Hi everyone,
Looking to start a project build. For all you car nerds out there, the usually models: FD RX7, s14, s15, wrx, evo, etc. since my plans are to literally do a frame up restoration, I’m looking for the cheapest car I can find. Blown engine, no engine, destroyed interior, shot suspension, peeling paint, so as long as the frame is straight and not a salvage vehicle it’s a green light in my book. Anyone who thinks they might have a lead please help me out.
Best,
Jay
7 comments
Where are you based? Do you have a car you can use to cruise around and scope out a car? I’d need a few more hands to count the number of times I’ve seen a discarded S14 or S15 when leaving Saitama on a road trip. They’re usually crammed into a small field next to an overflowing garage or farmhouse.
FD are few and far between, as are Evo, though have seen a few dilapidated WRX around.
Set google to avoid toll roads, pick a small town somewhere a few hours away and go get some ramen etc there for lunch. I’d expect you’ll stumble upon something pretty quickly.
Could also head down to the nearest race track on a weekend and ask around.
Alternatively you could try hunting on Instagram for Japanese car fans and just DM them with a polite enquiry with what you’re looking for. Most people into cars are happy to talk about what they drive and everyone knows someone with a failed project.
Visit some of the tuning shops and ask the owners. Most of them specialise in a particular model and will always have leads or know someone who’s selling a shitbox. You don’t say where you’re based but Osaka area has some of the best tuning shops in the world.
I got my EK9 from a tuning shop
Yahoo auctions, was looking around the other night and saw a laurel with a blown sr20det that had compliance plate but the engine was blown, they wanted 50man but plates were still good. They also have a junk section near the bottom of the left side selection panel. See quite a few on there with blown engines, gearboxes and what not.
My old workmate got his from Instagram though, turbo s14 for 35man. Dude selling needed cash urgently so if you keep browsing deals might occasionally pop up
DM Sammit or kota the yoda on YT. Or go to the auctions.
Paul Walker lives!!
This is literally the worst time to buy an old sports car.
All of the good cars are $$€€€$$$¥¥¥¥¥£££££ right now because all of the best cars of the 90s are 25-year rule eligible.
I bought a clean low mileage SW20 turbo for 200,000 yen ten years ago, a less clean but very fast FD for 250,000 about five or six years ago (it was missing a tranny/diff and didn’t start when I bought it, though…but single turbo v-mount), and had a chance to buy a nice R32 GTR for 400,000 yen a bit earlier… I’d have made a few million yen if I had bought that GT-R.
Clean FDs are very expensive now, so they are constantly being stolen. I all also regret selling my MR-2 so cheaply.
That said, it’s always better to start with a relatively clean car that runs than a dead shell. I think either you’re underestimating how much work a restoration is or overestimating how much money you can save by starting with cheap shell.
My suggestion? A stripped out Roadster. They’re so plentiful that they’re still relatively cheap. That, or an early 86 (the new one, not the old one!).
If you don’t need 400hp, probably a kei will be cheap and loads of fun.