My appraisal was done many years ago. My limit is way higher than that. It actually aligns itself pretty well with what the prices of BaT models are going for. I think in a bit more time, I’ll have to get it reappraised since the value seems to be going north and north every year now…

 

It shouldn't really. The biggest determining factor on price is condition of the car followed by color/year. And that makes total sense as +/- 8% in price (between an R and a base) is easily lost in the shuffle. So if a car is worth $40,000 that's a measly $3,200 bucks. However, I still believe the only true collectible USDM car is the CYM and I'm waiting to see a very low mileage one (sub 10K miles) come up for sale on BAT. For entertainment purposes of course. With that said the biggest hit on value are the RHD cars and understandably so they fetch the least. The only exceptions being the Spirit R of course.

Bottom line is the thing that makes the 3rd gen such a great car is that all trims were designed to be performance cars, no particular trim is leaps and bounds above of any other. Unlike mustangs, camaros, supras, chargers, challengers, ect. We don't have wussy convertibles that add real weigh and affect the rigidity, nor V6 versions, or N/A models. Nope all of our cars maintain a sports car rigidity (sunroof or not), are relatively close in weight, and all are twin turbo, there is no tame girl version. yep not even the auto.

 

Worth less, not worthless

My base has no insecurities – just a monstrous appetite for gas, air, spark, and money.

 

Sunroof? No sunroof? Who cares?

What I want to see is any example with the original battery cover! +50%

 

Why is the battery cover commonly missing? I have been looking at an FD in a different state and the battery cover is missing in photos, makes me wonder what else might be lurking.

 

Do a Google image search for "rx7 fd engine bay". It looks like less than 5% of cars still have the cover. Not sure why.

 

Seriously - my guess is that most FDs are only driven on a part-time basis these days. That necessitates a battery tender and that makes the cover a nuisance.

 

Here you go, circa June 1992 build date!

 

Just because the battery cover has gone missing (or in my case was broken when I first got her. Still used it until I went single turbo ) doesn’t mean there’s something seriously wrong with the car.
As some have mentioned, a lot of these get used sparingly. Battery tenders are a must.

 

Even more rare is the battery lifter cradle. Seems JDM batteries were expected to be smaller and there was a cradle with lifter handles to take it in and out of the battery box. My standard size battery in fact has flanges for some sort of lifting, but they make the battery not fit the box. I have to get around to dremelling the flanges off. For reasons such as that, perhaps many batteries would not let the battery cover sit properly and contributed to it getting lost.

Several years ago, my friend, on a chance, asked for the battery cover at the local Mazda parts desk. He got the last one.

Is this a Ray Crowe item?

 

As people are getting to understand RHD a little more, they understand that there are other desirable versions, besides the relatively common Spirit R. Late model RZ and Bathurst R attract Spirit R level bids in Japan. Series 8 cars (1999+) are going to remain quite rare in North America and with younger plastics and considerably upgraded performance, I 'd bet it will not be long before such cars are at LHD price levels. or greater.


Watch and get your checkbooks out.

 

the battery had a fabric strap around it originally, most of these things stayed with the original battery when it died, so pretty rare.
FE50-18-522, still available

 

The way people go agro on completely stock examples makes me waffle back and forth on whether I should do a slick top conversion. Decisions.

 

Personally, I'd rather buy another FD than to tear up a roof line. There are things you can't come back from.

 

If you can find a new oem roof skin, reinforcing bar and headliner, and you are extremely meticulous at body/paint work, or you have an excellent custom restoration/body guy/shop you work with, go for it. We did a hardtop conversion on my car, turned out flawless. Impossible to tell from a factory job.

 

In terms of value, I don't think I'm alone on not being too keen on purchasing a car where the roof line has been replaced. Well at least not without a substantial discount that is. With that said, from what I can tell the VIN does not differentiate between the trims so guess he could always not disclose what the car actually is and simply let people assume . Which that would suck but whatever...

 

Instead of doing a slick top conversion, cut an inch of foam out of the seat. Easier to go back.

 

To each his own on added or diminished value of adding a hardtop. Big difference in quality of work, materials and finished product at the average hack body shop and a custom restoration shop, I'm not a tall guy, I just prefer the look of the double bubble roof as Mazda intended.

 

I completely agree that not all body work is created equal and quality matters. As an FYI I'm in no way saying the car is ruined by any means. Personally I'm all for having the car of your dreams. ​​​​​But also noting that this thread is about value.

Expanding a little further on what I was actually trying to say: i can't fathom anyone being able to justify a zero/minimal price differential between an FD that has extensive roof work vs one that hasn't. In other words why would anyone pay $40k for an FD with that kind of body work when they can easily pay $40k for one with no body work?

​​​​my $0.02

 

Converted to factory hardtop 5 years ago.....it's perfect
Very doable by most any skilled body man

 

yes but if you put the vin into the parts catalog or the warranty database, the vin does tell you everything, which is nice.

as some point we can get the white gloves out and do some concourse judging

 

Has any FD been on a concourse? My insurer (Pelling) actually runs the Crescent Beach Concourse and he is doubtful that there are any FD that would come up to snuff *. Largely because of modifications.

To his credit he ran a Japanese import division in his 2018 concourse. An FB won the division prize.

(* I am working on him. He was surprised at my estimate of 300 FD in the Vancouver region. All eventually needing "stated value" insurance. Just need to find 10 unmodified examples. We have perhaps 5-6 Spirit Rs about. That may be a starting point..)

 

i don't know, the rules get odd too. i don't think the FD is really old enough, but a brand new Porsche is, things like that.
the FD is a really easy car to judge, Mazda built them all the same, except for colors. They were also big enough freaks that the hose clamps have specific positions too, so its like open hood, see incorrect clamp, fail...

 

Love the car BTW

 

Dont throw any OEM part out.

Please!