One owner 10th AE
 

Good morning everyone. I am new to the site and was hoping to get some info on my 10th AE. I recently inherited the car from my Aunt who purchased it new in 88. It was parked in her garage over a decade ago with just under 30k original miles. After sitting for such a long time, I am not sure what kind of shape the motor and turbo are in as well as everything else on it. I see that the value of these is pretty low and I was wondering if there is any benefit to keeping them completely stock. I know there are a lot of paint issues with these and it doesn't look to be too bad currently, but I am sure it will start presenting issues after I get it cleaned up. The tires are flat and the door moldings are falling off, but the interior is almost pristine.

I plan on keeping it white, but I am sure it will need a paint job. What kind of depreciation would I be looking at if it wasn't the exact factory color? Are performance mods not worth it on an AE?

My first car was actually an 88 non-turbo RX-7 which I absolutely loved and she used to let me drive the AE on occasion. I remember it being pretty darn quick at the time.

Any suggestions? Should I bring it back to stock condition and just have fun with it? Or should I upgrade the turbo, suspension, exhaust, etc.?

Thanks,

-Ben

This is my opinion, being as its ALL original, and interior is pristine, keep it stock, for all that is holy keep it stock. There were only around 1500 sold in the US, and most of them are gone, or butchered

I have a feeling that the price for a pristine 10AE would fetch a decent price, and if anything, the value will keep going up as the years go oN, especially if you have all the original manuals, paperwork, and keys

Oh, and Pics or this isn't real lol

I'm planning to trailer it from her garage this weekend. I know she has all of the manuals and the gold key that it came with. I'm not sure what else she has with it.

As far as prices go, they seem to only be in the $3,500-$4,500 range in running condition (from looking online). The interiors seem to all be destroyed though. The exterior on this is not in perfect condition and it hasn't run in quite some time.

Case in point: https://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/5797352406.html

Note the condition of the leather seats...however mine is in much better shape overall and I hope that since it ran perfectly when parked, it won't take too much to get it back on the road (unless all of the seals are jacked which is a distinct possibility).

The interior is the WORST part to keep pristine on them though, exteriors can be repainted easily, the ORIGINAL interior in original shape is whats worth the most cash. If you wanted you could part it out and make bank, but then you'll have this empty hole in your soul......or at least you should :lol:

Its completely up to you what to do with the car, if it were me, i'd get it running, fix the exterior, and BARELY drive the thing (sadly) i'm sure 10AEs will probably be worth over 10k in 10 years in pristine shape, especially under 40k miles

So, I wasn't able to get it out over the weekend as I had planned. There is way more stuff piled on and around it than I had anticipated and I wasn't able to get a hold of the keys. I did manage to get a shot of the interior through the driver's side window though. It looks like the decade plus of sitting is finally starting to take it's toll. While there are no rips, tears, or anything, the leather on the bolsters is starting to dry out and crack. Looks like I will need to get them conditioned ASAP so they don't worsen.

I posted the VIN in the 10th AE Sticky as well.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d23fab077d.jpg

Holy shit keep it stock

One owner 10AE in pristine condition will fetch way more than 4500...Im guessing the right buyer would pay 10k+

That interior is a lot closer to "excellent condition" in the FC world. I'm guessing you're going off Barrett-Jackson for your scoring system, but I doubt many FC's have crossed that stage.
Usually you can't tell what condition the interior pieces are in because they have been thrown away for race car weight reductions.

It depends if you want a car to drive, a wrenching project or be the caretaker of a collector item until the next owner.
At this point, you probably have a good interior car with a straight body and good turbo drivetrain. It needs a paint job and maybe an engine.
Depreciation has already tanked the 2nd gen RX7 and 10th AE isn't a significant selling point because the model was so close to a standard white turbo car.
Paint code isn't going to be a deal breaker, it's low mileage/original status will make the car desirable.

My suggestion: Get the engine running and drive it for a while. Then decide if you're happy with the performance of the stock car or want something faster. Remember it's 185 hp in a 2700 lb car with a 30 year old suspension design. It probably isn't going to set your world on fire.

I'm interested to hear what you decide to do with it and good luck!

FWIW: I had/have a similar issue with a low mileage FC (non-10AE). I bought it with 12k and it just hit 32k miles. I drive it because the numbers just didn't make sense to sell it and make something better or do a full OEM restoration.

I've considered this too. That 10k in 10 years is only about 7500k today with just inflation. Subtract the paint, upkeep and opportunity cost of storing/not driving the car for 10 years and it hardly seems worth it.


I get your sentiment, but stock is embarrassingly slow compared to today's cars and even slower if it's parked in a showroom.

The choice is always yours. Much easier to maintain than to restore back. My vote? Keep it stock!

I thought I say a 10th AE sell on BaT for around $15k not too long ago, FYI. I'd keep it and maintain it with no mods, OP.

It's your car so it's ultimately your choice...but that being said, pleeeeeease keep it stock! Such a rare find. And if you do decide to let it go for 4500, hit me up. I'd love to have an original 10th AE when I get back to America next year :wink:

This is a beautiful car, save that leather!!