Really just a case of supply and demand. Think about it.. if a pristine one was listed for 30k it would be gone in less than 30 mins, no joke. You and about 1,000 other auto enthusiasts would be making offers on just that 1 vehicle. Yes you could buy a roller and swap a 20b in it for cheaper provided you're doing most or all of the work. If a shop is doing it you'll approach 50k fairly easily I believe, depending on the build.

If your goal is find a clean low mileage FD for 30k or less, Sorry... that ship has sailed it seems. On the other hand, you can find modified FDs for that price, just gotta be on the hunt and cash ready to go.

And also most 90s JDM "flagship" sports cars are 30k plus.. only ones lagging behind is the 3000gt vr4 and 300zx tt. Although the 300zx is gaining steam. NSX and Supras are obviously well passed that number. If you really want one, you can find one but don't wait, prices aren't going to drop

 

There's a few Eagle Talons and Mitsubishi Eclipses for less money, but they're usually in bad shape. Ditto with the 240SX et al. Even the 90s Lexus SC ("Soarer") are getting hard to find at decent prices, especially the manuals.

 

And with those the trim/model really matters. Not that I would want one, but there is a huge difference between a turbo all wheel drive eclipse and a base model front wheel drive non-turbo.

 

For lower prices, FWD is where it's at. There a bit of a premium here (big city $$$), but old Celicas and Preludes are still around. You have to pay more for the juicy trims, but the lower models are perfect for bolt-ons, manual swaps, etc.

 

Yuck. Haha

 

27k-Mile SSM 1995 PEG just went live on BaT - nice to see a more rare color for a change, and a 1995 as well. Front bumper has been repainted and shows the slightly uneven panel gaps that are typical after reinstallation - probably looks better in real life, but would drive me crazy. Engine rebuild at Banzai Racing in 2012 seems like a huge plus. Here's the link if anyone is interested:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-mazda-rx-7-14/

 

If ever there was a touring/pep car I wanted it would be a SSM 95.

 

This is getting a lot love.. kind of surprised its that high.

 

Let all the remaining good FD's go thru the roof. All the better for the ones who don't plan on getting rid of their dream rides...

 

Just looked thru the pictures. That is CRAZY money for this FD. Condition is not that great and 79K miles with no info re: maintenance, compression, etc. Not an especially well kept FD IMHO. Just shows how strong the market is right now I guess. If this one goes for nearly $50K what the heck is the '95 on BaT going to bring?

 

My thoughts exactly..

 

Surprised this is getting that much more attention than the 60k BB with a Buy It Now price of $35k, because it is listed by a dealer with lots of pictures?

 

My first FD, a 93 LHD VR base, I bought for 14,500 well over ten years ago.

Second one was about the same price a few years later.

Prices are most definitely on the increase. I knew if I didn't jump and get one again now, it would be quite awhile before I'm able to do so again. My Bathurst-X with 48k miles and verified compression results landed was about 38k. Then again, they only made 777 of those.

On a sidenote, I tend to avoid fb/social media groups for anything aside from desperate part searches. It's full of people either A) Offering up a less than desirable condition car for a premium price, or a genuinely premium car being heckled by random commenters who have no intention of buying about the asking price.

The RX7 club has recently become (imho) a haven for the more mature car enthusiasts, and its repository of great information has only grown along the years. I wish the marketplace were bigger, though, but I'd take it over fb anyday.

But back to the topic, In general I'd say all 80's-90's favorites are crossing those expensive barriers.

 

Hey guys – with all this talk of skyrocketing values, should we be increasing our insurance coverage and installing more hardcore security systems or LoJack-style tracking devices?

I'm starting to think car thieves are going to make serious plays for sitting FDs if they're worth so much more.

 

I guess that depends on how sketchy your neighborhood is?? lol

Mine has always been appraised since day one. Only way I could get insurance. If the values keep going up like this, I might have to get it reappraised...

 

just for context, a Miata sold for 23K, https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...mx-5-miata-32/

 

I know its a special edition for the year, but its not even a Mazdaspeed. Imagine what a Mazdaspeed is going to go for?
8k miles, car is barely broken in. 18yrs and practically no use.. why even have it if you're not going to drive it?? Insane.

This has me thinking though.. you think the 100anni of the ND will be collectable in 20-30yrs time?? Hmmm.... I wonder...

 

Somebody has tried to break into my car twice so far as I know... neither occasion was close to home.

The first was a few days after I bought the car. Left the car in a parking lot to buy something for a minute. When I came back, the driver's side lock was broken.

The second incident was a few years ago. I stopped for a quick washroom break at a highway stop (in the daytime with a lot of people around) and my lock was loose when I came back. I think they tried to force it (there was a sketchy-looking modified Cobalt with black tint parked some distance away).

That's why my car is a point A to point A vehicle for now (short of keeping angry pit bulls in the passenger seat and trunk). I know that people will try to break into it if she's left alone (outside of an RX-7 meet).

 

Really??? That's crazy.
I used her as a daily the first 2yrs of ownership (no winters of course). She was everywhere. Downtown underground garages, above ground, side streets, out in the middle of nowhere Milton, etc. Never had anyone attempt to break into her. She's even stayed multiple times in the parking garage near Roy Thompson in the past 5yrs. I think the only time I was really afraid to leave her alone was when I was living in Mississauga 12yrs ago. Before they built the Marilyn buildings. Use to live in the condos surrounding those buildings now. I think I only brought her down twice the entire time I lived there. Wouldn't dream of leaving her in that area nowadays.
Maybe you're leaving a few things in the cabin that's enticing thieves??

She's been an A to A car for basically 19yrs now. I don't really trust leaving her anywhere I can't see her. Apart from our car get togethers, she's always taken out, driven, and then returned back into her home...

 

i was going to say that the 30AE is the obvious choice, its a great color, only 3000* world wide, etc. but i bet the 100AE is more rare,

*the series is 3000 globally (~840 to North America), but they made a couple more, one fell off a truck in shipping, and they made another for the guy. and then fixed and sold the damaged one

 

Nothing in the car at all – they were definitely going for the car. The first attempt was in Markham and the second was at the ONroute rest stop south of Barrie.

 

Wild, I thought Markham is generally a decent area?

When I was looking for a 2nd FD couple years ago, I actually found one in Montreal. It would've been bundle into a family vacation, so I was going to trailer it to Markham first and let it sit at the hotel lot for a few days lol.

 

Markham is generally fine, but I'd definitely hide an FD from scrutiny there. Both incidents happened in broad daylight with people around.

 

That's good to know, will keep that in mind in case I find more good deal up North haha.

I ended up didn't follow through with that plan due to the seller not willing to accept a deposit to hold the car for 2 months while I have everything line up, like transportation and custom document etc. He was worry that I back out of the deal and he miss other potential buyer lol, it was a mint condition BB on red with 41k miles for $22.5k, so I doubt he'll have trouble selling it but whatever. I ended up looking else where as I didn't want to plan everything out and the car is sold by the time I get there, then I stumble upon the R1 100miles from home so it all worked out.

 

I've seen a bunch of cars coming from Quebec and especially the Montreal area, but my own experience and friend's stories indicate that many of them are not legit.

I'll browse Quebec listings for information and pictures, but I don't take most of them seriously.