The FD is about to explode in value :)
12-20-11, 02:58 PM
#76
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I've been wheelin and dealin to get a good FD
Last year I picked up a roller with all the parts in boxes and lots of aftermarket parts.
I got it from a rich kid, his Mom bought it for him for $14k right from japan, he got some shop to sell him parts for cheap to promote their shop. bought a bunch of stuff, like new tein coilovers, 18" rims, cwest body kit, reman 99 spec spoiler with cf center,cf hood, hks cast manifold and bunch of other little things. put it on the road in the spring and blew the coolant seal the first day out so he decided he was going to do a full ground up rebuild stripped the car to a bare shell and it sat like that till I got it for $3500.(he got rid of his 99 spec Nardi wheel for a BRIGHT red MOMO wheel!!!!!!!!)
I was going to get a front clip to get that all going, and I found a sweet deal on a complete FD
sold the CF hood and manifold off for $1000
its a Famspeed 1992 Efini Type R with the little Famspeed plaque on the firewall. it was a little rough, the dash had a chunk out of it and was a bit beat up, it needed tires and brakes, the heater core leaked, and it ran a little rough. They had it listed for 4900, I pulled the winters comming soon card and ended up getting it for $3400
The engine is strong over 100 psi on both rotors( I have a shitty gauge goes 100-120 in a tiny space so its had to be acurrate)
I swapped over my good dash and other interior panels, rerouted the heater core lines back into the engine, hooked the airpump up, and it ran friggen awesome after that.
I've just been working on swapping over all the performance parts putting the stock stuff back on the roller.
after christmas i should have the roller all back together, if I can get $3500 I'll be a happy guy.
that would mean I paid $2400 for mine with all the parts
I'm going to freshen the engine up this winter with new seals and a small street port,
I estimate my FD will triple in value this winter
heres a pic sitting beside her sister
please dont make fun of my red wheel it was a gift from Ronald Mcdonald
Last year I picked up a roller with all the parts in boxes and lots of aftermarket parts.
I got it from a rich kid, his Mom bought it for him for $14k right from japan, he got some shop to sell him parts for cheap to promote their shop. bought a bunch of stuff, like new tein coilovers, 18" rims, cwest body kit, reman 99 spec spoiler with cf center,cf hood, hks cast manifold and bunch of other little things. put it on the road in the spring and blew the coolant seal the first day out so he decided he was going to do a full ground up rebuild stripped the car to a bare shell and it sat like that till I got it for $3500.(he got rid of his 99 spec Nardi wheel for a BRIGHT red MOMO wheel!!!!!!!!)
I was going to get a front clip to get that all going, and I found a sweet deal on a complete FD
sold the CF hood and manifold off for $1000
its a Famspeed 1992 Efini Type R with the little Famspeed plaque on the firewall. it was a little rough, the dash had a chunk out of it and was a bit beat up, it needed tires and brakes, the heater core leaked, and it ran a little rough. They had it listed for 4900, I pulled the winters comming soon card and ended up getting it for $3400
The engine is strong over 100 psi on both rotors( I have a shitty gauge goes 100-120 in a tiny space so its had to be acurrate)
I swapped over my good dash and other interior panels, rerouted the heater core lines back into the engine, hooked the airpump up, and it ran friggen awesome after that.
I've just been working on swapping over all the performance parts putting the stock stuff back on the roller.
after christmas i should have the roller all back together, if I can get $3500 I'll be a happy guy.
that would mean I paid $2400 for mine with all the parts
I'm going to freshen the engine up this winter with new seals and a small street port,
I estimate my FD will triple in value this winter
heres a pic sitting beside her sister
please dont make fun of my red wheel it was a gift from Ronald Mcdonald
12-20-11, 03:27 PM
#77
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hahaha nice is that the R2. ive looked through a crapload of your threads selling off rollers and stuff you do sell alot.
