Yeah you're right, will check that sticky out again, been a minute since I did.

 

 

 

Well, I wouldn't want to speak for Sgtblue, but there's no way anyone could put a value on that black car in Illinois based on the cars.com listing. You've got a bunch of poor quality pictures w/o one of the engine bay and no text to describe the car, mods etc. With 5 previous owners it's had lots of opportunities for things to have gone badly. All any of us knows is that it's black and low mileage. A lot more is needed to even begin to value any car, especially an FD. Also, I agree that based on what we can see from these 2 listings, the VR car looks to be the better bet, but I wouldn't buy either sight unseen or w/o a thorough PPI. Good luck with your search.

 

Thank you, agree with that. Going to make sure it’s something I can visit and get a PPI on

 

The red R1 looks like nice and straight. Better than average body condition. Although the hood to popup/front bumper colour difference is more than ideal.

What do you want the car for? A weekend warrior, garage queen, track rat or DD? That should be the first thing to ask. Also, ask yourself if you want near stock or if you want that huge single turbo bridgeported monster. I wanted a near stock TT DD, so I bought something with high miles, driven enough that major components were functioning/in tune, newish rebuilt engine, colour combo I wanted, basic mods I would have done myself, and reasonable mechanical condition. I am spending another $5K on it now to refresh suspension, rubbers, little things here and there. When I park it I don't have a heart attack if some old beater is in the spot next to me. Wrenching on the car I don't feel sheer pain if an electric cord rubs on the fender, or the jack handle touches the edge of the car. I've gone OEM on most parts, but can accept good aftermarket on other parts, saving quite a bit. It's the perfect FD for my purpose.

I almost purchased a low milage garage queen because she was so so pretty and mint. In retrospect I am so glad I didn't. It would be a shame for that car to be driven in rain, parking lots, picking up new rock chips every month. In addition, I'd throw a ton of $$$ at it to freshen up the rubbers plus most other consumables due to age. I'd be loath to use anything non-Mazda on that car.

What do you want it for? How will you drive it? How often, how many miles?

Finally, don't buy sight unseen. Your definition of good condition can vary widely from the sellers. That's on top of unscrupulous sellers.

 

I went to check out Erik's car and visually it's super solid. Made me had 2nd thoughts about picking up my 94' Montego only 2 weeks before he posted for sale. IMO "fair" price given he will score very close to asking on BAT. While still private party sale you won't have to pay auction fees if it's on BAT.

 

Since money doesn't seem to be much of an issue, wait for the car that you truly want (year/color/trim) and in the best possible condition. Otherwise you will forever be longing for the car that you could have had.

 

To the OP - I would go with the red R1 if you can get if for $40-$41k. These cars are not getting any easier to find, especially clean examples like that.
It looks to be well sorted, long term ownership, a few nice reversible mods. Being smogged and registered in CA is a HUGE plus! I feel the values are only going up from here.

I was you. I looked tirelessly, waited, looked more, bid on a few BAT cars, more and more searching, more frustration. It eats away at you. I too was over focused on compression numbers, when the engines goes, it goes. As others have stated, there are more expensive items for these cars. I watched prices go from $24k for a nice example to $40k for a nice example right before my eyes. Sitting on the sidelines was anxiety inducing as prices kept creeping up.

I finally found my dream car last January right before COVID. I paid through the nose for the one of the nicest examples left in existence and couldn't be happier!

Good luck out there, I hope it works our for you.

 

Just an FYI I got my RHD 95 for 15k... Maybe look into those? I thought that was steep. Now I feel a little better as it was 100+ compression low miles and minimally fucked with. However anything past 25k I'd probably just buy a vette. It's sad to see but these cars are becoming classics now and more an investment diversification piece than a machine to be driven and enjoyed. Hell I might be selling mine soon as my evil in-law let the cat out the bag about a car like mine selling for 40k, now I'm being told not to touch it.

 

Ad is gone, looks like car sold.

 

I hope that never happens for you. Get out there and enjoy your ride. You got it for a reason.
Listen, we're still talking about an affordable attainable Japanese Sports car. Many many copies have been made. This is not a limited run Italian exotic. Get out there and enjoy your vehicle. You bought it for a reason.
Never understood why anyone would want to obtain something they always wanted and then refuse to use it. So many desirable limited run machines and they just get kept in a garage somewhere rotting away due to not being used.
If I had the means, you better believe I would get the F50 I always wanted and put it thru its paces whenever I could. The same way I use my FD. About the only thing I don't do anymore is drive her whenever there's rain or rain forecasted. Strictly a sunny day vehicle.

 

Quoted for truth. I've said this in the past: At the end of your long life when you are laying in hospital bed, what will bring you the most joy? To think back about how you had this awesome car that you were too afraid to drive and eventually sold for a profit or that you had a an awesome car that you drove as the manufacturer intended and enjoyed the living snot out of it without a care in the world? Your life your choice on what you value the most. Memories or money.

I, for all intents and purposes have ruined my car's value. I've driven the snot out of it, repainted it a non-mazda color, and modified it with a GT35R turbo (think supporting mods). But I love my car & wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Very well said

 

I bought Erik’s car:-) it is a super solid car, I was able to get it in the 30’s price wise and put it in a trailer and took it home!
All points made have been spot on in many cases, I have it registered in a county with no smog but you must get one first to register it, then it’s game on. So it being so clean, all smog parts intact and being from Cali just made sense to me. I had searched for quite a while baton wide and nothing really compared.
I have a powerhouse amuse r100 already on order and can’t wIt for it to get here, it’s got a quieter than stock exhaust on it which drives me nuts!

 

Congrats! I went to see the car with Erik and he was a great seller and the car was indeed solid. Made me feel somewhat insecure of the FD I'd just brought 2 weeks before. Glad it's going to a solid home it deserves.

 

Congrats!

I ended up buying an FD as well out of state. It will require more work, but I wanted to repaint it to white no matter the color I got so will invest in repainting/restoring the exterior with a 99 spec front bumper and rear wing. Will be doing a lot of reliability mods, new ECU, and a rebuild or new engine.

 

Congrats to you as well!! I am eventually going to 99spec it as also with feed sides, odula rear blade and cf lip and that it outside, it will be singled with a v mount performance wise with all the supporting goodies, it’ll be a long road but I’m ok with that enjoy in good health sir.