I hope its an epic trade.




Storyline:


Uncle gets married. Knocks up wife. Baby born 3 weeks ago. Rx7 is not a good car for 3 people. He wants my:



2005 / 325i / black on black / 53k mi / manual / bone stock / warranty until 2011


for his..


1993 / rx7 / yellow on black / 34k ORIGINAL mi / manual / exhaust + lip


or give the 325i to my dad and buy the rx7 for 23k.


It should be in good condition or my dad will just go kick his ***.



Ok time for the most hated words to rx7 owners.. the only thing stopping me from buying/trading it right now is the reliability. Yes I already know if you 'maintain it' it will last a long time but theres just no denying it will never be as easy or cheap to maintain as a piston engine. I am not the worlds smartest person when it comes to cars so the rotary will probably either give me massive headaches or empty my wallet. I have read up on e46 325i also and they also arent that reliable and considering its a BMW maintenance is also going to hurt my wallet. I am a college freshman about to become a sophmore with an ok job.



A few of my questions are:


-How much better will an rx7 live if I dont drive it hard [ 50-60 mph street / 70-100 mph highway.. with the occasional pedal to the medal for yellow lights ] and keep it stock [ FOR NOW.. dont tell me theres no way I will keep it stock because I WILL until I graduate ]

-How much is it to refill the oil?

-How do you find a rotary mechanic around your area?

-Is my friends dad crazy for trying to fit a 2jzgte into his rx7?






Considering the above..




Keep the 325i or get the rx7?

 

Sell the 325 and buy a nice FD for 8-10k less than your uncle's trying to burn you for.

Check the classified section. FD's are getting cheaper by the minute lately.

 

me too.


also true...

dont know how "epic" fits into the description of this possible trade ...

 

the 2jzgte is an inline 6 sequential twin turbo produced by toyota
came in the mk4 toyota supra rz i believe?

 

You are getting ripped hard. a 93 cym with low miles will be worth a bit more, but not 10k over the general.

 

23k is way too high, your 325 is worth more than a cym rx7... I love the cym, but that is too expensive of a deal. look in classifieds, you can get nice ones for 15k...

Ohh not to scare you away, but if the car is still on it's original engine i would be slightly more concerned, also you also have to consider the extra's that are involved with an rx7, including premium fuels.. Oil levels, not exactally as friendly as your warrenty bmw

 

+1 $23K for an RX-7 on its 2nd motor (regardless of original miles on the chassis) seems very steep. Is it an R1 model?

 

2jzgte = 4th gen Supra. Correct.



23k may be high but hes family and he needs it. I was offered 21k at most by a dealer.



Epic was just a word I picked dont think too much on it.



It isnt on its 2nd motor? I am pretty sure its still on the first one.

 

I didn't see 2nd motor listed, but the previous posts above seemed to imply it.

Regardless if its even the original motor, $23k seems very steep. It does not seem like a fair trade: your BMW for the RX-7. If you're cool with the large differential in value, then go ahead. The long-term maintanence costs on the RX-7 will most likely out pace what you'd run into for the 325i.

Good luck.

 

I HATE having a luxury sedan. When me and my friends go places and we decide which car to take everyone looks towards mine. Also I am tired of the "DAMN YOU DRIVE A BMW?!" exclamation. If I need stuff carried I can just ask my friend to carry it in his 08 STI :]

Since everyones hating on the price can you guys give me an approximate?

 

15k is a very good price for this shitting economy. sell your BMW and offer him that to buy it, i know its family but its still a ripoff.
I have a BMW 330ci and a FD, the bmw is cheaper IMO, plus i would highly recommend you be a "car guy" to own one or it will cost way to much to take it to the shop to maintain.
I understand the "you have a BMW" and all the other crap, people assume your a *****, but so what, the car gets ***** and your in college so get it while you can. the Rx7 is nice but most girls dont care or know what it is, and plus it is more practical (i cant beilive i said that) to have while in college.

