spaceman_spiff

there's a 94 touring black rx-7 for sale in my city, it has 130K on the chassis and about 20K on a rebuilt motor by a shop in Texas called "Rotary Performance". Have you guys ever heard of this shop before? Anyways, the exterior is in good condition, definitely not excellent as there are a few dings here and there. The inside tint is also peeling. The interior of the car looks as it should for a car this old, but it could use some restoration. The car seemed to drive fine when I took it for a test drive. The guy was originally asking for $14K, but I factored in the kbb value of a used car at those two different mileages and got him to bring it down to about $12.5K. Does it still seem worth the money?

4CN A1R

iTrader: (6)

if its stock i would say its a bad deal. i bought my fd with 52k miles on motor and chassis for 16k, lol. and kbb is out dated, dont ever use it again. its no good

spaceman_spiff

even for 12.5K? hmm, what value do you think it should be at then? i'm trying to take into consideration that it's a 94 and has a rebuilt motor in it.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

You can take a look at their pedigree here: http://www.rx7.com/racing.html

spaceman_spiff

I don't know how outdated the kbb is, but if you have a 94, your car is valued at $15,875 in 'Excellent' condition. $14,970 if it is 'Good'. Looks like you paid about the market rate, if not a little more.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

KBB is just a reference. If someone thinks their car is worth more than what KBB says, then that's what they think. Telling them that it's not and KBB says so won't help your cause. Many FD's sell for a lot more than what's suggest by KBB.

4CN A1R

iTrader: (6)

you will come to find out that fd's are not characterized by market rate, there always more. "NADA" is the pretty much the updated version of kbb. its used by banks and car dealerships. plus these sites will never be accurate because they dont take into consideration mods, rebuilds, or body work. common sense...?

spaceman_spiff

Understood. So it would seem that kbb values are actually less than what the car could sell for. I thought I had negotiated the price pretty well to have it at $12.5 with a relatively new motor in it? Perhaps I'm not giving the chassis mileage enough consideration. What price do you guys think would be fair to ask then? I'm obviously still new to haggling. Keep in mind it's a 94 touring.

4CN A1R

iTrader: (6)

there alot of things that go bad over time. you could simply ask the guy if the bushings, shocks/struts were replaced. compression of the engine(forgot to mention THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT). or go with him somewhere to get it tested. check for surface/chassis rust.

i really dont want to steer you away from getting your fd. but with talking to other owners with high milage chassis and rebuilds..they seem to have alot more problems. if you have your heart set on an fd, wait it out. it doesnt hurt to watch the market a little bit. i did and i am very satisfied with my rx7. great compression, low miles, bone stock when i got it (with the exception of a downpipe).

i paid a very fair price in my opinion. just dont be another guy who rushes into buying an rx7 and then posting like mad cause he has repeated problem after problem

Brent Dalton

iTrader: (31)

I got into RX-7's because I can always find a good deal on one. Especially since it has a rotary engine and not every repair shop on the corner knows how to work on them. Thus, often times, dragging the "market value" down. It allowed me to be able to afford a much nicer calibur of a sports car than I should have been able to in the late 90's. Frickin Fast and the Furious ruined my "good deals" for a few years though.

Don't let the chasis miles scare you too much. I have owned several of FD's and there are many factors that play into the condition of the car and, obviously, the more miles... the more wear. On the same note, 130K ish I would say has been driven regualry over the years so I would say they haven't faced any major problems. Where as a lower mileage care makes me question why the low miles. Some have owners that only drive them on the weekends... others because they blow the engine and they sit for 5 years before they finally let go and sell it. I have had some turds in both categories, but I have had some good higher mileage cars as well. I have one right now in the shop getting a paint job that has 139,000 that runs nice and tight.

spaceman_spiff

how much did you pay for the one with 139,000 miles on it? and how many miles are on the new engine? i'm trying to see if i should try to get him to budge more below 12.5K, but i don't want to come off as a low balling cheap skate.

Brent Dalton

iTrader: (31)

the one with 139,000 miles is a customers car and I believe he paid $11,500 for it. The engine was rebuilt by Rotary Performance... which is a very reputable shop... about 25k ago. There is no shame in lowballing. What is the worst they are going to say, no? There are plenty of FD's still left out there.

spaceman_spiff

the one i'm looking at was also rebuilt by a shop called "rotary performance" in texas...currently 20K miles on the rebuild. it sounds very similar to your customer's car, although about $1,000 cheaper (and 9K more miles on the chassis). i think i'll try and see if i can get the price to go lower than 12.5 then.

FDWarrior

iTrader: (6)

I would say a stock rx7 is worth more because you know it is original and was never screwed with. If you get a modified fd from a reliable source and you know what the engine has ben through I would say its worth more. A mystery car that has ben modified is a financial disaster waiting to happen.

Brent Dalton

iTrader: (31)

Yes, same shop. Rotary Performance in Garland, TX aka rx7.com I don't know where you are located, but you also might check out www.speedforsale.com They are a always have a bunch of FD's for very reasonable prices. One of the most reputable FD sellers around.