How to value your FD
03-15-18, 11:46 PM
#826
A good quality aluminum or stainless steel AST to replace the stock plastic one.
A JDM armrest with a storage box underneath.
A RB Dual tip catback
A well made front strut tower bar
There are plenty of others, depending on your perspective.
03-16-18, 04:09 PM
#827
Bone stock is nice for collectors or owners in cool climates, but for those of us in parts of the US that often see temps over 100F, things like aluminum rads & ASTs + vmount ICs and vented hoods are just common sense reliability upgrades. I feel the quality of components and attention to detail when installing are key factors in maintaining ‘value’ with aftermarket components. However, I always hang onto my “stock” components in case the day ever comes that I change my mind.
03-17-18, 09:37 AM
#829
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I mod my cars with no expense spared. I either buy the best available for any given part or I leave that part stock. Call it brand whoring, but I believe that brands have their reputation for a reason. I also believe that all modifications come with unintended consequences in the long run. All of them, regardless of how significant. From an exhaust tip melting/damaging the rear bumper, having to cut/drill/modify unrelated components to fit the new parts, breaking an interior trim piece which required removal, etc., etc. I'm confident most here have enough experience to agree, even slightly.
If done right it's more reliable, faster and twice as fun to drive which is HUGE because it started out better than most, even if you include today's cars.
03-21-18, 08:27 AM
#830
Interesting entry to the database recently.
A ‘94 Base MB with 70k miles, fairly original with some reliability mods and light suspension mods sold for $12k five years ago.
Today, that same car would most probably fetch almost double, given the current desire for lightly modified cars. The mileage would be the one mitigating factor, but it is a ‘94+ car without a sunroof, which should fetch a premium that offfsets the mileage slightly.
In a short space of time, these cars have really gained some value...
Nick
A ‘94 Base MB with 70k miles, fairly original with some reliability mods and light suspension mods sold for $12k five years ago.
Today, that same car would most probably fetch almost double, given the current desire for lightly modified cars. The mileage would be the one mitigating factor, but it is a ‘94+ car without a sunroof, which should fetch a premium that offfsets the mileage slightly.
In a short space of time, these cars have really gained some value...
Nick
03-21-18, 10:54 AM
#832
I also think the realization of people that an engine rebuild on an FD isn't that far off from say, a NSX timing belt ($2500) makes it a little more palatable. Plus, people with 20-40k to throw around on a new toy probably won't bat much of an eye at a $2-3k rebuild or a 4.5-5k pull full service R&R.
Finally there's the realization that a car like this will NEVER be built again. A 26-2800lb production car with full double a-arm suspension all around at this power level today? LOL. The closest thing to that is the new ND2 at 181hp.
03-21-18, 12:15 PM
#833
What better ways would be to invest 30k? Like others have said, being able to enjoy the car while you own it and able to sell it for close to what you bought it for seems like a good deal?
03-21-18, 12:22 PM
#834
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Interesting entry to the database recently.
A ‘94 Base MB with 70k miles, fairly original with some reliability mods and light suspension mods sold for $12k five years ago.
Today, that same car would most probably fetch almost double, given the current desire for lightly modified cars. The mileage would be the one mitigating factor, but it is a ‘94+ car without a sunroof, which should fetch a premium that offfsets the mileage slightly.
In a short space of time, these cars have really gained some value...
Nick
A ‘94 Base MB with 70k miles, fairly original with some reliability mods and light suspension mods sold for $12k five years ago.
Today, that same car would most probably fetch almost double, given the current desire for lightly modified cars. The mileage would be the one mitigating factor, but it is a ‘94+ car without a sunroof, which should fetch a premium that offfsets the mileage slightly.
In a short space of time, these cars have really gained some value...
Nick
Yanni's car below was a decent deal at 24k (95, fresh engine, 99 parts etc...). I'm guessing it sold for around 22k.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...turbo-1123223/
03-21-18, 12:30 PM
#835
If you want to talk about which toys are a good value, that's a separate discussion.
Last edited by colditz_II; 03-21-18 at 12:33 PM.