I've only had the FD since the end of october, I got to drive it for 3 weeks and took it off the road for the winter
I put on new tein coilovers and tannabe sway bars so it should handle pretty good
I've only had the FD since the end of october, I got to drive it for 3 weeks and took it off the road for the winter
I put on new tein coilovers and tannabe sway bars so it should handle pretty good
12-20-11, 04:15 PM
#78
you're right about the collector basis but i honestly believe even now that most completely stock FDs are worth more than moderately modded ones.
but when dealing with such a biased group, can't tell them if they don't want to listen. i'd like to think our house will double in value again in the next 5-7 years, unfortunately there is no way in hell it's going to happen. stock for stock- yes you're completely right.. FCs are mushy and feel like an '80s sports car, with real quality coilovers and poly bushings all around the car with a few frame stiffeners and decent rubbers- completely comparable against the same on an FD.
just don't think i'm an ******* if 5 years from now the FD is still only worth $16-17k after inflation.
on a side note: got a nice really clean '88 vert sitting in front of my shop with brand spanking new paint, needs the motor rebuilt so he's trying to dump it(owner overheated and didn't pull over right away). pick it up for $800!
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; 12-20-11 at 04:24 PM.
12-20-11, 05:38 PM
#79
Just one other quick observation, and again, it's all opinion and speculation, but I attend a local car show here in Phoenix about once a month. It's huge with hundereds of cars that show up every Saturday evening.
Anyway, the interesting thing is that in the past 12 to 18 months I've noticed more and MORE older guys (i.e., 50 to 60 year old street rodder crowd) stopping by my car to look closely and ask questions. Five years ago it would have been flocked by 18 to 25 year olds.
Not sure if this is any indicator, but it IS interesting.
Anyway, the interesting thing is that in the past 12 to 18 months I've noticed more and MORE older guys (i.e., 50 to 60 year old street rodder crowd) stopping by my car to look closely and ask questions. Five years ago it would have been flocked by 18 to 25 year olds.
Not sure if this is any indicator, but it IS interesting.
12-20-11, 05:51 PM
#80
another thing two as of 2 years ago when i purchased my first FD which was RHD everything was fine processing it through for registration and insurance but now RHD cars are placed in a high risk category and has doubled in price , only way around it would be if your over 26 yrs old and be able to place the car in classic car insurance , but then youll only be able to drive it on select days.. wheres the fun in that
I agree Fritz, if you want a LHD. But, are you accounting for the influx of imported cars after 6 years? If people don't mind a RHD, we are 6 years away from being in a cheap FD import surplus. Each year after that there will be more and more eligible FDs for the picking. Wouldn't you want to pick up a genuine Spirit R when they become eligible for import?
Another interesting thing to think of is what the car culture is going to be like in 10-20 years, one of the reasons that classic cars are valuable today is that they can easily be washed/waxed/mothballed and brought out to play when needed. What happens in the future when cars are mainly electric powered? Will it even be legal to own/drive these cars on the roads when cars drive themselves? Will we be able to buy gasoline at a decent price or will everyone be converted over to E85?
There are too many questions about the future of cars/transportation to say with any certainty, but I do agree that things will definitely get more expensive for us. I just don't know if it will be car prices or operating costs.
Another interesting thing to think of is what the car culture is going to be like in 10-20 years, one of the reasons that classic cars are valuable today is that they can easily be washed/waxed/mothballed and brought out to play when needed. What happens in the future when cars are mainly electric powered? Will it even be legal to own/drive these cars on the roads when cars drive themselves? Will we be able to buy gasoline at a decent price or will everyone be converted over to E85?
There are too many questions about the future of cars/transportation to say with any certainty, but I do agree that things will definitely get more expensive for us. I just don't know if it will be car prices or operating costs.
