.  I am of course biased, yet JCs will be highly collectible, especially as the US market can start importing the early ones soon. I expect the demand and price of them to sky rocket when this happens.

Do not underestimate owning one though, they are not for the faint of heart and pocket. Fuel - UK cost - to drive one properly is insane, it's  a car and they are 20+ years old now and do generate a lot of heat and things go wrong, the electric system that controls some of the systems is fairly complex and getting some components replaced or repaired is either very expensive (sometimes if you can find the part) or send to Japan only job. Mazda Japan does not have a lot or any spares kicking around for some of the Cosmo parts. Much of the work on a Cosmo comes down to trusting your friendly rotary mechanic or yourself and a lot of research and studying the Japanese parts/factory manuals; there are a couple of websites that still have decent info and fairly active members.

Now if you do own one, getting the most out of them isn't too hard, typical rotary mods and precautions that apply to an FD apply here. Finding some of the performance/aftermarket parts can take time and patience for them to come up is required.

Don't bother buying a 13B to do a 20B transplant; do it right and buy a 20B. Watching prices of what comes up in Japan and keeping an eye on the Cosmos around the globe your 16k figure is acceptable for one ready to go.

I can't stress enough that you need to be financially content you can run a Cosmo and keep up with any issues and maintenance. These are not cars to buy because they look nice and you fancy one! :-)

Here is mine, front bumper was recently repainted:- http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/148959

Do you have pictures of the interior? Interested in seeing seats, center console, arm rest, door cards and if there are mats under the mat on the drivers side around the pedals.

Thanks, Ant

PMSL, can I do it in 658cc segments ?? to have different weeks at different times  

Sure new seals, bearings, e-shaft are required as a non-refundable deposit though.

Sure. I charge 1 x 20B block per 2 weeks of sunshine and fun. Please note, this can\'t be sub-divided into 13B blocks.

Hahaha, my god, that was a long time ago, yep, that\'s me.  lol

I only twigged the other day this might be you :-) Awesome work on the build, been watching it progress.

Rgds, Ant

Is this Dave from the olden days of Guildford cruise where we nearly had our cars clamped by the idiot taxi chap?

Ant

Yeah, good to see you  

Some cool older Japanese cars there too - never seen a Bellett running before.




I assume yours was the dark blue one parked in the circle?  Looked mint, love those RE-Ameiya split rims.  It was getting a lot of favourable attention, one guy said he mistook it for a Jag at first.

I love the GPS aerial on the roof!!

Indeed yes and thank you. Another chap asked what it was then proceeded to recite the history of Felix Wankel to me. Some lads quizzed me when I was leaving on what it was and were a little surprised with what they learnt. Most people have no idea.

Can\'t believe I missed the AZ-1!

In the country for a couple of day and should be there with my Cosmo.

Rgds

Ant

I\'ll take this also.

Thanks

Ant

Hi Michael,
   I\'ll take this please. Drop me a PM with your details.

Thanks

Ant

Thanks for posting the additional pictures. Without wishing to be a PITA could I get close ups of what looks like rash, chunks out of the lip and possible dent(s) in the lips (can\'t tell if dents or lighting). Genuinely interested in these on consideration of the above and could possibly view tomorrow/Thursday depending on condition and viewing availability. Happy to discuss on the phone too instead of here if you prefer?

Many thanks

Ant

Hi - can you provide more detailed / close up shots of any damage please? Can provide email or upload space if you need it.

Thanks

Ant