View Poll Results: Will the Rx7 ever become a classic?
Yes, they will become desired classics, and increase in value
284
80.68%
No, sentimental value does not have a book value!
68
19.32%
Voters: 352. You may not vote on this poll
Rx7 Future classic? or not?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Australia
here is Ozland, RX7's have definitly gone up in price. A RX7 with straight body, no rust and good interior will sell from $5000 to $7000 depending on the overall condition. I picked up my 7 for $5700 which is excellent condition with a 12abridgeport motor. I could easily get $7000 for this car tomorow.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City OK
Classic?
Well, I am owned by an 84 GS, new streetport 12A from Atkins Rotary, stock aside from a custon 2.5in exhaust and Bonez intake. This happens to be my first Japanese automobile. As far as 'classic' status...the car was a classic when it hit the market. My previous vehicles have included a 1976 Triumph TR6(classic), 1969 Xke Jaguar(classic), 1973 Datsun 240z(classic), 1975 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce(classic), and most recently a 1984 Alfa GTV6(classic). What made most of these classics? The fact they were and are driven for sheer joy...maybe technical interest, a certain intangible quality or soul if you will. The Mazda 1st gens are EXOTIC...Ive couldnt imagine a better place to keep a rotary engine. Drives like my Alfa Spider with the gtv6's 'go.' To top it all off the car is a civilized everyday driver. Classic? The 1st Gen rex has the soul of days long gone. As an issue of Car and Driver from the mid 80s stated. "its an Alfa spider that doesnt stain your driveway, an Austin Healy 3000 you can drive in thee rain..." Better than classic, the 1st gen RX is a blue chip...such soul only comes along so often over the years. Those of us who own them should realize our blessing. Ten years and the market on these car will make you ill to think of the good old days when you could pick up a 1st gen rex for $1500. Ive seen it happen with too many other cars from the same analouge.
Well, I am owned by an 84 GS, new streetport 12A from Atkins Rotary, stock aside from a custon 2.5in exhaust and Bonez intake. This happens to be my first Japanese automobile. As far as 'classic' status...the car was a classic when it hit the market. My previous vehicles have included a 1976 Triumph TR6(classic), 1969 Xke Jaguar(classic), 1973 Datsun 240z(classic), 1975 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce(classic), and most recently a 1984 Alfa GTV6(classic). What made most of these classics? The fact they were and are driven for sheer joy...maybe technical interest, a certain intangible quality or soul if you will. The Mazda 1st gens are EXOTIC...Ive couldnt imagine a better place to keep a rotary engine. Drives like my Alfa Spider with the gtv6's 'go.' To top it all off the car is a civilized everyday driver. Classic? The 1st Gen rex has the soul of days long gone. As an issue of Car and Driver from the mid 80s stated. "its an Alfa spider that doesnt stain your driveway, an Austin Healy 3000 you can drive in thee rain..." Better than classic, the 1st gen RX is a blue chip...such soul only comes along so often over the years. Those of us who own them should realize our blessing. Ten years and the market on these car will make you ill to think of the good old days when you could pick up a 1st gen rex for $1500. Ive seen it happen with too many other cars from the same analouge.
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA
I have a nice answer.
I didn't read ALL the previous posts in this thread, but I'm sure it's been mentioned that it's not up to us. Which I agree with. Public view has a lot to do with the "classic" concept. So here it is:
One person who's not biased is my girlfriend. before I got my '83 gsl, i showed her a bunch of pics of these cars, and said "so whaddya think of these?"
Her reply was, "I think I'll really like it in about 10 years. Then it'll be all classic and stuff like the old Z-cars. Hey, why don't you get an FD for now?"
Well, she's not riding in an FD these days, (yet, hehe) and I think my car's slowly growing on her. Hope it doesn't take 9 more years though. Anyway, my vote in the above poll is a result of her comment.
I didn't read ALL the previous posts in this thread, but I'm sure it's been mentioned that it's not up to us. Which I agree with. Public view has a lot to do with the "classic" concept. So here it is:
One person who's not biased is my girlfriend. before I got my '83 gsl, i showed her a bunch of pics of these cars, and said "so whaddya think of these?"
Her reply was, "I think I'll really like it in about 10 years. Then it'll be all classic and stuff like the old Z-cars. Hey, why don't you get an FD for now?"
