current market usdm FD pricing VS jdm imports
02-13-24, 02:34 AM
#351
How time flies. In two months my car will be 25 years old. (refer back to page 1 of this thread).
But don't wait for me, by February 1999, the new run of "S8" '99 spec cars was in full swing.
Expect more nice S8 to start to pop up that will be US eligible:
Here is one for a start!
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/...uggest_history
But don't wait for me, by February 1999, the new run of "S8" '99 spec cars was in full swing.
Expect more nice S8 to start to pop up that will be US eligible:
Here is one for a start!
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/...uggest_history
Last edited by Redbul; 02-13-24 at 02:45 AM.
02-13-24, 08:06 AM
#353
Rotary Enthusiast
I thought about waiting a couple more years for an S8 before importing mine but I got the color and package I wanted with mine, the only thing I would choose over mine would be a newer white RZ which would have cost me a bit more, maybe I'll get lucky and somehow dig up the cash to import one down the road. The prices of RHD don't seem to have gone up a ton over the last couple years and the prices of the LHDs look to have backed off a touch
04-03-24, 06:59 PM
#354
Time to start planning for the first Spirit R imports into the US.
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/...n_DirectSearch
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/...n_DirectSearch
04-03-24, 08:33 PM
#355
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
At some point, there's going to be more JDM cars than US-spec cars in the United States. Since they sold something like 65,000 in Japan, but way way less in the US.
And in Japan, the FD will become an endangered species...
On the other hand, first-gens have long been an endangered species in Japan (clean ones sell for $20,000-30,000 or more), but are still plentiful in the US.
And in Japan, the FD will become an endangered species...
On the other hand, first-gens have long been an endangered species in Japan (clean ones sell for $20,000-30,000 or more), but are still plentiful in the US.
04-03-24, 09:10 PM
#356
I saw some random classic cars in Tokyo in 2013.
Is there any collector car type rules that would protect the cars from the onerous inspection rules?
RHD and LHD are close to being in balance in Canada.
And we have a few of each now with Provincial collector plates.
They have to be kept (superficially) stock.
So add an official level of authenticity.
If production of the model was under 1500 in a given year, registration can happen after 15 years.
Technically, Spirit R are a type, not a model, but people here have got them registered.
There were less than 1500 Type RB (SE) made, so I could have tried to register, but my car is 25 years old now, in any event.
Is there any collector car type rules that would protect the cars from the onerous inspection rules?
RHD and LHD are close to being in balance in Canada.
And we have a few of each now with Provincial collector plates.
They have to be kept (superficially) stock.
So add an official level of authenticity.
If production of the model was under 1500 in a given year, registration can happen after 15 years.
Technically, Spirit R are a type, not a model, but people here have got them registered.
There were less than 1500 Type RB (SE) made, so I could have tried to register, but my car is 25 years old now, in any event.
Last edited by Redbul; 04-03-24 at 09:14 PM.
04-03-24, 10:40 PM
#357
www.AusRotary.com
At some point, there's going to be more JDM cars than US-spec cars in the United States. Since they sold something like 65,000 in Japan, but way way less in the US.
And in Japan, the FD will become an endangered species...
On the other hand, first-gens have long been an endangered species in Japan (clean ones sell for $20,000-30,000 or more), but are still plentiful in the US.
And in Japan, the FD will become an endangered species...
On the other hand, first-gens have long been an endangered species in Japan (clean ones sell for $20,000-30,000 or more), but are still plentiful in the US.
Do not underestimate how many late RX7s have already been scooped up by people in Australia and New Zealand.
I maintain a register of Spirit Rs. Around 200 of the 1500 are already in Australia. There are at least another 20 in New Zealand, then probably another 50-100 elsewhere in the world. At least 50 have been written off. With 3 years remaining until 2002 models are eligible for import, the good stock left in Japan is already dwindling quickly. In general the ones imported to Australia early are better than the examples remaining in Japan and available for sale due to our more favourable climate, no snow in capital cities and the fact garages are commonplace.
My hot tip is that by 2027 it would be much more accessible for US buyers to find JDM RX7s in Australia than in Japan. They will be cheaper, easier to deal with sellers directly and better condition.
