We are getting into peak sports car buying season now. I bet you will see the highest prices for less desireable cars in May through July and then they will start to taper off. As I've mentioned before, a large portion of the US was still getting snow as of a few weeks ago.

 

Yep

Deals in Oct, Nov

High prices in April and May

 

I was going to relist my 95 CW with 65k miles for $35k, I think I should reconsider. Its just hard for me to see the value in these cars at these prices. However, I've been struggling to see the value the last 2-3 years and the prices just keep going higher.

 

The rx7 was metrically sound as a value sports car for a long time, and now it's more about intangibles like class and style.

Rx-7's don't compare well to showroom performance, and nothing in a showroom compares to the Rx-7 once you're off the specs.

 

$40k now and $45k not too long from now

IMO what drives prices are comps (what similar **** is selling for), availability (which is tied to comps, i.e. supply-demand), and what else can i get for my money. When you start pushing towards Porsche prices, would you rather have a Porsche (or pick any other high $ car)?

Personally, i was happier when prices were $12k. Didn't have to worry about crashing it or having it stolen

 

this current round of collector interest has raised prices on everything....

an FD at $12k was cheap, my 1958 Triumph Tr3 with a big dent in it sold easily for $11k, and the FD is a lot more car

 

Talking early 2000's prices. I don't believe they started really appreciating much until 2010+

 

Last train on 12k lowish mile FD was 2011-12, I remember having many options on FD with <60k for ~12k when I was shopping for one in 2010-11.

 

So, if you take a decent shell
$10k shell
$10k suspension
$10k engine
$10k paint
$5k interior
You're at $45k for a perfect-ish FD

Then, what's your year of driving depravation and personal hassle worth? Another $10k?
And, then what are originality, pedigree, and options worth? Another $10-15k?

Top of the market looks like ~$70k

 

this!

 

And, that's not a wild estimate. I could stuff $10k underneath my car in suspension, wheels, tires, and brakes tomorrow and none of you would be that impressed or maybe even notice.

I guess my central suggestion is that the top of the market is determined by the bottom of the market and the distance in cost and effort to get to the top. The FD has cemented itself as a desirable classic, irrespective of the stat sheet, and there are limited avenues to have a pristine example that collude to determine the pricing. Savvy buyers and sellers are running similar napkin math, to choose their course.

 

i know, the FD is a lot more car than a 1958 Tr3 with a big dent in it...

 

Here are 2 additional pricing datapoints from a Mazda dealer in MN:

93 SSM/Red with 2774 miles listed for $70k
https://www.morriesmazda.com/invento...fd3314p0209921

93VR/Tan with 16995 miles listed for $39.5k
https://www.morriesmazda.com/invento...fd3317p0201165

 

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I believe that once the next Rx-7/ Rx-9 (whatever they call it) comes out, these 3rd gens will actually drop in value. My reasoning is this.... by the time you pick up a 3rd gen and get the engine work/ suspension etc done.... your probably looking at minimum 45k invested if not more. For say 10-20k or even 30k more, you could have a brand new Rx with the updated 16x motor, updated suspension etc. The value in the 3rd gen is high now because it was the last generation so they are highly sought after and they look great. If a new RX never comes out again, the 3rd gen will probably continue to appreciate...... but if it does come out.... I'm predicting a big drop as buyers will tend to gravitate towards the newer technology and frankly, more bang for the buck. I had considered buying a 3rd gen (only interested in one not running ) but now I am in a holding pattern until we have confirmation on if there will or won't be another rotary sports car. If there is, that's where my money is going. If not, I'll eventually pick up a 3rd gen and build it how I want. I'm almost certain there will be another rotary as Mazda invested too much time already perfecting the rotary into what they are calling the 16X. All IMHO, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers here. Just my perspective.

 

Lol. Good one.

 

Hilarious. First it won't happen. And even if it did, I don't see Supra and NSX values dropping just because a new version came out. This isn't the same thing as a 2018 model being replaced by a refreshed/facelifted 2019

 

I believe that most driving enthusiasts dont like all the newer cars styling, electronic steering and electronic aids. Look at the Porsche guys for instance. Porsche have actually put a manual transmission back into some porsches due to hard core porsche fans requesting it. Let's not even get into the air cool porsche. I could be wrong but I dont see Fd dropping in price ever. It's like saying a 1st gen camero will drop in price. This is my opinion. I suggest that you buy a Fd now because they will go up in price.

 

Yep, with each passing day prices move higher. This won't change for a while or the FD bubble is just starting to suck in the oxygen.

Eventually cars will go the way of the horse and buggy and end up in the junk yard. Still a long way to go but the electric car storm is likely the 3/4 way point. Possibly in 40 years we won't even care about gasoline powered vehicles at all. All those crazy prices on collector cars like the 4.0 GT3 may just turn out to be crazy, OR NOT and they'll be relics worth even more..... LOL.

 

NOPE

Usually when you go to a track day you'll see lots of new hardware and then a few old classics. In general car enthusiast are looking for the next best thing.

 

Think you will see these cars appreciate as people who grew up in the era start gaining more wealth. Eventually, the values will plateau and the buyers start fading away to be replaced by the next generation that did not grow up on these cars and will want whatever they will grow up with (which may not be cars ). Just look at the muscle car trend for a gauge

And FWIW, a stick shift can't hold a candle to a modern DCT with traction control on the track

 

True.
But I sure would like to see some kind of GT race series established that strictly used manual transmission cars. And I don't mean spec miata or SCCA races. A series with real sponsors, professional drivers and broad coverage; like IMSA weathertech or similar. It would spice up the driving and be a lot of fun to watch. When you're spectating a race, the lap times mean much less than the various battles going on, on track.

I'm not hopeful that will ever happen, just saying I think it would be enjoyable as hell to watch.

 

Lol. The new Supra is really hurting the MKIV values lately.... hahah. No

 

Mazda needs to step up their game:

Toyota Will Soon Offer New Parts for the MKIII and MKIV Supra

Making obsolete parts available again can only result in overall appreciation of our cars.

 

Yep, no doubt each generation has their batch of cars that they love and for us it's 911s, NSX, FD, Supra, M3 etc....We could care less about muscle cars.

However the FD is one of the classics with true staying power or it's still relevant today and can easily be a made into a bonafide super car (similar to the supra only it's not ugly or gets better with age/like an old jag). NSX, 911, M3 and most of the other cars from the 90s can't compete with today's cars without an engine swap etc... Just drove a friends FD with a port, single turbo and basic bolts ons and nothing is going to touch that car under 100k and it's better looking than just about anything else on the road. These cars are ridiculous with the right turbo and 400 plus rwhp. The price of FDs is going in one direction for many years to come.

 

Yep.