mikecarmaniac

Hey Everyone,

I’m looking for some feedback and guidance on something that I am considering on doing. I have a 94 Rx7 that sustained a substantial amount of fire damage to the front end. This caused it to have a Salvage title. In my state if I was to replace the parts with OEM or aftermarket parts and the pass the state inspection I can get a Rebuilt title.

I was considering doing a conversion to a RHD since the process would be similar, not the same but similar, as it would be for me to get this car up and running again. However, this could kill the idea of the title being a Rebuilt title as I don’t think it will pass inspection in GA being a right hand drive, although it may.

I would like some feedback on what route I should take. Put the car back in running orders as a Left Hand Drive and get a rebuilt title or leave it as Salvage title and have a Right Hand Drive?

Of course sale ability need to be considered as well if I was to try to sell the car several years down the road. I know everyone on here checks for title status and history when considering to buy and RX7, however, as they become more and more rate that may come out of play.

Please let me know your thoughts guys!

Thanks for time and interest!

Ceylon

iTrader: (3)

Why would you want an RHD? Cheaper/more available parts or something?

Personally I'd keep it LHD as driving a RHD car on LHD roads isn't ideal.

mikecarmaniac

RHD for the unique factor... have you ever had someone walk up to appreciate a car for how nice and rare it is and then see its a RHD? Expression is priceless.

Ceylon

iTrader: (3)

No, but then again, all cars here are RHD

I've driven my car in Europe though, and its not ideal being sat on the wrong side of the car for the road.

I'd keep it LHD, plenty of other ways to be unique, imo

mikecarmaniac

Slightly different in the US... all, but a few, are LHD. I drive my RHD FD on our roads and just have to be more cautious when changing lanes and keep a larger distance. But I am use to it. Then again its not a daily driver, just a weekend cruiser for me.
Thanks for your input.

mikecarmaniac

Any other thoughts?

Dliverance

iTrader: (9)

I'd go RHD for parts availability. They were made for over a decade in RHD so parts must be plentiful. As for resale, I'm sure someone will pay a decent amount for a RHD FD. I had a friend pay over 4k for a bare shell and a bundle of parts on the side.

TwinCharged RX7

iTrader: (14)

? most parts are interchangable, swapping to RHD just for parts availability makes no sense at all

Dliverance

iTrader: (9)

Door panels, dashboards, center consoles and window switches suffer wear and tear. In 10 years I plan on still having my fd. It would be nice to buy a 20 year old part then than a 30 year old part. Just my opinion.

mikecarmaniac

Interior parts are hard to find. I actually had to order a RHD window switch from UK for my car. But it was cheaper then the LHD one here.

I'm still wondering about the "fear factor" in salvage or rebuilt cars. Any thoughts?

protunedperformance

iTrader: (8)

Either way your car was in an accident and an experienced car enthusiast might not want it. I say do what you want with it and make it your car. If you want it to be pink with lambo doors and **** carpeting then make it happen. haha, but seriously I think a rhd properly done would have good resale value, very rare! Im currently in the middle of a rhd swap myself.

TwinCharged RX7

iTrader: (14)

are there any examples of a previously LHD car turned into a RHD car resulting in an increase in resale value?

korea_senpai

iTrader: (25)

Maybe if it was a civic, those civic guys go nuts over RHD cars. I own a imported FD and its such a hassle at drive thrus and toll boothes but it does have some wow factor I guess. I was in the right place at the right time and bought mine just cause. In the end its going to be easier to source parts to keep it LHD.

jojodotcom

iTrader: (6)

In Canada, RHD FD's are consistently ~$5k less than LHD FD's. Something to think about...

protunedperformance

iTrader: (8)

Did you decide what to do?

s2kguy17

iTrader: (5)

I actually turned my LHD crashed car to RHD, only because i couldnt find LHD front end just full shells which would cost more for me to do if I bought it in parts. I live in FL and people are going nuts for me to finish my car, and I already have gotten multiple offers.

stevensimon

iTrader: (11)

my car went through a similar life. somewhere in the early 2000s someone crashed it and swapped everything to rhd. its cool now but i didnt have to do all the work. parts are the same besides a few odd bits. the hks dp now has a purpose. friends drool over it. its not hard to drive and somewhat increases the value of the car. if you have the means then go for it. makes an already rare and unique car even more rare and unique and anything is better than sending it to the scrapper.

TwinCharged RX7

iTrader: (14)

It does not increase the value of the car. It shrinks the list of potential buyers. Sure, some one might pay more than market value, but the market is all over the place for these cars. It really depends on what buyer stumbles across the car, and fewer potential buyers means less chance at getting above market value.

mikecarmaniac

Thanks for all the input... I'm still deciding what to do and the project will have to wait a month or so. I'm leaning toward the RHD conversion if I can get my friend to look over the car some time soon.

I think the values are all over the place on these cars and having a RHD would seem to appeal to folks that are not even into Mazda's.

Will keep you guys posted of the progress.

Thanks again.