'80 SA value? (and other Q's)
12-20-05, 03:59 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
'80 SA value? (and other Q's)
How much would an '80 SA be worth?
There's a local guy who has a silver one in pretty good shape. No rust on it that I can see and it was originally a california car. Odo read just over 50,000mi, but its only got 5 digit, he told me its never rolled over, and I think I beleive him because its a pretty clean car.
Seems to run good, he took me for a test drive.
I didn't notice any badging for the model, but it had manual windows and mirrors etc.. Was power ever an option for these thing on an SA?
Also, what parts are interchangeable between an SA and FB? I've got an '83 right now, and wouldn't mind swapping over the rear axle since I've got a GS with disks & LSD. I've also got a glass sunroof that I'd like to swap for the metal on in the SA.
IMO the SA's don't look as nice, but I'd love to get my hands on a classic that might be worth something in a few more years.
The guy also has an '83 for sale and said the '83 is a bit more responsive and handles better. Did they improve the power, handling, etc much between the SA and FB's?
the 83 also has some black mesh w/ silver lip wheels that would polish up real nice on it that I might ask him to swap over onto the SA, but I was thinking, is it worth getting rid of the stock alloys from a collector's standpoint? The mesh wheels would look sweet on a Silver SA though...
Oh ya, he's asking $1500 for the SA and $500 for the FB (candaian $$)
Sorry for such a long post, but I'm not to familiar with the SA's. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me
There's a local guy who has a silver one in pretty good shape. No rust on it that I can see and it was originally a california car. Odo read just over 50,000mi, but its only got 5 digit, he told me its never rolled over, and I think I beleive him because its a pretty clean car.
Seems to run good, he took me for a test drive.
I didn't notice any badging for the model, but it had manual windows and mirrors etc.. Was power ever an option for these thing on an SA?
Also, what parts are interchangeable between an SA and FB? I've got an '83 right now, and wouldn't mind swapping over the rear axle since I've got a GS with disks & LSD. I've also got a glass sunroof that I'd like to swap for the metal on in the SA.
IMO the SA's don't look as nice, but I'd love to get my hands on a classic that might be worth something in a few more years.
The guy also has an '83 for sale and said the '83 is a bit more responsive and handles better. Did they improve the power, handling, etc much between the SA and FB's?
the 83 also has some black mesh w/ silver lip wheels that would polish up real nice on it that I might ask him to swap over onto the SA, but I was thinking, is it worth getting rid of the stock alloys from a collector's standpoint? The mesh wheels would look sweet on a Silver SA though...
Oh ya, he's asking $1500 for the SA and $500 for the FB (candaian $$)
Sorry for such a long post, but I'm not to familiar with the SA's. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me
12-21-05, 11:56 PM
#2
Hi Ern- I dropped some notes into your statement below-
"How much would an '80 SA be worth?"
-Well, let me start by saying I LOVE SA's, but am no fan of the FB, style-wise, so take that into consideration
I bought my 2-owner 64K So Cal '80SA in San Diego and happily paid $4100 for the priviledge. Which is a bit on the high side. But it was in really fabulous condition, the color I wanted (Sunrise Red) and the model I wanted (GS with Sunrf). Frankly from what I have seen on ebay, etc., a nice SA can go from $1500-3500, bearing in mind the word "nice" covers a LOT of territory! It NEVER ceases to amaze me what some people consider a "nice" car to be!! Pic of My RX attached...
"There's a local guy who has a silver one in pretty good shape. No rust on it that I can see and it was originally a california car. Odo read just over 50,000mi, but its only got 5 digit, he told me its never rolled over, and I think I beleive him because its a pretty clean car."
-trust me, it has rust. ALL RX7s do. Just a question of degree. My SoCal driven-winter-only (which is a good thing in So Cal!) 1980 RX had rust behind BOTH rear fenders. A Canuk RX, especially if its Ontario, will have more. Get on your back side and eyeball the rear fenders - since this is a "from the inside OUT" rust issue, the worst will be INside those fenders, and the taillights need to come off and you need to poke a flashlight in there to get the total picture. Another area to check is the bottoms of the doors, since the drain holes often get plugged and rust gets going between the door seams. Ern, none of these have to be a deal-breaker because frankly MOST 25 yr old cars have rust, and as they go RX7s are less so than most. I'm just saying your kidding yourself if you think its rust free
"Seems to run good, he took me for a test drive."
-spend $100 and get the engine compression tested (needs a special Mazda tool). $1500 SA is only worth...$200? if the motor's cooked
"I didn't notice any badging for the model, but it had manual windows and mirrors etc.. Was power ever an option for these thing on an SA?"
-Nope, with the exception of one special model offered only in Japan. The 1980 "XX" (20th) Anniversary and Leather Sport (LS) versions came with the same power mirrors offered on FB RX7s. If it has a sunroof, its a GS (as opposed to the stripper, 4-speed "S"). No distinquishing badges...
