Ok, I'm new here (but a long time lurker...heh) so first off, hello all!

Anyway, I've been bit by the Rx7 bug and have been looking around for one for a while, and nice ones seem to be few and far between in the midwest. I happened upon a VERY nice light blue 83 GS with 108k on the clock with NO rust. This thing is so clean it looks like it could be sitting on a showroom floor. I haven't driven it yet, but if the info I've gotten from the owner is correct it has been meticulously maintained. The only flaws I saw was a small ding above the front driver's side wheelwell, and the bumper has a small scratch in it.

The real question is, what is this thing worth? I think they are asking far too much for it, but I'm cheap For private party on edmunds.com it was saying around 1600, but considering the location and its pristine condition, I just don't know...

Any thoughts would help a lot.

 

Need pics! (and welcome to the fourm)

 

Eh, sorry no pics. But like I said its the body is in freakin' awesome condition, but I'm not so sure about the engine. It's never been rebuilt, and for the last 11 years has been owned by an older woman. Who know's if its been treated properly. Even if the engine wasn't the greatest I still think it would be worth it just for the overall condition of the car.

I know it's hard with only my crappy discription, but numbers anyone?

 

The GS is a good FB model, and will probably be in relatively good shape in the motor if the outside looks as good. The mileage is about right for a recreational, sports car enthusiast; any less and I'd suspect someone cornered it and left it to rot internally, any more, and you'd be looking at other things more mechanical in nature.

For $1600 that's probably a good deal if the body is as you've stated. I would have a compression test done on the engine or take it for a drive - you'll know right away if you're losing compression anywhere by the way it feels under acceleration and idle.

The GS model has a 12a carb engine, so expect 'spirited' performance, but nothing that's going to slam you in your seat with torque without some minor modifications. Any car w/108k mi is going to need some TLC to keep it reliable if you plan on using this as a daily driver. As a weekend hobbyist car, this is perfect, since you can spend time working on it without being rushed because you have to drive it to work the next day. If you're mechanically inclined, the FB's are very easy to work on, and electrical problems (the hardest, IMO) are rare.

Welcome to the forum, and let us know if you buy it, or if you have any questions after the test drive. Always nice to see another FB buyer out there that will fall in love with his car eventually,

 

Here's the thing: they are asking *much* more than $1600. That's just a number I pulled off of Edmunds.com. The only stuff done to the car is a very small spoiler that was pulled off of another car (and put on very cleanly, I might add) and alloy wheels. Other than that it's blissfully stock.

I don't really want to offend the guy by severly lowballing what he wants, but I want to pay a fair price for it.

 

It's worth as least as you can buy it for. like any car.
1600 is about right from a purchaser point of view, from a sellers view it might be "worth" 2500.
Drive it, with 108k it's probably sound, an older woman probably = lots of carbon but since it's running you can flog it out.
Good Luck.

 

Here are some pics I just took:




This is the spoiler that I was talking about:






Note the wheels: they are apparently one-offs, and I think they set the car off rather well.

Now that you guys have some idea of what it looks like, any more numbers? I've got the fever for this car, but want to know what I should be paying...

 

If thats an AR on the centercaps, those are American Racing wheels, you can purchase at Sears' tire dept.

Definately not a bad looking car.

The wheels add a little to the value, and the tint job looks decent.

You said they're asking alot more than $1600? What DO they want?

I bought my GSL off the showroom floor of a dealership in 03 for $3200 out the door, and it was in great shape, bodykit, rare wheels, wing, louvers, mexi-rice chrome wheel well trim, dual exhaust, etc..

From the looks of it $1600-2000 sounds decent on that car.

 

I agree.. very clean... 2 grand is not a bad price if the interior is as clean. The little wing on the back..is a little demeaning to a car of that calibre. Niceness though!

 

$4500... Ouch. I really haven't figured that one out yet. I guess they think the thing is made of gold.

 

An older woman drove that?

Has the decal on the gas door, probably nice and original.

I have a set of those wheels, probably dual lug nice for throwing on se rear.

 

Ouch that is a steep price but there is a dealer car a bit south from me and they're asking $2100 and they said a small thing of rust and barely flawed door interior that just cracked. So take that in mind and hagle with him if you want it. I'd say $4000 and makesure your insurance knows what its worth from that guy you buy it from, other wise he'll be eating his foot and that will sit there forever until it worth more then what he's asking now haha.

 

I like those wheels.

 

i paid 1400 for mine 84 red gs about the same miles but looked no where near as clean as that looks good i love it but that exterior looks great not worth 4000 though you can find something better just be patient it will pay off.

 

Let them sit on it for a while, for that price it better have less then 100 miles on it and the engine bay and underbody should be clean enough to eat off of.

but from the looks of the pictures it appears it would fetch around 3k on ebay.


If you can get it for 3k and the bay + underbody are nice id say go for it.

 

The asking price does seem too high but not totally unrealistic. NADA retail prices for 83 GS are: average $3,075, low $2,125, high $4,200. From the description and picture it could be at the higer end, though the private party or wholesale price should be lower. Examine it carefully looking at the exhaust, steering components, wheel wells, bin hinges, etc. If that is original paint and in good shape, congratulations. If it was re-painted, be suspicious since most people are not going to spend what it takes (2-5x more) to do it right.NADA

 

Thanks for all of the replies, everybody. You all seem to have some good insights into my questions.

Cosmicbang: It is (apparently) the original paint, and the only damage are two small dings in each respective front fender. The car has been sitting there for a while, so I don't think that anyone is willing to pay what they are asking for, else the little bugger would have been gone long ago. They didn't seem to receptive to taking a much lower price, so I think I'm gonna chill for a while and maybe they'll get antsy and sell cheap.

Once again, thanks everyone.

 

I paid $4500 for my 83 GS. It was in showroom condition and only had 15,000 miles. Drove it every single day for 6 years with vary few problems. Pretty good deal if you add it up.

 

I paid $4500 for my 83 GS. It was in showroom condition and only had 15,000 miles. Drove it every single day for 6 years with vary few problems. Pretty good deal if you add it up.