12-20-11, 06:14 PM
#82
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well, and that about sums it up for me.
you're right about the collector basis but i honestly believe even now that most completely stock FDs are worth more than moderately modded ones.
but when dealing with such a biased group, can't tell them if they don't want to listen. i'd like to think our house will double in value again in the next 5-7 years, unfortunately there is no way in hell it's going to happen. stock for stock- yes you're completely right.. FCs are mushy and feel like an '80s sports car, with real quality coilovers and poly bushings all around the car with a few frame stiffeners and decent rubbers- completely comparable against the same on an FD.
just don't think i'm an ******* if 5 years from now the FD is still only worth $16-17k after inflation.
on a side note: got a nice really clean '88 vert sitting in front of my shop with brand spanking new paint, needs the motor rebuilt so he's trying to dump it(owner overheated and didn't pull over right away). pick it up for $800!
you're right about the collector basis but i honestly believe even now that most completely stock FDs are worth more than moderately modded ones.
but when dealing with such a biased group, can't tell them if they don't want to listen. i'd like to think our house will double in value again in the next 5-7 years, unfortunately there is no way in hell it's going to happen. stock for stock- yes you're completely right.. FCs are mushy and feel like an '80s sports car, with real quality coilovers and poly bushings all around the car with a few frame stiffeners and decent rubbers- completely comparable against the same on an FD.
just don't think i'm an ******* if 5 years from now the FD is still only worth $16-17k after inflation.
on a side note: got a nice really clean '88 vert sitting in front of my shop with brand spanking new paint, needs the motor rebuilt so he's trying to dump it(owner overheated and didn't pull over right away). pick it up for $800!
The FC is in no way shape or form the same as an FD hopefully you will have an opportunity to seriously get involved in autocross or road racing and your perspective will be awakened.
You are the one who's caught up in the FC and are seriously underestimating the FD
PS of course I've driven them, instructed students in them and been on track with them. It's a fun neutral car to drive but the grip level isn't close and once you add power it's a much harder car to dial in.
PSS I'll bump this thread in 5 years and we'll see if clean FDs with 50k miles are still selling for 15k and R2s with 8600 miles are selling for 22k
I think the prices will be 20k to 30k or even higher so I guess only time will tell. I'll have no problem admitting I was way off base if prices don't go up.
12-20-11, 06:25 PM
#83
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More and more my car is becoming a serious dedicated track car so it too will have the higher end custom parts if I choose to keep it.
12-20-11, 08:16 PM
#84
I've tracked my FD all the way from its bone stock days through to it's highly modified state today. I've also owned and raced an FC with the SCCA in the ITS class.
Now my word is far from being the final word but, gentlemen, you are comparing apples to oranges. They are SOOOO very different. The only comparable elements are that they have "Mazda" and RX7" nameplates and are rotary powered. Both were a joy to drive on the track but for very VERY different reasons. There is no comparison.
Oh and my first rotary was a turbo vert and still 20 years later I regret selling it. I simply loved every aspect of that car.
My 2 cents,
Crispy
PS shame you weren't closer about that $800 FC vert!
Now my word is far from being the final word but, gentlemen, you are comparing apples to oranges. They are SOOOO very different. The only comparable elements are that they have "Mazda" and RX7" nameplates and are rotary powered. Both were a joy to drive on the track but for very VERY different reasons. There is no comparison.
Oh and my first rotary was a turbo vert and still 20 years later I regret selling it. I simply loved every aspect of that car.
My 2 cents,
Crispy
PS shame you weren't closer about that $800 FC vert!
12-20-11, 08:22 PM
#85
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i hope you are on the money Fritz i just made a deposit on this clean baby, currently trying to sale my other car but if it doesnt sale ill just keep them both and make the other car a track car, i see fds as money in the bank
12-20-11, 08:27 PM
#86
I've been to dozens of car shows, from American muscle car shows to HIN, including these stuffy "classic" ones. Classics sports a picture of an LS6 Chevelle and every other car is European and preferably ancient in origin. It is a completely different crowd from which it's highly doubtful that a Mazda RX-7 would receive an invitation to appear.
I would have to disagree with you based on personal experience. I have received a few invitations to those types of car shows, shown at one.
Me, FD Seoul, and Charliedden have shown at the Palm Springs Conqours.