"Also, what parts are interchangeable between an SA and FB? I've got an '83 right now, and wouldn't mind swapping over the rear axle since I've got a GS with disks & LSD. I've also got a glass sunroof that I'd like to swap for the metal on in the SA."
-most internal trim, doors, hood, hatch, nose valence (upper). No prob swapping sunroof panels, likewise rear diffs, etc are swapped regularly... Different tranny.
"IMO the SA's don't look as nice, but I'd love to get my hands on a classic that might be worth something in a few more years."
Think you're nuts as to which looks best
Worth? Most japanese sports cars aren't ever going to be a big collector car, though I think its safe to say the First Version of ANY sports car tends to be regarded as the "Purest" representation of that model, which "usually" translates to some incremental higher value... early 70-73 240Z being an example of this. Certainly in the total 500,000-ish RX7s made, the rarest style will be the 78-80 SA model, FWIW. Don't bet your kid's college tuition on it as an investment though...
"The guy also has an '83 for sale and said the '83 is a bit more responsive and handles better. Did they improve the power, handling, etc much between the SA and FB's?"
-none that I am aware of. If anything the FBs had more hardware to drag around since the cars weighed more and the 12a was the same hp as the SA (GSL-SE would be an obvious exception). Minor suspension tweaks the the LSD might have helped some in handling when stock with the FB vs SA.
"the 83 also has some black mesh w/ silver lip wheels that would polish up real nice on it that I might ask him to swap over onto the SA, but I was thinking, is it worth getting rid of the stock alloys from a collector's standpoint? The mesh wheels would look sweet on a Silver SA though..."
-Throw the SA wheels in the garage and mount the mesh ones. As long as you have the originals to offer at resale time, enjoy what you like the looks of the most...
Oh ya, he's asking $1500 for the SA and $500 for the FB (candaian $$)
-sounds reasonable
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
"How much would an '80 SA be worth?"
-Well, let me start by saying I LOVE SA's, but am no fan of the FB, style-wise, so take that into consideration
I bought my 2-owner 64K So Cal '80SA in San Diego and happily paid $4100 for the priviledge. Which is a bit on the high side. But it was in really fabulous condition, the color I wanted (Sunrise Red) and the model I wanted (GS with Sunrf). Frankly from what I have seen on ebay, etc., a nice SA can go from $1500-3500, bearing in mind the word "nice" covers a LOT of territory! It NEVER ceases to amaze me what some people consider a "nice" car to be!! Pic of My RX attached..."There's a local guy who has a silver one in pretty good shape. No rust on it that I can see and it was originally a california car. Odo read just over 50,000mi, but its only got 5 digit, he told me its never rolled over, and I think I beleive him because its a pretty clean car."
-trust me, it has rust. ALL RX7s do. Just a question of degree. My SoCal driven-winter-only (which is a good thing in So Cal!) 1980 RX had rust behind BOTH rear fenders. A Canuk RX, especially if its Ontario, will have more. Get on your back side and eyeball the rear fenders - since this is a "from the inside OUT" rust issue, the worst will be INside those fenders, and the taillights need to come off and you need to poke a flashlight in there to get the total picture. Another area to check is the bottoms of the doors, since the drain holes often get plugged and rust gets going between the door seams. Ern, none of these have to be a deal-breaker because frankly MOST 25 yr old cars have rust, and as they go RX7s are less so than most. I'm just saying your kidding yourself if you think its rust free
"Seems to run good, he took me for a test drive."
-spend $100 and get the engine compression tested (needs a special Mazda tool). $1500 SA is only worth...$200? if the motor's cooked
"I didn't notice any badging for the model, but it had manual windows and mirrors etc.. Was power ever an option for these thing on an SA?"
-Nope, with the exception of one special model offered only in Japan. The 1980 "XX" (20th) Anniversary and Leather Sport (LS) versions came with the same power mirrors offered on FB RX7s. If it has a sunroof, its a GS (as opposed to the stripper, 4-speed "S"). No distinquishing badges...
"Also, what parts are interchangeable between an SA and FB? I've got an '83 right now, and wouldn't mind swapping over the rear axle since I've got a GS with disks & LSD. I've also got a glass sunroof that I'd like to swap for the metal on in the SA."
-most internal trim, doors, hood, hatch, nose valence (upper). No prob swapping sunroof panels, likewise rear diffs, etc are swapped regularly... Different tranny.
"IMO the SA's don't look as nice, but I'd love to get my hands on a classic that might be worth something in a few more years."
Think you're nuts as to which looks best
Worth? Most japanese sports cars aren't ever going to be a big collector car, though I think its safe to say the First Version of ANY sports car tends to be regarded as the "Purest" representation of that model, which "usually" translates to some incremental higher value... early 70-73 240Z being an example of this. Certainly in the total 500,000-ish RX7s made, the rarest style will be the 78-80 SA model, FWIW. Don't bet your kid's college tuition on it as an investment though...
