I have a cherry 79 gs, all original, which explains why I'm in the middle of replacing all of the bushings....

I've thought about making some mods for increased performance and maybe some visual, but would I be sacrificing long term value of the car for short term fun?

Would any one have an idea on the effect of market value for custom gen 1's versus all original/stock?

Thanks.

 

SA's are the rarest first gen. Especially being that it is the first year produced, I would say keep it stock. Value has gone up a lot these last few years for our cars.


Also, just get another FB and mod that

 

Don't use Lost Value as a reason to stay origonal or customize . The lost value will never be more than a small percentage of the resale price . Do what makes you feel good about your car . If you like the idea of it all original , or somewhat original do that . If you want to paint flames or skulls on it , do that . RX7's are fun cars , not show cars .

 

If you can improve and believe the custom part would last longer I'd go down that route, but for things like interior and such I'd stay original. My brother has a 79SA it's in worst state but we don't care, someday she'll shine

<3 sa's

 

i would personally keep it original. SA's are getting ot be scarce as hen's teeth. you'll thank yourself in the long run when you are driving a restored classic.

 

It depends what you want to do with the car. I asked myself the same question when I first got my 79sa. I found it three years ago in mint condition with only 47,000 miles on it. I knew I wanted to keep this car for a very very long time, and have fun with it. So I decide to start modding it slightly.

I only put parts on it that I know will improve the performance of the car, while keeping the exterior relatively stock looking. No silly neons or roof scoops, or anything else that adds useless weight.

It just depends on what you want. If your like me, and you know your not looking to resell it or make money out of it, then I say mod it. They're fun car to drive and to work on.

 

Depends on what you mean by 'custom'. There are some people that are quick to bastardize our cars, please don't do that.

But making mods isn't a big deal. I've gotten my car pretty modded yet if the day ever came to sell it I could have it back to 100% bone stock by the end of a weekend.

 

I like all of the answers but we don't know enough to make an educated answer.

Is there something extremely rare about your car, ie is it an incredibly rare color/option combo, is it a limited edition (not to offend anyone on this forum but I would never customize a limited that is in restorable condition they are just too rare), is it an extremely early car or is it one of the very last 79s built.

Now all of this does not matter if you are not going to be happy with a bone stock SA in which case you need to do what you want and if myself or any other self righteous person doesn't like it then he/she has the option of trying to buy it off of you because it is your car

 

Add performance, keep appearance stock. A sleeper = awesome.

 

wow... some great responses and you guys have helped me make some decisions...

Jeezus: If only I could convince my wife that I need to spend the money on another 7, that would be great... ha!

rotarydude: While it is a 79, it's not a limited edition or anything, though it is a gs/5 speed and the only trim item not on the car is the removable roof.

Super82 & '87 turbo II: Agreed.

I'm going to head down the road of "some" performance mods, but keep the stock look. I really enjoy the sa in it's purest form with concern to aesthetics/body lines, so I don't want to muck it up with fins, body panels or the like(agree with sa7). And, I don't want so much power that I end up clearing trees out of someones yard.

So, my plans are to add a suspension upgrade(racing beat), upgrade the exhaust and maybe go from there. I'm still undecided about the waffle wheels in relation to it being lowered a smidgen, though I wouldn't get rid of them. If anyone has any pics of a lowered 1st gen with waffles, I'd like to see 'em.

I'm mid bushing replacement, and currently waiting on my front ball joints to arrive. I'll have some pictures to share in the next week or two once I get her off the stands.

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions! You guys rock!

 

I put RB springs on my 83. Actually lowered pass side about 1/4 inch, lifted driver side almost a full inch (sits level now) in the rear and lifted the front on both sides about 1/2 inch. Thats how worn out and saggy stock springs are. Some have posted that lowering springs have lifted the car up to a full inch compared to their original worn springs. Just getting the car sitting level and with springs that have the same "sping properties" are the biggest improvement. Of course having a bit tighter springs are a plus as well.

 

i think these cars are the most fun when they are really close to stock.

i dont like the giant heavy flywheel, and freeing up the exhaust is nice. i also like the suspension on the mild side.

especially on the SA its kind of part of the charachter of the car.

 

The thing about mildly modding a first gen for performance is that the parts you put on can generally be swapped back to stock with no problems. If it's not a super rare car, then upgrading it with something like suspension and carb/exhaust shouldn't really effect the resale value, since the buyer will actually be getting more car for their money than if they wanted to get a bone stock example. They would also have less work to do once they buy the car since it has already been done by you. Consider that an RB exhaust adds power, and makes the car sound like sex on wheels, but is also very high quality and will last along time. Add on a Sterling carb and your not really wandering too much from the original formula. You get a performance carb derived from the carb the car came with. Chances are if you don't go crazy or do a hack job on all the installations, then any potential buyer would probably want to do the same things. On another note you have to decide if you bought this car for yourself or if you bought it to fix up and sell. If you bought it to sell then just buy replacement parts and get it back to showroom stock condition. If you bought it for yourself to enjoy, then don't worry about resale value. When it comes time to sell then the buyer will have to be content with the car as you built it.

 

what ever you like. if you like the body kits. throw one on or make one like i have. its all up to you. who know i might rip off this body kit in 2 years and make a new one. or make it fully stock looking and its easy. but its all up to you. if you like it and everyone hates it. it is not there car its yours.