Its interesting to read this thread, I do see nice original or restored to stock RX7s coming up in value pretty soon, but there were so many built that I don't think they have the "aura" like some of the muscle cars do. Obviously the rare cars like the 12A turbo will be expensive, but probably not the other models unless it is super low miles and in great shape.

 

I really hope that the RX7 becomes a classic - its so unique given its engine, and it should really be celebrated

 

Other than in a museum, are there any 90+% original, pristine cars out there?

As Freeskier said, there were a lot of them built. By my estimate, 4 times more than 911's built in the same time period. 911's of the above description are pretty plentiful. When I was looking for my RX7, a fair number were described as such, but upon inspection, they were not even in the zip code.

Another thing I believe (not) driving demand is the RX7 was overshadowed by a lot of other cars. Was there an iconic poster of a RX7 hanging in teenage boys rooms in the 1980's? Something the now 45 (+/-) year olds remember and want from their youth?

Just my thoughts. YMMV

 

There are absolutely numerous 100% original low mile cars floating around. I keep seeing them. Mine was completely original with 20k on it 2 years ago. The only flaws were some minor scuffs in the paint (easily hidden by a good wax job), slightly faded interior parts, and a rip in the driver's seat piping. The major turn off is the poorly applied rust proofing (done by the dealer back in '85) which makes the engine bay look filthy. I drove it like that for about a year, then started adding parts to it. The suspension was the first to get upgraded, then the exhaust. I haven't touched the motor yet, mostly because I like having cruise control, but that'll come soon enough. I've got absolutely nothing against the resto-mod crowd. The mods won't add value, but they'll improve the driving experience. I've saved all the old parts...but I will likely never put them back on. Jump forward 2 years and dealers on Craigslist and eBay seem to think what I bought is worth double what I paid. I wouldn't pay that price for this car though. It's a fun car...within a certain price point. As VeryRed stated, it was never a poster car, it hasn't been immortalized by a movie, TV show or cartoon, and it was a parts-bin car that they sold a ton of. If I crash my car tomorrow, I can bring up Craigslist and find another. Until that changes, the values will stay reasonable.

 

For iPhone and iPad users, grab the BRZO app. It is an incredible Craigslist automotive search tool.

 

Hagerty's' Classic Car Insurance valuations for 1979-1985 first generation Mazda RX-7's
#1 Concours Condition: $17,300 for 1979, $16,300 for 1985
#2 Excellent Condition: $10,300 for 1979, $9,400 for 1985
#3 Good Conditon: $4,400 for a 1979, $4000 for a 1985
#4 Fair Condition: $2,500 for a 1979, $2,200 for a 1985
The prices are consistently in the same ballpark for the 1980-1984 years as well. The 1979 RX-7 valued was the GS model whereas the 1985 model was the base model for valuation purposes so depending on trim level I imagine these prices would vary somewhat. However, in the final analysis what a particular car is worth is what someone is willing to pay for it, not what some third party says it's worth. After spending the past ten years trying to avoid texting drivers and soccer moms with urban assault vehicles I decided that driving my 32 year old RX-7 with just liability wasn't going to cut it anymore. I was able to get my 1985 GSL-SE insured for $15,000 which make it less stressful driving when I do take it out.

 

Seniorchief, I don't doubt your numbers in the least. But I looked for 6 months before buying what I would consider a "Good" level car. I was more than prepared spend up to $10k but couldn't find anything that resembled a $10k car. Where are such cars? I watched BAT, Craigslist and Classic Autotrader.

 

But the 240z got there a decade earlier with a purpose built sports car that made big power for the time period and handled like a dream. The Cosmo 110 (as prices show) got their first too. The 1st gen RX7 is a GLC with shitty steering, a sleeker body and whacky low powered motor. It sure did win a lot of races, and cars that have documented wins will certainly be worth coin (that Spa 24hr winner for example), but you'll have trouble getting people excited about 100hp base model 15 years from now. You'd have the same luck holding on to a Mustang II.

 

If it was popular enough, it'll be a classic. A million Mustangs were built in the first couple of years and people said with that many around it will never be worth anything as a classic car.

 

An early 240z (early 70s) ranges in value for a good to a mint condition from 35K to 60K. Thats from Hagertys value guide. The last 280z (around 1980) goes for around 10K. We are seeing SAs now going for 5 - 10K, so not far off the mark for their contemporary 280z brothers.

