1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

value of my 1980 LS now?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 8, 2012 | 09:38 PM
  #1  
iceblue's Avatar
Thread Starter
Passing life by
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 2
From: Scotland, USA
value of my 1980 LS now?

Just wondering what is the current value around now to normal market for a.
1980 ls that is restored with 85kmi also the steering box rebuilt AC and suspension steering stuff RB header and mid pipe and webber carb.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 05:58 AM
  #2  
Scott1982's Avatar
82, 83, 88, 82 RX-7again!
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Upstate New York
Probably about 1/2 of what you have invested in it...

Take a quick look at Ebay..

5 for sale:
$1,000-$5,400
What it's Worth
Just sold on eBay Motors: $310-$6,500

Sadly, these cars have not shot up in value - yet.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 06:11 AM
  #3  
Banzai's Avatar
Happy Rotoring!
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 569
From: Iowa
Just my opinion, but with only your brief description to go on, assigning a value would be like throwing darts blindfolded. Nice SA's aren't as common as nice FB's and yours being an LS makes it a special model SA. So you've got that going for you. Condition is everything and low mileage is a multiplier. A lot of people covet originality while others, don't care that much.

Generally, aftermarket add-on's like headers, carbs and body kits don't add much if any value unless the prospective buyer wants to use the car in a way which means they would be buying that stuff anyways.

What counts most is the mechanical and cosmedic condition of the car. If you provided some additional details, plus shots of the interior, exterior, under the hood and chassis, I'm sure you will get all sorts of opinions on price. Knowing something about the cars history also helps support the value of a vehicle.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 07:17 AM
  #4  
t_g_farrell's Avatar
Waffles - hmmm good
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,250
Likes: 464
From: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Originally Posted by Banzai
Just my opinion, but with only your brief description to go on, assigning a value would be like throwing darts blindfolded. Nice SA's aren't as common as nice FB's and yours being an LS makes it a special model SA. So you've got that going for you. Condition is everything and low mileage is a multiplier. A lot of people covet originality while others, don't care that much.

Generally, aftermarket add-on's like headers, carbs and body kits don't add much if any value unless the prospective buyer wants to use the car in a way which means they would be buying that stuff anyways.

What counts most is the mechanical and cosmedic condition of the car. If you provided some additional details, plus shots of the interior, exterior, under the hood and chassis, I'm sure you will get all sorts of opinions on price. Knowing something about the cars history also helps support the value of a vehicle.
+1 on all that Banzai said above. Pics, history and mods. Right now its worth
anywhere from $500.00 to $5000.00.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 07:40 AM
  #5  
aa35199's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: west bend, wi
If you sell your FB you will get chump change that will vanish immediately, then regret and nostalgia that will be everlasting.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
t_g_farrell's Avatar
Waffles - hmmm good
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,250
Likes: 464
From: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Originally Posted by aa35199
If you sell your FB you will get chump change that will vanish immediately, then regret and nostalgia that will be everlasting.
True for an FB, even more so for an SA!
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 09:40 AM
  #7  
DivinDriver's Avatar
1st-Class Engine Janitor
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,376
Likes: 28
From: Chino Hills, CA
Location matters, too... based on your description, the car would have a much lower market value here in California, where Header+Weber=impossible to license in any population center, compared to other locations.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 03:09 PM
  #8  
challer2000's Avatar
Ask me about my wankel
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Bay City, Michigan
Post some pics of the LS. I have seen only a few leather sports come up for sale in the $3,500 - $4000 with lower mileage. One really bad one on ebay that went for around 500. I have a few good appraisals on my LS but for insurance only I couldn’t see anyone in their right mind paying that price.