04-04-24, 12:18 AM
#358
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
I don't think so. I have been monitoring the wholesale Japanese auctions for a long time and the numbers available for sale are dropping off compared to where they used to be. And the quality is dropping off as well. There are a few beautifully maintained examples, particularly of Spirit Rs but they are commanding prices beyond what many will be willing to pay (15,000,000 JPY or more). But most are now suffering rust due to the Japanese climate and lack of garaging.
Do not underestimate how many late RX7s have already been scooped up by people in Australia and New Zealand.
I maintain a register of Spirit Rs. Around 200 of the 1500 are already in Australia. There are at least another 20 in New Zealand, then probably another 50-100 elsewhere in the world. At least 50 have been written off. With 3 years remaining until 2002 models are eligible for import, the good stock left in Japan is already dwindling quickly. In general the ones imported to Australia early are better than the examples remaining in Japan and available for sale due to our more favourable climate, no snow in capital cities and the fact garages are commonplace.
My hot tip is that by 2027 it would be much more accessible for US buyers to find JDM RX7s in Australia than in Japan. They will be cheaper, easier to deal with sellers directly and better condition.
Do not underestimate how many late RX7s have already been scooped up by people in Australia and New Zealand.
I maintain a register of Spirit Rs. Around 200 of the 1500 are already in Australia. There are at least another 20 in New Zealand, then probably another 50-100 elsewhere in the world. At least 50 have been written off. With 3 years remaining until 2002 models are eligible for import, the good stock left in Japan is already dwindling quickly. In general the ones imported to Australia early are better than the examples remaining in Japan and available for sale due to our more favourable climate, no snow in capital cities and the fact garages are commonplace.
My hot tip is that by 2027 it would be much more accessible for US buyers to find JDM RX7s in Australia than in Japan. They will be cheaper, easier to deal with sellers directly and better condition.
04-04-24, 12:20 AM
#359
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
I saw some random classic cars in Tokyo in 2013.
Is there any collector car type rules that would protect the cars from the onerous inspection rules?
RHD and LHD are close to being in balance in Canada.
And we have a few of each now with Provincial collector plates.
They have to be kept (superficially) stock.
So add an official level of authenticity.
If production of the model was under 1500 in a given year, registration can happen after 15 years.
Technically, Spirit R are a type, not a model, but people here have got them registered.
There were less than 1500 Type RB (SE) made, so I could have tried to register, but my car is 25 years old now, in any event.
Is there any collector car type rules that would protect the cars from the onerous inspection rules?
RHD and LHD are close to being in balance in Canada.
And we have a few of each now with Provincial collector plates.
They have to be kept (superficially) stock.
So add an official level of authenticity.
If production of the model was under 1500 in a given year, registration can happen after 15 years.
Technically, Spirit R are a type, not a model, but people here have got them registered.
There were less than 1500 Type RB (SE) made, so I could have tried to register, but my car is 25 years old now, in any event.
You only barely need a catalytic converter to pass, and it's really for the visual inspection.
04-04-24, 12:35 AM
#360
www.AusRotary.com
Your post referred to there being 65,000 FDs sold in Japan. Most of these were very early models and not as desirable in the US since they do not offer any advantages over locally delivered models - in fact the US models are probably better equipped than JDM during these years and have the advantage of having the steering wheel on the preferred side. What we're really talking about here are version 5 and version 6 JDM cars (1999-2002 or what people on here would call "99 spec") and in particular the desirable special edition cars from this era, as these are the only models not yet eligible for US import and have the cosmetic and mechanical changes people might favour over USDM left hand drive models. The special editions like the Bathurst R, RZ and Spirit R are the hero cars that feature in popular media and video games that might actually motivate US buyers to pay a premium over local models.
There were only actually 13,720 units of version 5 and 6 cars produced in total, all of which were JDM only. They are not that common at all relative to the size of the Japanese car market.
Of those 13,720 a large number are now in NZ and Australia, not Japan. At least 1,500 in Australia, possibly 2,000. I have no idea on the NZ numbers. In both jurisdictions we have been able to import these cars from Japan since new and have been importing them for 25 years already and have a massive headstart on other countries looking to get the best Japanese cars.
My overall point is that Japan is a difficult market to navigate (I know as I bought direct from auction there) and the stock of JDM cars might actually be better in Australia and NZ. So if US buyers want to access JDM models from version 5 and version 6, they may find Australia and New Zealand are a better source.
By time 2002 models are eligible for import to the US, US demand will not change numbers on the ground in Japan appreciably because the market is already then and there is better stock available to purchase those cars from English speaking countries that imported them years ago.