The 2jz is a toyota motor, know for being pretty much bullet proof and producing high HP while being reliable. I dont think your friend's dad is crazy, i would like to do it also but it is big headach to do it, and the cost to do it is almost as much as what an rx7 cost.

 

This car is much more user friendly if you enjoy being hands-on, willing and able to learn. If you don't like getting dirt under your fingernails, keep your BMW. Your in school, it's 12 yrs newer, has warranty and way easier to find someone knowlegable for repairs and maintainence. Let your Uncle find something else.

The nature of your intial post suggests that after the "newness" of the RX7 wears off, you'll likely be left with buyers remorse regardless of the numbers.

 

lol epic trade my ***

 

I think in general people get ripped off on FD all the time. I honestly would not pay a DIME above KBB

here is the results for a 1993 with 23,000




and just for the record:
Excellent
$12,935

* Looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning.
* Never had any paint or body work and is free of rust.
* Clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection.
* Engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects.
* Complete and verifiable service records.

Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category.

 

I love my rx7s. I have had many. And Love my current FD. I have never
had any of them blow. Or put me on the side of the road. But while I was
in collage. I drove a 93' Toyota Celica. I would keep the car with the warranty
for now until you get out of college. Then after if you want an rx7 i would
get one then. Mainly, since you aren't very mechanically inclined. It could possible
take more time away from your studies and more money then expected
while still in school. An Rx7 can be very rewarding and fun even to
work on. I hope you do get one eventually. Good luck on your decision

 

Great post....I have to agree. The 'other thing' that is not so tangible but definitely has a "value" is....there were tens of thousands of 2005 325 BMWs made, you see them EVERYWHERE....whereas you aren't near as likely to see the FD, due simply to the rarity of the car. The 325 is a nice car, no doubt but anymore you just blend into the crowd.

 

excellent advice.

 

Kelly blue book has no effect on the FD's fair market value. GREAT condition FD's go for over 14k+ easy as far as we are concerned.

FD's with low mileage, and in great condition inside and out, fetch a premium. Most of us would deem those gems, unmodable since unmolested, unmodded FD's are far and few between and most are reluctant to sell to most younger buyers..

23k for a 34k mile 1993 CYM is a very high premium, but if it was my uncles car and he had it since new and still looks great... i would have no problems to either trade or pay the cash.

 

Looking at KBB to value an FD is really unwise. There's simply too many unusual factors that go into the fair price of an rx7 for a vague guide like KBB to decipher.

I paid about 20k for my 93 red on black touring. It had 24,000 miles and was absolutely pristine, the underside looks brand new and the engine is in perfect shape. Should I have offered 12.9 and said it's KBB... take it or leave it? Sure, but then I wouldn't have an rx7. 12.9 will get you a pretty beat FD. The shell of a CYM with low mileage and pristin interior/exterior is worth about that much.

As far as "lots of cost" goes, I've daily driven my car to about 44,000 miles now (driven hard, I rarely shift below 8k). Besides insurance, it hasn't cost me too much. Just do normal quality oil changes and always use 93. If you start using 91 and skip an oil change for 5000-6000 miles you'll be in poor shape. Get a simple water injection kit and it will go a long way towards preserving your car.

And bimmers are gay ;D

just my .02

edit: edmunds values a perfect example of an FD at $8,000 private party. I don't know who's job it is to do this but talk about epic fail

 

*The very fact that OP has some doubts even now and was moved to create this thread is one reason.
*That the OP wants/needs reliability but is considering trading a significantly newer car with warranty that has much more wide-spread service/repair support.....for a car that is 16 yrs old, requires some special knowlege to diagnose and repair. And that knowledge is not widely available.
*That he/she is young and in college. No disrespect to the OP, but alot of folks in that demographic say they'll drive conservatively, but reality is often different.