I think the magic number if I were ever… ever to let mine go would be 5k. But that’s 15k on a reman, 3 sets of wheels, bolt on mods and general maintenance items.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 03:57 PM
  #9  
Redliner223's Avatar
Oldschool
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 981
Likes: 2
From: DFW
It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
Seriously though, unless you restored a very iconic car classic GTR's, '57 Chevy Bel airs, Corvettes, ect. you're not going to be rolling in the dough.
The purpose of restoring or building a car is to make you happy not your wallet.
My wallet is pretty pissed at me.
Attached Thumbnails value of my 1980 LS now?-354tu2.jpg  

Last edited by Redliner223; May 9, 2012 at 04:03 PM.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 04:22 PM
  #10  
Qingdao's Avatar
HeyHeyHey..Its the Goose
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,055
Likes: 214
From: Charleston
Its gonna be worth more to you than anyone could offer you.

but truthfully you could get $2 000 to $3 000 depending on how long you want to wait for the right buyer.
Reply
Old May 9, 2012 | 06:17 PM
  #11  
iceblue's Avatar
Thread Starter
Passing life by
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 2
From: Scotland, USA
I have some pictures in my Photobucket im working on car now so not taking new ones. Since pictures I re carpeted it replaced any plastics re upholstered the seats the slot under radio has a bin installed into it. The tint is 10% all around and 30% full windshield. Repainting the car atm.











I don't want to sell it, plan was when I bought it 6 years ago as the second owner to keep it for nostalgia basically forever. But I haven't drive it in a year and my dad is insisting on it so that we can bring new projects into the shop to work on and sell or finish other cars we are sitting on. 30yrs is Antique in my state and we have no emissions, I don't believe the car will be sold to one of us. The market for us has these things beat down. A 1980 ls just sold on classic auction with 30k original miles on it for $44 thousand.
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 04:17 AM
  #12  
MIKE-P-28's Avatar
Driven a turbo FB lately?
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,444
Likes: 0
From: Fort Branch, Indiana
Originally Posted by aa35199
If you sell your FB you will get chump change that will vanish immediately, then regret and nostalgia that will be everlasting.
HE JUST SAID IT.. Keep it, rent a storage building and store it. I sold out long ago, HAD TONS of parts good luck getting those back but money comes and goes easily!
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 06:47 AM
  #13  
Banzai's Avatar
Happy Rotoring!
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 569
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by iceblue
A 1980 ls just sold on classic auction with 30k original miles on it for $44 thousand.
Sorry, but someone's been hitting the crack pipe a little too much! If that number is correct, I'd sure like to see that car. You didn't mention one important point on your car, which is the mileage but your LS looks like it's in very decent shape overall. It's Solar Gold, which out of the 2,500 LS's churned out in 1980, only 500 were this color. 1000 ea were Brilliant Black and Aurora White.

Your car looks to have a lot of serious potential. Due to the rarity of your particular model and color, it would probably be worth the most if you returned it to completely stock form. Unfortunately, this is a car where add ons and modifications would only subtract from its ultimate value. Also unfortunately, by the time a proper restoration with correct parts was done to this car, you'd have more invested than what you could probably sell it for. Unless you find that crack head who buys cars on classic auction....

All that being said and without any close up inspection-as she sits, To me, 2,500 to 3K. If I did see it in person and it passed closer scrunity, maybe up to 4K. You have to understand, I'd want to make it rock stock (just me) and go through everything. That adds up, and I'd estimate it taking another 5-6K to do that right and to the level of quality that makes me happy. So in the end, I'd expect to have 10K invested in round numbers, but she would be like a shinny new penny inside and out. That kind of Solar Gold LS might go for 8-10K to the right guy today. Biggest problem is, that guy is a very narrow market in a tough economy.
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 07:03 AM
  #14  
Keeble's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 658
Likes: 2
From: Rockwall, TX
I cringed at you putting an aftermarket radio and having to cut up the dash
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 07:07 AM
  #15  
cshaw07's Avatar
I need a cheaper hobby...
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 5
From: East Palestine, Oh
Originally Posted by Keeble
I cringed at you putting an aftermarket radio and having to cut up the dash
me too
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 01:06 PM
  #16  
iceblue's Avatar
Thread Starter
Passing life by
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 2
From: Scotland, USA
I accidently got a picture in of one of the rad fan prototypes. It has 85kMi on it. When I got it the rad fan didnt work and the ignition igniters were bad after 20 minutes of owning it exhaust leaked bad. The radio is that old tape player one it had to be changed. Removed all the emissions and stuff when rebuilt the carb and replaced fuel system and built the CAI for it but ima take the CAI off when its for sale as well taking out the AMPs that are installed in it no need to sell it with 2000$ of AMPs. And yes the repaint is exact gold everything restored to be stock as far as I can do. The subzero is gone and the wiper fluid bottle motor is dead need to find one.