"The guy also has an '83 for sale and said the '83 is a bit more responsive and handles better. Did they improve the power, handling, etc much between the SA and FB's?"
-none that I am aware of. If anything the FBs had more hardware to drag around since the cars weighed more and the 12a was the same hp as the SA (GSL-SE would be an obvious exception). Minor suspension tweaks the the LSD might have helped some in handling when stock with the FB vs SA.
"the 83 also has some black mesh w/ silver lip wheels that would polish up real nice on it that I might ask him to swap over onto the SA, but I was thinking, is it worth getting rid of the stock alloys from a collector's standpoint? The mesh wheels would look sweet on a Silver SA though..."
-Throw the SA wheels in the garage and mount the mesh ones. As long as you have the originals to offer at resale time, enjoy what you like the looks of the most...
Oh ya, he's asking $1500 for the SA and $500 for the FB (candaian $$)
-sounds reasonable
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
12-22-05, 03:40 AM
#3
Full Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the info Stu!
Whats different about the trannies? Checked the FAQ and gear ratios are all the same. Strength I assume? Also the SA shifter looked to have a longer throw than the FB, I'd have to test drive it myself to compare against mine to know for sure though.
About the wheels, I like the look fo the mesh wheels better, but I doubt he would give me both since he needs to have some on the other car to sell it too... That would be the best option though.
Funny you mention the 240Z, thats the car i really want, but they're becoming so rare...
btw, great lookin SA you've got
Whats different about the trannies? Checked the FAQ and gear ratios are all the same. Strength I assume? Also the SA shifter looked to have a longer throw than the FB, I'd have to test drive it myself to compare against mine to know for sure though.
About the wheels, I like the look fo the mesh wheels better, but I doubt he would give me both since he needs to have some on the other car to sell it too... That would be the best option though.
Funny you mention the 240Z, thats the car i really want, but they're becoming so rare...
btw, great lookin SA you've got
12-22-05, 06:12 AM
#4
I bought an early production(5/78) 79 back in august from the original owner here in Massachusetts where these cars a re quite rare,especially in excellent condition like this one is.I have always liked the FB body more than the SA,seing as how I own an 83,but now that I have both,I like the look of the SA a lot better.If this car you are looking is as clean as you say it is then the asking price is in line with what they are worth I think.I bought mine with a questionable motor(I still have not fired it,or even tried yet),and books full of paperwork,with every document on the car,and boxes full of spare parts for $2000,and I think I got a great deal.Some would say I payed too much for a car that I didn't hear run,but I disagree.If I could figure out how to attach a pic I would show you how nice this car is.Oh yeah by the way it is a 79 GS model in Spark Yellow with no AC,or sunroof.
Get the SA,you will wonder why you didn't like the way they looked in a really short amount of time.The steel bumpers in my opinion are way nicer looking.Good luck.
Chris
79 GS
83 LE to be parted
74 RE/PU
92 Cummins diesel wrapped in a dodge
Get the SA,you will wonder why you didn't like the way they looked in a really short amount of time.The steel bumpers in my opinion are way nicer looking.Good luck.
Chris
79 GS
83 LE to be parted
74 RE/PU
92 Cummins diesel wrapped in a dodge
12-22-05, 10:04 AM
#5
Rotary Freak
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The trannies are different. On the SA's they did not have the remote shifter mechanism. So, if you pull the shifter on the SA's, you can actually fill the tranny from inside the car, not so with the FB's. The shifters are located in slightly different places. Strength wise, they are the same. I find the throw to third on my SA is quite long, and easy to miss shifts.
Personally, I prefer the look of the SA's to the FB's, but I didn't when I first bought it. I bought the car new in 1980, the next year they changed the tailight look, and I was pissed because I thought it looked better. After twenty five years, I have changed my mind.
I think it is a good buy for $1500. I wouldn't sell mine for under 8K. But it has been completely redone. And, I doubt anyone would pay me that much for it.
I agree with the post above, I don't think these cars will ever be classic collectables.
Personally, I prefer the look of the SA's to the FB's, but I didn't when I first bought it. I bought the car new in 1980, the next year they changed the tailight look, and I was pissed because I thought it looked better. After twenty five years, I have changed my mind.
I think it is a good buy for $1500. I wouldn't sell mine for under 8K. But it has been completely redone. And, I doubt anyone would pay me that much for it.
I agree with the post above, I don't think these cars will ever be classic collectables.
12-22-05, 01:52 PM
#6
Full Member
Thread Starter
hmmm, if the trannies are a direct shift it should be pretty easy to fab up a short throw shifter for them.
Hopefully he's still got it and I've got some $$ after xmas
and I do agree that they will never become a collectible, but at least they shouldn't go down in value its I keep it in decent shape
Hopefully he's still got it and I've got some $$ after xmas
and I do agree that they will never become a collectible, but at least they shouldn't go down in value its I keep it in decent shape