Well, she's not riding in an FD these days, (yet, hehe) and I think my car's slowly growing on her. Hope it doesn't take 9 more years though. Anyway, my vote in the above poll is a result of her comment.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 2
There is no doubt they will be classics. I can tell you from my experiance of currently looking for gsl-se's. They seem to be selling for more now than when I bought my old one (now crashed and crushed) 5 yrs ago. I got a showroom clean gsl-se original paint no accidents spotless for 2000 5 yrs ago. I've been looking for months now and have found nothing but junk for this price. Even looking in the local junk yards, It used to be seven heven but now day's on some trips I can walk through the entire yard and not see one first gen. They are drying up folks so get them and stock up on parts while you can. I believe Mazda will entroduce another rotary sports car that looks good (not like the 8). As people become familiar with the rotary, many will start looking for older rotaries, And in about 10 more years, they will be smog exempt in CA. Good luck trying to find one for a decent price once they become smog exempt!
P.S. Looks like this thread is old but who cares, it's interesting.
P.S. Looks like this thread is old but who cares, it's interesting.
i love how this thread keeps popping up 
honestly, there has never been a car (or ANYTHING for that matter) that has kept my attention for as long as the 1st gen rx-7 has... my parents neighbor had a brown '84 GSL-SE forever. the thing caught my eye as a sweet looking car, back when i was 12! i talked to my dad about it and he said they're alright cars but the motors are kind of bum.
long story short, i didn't listen to him, bought a '83 GSL when i was 20, and kept it for 3 years. i decided to sell it because i felt it was time to move onto bigger+better. i test drove a couple other cars; a S13 240sx, and an AW11 MR2, thinking that maybe a different driving experience would be refreshing.
so what did i do? oh yeah "hello mr. gsl-se."
i plan on keeping this SE for freaking ever. i don't care how many engines i need to rebuild.
nothing that i have ever driven compares to the feeling, the look, the sound, and the smell of a 1st gen rx-7. as an extra bonus, they're easy as hell to work on and the engines are reliable (**** the naysayers!).
honestly, there has never been a car (or ANYTHING for that matter) that has kept my attention for as long as the 1st gen rx-7 has... my parents neighbor had a brown '84 GSL-SE forever. the thing caught my eye as a sweet looking car, back when i was 12! i talked to my dad about it and he said they're alright cars but the motors are kind of bum.
long story short, i didn't listen to him, bought a '83 GSL when i was 20, and kept it for 3 years. i decided to sell it because i felt it was time to move onto bigger+better. i test drove a couple other cars; a S13 240sx, and an AW11 MR2, thinking that maybe a different driving experience would be refreshing.
so what did i do? oh yeah "hello mr. gsl-se."
i plan on keeping this SE for freaking ever. i don't care how many engines i need to rebuild.
nothing that i have ever driven compares to the feeling, the look, the sound, and the smell of a 1st gen rx-7. as an extra bonus, they're easy as hell to work on and the engines are reliable (**** the naysayers!).
Rotary Freak
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 2
Originally posted by KehoeAutomotive
No way....
The Z car has the RX7 beat hands down.
if you want a future classic buy a 240z!
No way....
The Z car has the RX7 beat hands down.
if you want a future classic buy a 240z!
Originally posted by RotaryRevn
the 240z is already a classic, this thread is asking if the first gens will some day be like that
the 240z is already a classic, this thread is asking if the first gens will some day be like that
And I agree this is a funny thread that wont die!!!
Smile Like a Donut
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
From: Don't you wish you knew....
Well I feel the value of the car will raise in the next year or so. See I came upon a car in Pep Boys after being screwed by a guy trying to do an engine swap in a 90 civic (the project has hinse been scrubbed).
As I pulled in Pep Boys, God on knows why I went there, I pulled behind an rx7. Now me falling madly in love with this style of a much appreciated automobile, I had to look at it. I soon noticed the emblem GSL-SE on the right rear side. I was suprised, since you don't find these cars quite often, especially in such good condition as I found this one in for a 20 yr old car. I approached the vehicle and soon stated "wow a GSLSE Nice". And the girls head popped up from the other side who did own it. And said hi you like it. Me being an rx-7 lover and car enthusist for a true sports car laughed and repeated immediately oh yea. The only thing I found wrong is the doors were replaced and painted black, for some reason what I don't know and don't care these are obviously better. We got to talking and she after about ten minutes of conversation said hey you interested in buying it. With the people I hang out with ricers and street racers I'm the only one who knows the true love of a sports car without pistons. I wanted this car badly.
