i got my current 1st gen, around when this thread started, and i traded for it, so i don't really have a cost basis.

fast forward to now, values have gone up, some. enough to where i'm probably just going to keep this one Rx7 forever.

 

I've been watching various actions for 1st gens. A clean, unmolested FB can get go for as much
as 4-5K. Almost double that for an SA (series 1 for folks outside the US). So prices are on the
rise a bit. You can still find very affordable private sales for running cars in the 2-3K range. Non
running cars go cheap 1K or less.

 

Those are the best kind.

 

I bought my 79 with 46 k original miles,never in rain or snow for 3k.

Needs door seals and some minor things, the underside looks brand new. original everything except battery and radio.

 

As another data point, the 79 limited with 76k miles I have right now has sold four times this year (mileage and maintenance are not fully documented, but the title is not mileage exempt).

Fresh out of 15-20 year storage for ~2500 (craigslist)
Flooded and not running for ~1000 (ebay)
Running, barely, after several new igniton parts, resold for ~2000 (craigslist)
I then bought it for ~3500 (craigslist).

In hindsight I probably overpaid, but rust free RX-7s don't come up that often around here. What I take away from this is that the market is not exactly stable.

 

To me, a market price is a range. Something that isn't always exactly the same. It accounts for a vehicles condition as well as the buyer / seller's "opinion" of its worth on that given transaction. You may have paid more than the cars other recent owners / flippers, but if you look at the "average" price of these 4 recent actual sales, it comes to $2,250.

Not bad in my opinion for an SA that is pretty rust free and what I'd call average condition. I'd say a running / driving SA in this condition would fall into a $2,500 plus or minus range. $3,500 is not that far off, especially if you consider it's a special model SA. The range is what has been pretty steady but showing small signs of increase the last decade. Will you ever get rich from its purchase? Most probably not.

You will however, become more indebted to it the more you fix it up. That is why major fixes are accomplished more a labor of love vs. an attempt at making money. The guy who bought it for a grand and listed it for 2 after changing a couple parts to get it "kind of" running was just after some quick coin.

 

Well here's the latest Mecum auction result with a '85 GSL for $5300! The best market indicator of current values.

 

Power sunroof??

 

That would be the 1985 only dealer installed factory power moonroof option. Very rare, likely the reason this car exceeded expectations.

 

That gap between the bumper and hood tho. Hang on to em gents.