Collecting watches, its wrist of time!

 

I am not sure I fully follow this ordering, but this would be a great survey question: "Rank the top attributes (positive or negative), that would affect your FD purchase decision."

Mine would be:


State mechanical running condition, drivetrain
State of mechanical condition, suspension
Manual
Left hand drive
Interior condition
Exterior condition
Exterior colour
Interior colour
State of OEM

One interesting way to look at it: What would it cost to change each attribute to the desired attribute?

Or if the target price is, say, US$100,000, how much of a discount would be needed for each attribute that is not a desired attribute?.

 

This has me curious about what mine will value at (not that I have any desire to get rid of it) with it being a late model 95 Type-R Bathurst-X, 777 made according to Mazda and marketing literature. I doubt it would fetch as much as an RZ, but it is technically a limited edition car. I feel it would probably sit on the lower end of collector spectrum, but maybe I'm being pessimistic, It does have the black on red contrast which has grown on me.

 

The Bathurst name was added for Version 3.

The initial Type R-II Bathurst only varied slightly from the Type R-II, with perhaps the main difference being blue tinted glass all-round instead of grey. With the Type R Bathurst X ("BX"), Mazda really worked to make the car unique with the car having over 50 variances from the base Version 3 Type RB. The car introduced the "Whaletail" rear spoiler (Mazda calls it "dolphin-like") which became a hallmark of Version 4 cars. Also it seems that in late 1995, production of Version 3 and Version 4 cars overlapped briefly, so I wonder if the "BX" was introducing some Version 4 parts early. There is a 1996 Type RB Bathurst X, but it may be more closely based on the base 1996 Type RB., and may have been more a matter of badging. It was not even recognized in the initial parts catalogue for Version 4, so was perhaps added later due to popular interest.

In the 2002 brochure for Spirit R, Mazda has a fold out showing the 10, or so, historic limited edition specialty types that lead up to the Spirit R, these include the Type RZ and the Bathursts.

 

Yep, it's a very complex thing because mileage/condition is always going to weigh on everything else. Bottomline: find a really nice low mileage FD for a decent price relative to the market and go from there.

 

its possible, the thing to keep in mind is that Mazda's assembly line really can split hairs. to the factory the JDM Version 3, US 1995 and the JDM Version 4 are all different cars. sometimes they get made at the same times, and sometimes they don't.
if you look at the production dates for those 3 the starts and stops are different

 

To take my idea a step further, how about this excercise:

1995, Mint Red over Black Manual R2 Miles 45,000 with Rebuilt Motor (to factory spec), OEM, inside and out, and with mint interior, with refurbished soundproofing, clean title: US$100,000.


State mechanical running condition, drivetrain - Needs motor/drivetrain rebuild - $15,000
State of mechanical condition, suspension - Refurbish suspension, including struts - $6500
Manual - Convert from Automatic - $10,000
Left hand drive - Convert from RHD -$10,000
Interior condition - Needs complete new LHD interior - $15,000
Exterior condition - Needs clean-up body work and new paint - $10,000
Exterior colour - Change colour - $10,000 **
Interior colour - Change interior - $5,000 **
State of OEM - Replace aftermarket body kit with OEM - $10,000 **

Total Discounts (eliminating redundancies "**"): $51,500

Target price least desirable car: About $48,500.

 

Time discount, $20k.

Gonna take a year+ to get that car to where you want it.

 

I don't think you'd want to convert it to RHD if you wanted the most money out of it. LHD cars are much more rare and much more desirable in the FD's biggest market.

 

From RHD to LHD.

 

Not even close..........mileage and anything you do whether it's rebuilding etc... will actually devalue it. I'd say a 95 r2 with a rebuilt motor etc... and 45k miles might go for 60k

Well based on this I may be off a bit: Original-Owner 1994 Mazda RX-7 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $50,000 on June 9, 2022 (Lot #75,628) | Bring a Trailer

Call it 70k max. Original SSM R2 with 15k miles should go for 6 digits though

I have to edit this again because you might be right. This CYM went for a whole lot all things considered. I'm still waiting for that super low mileage R2, garage queen type etc.... I really think it could sell for 100k plus.

 

RHD Limited Edition Types (2002 Spirit R catalogue).

 

 

Since no one has posted it, there are two FDs on BaT currently that should show us what the current market looks like.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-mazda-rx-7-179/

One appears to be a mint stock example and has only 5k miles, it should set the record for FD prices on BaT.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-mazda-rx-7-185/

The other has more typical mileage (66k), also near-stock, but it is CYM, which we have seen seems to bring a big premium. It will be interesting to see where these two end up.

 

I wonder how much the accident history/respray on certain panels will affect the CYM. Should definitely be interesting.

 

US$100,000 Minus:

$10,000 (Tan interior)
$15,000 (Engine sat for 29 years)
$10,000 (Plasticizer migration)

Plus:
$15,000 (That is some low mileage).

Equals: US$80,000.

 

That might be accurate..... I can definitely see it selling for 80k or more and I like your formula but the mileage plus is likely a lot higher. I'd also add a plus for the hard top/base model and black color of at least 10k (that's probably how much it would mean to me lol) with that mileage.

The current BAT leader is the CYM (clearly CYM carries a major premium of say 10 or 20k?) with 47k miles with paint issues etc.... and it sold for 78k so I suspect this thing could sell for 90k plus but who knows. From where I'm standing mileage and condition bring a huge premium. BUT, there was hope for the economy in April (when the CYM sold), currently the sentiment is vastly different.

Anyway it will be fun to watch (auction ends in 2 days).

 

It's only takes 2 bidders to crank it up. Will be interesting when the final hour of the auction comes.

 

How much of a ding if no compression test?

 

Zero, IMHO.

On BAT, almost every single FD auction thread has at least one request for a compression test (usually from someone who has never bid on a car and never will). Sellers usually just ignore the request.

 

What, then, are they relying on?

 

Dice ?!

 

Interesting. CYM just got listed on BAT. I wonder if this will cause the black car's auction to stall out.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-mazda-rx-7-185/

 

If healthy a hot start and idle says a lot especially on a stock car.

If I was listing an FD I'd definitely include a compression test though especially with those miles. It should be outstanding.

 

Id be shocked if it had any real impact. CYM is gonna CYM but if I’m dropping $75k plus on a collector fd it’s going to be on the 5k mile car. CYM’s mileage takes away from its own desirability a decent bit.

I’m betting $90k on the black one and $65k on the cym.