I ended up paying $1850 for the whole thing, with some extra goodies. The car needed some slight work to get some things working again, side markers, rear defrost, etc. Now for everyone's information this is no normal or everyday street use rx7. It's horrible on gas unless you teach yourself not to floor it due to all the modifications.
I mean the skill and presicion of the previous owner knew how to make an rx7 go fast. It's most likely a 4-port 13B, could be a 6-port, with an aggressive street port, Headers (all crap after the headers which I'm currently saving to replace), dellorto intake manifold, Mikuni Carburetor, Electric Fan and all the crap the car really doesn't need stripped out of the engine bay: AC, PS, Cold start, cruise, etc.
And the smell of the engine. The smell is nothing but pure beauty. Of course my whoel family disagrees with me on how the smell of burning gas could smell so good.
Now the interior is in beautiful condition with the normal wear and tear on a 20-yr-old car. The rear car needs replacing, the right taillight it fogged over and cracked, but other than that the interior is amazing. It has original factory seats with 5-pt harnesses and a well crafted roll bar behind the seats going down the side behind the seats and trough the back closer towards the wheel wells.
It's such an amazing experience to own this car. The LSD the 4-wheel disc brakes. It's incredible. Now with the proper work the suspension can be well crafted and handle like a ferrari.
The car currently has Tockico Illumina shocks with Racing Beat srpings and a full polyurethane package. This car handles like a dream.
There is no doubt in my mind that in 10-15 yrs with proper care and maintenance on the car, it will be considered a classic.
As I pulled in Pep Boys, God on knows why I went there, I pulled behind an rx7. Now me falling madly in love with this style of a much appreciated automobile, I had to look at it. I soon noticed the emblem GSL-SE on the right rear side. I was suprised, since you don't find these cars quite often, especially in such good condition as I found this one in for a 20 yr old car. I approached the vehicle and soon stated "wow a GSLSE Nice". And the girls head popped up from the other side who did own it. And said hi you like it. Me being an rx-7 lover and car enthusist for a true sports car laughed and repeated immediately oh yea. The only thing I found wrong is the doors were replaced and painted black, for some reason what I don't know and don't care these are obviously better. We got to talking and she after about ten minutes of conversation said hey you interested in buying it. With the people I hang out with ricers and street racers I'm the only one who knows the true love of a sports car without pistons. I wanted this car badly.
I ended up paying $1850 for the whole thing, with some extra goodies. The car needed some slight work to get some things working again, side markers, rear defrost, etc. Now for everyone's information this is no normal or everyday street use rx7. It's horrible on gas unless you teach yourself not to floor it due to all the modifications.
I mean the skill and presicion of the previous owner knew how to make an rx7 go fast. It's most likely a 4-port 13B, could be a 6-port, with an aggressive street port, Headers (all crap after the headers which I'm currently saving to replace), dellorto intake manifold, Mikuni Carburetor, Electric Fan and all the crap the car really doesn't need stripped out of the engine bay: AC, PS, Cold start, cruise, etc.
And the smell of the engine. The smell is nothing but pure beauty. Of course my whoel family disagrees with me on how the smell of burning gas could smell so good.
Now the interior is in beautiful condition with the normal wear and tear on a 20-yr-old car. The rear car needs replacing, the right taillight it fogged over and cracked, but other than that the interior is amazing. It has original factory seats with 5-pt harnesses and a well crafted roll bar behind the seats going down the side behind the seats and trough the back closer towards the wheel wells.
It's such an amazing experience to own this car. The LSD the 4-wheel disc brakes. It's incredible. Now with the proper work the suspension can be well crafted and handle like a ferrari.
The car currently has Tockico Illumina shocks with Racing Beat srpings and a full polyurethane package. This car handles like a dream.
There is no doubt in my mind that in 10-15 yrs with proper care and maintenance on the car, it will be considered a classic.
Full Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Lovin' it sev style too.
Classic all the way, they are already a rare sight on the roads in NZ where the floodgates were let open in 1989 and plenty of early sev's (mainly S1's) were imported used from japan in great condition.
