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^Some of the best paint jobs that I've seen have been out of people who took their rides to lowrider shops. Those dudes know their craft! I would assume that to them a respray or a simple color change is probably lowbrow work lol
The three cars that sold for less than $30k in 2021 were two RHDs and an automatic. $40k+ is getting close to normal for nice FDs (BAT does not usually accept effed up cars).
That red touring that just sold was presented really well and the seller appeared to be very engaged. 2 factors that seem to have significant impact on BaT. Kind of common sense but some auctions sellers are no where to be found and the vehicles haven't been detailed.
Surprised it beat out the R2 but it did have 20k less miles and overall in better condition. That car/auction was really well done
That red touring that just sold was presented really well and the seller appeared to be very engaged. 2 factors that seem to have significant impact on BaT. Kind of common sense but some auctions sellers are no where to be found and the vehicles haven't been detailed.
Surprised it beat out the R2 but it did have 20k less miles and overall in better condition. That car/auction was really well done
Someone overpaid IMO, definitely not in better condition than the R2. That car was original paint and had no rust.
Why would an Australian pay $80,000 for a RHD from Japan is he could by an RHD from the US for $54,000?
(a) the cars in Japan are usually better. No offence but the RHD I've seen in the US seem to be fairly average examples, likely because someone prepared to buy old RHDs from Japan are probably doing so because it's cheaper than them buying a LHD example. The cheap RX-7s in Japan, particularly the 25+ year old ones, are rubbish;
(b) you can only import 2 kinds of FDs into Australia - older than 25 years old, or series 8 which comes under our Special & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) as the car was not sold here from 1999 on. Not many people are buying older than 25 year old RX-7s - they are buying series 8 under the SEVS scheme.
(c) in Japan you get 20+ new series 8s to choose from at auction every single week. How often does a RHD come up for sale in the US?
(d) if you import a $54K car from the US, you still need to pay 10% GST, shipping costs more, there are fewer companies with people in the US to inspect cars. Those that do have inspectors in the US specialise in old muscle cars and wouldn't know their way around an FD. Compliance is potentially more difficult although I haven't looked into that. It will be a $70K car by the time it is landed and complied.
More fun for me to speculate without having any actual facts!
It was a good question you asked and one I had not considered - probably most people here haven't. We think of it as a simple choice between buying local or importing from Japan. It isn't a binary choice. While I don't think buying used JDM cars from other countries makes particular sense now, that may change when supply from Japan dries up.
Someone overpaid IMO, definitely not in better condition than the R2. That car was original paint and had no rust.
Totally agree but mileage is huge and 30k is still relatively low. From where I stand the R2 buyer did well, touring buyer effed up LOL.
A repaint at 30k miles is troubling especially considering the rust on the back bottom half of that car. Also 93 tan interior is just awful, may as well call it khaki or dull AF and such a PIA to keep clean.
All things considered; I loved that R2 and like this touring (great mods on it), and likely both buyers will do ok in the long run. CRAZY MARKET!
PS: at 27 years of age the engines on these cars are becoming less and less important when considering the car so I don't put much weight on compression. RUST though is different animal.
Yes really. only because a lot less were produced..
You said less produced which I interpret to infer a scarce commodity that is driving the price. Well in terms of production numbers relative to USDM FD's, R cars aren't at all scarce as they were the second most produced trim that is only rivaled by the Touring Manual cars.
Also It is well known in the car collector community that rarity does not equate to desirability. Just look at the PEP Auto cars, people aren't getting into bidding wars to get 1 of the 36 that were built. In fact, all Auto FDs (Base, PEP, or Touring) are at the bottom of the list when it came to production numbers.
I know that people complained about rust and respray (not original paint) but let's face it a 30K mile FDs is NOT a unicorn. Meaning, at the end of the day it is a driver's car, a low mileage one but a driver's car nonetheless. It really isn't a real contender to be kept in a climate controlled environment and only towed to shows and stuff (that spot is better served for cars like that montego FD that Rich owns). With that said, it really didn't surprise me that a red 93 with 30k miles sold for 1K more than a red 94 R car. I look at this logically, the 94 had 63% MORE miles on the odometer so if that doesn't negate the price for a more desirable year/trim I don't know what does...
Auto cars are irrelevant, the demand doesn't compare.
When you talk production u have to take it a step further especially in this case.. this was a r2 not a r1 (obviously). And this specific spec there was what.. less than 200 produced. Thats my point, nothing more nothing less. How many r2s in that spec in that condition will come up for sale again? I get miles and condition can trump spec but it was still surprising given the r2 was in good condition and mileage was less than 50k. Personally I thought the r2 would've got 60k and others that have commented are alluding to the same.