04-04-24, 01:23 AM
#361
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
By time 2002 models are eligible for import to the US, US demand will not change numbers on the ground in Japan appreciably because the market is already then and there is better stock available to purchase those cars from English speaking countries that imported them years ago.
04-04-24, 02:01 AM
#363
When the first 1992 cars started to become available to the US, there did not seem to be a big uptick in FD imports.
It seemed the early cars had been pretty much picked over and the few I observed being bought for say $8000 vs $2000 were not in great condition.
The total FD production was just under 70,000, including the maybe 15,000 non-Japanese market cars. (Wikipedia says: 68,529 total)
My estimate from tracking VIN numbers gave implied production of Japan market cars at 52,569.
My figures give 17,292 V5&V6 cars.
That roughly makes 35,397 V1~4 cars that have already crossed into the 25 year window.
Maybe another 1000 V5 are now likely eligible.
Given that number, the number of RHD that have made their way into the US seems to be disappointedly small.
In regard to S8, which have been eligible for Canada import from as early as late 2013 (15 years limit) there are relatively few noticeable here, even after 11 years.
Anecdotally, landing any FD into Canada under current conditions would need C$35,000 equivalent, today.
And we have many experienced individuals that can self import these cars skipping middle men.
And one of the largest ro-ro ports in North America.
There has been a steady flow of LHD onto BAT and this has softened the LHD market.
RHD likely suffer a $15,000 ~20,000 discount, so the dynamics to encourage more RHD imports (to the US) are not so favourable, in my opinion.
Unfortunately we likely need the RHD cars to come in to support a base level of the overall FD cohort to encourage the continuation of basic support services.
In my opinion, it is finally the availability of support services that provide a floor for FD prices
It seemed the early cars had been pretty much picked over and the few I observed being bought for say $8000 vs $2000 were not in great condition.
The total FD production was just under 70,000, including the maybe 15,000 non-Japanese market cars. (Wikipedia says: 68,529 total)
My estimate from tracking VIN numbers gave implied production of Japan market cars at 52,569.
My figures give 17,292 V5&V6 cars.
That roughly makes 35,397 V1~4 cars that have already crossed into the 25 year window.
Maybe another 1000 V5 are now likely eligible.
Given that number, the number of RHD that have made their way into the US seems to be disappointedly small.
In regard to S8, which have been eligible for Canada import from as early as late 2013 (15 years limit) there are relatively few noticeable here, even after 11 years.
Anecdotally, landing any FD into Canada under current conditions would need C$35,000 equivalent, today.
And we have many experienced individuals that can self import these cars skipping middle men.
And one of the largest ro-ro ports in North America.
There has been a steady flow of LHD onto BAT and this has softened the LHD market.
RHD likely suffer a $15,000 ~20,000 discount, so the dynamics to encourage more RHD imports (to the US) are not so favourable, in my opinion.
Unfortunately we likely need the RHD cars to come in to support a base level of the overall FD cohort to encourage the continuation of basic support services.
In my opinion, it is finally the availability of support services that provide a floor for FD prices
04-04-24, 05:19 AM
#365
www.AusRotary.com
You can see the complete model and colour breakdown here: https://gtr-registry.com/en-mazda-rx...ductionNumbers
It is a very similar situation with GTRs. People have been banking the R34s in Australia and are hoping to sell them to the US when the 25 year rule opens up. So many of the special editions have wound up here.
04-04-24, 01:24 PM
#366
My method for the table above was to search the data base for the Vin at the beginning and end of periods and the cross-overs to new models. I summed my sub-totals wrong. My method adds up to 13,203 which is closer to your database's figure.
That implies that the pool of cars that would be already eligible for the US would be even larger (depending if they still exist or not).
If Canada is a proxy for the US market (at say 10% of typical US demand) , and we likely have maybe fewer than 100 S8 examples after 10 years, then a rough estimate of US demand would be 1000 examples.
And this would be assuming the US would become equally accustomed to RHD as the Canadian markets.
That implies that the pool of cars that would be already eligible for the US would be even larger (depending if they still exist or not).
If Canada is a proxy for the US market (at say 10% of typical US demand) , and we likely have maybe fewer than 100 S8 examples after 10 years, then a rough estimate of US demand would be 1000 examples.
And this would be assuming the US would become equally accustomed to RHD as the Canadian markets.
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