Oct, 2010 B3R RCC Car of the Month

[RETed]

Originally Posted by Acesanugal

The texture of the A-pillar plastics are different from any production FC, as are the color of the writing on the window switches, etc.

It has already been discussed, and beaten to death, that the car is essentially euro-spec. There is, however, no chance that the car rolled off the production line with the intent of being sold in the way that it is equipped... There just isn't. There is absolutely no evidence to support the idea that the transmission, driveshaft, or differential have been swapped in that car from N/A to TII units. It also is equipped with A.A.S., and has no rear wiper. The 'roof band' is not even properly complete, and the car has never had the Finishline spoiler to go along with it's Finishline body kit. It has no cruise control, no C.S.A., and does not even have standard exhaust installed.. The door-set courtesy lights are all red.. do I really need to go on?

We're arguing on the finished product versus arguing it's "process".
To me, just by looking at the pics, it's just some Finishline parts slapped on the vehicle.
You do realize that the Finishline items are installed by the dealer right?
The Finishline items are not slapped on at the factory in Hiroshima, Japan.

You're arguing about (drivetrain) parts that are clearly NOT pictured.

If you want my opinion, it is in fact a pre-production car. And by pre-production, I mean they were still fucking with it before the car actually went on sale... Final touches...Press mule.. Because the car is too similar to a production car for it to be a 'prototype'.

That's right, it's your opinion.

How must you think Top Gear is able to occasionally destroy a brand new vehicle? Pre-production cars are usually never titled... but that does not mean that they do not have VIN numbers. The cars are given VIN numbers simply for what the VIN does... Identify. It is a record of a unit being built. And most pre-production vehicles must be destroyed. Crushed, or, in the case of this car, to be turned into a proper race car. In this way, none of the bits that weren't supposed to make it to the production cars affect it. It's essentially just a shell for modifying.

I can't believe you're arguing this.
The VIN is straight-up European.
Thus, I think it's pretty safe to say (unless there is documentation to prove otherwise) that the car was originally a Euro-spec vehicle.

I do rather enjoy a good debate every now and then, but the truth of the matter is, that none of you that are arguing nay-say have personally seen the car, pulled it apart, or been underneath it in any way, shape, or form. I think it would have been more appropriate, and more respectful, to have simply asked if Kristy could possibly unearth further history on the car, rather than jumping right on in to try and discredit it.

That is all.. and if you ask me, quite enough.

I've asked for pics.
I am not going to fly there from Honolulu, Hawaii USA unless someone else is going to pay for my flight and accomodations.

Right now, the VIN is our strongest argument that it's originally a Euro-spec vehicle that was yanked to the USA.
hIGGI asked for confirmation of the ECU model # - NO PICS OR INFORMATION YET.
I'll put money it's an N32x.

This whole mess would be easily put to rest if there was DOCUMENTATION to prove it's claims.
PERIOD.
Sorry, but I don't take someone's word on this.
I need to see proof for myself.

This ends my involvement in this thread unless documentation can be provided.
Email me when this happens.


-Ted

[notnauto]

Originally Posted by RETed

We're arguing on the finished product versus arguing it's "process".
To me, just by looking at the pics, it's just some Finishline parts slapped on the vehicle.
You do realize that the Finishline items are installed by the dealer right?
The Finishline items are not slapped on at the factory in Hiroshima, Japan.

You're arguing about (drivetrain) parts that are clearly NOT pictured.



That's right, it's your opinion.



I can't believe you're arguing this.
The VIN is straight-up European.
Thus, I think it's pretty safe to say (unless there is documentation to prove otherwise) that the car was originally a Euro-spec vehicle.




I've asked for pics.
I am not going to fly there from Honolulu, Hawaii USA unless someone else is going to pay for my flight and accomodations.

Right now, the VIN is our strongest argument that it's originally a Euro-spec vehicle that was yanked to the USA.
hIGGI asked for confirmation of the ECU model # - NO PICS OR INFORMATION YET.
I'll put money it's an N32x.

This whole mess would be easily put to rest if there was DOCUMENTATION to prove it's claims.
PERIOD.
Sorry, but I don't take someone's word on this.
I need to see proof for myself.

This ends my involvement in this thread unless documentation can be provided.
Email me when this happens.


-Ted

You could always call Jim Downing himself and ask him. I believe he is closer to the truth of what I call my car than anybody that is involved in this argument. I know its history. I've heard it directly from the person who I bought the car from. Again, that would be Jim Downing. I trust him on the history of the car and how it made it's way here to the U.S. and why he calls it a Pro-Production car.

All of you really have missed the point on why this is a pre production. It doesn't matter if it is all euro speced out. Mazda Japan made these cars. Sent them here and there and everywhere. Everybody put their $.02 in on what they thought the production cars should end up having and not having. Mine, came to the U.S to get it's $.02 added and then was handed off to become a race car.... That is what Mazda did with pre production cars back in the day. Also any cars that came off the ships and got damaged. Those too were given to the factory race team to become race cars. Now again, How do I know this information? I've talked to and on any given day can talk to Jim Downing.

and finally.... Really?!?!?

[ROTORX7Holly]

Originally Posted by RETed

We're arguing on the finished product versus arguing it's "process".
To me, just by looking at the pics, it's just some Finishline parts slapped on the vehicle.
You do realize that the Finishline items are installed by the dealer right?
The Finishline items are not slapped on at the factory in Hiroshima, Japan.

-Ted

The Finishline body kit was most likely put on for media pictures. I'm sure this car went through different looks while owned by Mazda N.A. That's what it was sent here for.

[t_g_farrell]

Kristy, I think some folks are just jealous of you having such a sweet ride

I for one, celebrate that you made car of the month and that it has been recognized by RCC for what it is, a unique and interesting 7 for the front page.

[Pete_89T2]

Originally Posted by t_g_farrell

Kristy, I think some folks are just jealous of you having such a sweet ride

I for one, celebrate that you made car of the month and that it has been recognized by RCC for what it is, a unique and interesting 7 for the front page.

Well said!

Congratulations Kristy, and enjoy driving that '7

[Acesanugal]

Originally Posted by RETed

We're arguing on the finished product versus arguing it's "process".
To me, just by looking at the pics, it's just some Finishline parts slapped on the vehicle.
You do realize that the Finishline items are installed by the dealer right?
The Finishline items are not slapped on at the factory in Hiroshima, Japan.

You're arguing about (drivetrain) parts that are clearly NOT pictured.



That's right, it's your opinion.



I can't believe you're arguing this.
The VIN is straight-up European.
Thus, I think it's pretty safe to say (unless there is documentation to prove otherwise) that the car was originally a Euro-spec vehicle.




I've asked for pics.
I am not going to fly there from Honolulu, Hawaii USA unless someone else is going to pay for my flight and accomodations.

Right now, the VIN is our strongest argument that it's originally a Euro-spec vehicle that was yanked to the USA.
hIGGI asked for confirmation of the ECU model # - NO PICS OR INFORMATION YET.
I'll put money it's an N32x.

This whole mess would be easily put to rest if there was DOCUMENTATION to prove it's claims.
PERIOD.
Sorry, but I don't take someone's word on this.
I need to see proof for myself.

This ends my involvement in this thread unless documentation can be provided.
Email me when this happens.


-Ted

Ted, I expected more from you.

The pre-prod lives on! God I miss that car...