Thanks Banzai 6-8k was the market I had in mind to list at.

Remember I got this car 6 years ago with the exact sole intention of sitting on it. If I kept it I was going to mill out a LIM plate and use a 13bT intake to convert it to FI.

I think it was yawl racing something like that. Guy would tune the nikkis and such. Does anyone has a link to his shop?
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 01:45 PM
  #17  
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
Have RX-7, will restore
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,273
From: Ohio
i sold my 80 LS last year for $3500. i wanted to get $4500 but the economy sucks and most people do not appreciate low mileage examples. mine was an all original solar gold example with only 62K miles. in my opinion, the aftermarket fan, RB exhaust, carb hat, and cd player lower the car's value. the higher priced LS's are purchased because they are a rare car and are all original. just my opinion though. a potential buyer may prefer a modded car. but from a collectibility standpoint the mods hinder the value of the car.
Reply
Old May 10, 2012 | 01:57 PM
  #18  
t_g_farrell's Avatar
Waffles - hmmm good
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,250
Likes: 464
From: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Originally Posted by iceblue
I accidently got a picture in of one of the rad fan prototypes. It has 85kMi on it. When I got it the rad fan didnt work and the ignition igniters were bad after 20 minutes of owning it exhaust leaked bad. The radio is that old tape player one it had to be changed. Removed all the emissions and stuff when rebuilt the carb and replaced fuel system and built the CAI for it but ima take the CAI off when its for sale as well taking out the AMPs that are installed in it no need to sell it with 2000$ of AMPs. And yes the repaint is exact gold everything restored to be stock as far as I can do. The subzero is gone and the wiper fluid bottle motor is dead need to find one.

Thanks Banzai 6-8k was the market I had in mind to list at.

Remember I got this car 6 years ago with the exact sole intention of sitting on it. If I kept it I was going to mill out a LIM plate and use a 13bT intake to convert it to FI.

I think it was yawl racing something like that. Guy would tune the nikkis and such. Does anyone has a link to his shop?
Good luck with that price range, if the repaint is really good and the rest of the mods are tastefully done you might get 5.

Yaw and Sterling are both out of the Nikki mod business for now. Theres a new
guy doing it with the id of CobraStngSVT that mods niiki for racing per the rules
and more if you want. Check out on of his threads. Seems pretty knowledgable
and helps out folks when they have nikki issues.
Reply
Old May 14, 2012 | 03:36 PM
  #19  
Anger's Avatar
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by aa35199
If you sell your FB you will get chump change that will vanish immediately, then regret and nostalgia that will be everlasting.
Agreed .

Guy asked what i'd take for my stock 83 GSL today.

Told him it is not for sale but, I'd take $3500. I'd lose my car & about a grand on that deal. But it seems to be fair value +/- for an RX7 around here.
Reply
Old May 15, 2012 | 11:49 AM
  #20  
Qingdao's Avatar
HeyHeyHey..Its the Goose
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,055
Likes: 214
From: Charleston
Originally Posted by Keeble
I cringed at you putting an aftermarket radio and having to cut up the dash
Me three...




All of the modifications droped the value of the car signifigantly.

Because the stock parts have been removed the value will only go down.



IF a 7 was completly stock and un molested. It MIGHT go slightly higher in value.
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 12:12 PM
  #21  
ourxseven's Avatar
1/1 scale Hot Wheels
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 6
From: winnipeg, Manitoba
I sold my 79 Limited for 2800$ after two years . Started at 5K and dropped it 500$ every six months .

This is a common story .
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 01:55 PM
  #22  
Redliner223's Avatar
Oldschool
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 981
Likes: 2
From: DFW
If you want a more valuable car go full stock.
The buyer (If you decide to sell) is going to look at the car and see potential for what he/she can possible do. If you have done everything you can possible do to the car, they won't be interested in it as much because there is nothing they can do. There just won't be that emotional attachment to the the car that you felt when you worked on it.
What's more fun changing the oil for regular maintenance or bridgeporting a 13b and hooking up a nice turbo to go fast?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Coochas
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
44
Nov 5, 2019 11:08 PM
jim_chung
1st Gen General Discussion
10
Oct 4, 2015 09:09 AM
JGLawson
General Rotary Tech Support
4
Sep 13, 2015 03:23 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38 AM.