This 118k (that's One Hundred eighteen THOUSAND MILE) late-79 production SA just sold on ebay for $9400 (39 bids, Dec 30, 2015)!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Mazda-RX-7-/301832985221?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4646a5da85%3Ag%3AvGkAAOSwCQNWe0V7&item=301832985221&nma=true&si=GqMeMbTrwegzd%252F2HLUnToOJVaWo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Admittedly its pretty clean. I have posted a few pics here, but the selling dealer's site has 64 nice photos of it:

Mazda RX-7 GS

for as long as he keeps it listed...

I assuming a repaint. Too nice to be original, and done to decent quality. interior refurbed too, tho rear hatch bright red carpet a complete mis-match. This a clean driver but no off-the-show-room-floor minter. That said the selling price seems to set a new standard for clean, high-mileage (ie, "normal!") driver-SAs.

 

and to continue, since the Site here keeps dropping part of my thread (??):

... I have seen some nice, 35-50k mile RX-7s at this price range, but this is the first high-miler I have seen jump out of the

 

(AGAIN with the dropping of my message...!)
;P

...under-$5K price range. Anomaly?
And this with NO sunroof or power antenna...and even the FB rims. Seems to have lead a pretty coddled life, based on the undercarriage.

Anyway. The ground has shifted. a little anyway. Time to re-evaluate the value of our clean SAs gents? Maybe worth copying down that ebay sale to wave under our insurance agent's nose...

Stu Aull
80GS

 

That looks like a mostly complete car , I like it in white.

 

As much as I'd like to believe such things, I'm always skeptical at eBay sales like this one. Still, you bring up a good point. How many of us have asked the question, "what would it take to repair or replace our car with a like condition one" if the worst ever happened? As much as some members here like to maintain the affordability of 1st gen rotaries, higher prices are a slowly ticking eventuality. I know I couldn't replace what I have for the same $$ I now have invested. With so many cars imported into the US, I think it takes longer for us to reduce that inventory to feel the pinch and see values rise. For a while now, I've saw a gradual decline of SA parts being offered for sale and recently, have noticed a sharp decline of SA cars being offered for sale on eBay and other sites. Depending on what your insured for currently, you may want to reevaluate what your affordable little passion is worth to you.

 

This is good, I just recently picked up a clean 85 gsl with 79000 miles, and wasn't sure how much to insure it for, any ideas

 

Hmmmm. STILL listed as FS on Dealer site…..

Stu

 

So - lookee what just got re-posted on ebay…. ;D

Mazda RX 7 GS 5 Speed | eBay

something's goofy….

Apologies for Fear&Loathing.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

I've saw it several times. Car seems to sell, but comes back around later. Auction prices are a much more reliable barometer of value. Problem is, old Japanese cars in general have not yet reached that level of collectability. Probably something to do with their huge production quantities and general attitude towards vehicles regarded as basic, disposable transportation.

There are a few high end Japanese cars that are opening the door to the whole J-Tin movement (Toyota 2000 / Mazda Cosmo ect.) and you'll even see an odd Z car make its way across the auction block. But so far, I've yet to a nice Rx-3, Rx-7 or old Supra or Corolla under the lights. It could happen if the trend ever catches on and people feel they are worth investing in.

 

Hey guys,

Here's one listed in December on Bring a Trailer that sold for $7350. 66K miles, very nice!

Original Owner 1982 Mazda RX-7 GSL | Bring a Trailer

I think sites like "Bring a Trailer" are helping to present quality cars in a better light to serious collectors, versus ebay and other online venues. It seems like cars listed on this site get good visibility and tend to go for higher dollar values. The trend is definitely upward, but at a much slower pace than many others. Agreed that early Datsun Z cars seem to have taken off in the past 2-3 years. Only time will tell if our appreciation value takes off at a faster pace anytime soon. I CAN tell you from attending local C&C events, that my SA gets a lot of looks and discussion from people who "used to own one and sure miss it."

 

I sure wish these prices were correct, but I smell something fishy with this auction. I still think my original early production 78 should be worth more than my insurance says, but I'm probably wrong.

 

If your insuring your car like a normal late model vehicle, companies will only value your car like a 35 year old junk pile. Probably total it after hitting a pile of styrofoam. You can insure it for more with an agreed value type policy. They usually come with some conditions but you can increase your coverage to a more accurate replacement value.

 

I have my RX7 and my REPU insured with Hagerty. I have been able to increase the agreed upon value once or twice on both, but generally they are reluctant to do so it seems with these Japanese cars.

I had a total loss claim on my 77 RX-3 SP 6 days after buying it. They didn't bat an eye when I insured it for a whole lot of money and paid it out really quickly with not many questions asked. I miss that car, but thankfully nobody was hurt and I didn't take a major financial hit from it.

Here's to early Rx7 values rising!!

 

Sorry for your loss. I think the SP's are destined to be sought after at some point.

 

Same here. I was talking to a buddy at a C&C with my back to where my car was
parked across the lot and he says to me in the middle of talking, "Your cars getting
a lot of attention". There were a McClaren, lots of new porches, late model BMWs,
newer Dodge Hemi stuff but I think my car was the oldest on the lot at that time.

 

Like the color of that 82 but my 82 gsl has a clock where this 82 has what looks like a mirror adjuster.

 

That's the pan control for the 4 speakers....

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

I bought an 84 GSL last year and paid a little over $6k fo it. It has 39k mi and has been kept out of the sun it's whole life which made a great difference. Got it on ebay and when I picked it up, the owner told me he had a few calls from buyers offering to pay more and for him not to sell it to me. The next week I saw a gsl-se with under 20k miles go for $18K. It wasn't that long ago I had a shot at a 12k mile gsl-se for $10k. So prices seem to be rising for low mileage rx7s. Which is nice.

 

...esp if you don't drive 'em....


Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

my 85 GSL tipped over 100k miles in March, and my cars insurance value went from 4300 to 2100 and some change.

Thats why I decided to pull the trigger on the widebody install as apparently its worth peanuts over 100k miles and all original.