 

Well it helps to be old VeryRed997. I was stationed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station in California 1994 and was having breakfast in Ventura one morning and had just pick-up the current Autotrader and there on the cover was the car of my dreams. A sparkling black metallic 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE with red leather interior and only 53,000 on the odometer. I got a loan that day and bought it from the original owner $4500 and never looked back. It was my daily driver for the next 14 years while stationed in CA and FL until I retired in 2006 and moved the Indianapolis and realized I would need to get another daily driver as my RX-7 wasn't going to be driven in the winter. I picked-up a cherry low mileage 2000 Acura RL premium white, leather interior and two accessories my RX-7 doesn't have, a cupholder and heated seats. My RX-7 is now my blue sky/dry roads car now and it still maintains it's "rust-free" California look. It sucks putting it up for the winter but Spring will be here soon enough and I will hit the roads with it again. I will eventually "age-out" of this car due to health or driving ability and will have to let it go and I venture to say that other RX-7 owners (maybe some on this site) will too and RX-7's in really great shape will become available again. Keep the faith!

 

Great story Chief! Right place at the right time is always the way to go.

But 1994 was 23-24 years ago and I bet there were a lot more unmolested cars then. So, for the moment, let's forget finding/buying one. Let me rephrase my question. How would the forum define an excellent to concours level car? In other words, if you were heading out, cash in hand, to buy an excellent to concours car, what would it have to look like?

For example, is original paint required? Is the original numbers matching engine required?

 

In my opinion, there is a BIG difference between excellent and concourse. In my view, concourse would be showroom condition without any restoration that look/are new.

You see a few of these ultra low mile every once in a while. Be prepared to pay $10,000- $20,000.

Excellent has a wider range. In my view again, excellent can be great paint, respray is ok but I prefer cars that haven't been resprayed. mid mile 50-100k+, weekend driver that has no major issues. Engine bay, interior, etc should all be sorted. I prefer original but things like new seat covers, carpet, etc are ok. Rehab of engine parts is ok. Things like powder coated, painted parts is ok. I could be biased for the definition of Excellent. Here is my engine bay. I consider it Excellent even though it has most of the stock parts, they have been rehabbed to my task. I say be prepared to spend $5,000-10,000.

 

I hope it becomes a classic, as I hate seeing a bunch of companies going, and hopefully finding 12a rotor housings become more available.

 

This looks like a really clean GSL-SE. Maybe it is known to the board?

What do you think it will go for?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...rx-7-gsl-se-5/

 

$6500-7200 is my guess.

 

as good a resource as any has this posted today:
$7000 bid

 

Sold today for $10,550. Pretty strong money. This is excellent.

 

Lots of attention and ended with a bidding war. I'm really not sure BaT is the best indicator for the market. Sometimes people pay no attention, other times they go bonkers. That car was not in great shape...but alas, makes me feel good I picked mine up 2 years ago and I have a number of years of driving it before I'll hit that mileage.

 

I agree. there's one on ebay now for 17995, but that'a not moving.

 

1. The RX-7 basically enjoyed the same enthusiastic welcome to the market that the 240Z received. There was a 3 to 6 month waiting list.
2. Good ones are getting hard to find. Even though Mazda sold boatloads of them, they were cheap and people trashed them unfortunately.
3. It was one of the last truly analog sports cars. I mean, carbs in 1985?! Solid rear axle?! Recirculating Ball steering?! The FB was a throwback even new!
4. The rotary engine. The engine is truly unique, and quite possibly extinct (hope not).
5. Mazda is on the comeback trail. When new cars do well, normally people start looking at the older models. Look what happened to the 911, or even the NA Miata after the ND came out. I believe if the Renesis was more reliable, older rotary cars would already be racing up in value.

 

 

I just bought a 100k mile 85 GSL-SE for $500.

Car is in pretty good shape, spent it's whole life in WA and OR. Engine didn't run, but compression is good, it was literally 90 degrees out of time (pulley on wrong way).

So all in all the deals are still out there.

 

I may have said this above, but these cars are just too common and were marketed toward the average consumer. They will retain value and probably increase with the market/inflation, but a switch isn't going to turn and all of a sudden make them worth big money. Drive it, enjoy it, and care for it. If you're looking for an investment, look elsewhere. Cars that sky rocket in value were never cheap to begin with.