Have a friend selling her FB. She is asking how best to sell, as she is not car savvy. I assume list it here and on BAT? Avoid Craigslist? Any other places that FB folks hunt for cars?

And an etiquette question. She is asking for help setting a price. I can run compatibles from BAT to help her out…. But is it ok to ask price advice in the first gen forum?

Car is very interesting. Genuine ‘little old lady’ one owner from new vehicle.

 

I think its fine to inquire about values here but the owner should keep an open mind because used car values, even collector type vehicles are opinion based and can vary quite a bit. I feel BaT is a great place to research past selling prices, but again, an owner needs to be honest/realistic about the condition of their own vehicle when comparing it against one they see online.

In general terms, clean, low milage original condition vehicles will be valued more. Of the 1st gens, the GSLSE's seem to lead the way due to the higher HP and more refinement. BaT has been a good place to attract higher selling prices, but its a bit more work to list with them as well, plus not every car submitted gets accepted. There's also Cars and Bids and Hemmings has a place to list cars F/S.

For a value, you'd need to post a few pics (inside, outside, underhood) and a little info / history on the car. If she is the original owner, thats a plus. Hopefully she has the original paperwork, service records and window sticker. It all adds to the provenance. A nice, low mile original, no issue 1st gen can bring low teens or more nowadays on a place like BaT.

Craig's list and FB will get some eyeballs on the car but that audience generally aren't prepared to spend as much. If the car had some needs and slots into a lower price range, they may be an easier option.

 

Did some research and gathered the info. I am thinking she should list the car at $9k. May be a touch high, but thinking she can relist lower if no one bites. How far off am I?

Spreadsheet below is of the last ten GS cars to sell on BAT.

1985 GS
92,000 miles
Original owner, has original purchase documents and window sticker.
Owner is older female driver, now in her 90s. Car has been very gently driven.
Well looked after including new battery, tires, fuel pump, belts, front struts. starter, clutch, coils, ignitors, compressor, plugs all within the last 10k miles. Lots of receipts and service records.
New cats at 83k, car passed California smog last week.
Super clean engine bay.
Compression test using conventional (not rotary) tester pulses 110psi on both chambers, with regular even pulses.
All original except for wear items. Not messed with or modified in any way except for paint.
New paint 2017. Done for aesthetic reasons, no rust. Owner wanted a red car.
Damage to front passenger side fender / bumper. Owner clipped a post whilst exiting her car port.

 

The repaint without painting the jams and engine bay is a big ding for me along with that front damage.

 

^ same here. while i can understand not doing the engine bay due to having to remove the engine and all but at least do the underside of the hood and the door openings.

 

Not sure BaT would accept this car given it's overall appearance. If they did, I'd wager it would only be on condition of no reserve. They try to avoid "reserve not met" auctions. I think 9K is pretty optimistic. Here are 4 different cars that have lingered for sale this winter around the 10K asking price. All have milage from 40- 75K, one originally owned and 2 others on their 2nd owner. The last one may have sold, it's add is expired now.

 

Appreciate all the advice. I think BAT would reject too, looking at the level of previous RX7s listed. Going to advise she list it in classifieds in this forum and on Craigslist/Facebook. Start at $8k, then be prepared to keep dropping price until it finds its market level.

 

Ive sold two cars on BAT. They are usually looking for very clean original cars. A car with a respray without painting under the hood or jams does definitively take away from the price.

 

I hope that front end is straighter than the 1/2 assed paint job on the driver's side front.

 

That repaint tanked the value in my eyes , the ding can be fixed but that looks like a macco paint job and that's gonna cost 4-5 grand to " fix" . Darn shame too .