I almost showed at this show http://www.artcenter.edu/carclassic/ but I had a prior engagement that day. They were overly welcoming.
I have had a french/italian ???? guy run me and my bf down to look at the cars at a rest stop as he was on his way to purchase his modded GT40.
A few of my buddies that work at Fisker (the car not the scissors), love the FD. Most car designers love it. While most do not know that it has a rotary engine (lol) they know the car for sure.
I have caught elderly gentleman standing next to their own awesome car, gazing at mine while I stand in line for coffee in Irvine.
Problem is at those type of car shows entry fees can be in the $100+ range and there are only a few FD drivers that would pay that. That's why I said we have to fork it out, and do it.
Those are the dudes that will pay x3, and thus those are the places where the offers would come from.
I would have to also say there is more to those than being stuffy. ALot of the influence for the FD came from the cars that are at those type of shows. There is more to the world than imports and muscle cars. Personally I love 60s Italian cars, that why I go to them.
12-20-11, 08:31 PM
#87
Just one other quick observation, and again, it's all opinion and speculation, but I attend a local car show here in Phoenix about once a month. It's huge with hundereds of cars that show up every Saturday evening.
Anyway, the interesting thing is that in the past 12 to 18 months I've noticed more and MORE older guys (i.e., 50 to 60 year old street rodder crowd) stopping by my car to look closely and ask questions. Five years ago it would have been flocked by 18 to 25 year olds.
Not sure if this is any indicator, but it IS interesting.
Anyway, the interesting thing is that in the past 12 to 18 months I've noticed more and MORE older guys (i.e., 50 to 60 year old street rodder crowd) stopping by my car to look closely and ask questions. Five years ago it would have been flocked by 18 to 25 year olds.
Not sure if this is any indicator, but it IS interesting.
Exactly, for me its been all about the old dudes...and its not even with me around the car, sometimes its Mike in the car waiting for me. He has to explain everything, lol.
12-20-11, 09:26 PM
#88
There does seem to be a mini-trend of previous owners (older, better financed big-list types, that "moved on" to Lotuses, Corvettes, or Porsches a few years ago) coming back and buying the cars again. Kind of balancing the the broke dreamer types that bought a lot over the past few years. People are remembering/rediscovering how good these cars are.
We'll see.
We'll see.
12-20-11, 09:49 PM
#90
A 2 or 3 times price increase in 10 years is NOT out of the question, while the car does not have mass appeal it was not produced in masses, even in the JDM market, there is more money and interest then actual good cars. I once had a TR-4A, a total piece of crap that when 5 years old was more archaic then my 28 year old FB is today. Yet they are going for 10 times what I paid. No 99.9% of cars are not investment grade, and maybe even .08% of the others example 250 GTO really cost more to maintain and restore then the multimillion price tags, but we are not talking that … a 2 times in ten years is 7% annual increase, really not much in history. I own the FD today because I love it, I will own this one or another or two in 10 and 20 years god willing almost regardless of price.
Fuel could cost $50/gallon so what I dont drive it enough to care about annula fuel comsuption, its not a DD; besides i hope fuel is $50/gallon I am in the oil & gas business.
Fuel could cost $50/gallon so what I dont drive it enough to care about annula fuel comsuption, its not a DD; besides i hope fuel is $50/gallon I am in the oil & gas business.
12-20-11, 10:01 PM
#91
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I'm not too sure about 5 years from now, but I think if we double the life of most of the '93s (about 19 years from now) and figure that 75% of the remaining cars - what's the current registered #, maybe 8800 in the U.S.? - will be gone, we'd be looking at 2000 to 2500 cars left.
Who knows how many of those will be clean, rust-free, low milers....maybe a quarter, maybe only 10 or 5%. I could see the nicest ones easily bringing $75K+; it is, afterall, a rather timeless design/performance king of its day (multiple national auto x champion), combined with the fact that 4th gen (if we get one) - and most likely later cars (from all moderately-priced sports car manufacturers) - will not be driven by primarily gas engines. Million dollar question is rarity & demand; I think future value given what we can hypothesize about both factors looks pretty dang high (relative to orig MSRP).