Disregarding the FD's need for premium fuel, it's lack of storage, lack of practicality in the winter and high(er) insurance (for an older car)....if the OP can't maintain it, and/or it breaks down it will be expensive with no warranty. If he/she can't afford to have it repaired it will just sit in a lot or garage. And they'll be asking for rides to class and to the "OK job". I suspect buyer's remorse would soon follow.
I wasn't so much looking at the immediate trade/value aspect between the two cars. I'm referring more to long term...a few months to a year down the line.
Who was it who said "success is getting what we want....and happyness is liking what we get"?
But hey, just my .02.

 

As a matter of fact you can, if you wait for the right deal. Just like if the seller put's in on the market long enough he'll find someone to buy it for 20,000+ .

BUT right now, in today's market... $13,000 for a stock low mileage FD is about right. A few years ago when it was a sellers market, fine inflate the hell out of it. I have my eye on a 50,000 mile 94 base, clean, all stock for $8,000 locally and I'm seeing comparable deals come up more and more.

I've been in the industry for years and can tell you it's a buyers market out there for sure. Do I really need to tell you the financial breakdown is having a dramatic impact on the price of a 15+ year old sports car? people are looking to earn and save money NOT spend it. In recent months EVERYTHING about the car market has taken a dramatic change.

So thanks for applauding me and don't pay too much for your next car.

 

found this looking for 2min, listed at $12,500 from a dealership, which is a good looking FD -a bit more miles then the example from OP -but he did not present pics either. I have seen 20,000 mile cars look like they have 100,000 on them. They are out there. Let me be clear I'm not saying a 20,000 pristine FD will not fetch a premium.


This is a completely original 1993 Twin Turbo RX-7. Beautiful red with black leather interior. Bose Acoustic Wave audio system. 5-speed manual with limited slip dif. 4-wheel ABS. A/C and Heat work great. Tires are recently new and in great shape. Recent tune-up with new belts and filters. This is a perfect example of an un-molested 3rd Generation RX-7.

I could go on and on describing how nice this car is, tell you how it was voted Car of the Year by many magazines, and how it has (and will) hold its value...but if you're looking at this auction, you probably already know all these things. It really is as nice as it looks in the pictures. It has been cared for and not driven like a 16-year old. Email or call with any questions.



If I really wanted to hunt I could find plenty more. I'm done with this thread. OP should keep his BMW /endthread

 

110% agreed; Maybe the older I get the more appreciative(read: valuable) I am of cleaner cars.


sunburn:
I know you just did not compare a Touring Model with a CYM, right?

 

The thing is with KBB they show what the cars mechanical economical worth is. They dont take into account its exclusivity or rareness or tuning potential. Whens the last time you seen a stock ~50k 98 TT Supra go for ~28k? Never because most people could get well over 40k for it and the people who would spend that much are the ones who could bring out the maximum potential in it.



It also depends on where you live too. I am not down to drive over and 1-2 hours to get a car. So based on the area you live in it could make a huge difference. Looking on Autotrader all the overpriced cars are in the west. More specifically.. southern mother f*cking California :[ I could find a 12k rx7 with low mileage too... in the middle of Kentucky or something.



The rx7 may cause me a slight headache but my uncle has thorough knowledge of it. I just dont want to be constantly bugging him an pulling him away from his newborn.




As for the 325i being common.. mines will look a tad bit different if I keep it. Black on black on black on black... you get the idea lol. It will be like the Batmobile at night. GONE :] Almost done saving :]




Thanks for all the advice guys. I will let you guys know what happens.

 

heh, I feel like I was being a little harsh in my 1st post. Family's the most important thing in the world...period. No matter what happens, it sounds like that FD will be in your family, and you and your uncle sound pretty tight, so you'll most likely be driving the RX-7 once in a while whether you buy it or not.

IMO, it's pretty cool for you to think of your uncle's financial worries and try to help out. Tough times like these is when cream rises to the top. Good on ya.

Now sell the BMW, buy an FD roller for 6 g's or so, and swap an LS1 into it. There's nothin' like 450lbs of smog friendly torque to help you forget about the 325.