Sadly too many ended up crashed or in states of neglect of bodgy repair.
At least the ones I see now (rarely I'll add) are fine examples.
All maz rotors will be collectable but the Rx-5(cosmo/luce) in my opinion is hard to love.
On the Z car theme a friend of mine sold a mint race spec road car to a collector in the U.K. for pretty good money ~15k ($20 000 NZD). I was sad to see the treasure leave the country though.
If only my other friend would sell me his silver FD efini with red leather for cheap, I want to collect prime example of my favourites rather than horde all the cheapest ones. These are so much more common on NZ roads than the older Rx's so hopefully the first sev appreciates in value over the next few years, mine is already worth more than twice what I paid for it to sell in NZ and it was the upper price bracket then back in 1998. They are getting rare in Japan so don't be suprised if you could get classic $$$ for these cars now if you want. Well easier for me and the UK guys with the RHD 2 + 2 car I guess.
Even so I won't part with it unless I'm upgrading to other future classics like the Porsche 930 (a cool early 4 speeder) or an early Honda NS-X.
Yippee I'll have my front coil-over kits this weekend (sans shock inserts) for my sev and 323(GLC) , can't wait.
Classic all the way, they are already a rare sight on the roads in NZ where the floodgates were let open in 1989 and plenty of early sev's (mainly S1's) were imported used from japan in great condition.
Sadly too many ended up crashed or in states of neglect of bodgy repair.
At least the ones I see now (rarely I'll add) are fine examples.
All maz rotors will be collectable but the Rx-5(cosmo/luce) in my opinion is hard to love.
On the Z car theme a friend of mine sold a mint race spec road car to a collector in the U.K. for pretty good money ~15k ($20 000 NZD). I was sad to see the treasure leave the country though.
If only my other friend would sell me his silver FD efini with red leather for cheap, I want to collect prime example of my favourites rather than horde all the cheapest ones. These are so much more common on NZ roads than the older Rx's so hopefully the first sev appreciates in value over the next few years, mine is already worth more than twice what I paid for it to sell in NZ and it was the upper price bracket then back in 1998. They are getting rare in Japan so don't be suprised if you could get classic $$$ for these cars now if you want. Well easier for me and the UK guys with the RHD 2 + 2 car I guess.
Even so I won't part with it unless I'm upgrading to other future classics like the Porsche 930 (a cool early 4 speeder) or an early Honda NS-X.
Yippee I'll have my front coil-over kits this weekend (sans shock inserts) for my sev and 323(GLC) , can't wait.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Amelia, Ohio
I have to agree with most of them people here...
the Rx-7 once it becomes a "classic" car people will want to buy it and it will become a desirable car for poeple to own (glad I own two with the way this thread is goin...
). I'm never goin to get rid of my GSL-SE...I love her to death....lovely times beatin rice burners. And even so it goes classic in Ohio in 6 yrs...so I dont have to worry bout E-check anymore..and I can get classic plates for it and never have to do crap like that again....
.
the Rx-7 is a classic in the up bringing....She'll rear her beautiful stout front end and everone will want one bcz yes...Around here in southern ohio....there are 5 (from what I've seen) running 1st gens....including mine...thats pretty bad...I've seen 1 2nd gen...and 3 3rd gens....thats it....there a rare car and since there rare the price for them will SKY ROCKET once they nail classic....like ALL classic cars do!
CODE_BLUE: Nice Car btw...I like the color....fav color is blue...lol
Dig
the Rx-7 once it becomes a "classic" car people will want to buy it and it will become a desirable car for poeple to own (glad I own two with the way this thread is goin...
). I'm never goin to get rid of my GSL-SE...I love her to death....lovely times beatin rice burners. And even so it goes classic in Ohio in 6 yrs...so I dont have to worry bout E-check anymore..and I can get classic plates for it and never have to do crap like that again.... .the Rx-7 is a classic in the up bringing....She'll rear her beautiful stout front end and everone will want one bcz yes...Around here in southern ohio....there are 5 (from what I've seen) running 1st gens....including mine...thats pretty bad...I've seen 1 2nd gen...and 3 3rd gens....thats it....there a rare car and since there rare the price for them will SKY ROCKET once they nail classic....like ALL classic cars do!
CODE_BLUE: Nice Car btw...I like the color....fav color is blue...lol
Dig
