Hi everybody. Long-time lurker, first-time account creator, but, I've been on the RX-8 forum for a long while now.

I'm trying to buy an 84 GSL (solid body, bad motor) from somebody.
I have an 84 GSL with a good motor, but a bad body.
Seems like a great combination.
He also has an 81 with a rough body, but runs. He only wants to sell them as a pair, and is telling me to "make an offer."
Anybody have any thoughts on what these things are worth?
I have no interest in the 81 (I already have 6 cars in my Suburban corner-lot house, and bylaw enforcement have already dropped by once, so I don't want to add any more cars)
I'm only interested in the 84 (for reasons below for those who care.)
Talking with the guy, he doesn't really seem to know much about these cars (he seemed shocked that nobody in rural Cape Breton could fix his rotary) and I kind of want to rescue these cars from him before he lets them rot away. But, I also am a little thin on cash right now, so I want to offer as little as he'll take.
Originally he was refusing to take cash, and was only interested in trading the two cars for "another sweet ride" of some type. It took a few of us to convince him that cash is a better currency than RX-7s, and he could then use the cash to put towards another "sweet ride."

Some pics provided by the seller are on this website he created.
The Red car is the 81 and the white car is the 84.

http://pic1.piczo.com/rock666star/?g=18808751&cr=1

Sorry for all the rambling, but would appreciate any input on values. (Or anybody who would want to go splits and buy the 81).


(The backstory for those who care
(The short as I can make it story is) Girlfriend adopted a neglected 84 GSL a few years ago. Good engine (149,000km, seems to run fine, has a Weber carb and some other goodies on it) but the body is rotten. There is literally no floor left on the drivers side.

She LOVES this car and has been wanting to get it back on the road forever. She's done a lot for me lately, just finished school etc. so I wanted to look into getting the metal fabrication etc. done for her to fix the body.
But, this 84 GSL that needs an engine seems like a good combination. I have the engine from the existing car, and I we get her into a solid car.
She actually is playing with the idea of turning it into a track car and going IT racing with me next year. Which means I'd REALLY like to get her into a solid car.

 

Values for 1st gens seem to be all over the board lately. That '84 does look like it is pretty clean, and the interior is well kept aswell. Personally, for a clean body I would pay $1000-$1200 max. If the motor is indeed blown I would say thats all the car is worth. Also, the '81 is a little rough, and it has the undesirable auto tranny, even though its running well, its not going to go for much $$$ aswell.

Selling those two as a package isnt a great deal, the '81 is an auto, so drivetrain wise you could really only use the motor. So he would be better off selling them seperately. I'd offer him $1000 for the '84 and go up to $1200 max, if he doesnt bite, then move on.

 

For a comparrison, I payed $750.00 for an 82 GSL good motor bad underside and the guy I bought it from delivered it and bought my 91 tercel on the spot for $500.00..

from the pictures the 84 looks farily decent and as you already have a good motor for it $1000.00 seems like a good number to pay for it. as for the 81 should be in the $500.00 - 800.00 range provided it actually is running good.
But just my opinion.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the input guys!
Exactly what I was looking for.
I haven't priced a 1st Gen in a long time, so I'm pretty ignorant to what they are worth.
Hopefully I can work out a deal with this guy that won't be too ridiculous. I really would like to get this car back on the road for her, but I'm not going to overpay too much to do it.

 

I'd think $1500 for the pair is probably a reasonable price.