Buying

[dan_miles86]

Hi im new to this site and Mazda, always had Hondas until now. Need a change but dont want to lose the RPM\'s!
 
I have search and read and read and read before you say anything but the more i read the more I confuse myself...
 
As with most buyers im worried about the engine and with little rotary knowledge Im a bit stuck.
 
I have had a good test drive and cant find any driving faults at all, starts fine when cold and warm, idles perfect etc.
 
BUT rotor tips still hang over my head! The seller says tips have been done 15k ago (but strangly has no paperwork) and keeps saying that the oil pressure is good so must prove good compression. Can someone comfirm or deny this (guessing deny!)
 
Would you buy a rotor without doing a compression test?
 
Thanks in advance for your advice/links to old posts i might of missed!
 
Dan

[peterwolds]

welcome - no paperwork no buy without compression test.is the seller a member on here ? if so read his postings

[L18M]

just a word of warning, compression test wont show if the water seal may start to crack.
also check for smoke out the exhaust.
ask if its been flooded lots or easy flooded / stood for long time
might help you get a picture of how its been treated.
i\'m assuming its an fd which on ave they need rebuild around 70k miles
(feel free to correct me if im wrong! im an fc guy lol)
good luck

[neil_jdmr]

I was in the exact same boat mate 18months ago, I came from a jdm itr and eg6 vti before that to rotary and have honestly never looked back.
Before i made the leap into my dream fd i read all of the buying guides on as many rotary forums i could find to give an idea of what things to look for. I decided from the start that i was only going to buy a fresh rebuild from a known rotary tuner with warranty if possible to minimise the chance of any problems.
In the end i payed probably a little over the going rate but for really well cared for car with a fresh jimmy\'s rebuild and 10month warranty remaining.
 
It has been worth every extra penny paid as andy at jimmy\'s was always very helpful and answered all of my newbie questions and happily transferred the warranty to me, not that i needed it as the car has been as reliable as any of my hondas to date( Tempting fate :Hammer)
 
There a good number of rotary owners on here that have progressed from honda ownership.
 
Back to your question: I would not buy a fd without a rebuild and the papers to prove, If no paperwork then a compression check is a must.

[ro284]

and keeps saying that the oil pressure is good so must prove good compression.

As i understand it good oil pressure does not relate to good engine compession in any way! if i were in your position i would insist on a compression test, even go as far as paying for it myself and watch it being done!
Good luck
Bob

[Kieron]

I\'d keep the honda for a back up car. I got a UK DC2 R and even when the RX7 was working I walked past it and got into the DC2 every morning. I just know that I\'ll make it to work and back :Giggle

[dan_miles86]

Thanks for all your input guys, the one I have found is from a small indy garage. They say they can get the paperwork from the previous owner.
 
Shall have to wait and see!
 
I have just moved and now lucky enough to be able to walk to work so the car is jsut for fun really. Hence considering moving away from the Honda as its now finally an option.
 
It\'s always good to see a helpful response on a forum like this, can make a huge difference in the future if im stuck on something. It\'s also something Honda forums are very good for. Looked at buying an MR2 a while back and didnt get the same level of help on those forums shall we say!

[G@NDY]

Hi Dan,

compression tests arent as people say the holy grail so to speak. My last car had over 7 bar on each rotor and still failed after a week.

It really depends on how much it is really. Then we can advice you accordingly.

Oil pressure isnt something to go on matey, the main thing is if its starts without problems hot or cold and the faster the better

But if the car is any more than £4000 then I would strongly recommend a comp test.

If you are the Lincoln side of nottingham then I would be prepared to have a look round one with you.

regards Andy.

[dan_miles86]

Im in Newark but unfortunatly the car is just over 2 hours away in the other direction.
 
Its up for £4k, and really nice if its had the work done on it he says its had done on it. Just need the proof!
 
Im tempted to have a go compression tesing it myself but I wouldnt be confident in the answer. Maybe best I ring a few local garages and pay one to do it for me.
 
It did start very quickly both hot and cold. They let me have a test drive but had virtually no petrol in it so drove straight to the petrol station! lol

[G@NDY]

Ive got a mate selling a yellow Type R, it has 10,000 miles on a WGT rebuild. It needs tax and MOT and a front bumper. But he only wants £2800 could do with a respray tho, could organise some pics if your interested. And its local

[G@NDY]

2 Hours!! im afraid thats the nature of these cars, few and far between and travelling is a bit of a must unfortunatly.
Where is it, could be near a tuner?

[dan_miles86]

Umm yes! lol definatly interested. Although insurance is killing me at the moment, not sure how much difference type r makes.
 
Its prob more that two hours, in north wales.

[G@NDY]

Would make no difference, its only cheaper if you could find a UK one, and I think there cant be more than 50 on the road and generally go for a bit more.
Will chase up some pics for you tomorrow, I was even tempted to buy it

[G@NDY]

Just found this old pic, it has standard alloys on now, not those nissan ones.

[Timmy]

Proof of rebuild isn\'t worth anything unless it is under warrenty still.
Although i bourght my car not knowing it had been rebuilt once it blew which was 2 weeks later it turned out it had. It failed due to over problems.