03-21-18, 12:31 PM
#836
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There are very few cars you can buy for 20k (maintain and drive for 25k plus miles) and then sell for 20k plus in 5 years. There is no car on the market that's as attractive and this much fun to drive for 20k. In other words if you like sports cars and being frugal the FD still makes a lot of sense.
At some point though it won't make economical sense to drive it which sucks
So you park it, go to car shows and drive around in your miata having 1/2 as much fun but making twice as much money............still not a bad choice hehe 
03-21-18, 12:34 PM
#837
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Like literally anything else besides a car? Cars are awful investments. Putting your money into something and being able to sell it for what you put into it isn't a good investment.
If you want to talk about which toys are a good value, that's a separate discussion. Again -- it isn't an investment, and if it is, it's a pretty poor one.
If you want to talk about which toys are a good value, that's a separate discussion. Again -- it isn't an investment, and if it is, it's a pretty poor one.
03-21-18, 02:29 PM
#838
Even a car that is hardly driven can have repairs, especially the FD with all of the plastic parts.. From cooking of the 72 vacuum lines that are now 22-25 years old, to the plastic end tanks of the stock radiator, or the AST. These cars are old and the plastic pieces that see heat are bound to go at some point.
Let's look at maintenance: it's not just engine oil, transmission, and coolant changes (keep in mind if this is an investment those should be done at a shop so you can have the paper work). It is also tires. Even if not driven tires have an expiration date. And a decent set of tires will sink you $1K or close to it depending what you choose. Again, dipping into your investment.
Now enjoyment. So this car was bought for investment purposes but you want to enjoy it too... I ask you how can you enjoy a car when you are too nervous to put miles on it? Because the more you drive it, the less your car is worth. Never mind that each mile driven increases the likely hood of something needing to be repaired. What if you get a rock chip? which will happen btw... Every chip is costing you money. Get enough of them and a repaint will be in order. But there is a catch 22 when it comes to rock chips. If you don't paint it it will cut into your asking price but if you do paint it you won't get the $$ back in the resale because the car is now a respray.
See what I mean? Bad idea.... Unless you bought it for the love. If that is the case, then you won't mind putting miles nor sinking money into it because you'll get it back in smiles per gallon. And when the day comes for you to sell an added benefit will be that you'll get some decent money out of it (if you took good care of your car).
Last edited by Montego; 03-22-18 at 12:54 AM.
03-22-18, 04:31 PM
#839
Racecar - Formula 2000
Montego - very well said!
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03-23-18, 08:11 AM
#840
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This is likely one of the better low mileage cars on the market and might actually sell. Not a good deal and not a bad deal. You have to pay to play
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...modelCode1=RX7
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...modelCode1=RX7
03-23-18, 09:30 AM
#841
Ban Peak
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This is likely one of the better low mileage cars on the market and might actually sell. Not a good deal and not a bad deal. You have to pay to play
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...modelCode1=RX7
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...modelCode1=RX7
03-27-18, 08:47 AM
#843
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Perfect example of the best deal I've seen in years and it likely sold in 2 hours. If I had space I'd have bought it no questions asked other than bank info for wire.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...oller-1124739/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...oller-1124739/
Flip Maybe
03-30-18, 08:01 AM
#848
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CYM is my favorite yellow!
If the buyer's name is any clue that's not likely hehe. No worries though because it feeds the parts system and it's one less rotary FD so it helps the value of the supply side dynamic
At least 16k I think it would have sold in 30 days so 20k might not even be too big of a stretch. I'd buy it at 20k versus many other cars currently on the market but that's also why very few listed at 30k plus have sold.
And it's a base model
Yep the repaint is likely not the best.
If the buyer's name is any clue that's not likely hehe. No worries though because it feeds the parts system and it's one less rotary FD so it helps the value of the supply side dynamic
Nice-looking 1993 VR with reasonable mods and 112,000 miles for $20,000.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...544079392.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...544079392.html
Yep the repaint is likely not the best.
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Redbul (04-02-18)
It is actually velocity yellow (corvette color)