Who knows how many of those will be clean, rust-free, low milers....maybe a quarter, maybe only 10 or 5%. I could see the nicest ones easily bringing $75K+; it is, afterall, a rather timeless design/performance king of its day (multiple national auto x champion), combined with the fact that 4th gen (if we get one) - and most likely later cars (from all moderately-priced sports car manufacturers) - will not be driven by primarily gas engines. Million dollar question is rarity & demand; I think future value given what we can hypothesize about both factors looks pretty dang high (relative to orig MSRP).
12-20-11, 11:29 PM
#92
Rotary Enthusiast
FDs are only going to go up in value over here. Reason being, nothing older then 2002 can be road registered unless it has already been registered on our roads prior to the new law coming into play. (soon to go up to 2004 or 2006 or something, it may have already even)
That means any FD's that is/has been/was imported after the law change cannot be road registered. Meaning only FDs that are currently road registered here(or have been previoulsy) can ever be road legal here.
That means any FD's that is/has been/was imported after the law change cannot be road registered. Meaning only FDs that are currently road registered here(or have been previoulsy) can ever be road legal here.
12-21-11, 12:34 AM
#93
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That's very interesting 96fd3s. Even if only a little that should increase supply elsewhere.
Are they really going to be legal to import into the US in 6 years? I might have to bring a few home with me in 6 years. In other news I saw a ocean container ship for sale for $400,000 so we might be able to setup a group buy and save on shipping by draining the island of every last FD.
Are they really going to be legal to import into the US in 6 years? I might have to bring a few home with me in 6 years. In other news I saw a ocean container ship for sale for $400,000 so we might be able to setup a group buy and save on shipping by draining the island of every last FD.
12-21-11, 12:41 AM
#94
Gentlemen, I have owned FD's and FC's, and my opinion is that the collectible rotary powered car will be the JC cosmo. Hand's down the most unique and rarest rotary currently available. So for me, I suggest stocking up on 20b's and 20B parts. I am.
12-21-11, 01:29 AM
#95
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i will keep my fd even though its broken down right now lol. would you say a rebuilt engine is better at 80k? since they go out early anyways, i mean is it gonna be worth more then original miles?
12-21-11, 09:06 AM
#96
Are they really going to be legal to import into the US in 6 years? I might have to bring a few home with me in 6 years. In other news I saw a ocean container ship for sale for $400,000 so we might be able to setup a group buy and save on shipping by draining the island of every last FD.
But yes in 6 years and a week (technically 5 yrs if you count the 92 FD) we will be able to import the cars legally. Once the car is 25 years old, it is eligible for import regardless of whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS. They consider the cars to be Historic at this point.
It depends on the actual build date on the car. So its not like all of a sudden you can start wholesale importing all of the FDs from Japan. You would need to verify the build date for each car (usually in the door jamb) to enter it into the proper documentation.
12-21-11, 09:10 AM
#97
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I'd buy Gold it's likely to go higher than 20b parts and it's certainly easier to sell.
The rotary is a super cool engine but I'm not going to pay 2 x more than what a highly tuned LSX block would cost for that pleasure. If I go NA in one of these cars as much as I'd like it to be a rotary it will most likely be a v8.
12-21-11, 09:22 AM
#99
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Make it 4 years and 6 months then because some FD's have 1991 build dates if you go by the door jamb. But these cars are like rodents in Japan. Nobody wants them. You can't even give them away. In fact people abandon them all the time. It seems like that might drive the price down if people in America are suddenly able to buy $3,000 FD's.
12-21-11, 09:52 AM
#100
True, but only LHD are allowed thus not JDM market cars. As per NHTSA:
RHD does not appear in the Rx-7 Column. So I guess you can import Canadian LHD cars, was there anywhere else they were sold LHD?
All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles except where the initials "RHD," signifying righthand drive, appear in the model type column