Hi,

This is my first post to this forum (mainly, because I myself do not own an RX-7), but if you keep reading you'll see why I'm here.

The father of a boy in my son's fourth grade class passed away earlier this year, and his mom needs to sell their '79 RX-7, that has only 20,000 miles on it. I haven't yet seen the car, but have been assured that the car is in fantastic shape.

What would be a fair, ballpark price for something like this? Car is located in St. Louis, by the way.

Thanks in advance for your help and assistance.

Brian

 

1979 Mazda RX7
2 Door Coupe Gran Sport

MSRP
Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price when new $7,995
Low Retail Average Retail High Retail
Base Price $1,900 $2,800 $3,850

Total Price $1,900 $2,800 $3,850
Other Vehicle Information
Model Number: N/A
Weight: 2420
Value Explanations
Low Retail Value
This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable "as-is".

Note: This value does not represent a "parts car".
Average Retail Value
This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A "20-footer".
High Retail Value
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition. Note: This value does not represent a "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle *.
* "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concourse judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility.

1979 Mazda RX7
2 Door Coupe S

MSRP
Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price when new $7,195
Low Retail Average Retail High Retail
Base Price $1,750 $2,625 $3,700

Total Price $1,750 $2,625 $3,700
Other Vehicle Information
Model Number: N/A
Weight: 2350


I got both of those from NADA.com. You may want to go look around, check on ebay, and on this message board. Because a 79 in excellent condition may get you a little more than the stated price above. I hope this helps.

 

Thanks, I had checked NADA already, but since it is SO generic, I figured it wasn't too representative in this instance. I've also checked Ebay, but the two '79's currently up for bid have no bids on them. I also have the latest Hemmings, and there is one with 180k miles on it for $2800, and coincidentally enough another one in St. Louis with only 38k on it for $7999.

I'm jsut trying to help this friend out, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

That's definitely something to put on Ebay with a lot of pictures. something in that good of condition with that few miles will fetch a pretty penny... I wouldn't be surprised if it got 4g or more.

 

Yes on ebay that thing may even fetch 5500 or 6000 but if it was me, I'd probabally pay about 4,000. That's just me.

 

Remember, having low miles isn't necessarily a good thing.

A car that has been left sitting for any period of time, or which has only been driven in town and sparingly could have many problems which wouldn't be found in a well dirven car.

With only 20,000 on the car, that means that IF it was driven every year, it was driven a thousand miles. A thousand miles over the summer months (may-sept) would mean only like 200 mi/month in the summer!

The car probably has bad carbon buildup, or if it's been sitting for a few years, could be as bad as mine was (sat for four years.... body is perfect with no rust, but I've spent almost 4g CDN so far to get it running).

If the car's good mechanically, then you could fetch quite a bit. Just have it checked out by a COMPETANT rotary person first (not necessarily a mechanic, just someone like the folks on this forum - who know their way around a first gen).

Jon

 

Are you looking to pick this up? Leads to quite a moral dilema. Buy on the cheap, or regret paying too much.

Realistically, $5000 is a good start, IF the car is in very good original condition. Taking into account the moral issues as well.

I wouldn't worry too much about carbon buildup. That's a product of combustion, and this car has not seen too much of that.

Do have it checked out. Do drive it. Follow one of the How to Buy a Rx-7 guides. They're pretty good. If you love it, buy it. Parts are cheap and plentiful if you take the "restoration project" route, and not the "I need it as a daily driver" route.

 

Oh, I'd love to have it, but I already have a car that consumes double my restoration project budget (a '68 Mini Cooper).

I'm just trying to get a ball park on what she should ask/get for it. She is a friend, and I'd hate to see her get taken to the cleaners.

 

I don't think that she would get "taken to the cleaners". I feel like most people who own/want to own a Mazda that is 25 years old probably really WANT that car, and KNOW what it is worth. I also feel like most people would pay a fair amount for it. I guess there are some scoundrals out there, but overall she should have a pretty easy time finding somebody who is very interested and willing to pay a good amount ($5k) if everything is in good working order.