Should I buy this FD shell for $4000?

[Max777]

Hy guys, it's me, Max, a long time FC owner. I've now had 3 FC's and just recently ran into this shell for sale for only $4000. Now, I've always wanted an FD, and I figured that if I sell the hinson sub-frame and stuff I can recoup at least $800 back, making my price for the shell $3200!

Do you guys think that it would be worth putting this car back together? I would have to sell both of my current FC's (a stock GTU and a modded TII) to fund this build. I DO have the mechanical know how to put it all together myself, just will need to shop around for parts.

From the for sale add:

The car comes with the Hinson LS1 subframe and bump steer corrections already installed, torque arm also included but not installed. The interior is intact except for the gauge cluster. Stoptech drilled/slotted rotors and stainless steel brake lines in the front. Car also comes with a set of new Mickey Thompson E.T. Street on the rears and new Bridgestone Potenza's on the fronts. Also I had the firewall modified but the VIN is still intact. I'm looking for $6000 obo (we agreed on 4000 picked up)

some more info: Car was originally modified with an LS1 sub-frame and the firewall was cut in order to accommodate an RB25 swap. The guy ended up not finishing it and parted out the engine bits. Right now, the cut up firewall is the biggest issue to me, however I can "mend" it back so it looks closer to stock.

Overall, we agreed on $4000 and I told him I can come pick it up this next Saturday, so I have till then to decide.

here's some pictures:

[magpiemini]

Hard to make a good determination from pics but it looks pretty good to me. I would get under the car and examine suspension, brakes, etc... If they look as good as the body, I would at least make them an offer. I have too many projects or I would be interested.

[lt1_fd3s]

just going to throw this out to you man, i have a stock engine cradle that you can have if you pay for shipping to you from NC...

FD shell with full interior for $4k and being able to sell some parts on it... if you're ready for the fun and headaches of owning an FD... go for it...

[Max777]

Cool, pm sent!

The thing is, I have owned 3 FC's and all of them have been "tore to f***" by previous owners. I don't want to give up rotaries, but I want a "newer" car. I've already had plenty of headaches with my FC's (a lot more than the usual fc owner).

[REVIT93RX7]

Looking at the pictures it appears OK. I would check and make sure the frame is straight. Most of the interior looks there so that is a big plus. The engine wire harness is another issue. They are ness is >600.00 dollars just for it. If the main wire harness meaning the one that runs completely around the car is cut etc. Then you have a much more difficult (expensive) task. I just finsihed restoring mine from the ground up about 1.5 yrs ago. It isn't cheap, I went with everything new so cost me upwards of 25k. I don't regret it at all. I'm glad to see you want to keep it a rotary. Looks like you will also have an issue with restoring the cutout that was made. That position is where the A/C heater mount under the dash. Good luck and let us know if you pursue this adventure.

[Max777]

Yeah, right now the plan is to either leave that spot alone or weld it back "flat" with the firewall. The PO said he planned to use a smaller custom heater core and stuff. Recently, I have been feeling like working on my FC's just isn't "worth it" to me any more, I'm bored of them and just want something new.

[mvpdrift]

Looks pretty clean, seems like a good deal. Good luck

[Max777]

Double post: Well, I just tried to price out everything and I am worried that it will take me another 5~6,000 to get this car to run. Meaning, with all it needs, i will have a barely running FD for $7,000, and as we all know, that wont be the end of it....

[lt1_fd3s]

Originally Posted by Max777

Double post: Well, I just tried to price out everything and I am worried that it will take me another 5~6,000 to get this car to run. Meaning, with all it needs, i will have a barely running FD for $7,000, and as we all know, that wont be the end of it....

from my personal experience... don't keep track of the money you will spend on a car... and make sure you give plenty of 'buffer' in your build budget...

who cares how much money it cost if every time you drive the car it makes you happy?

[Max777]

You sound like you have a lot of money. The problem is, I have the money to build it, and have a 24K a year job, but the way it is right now, I would be spending ALL of my savings, with no overhead left. The more I think about it, the more this seems like a foolish idea finacially, so I dont think I am going to do it anymore.

Maybe, in two three months, if he still doesn't sell it, and I has sold all my cars, have more money saved up, etc, I will reconsider it, but at this point exactly, I'm gonna go broke.

[lt1_fd3s]

i don't have lots of money... but money comes with time... and most my builds have been long running projects...

[RX SE7EN]

I would say save up and wait for another to come along. No point in stretching yourself thin over a car. I'm speaking from personal experience too. Being light on cash can cause unwanted stress that a car can't fix (especially if that car breaks).