So our RX-7 has to go.

"MountainCommand" (MountainCommand)
10/25/2013 at 11:03 • Filed to: rotary

As much as half of me wants to take it over, my dad and i have agreed its just not the car we want to build/restore. Its a 1979 Mazda Rx-7. 35,824 miles. The catch is, its an automatic. I just wanted to run this by oppo to get some opinions on what price range i should be looking for, and if i should wait til spring, or just try and sell it now? Lots of pics of a clean original rx7.

shes got a young heart. 12A.

Its hard to put a price on this. On one side, i actually have seen about 8 or so examples have less than 50K miles. However they were all 5speeds and the gsl or gsl-se. But none were a 79 year model. And this has no rust where most always do.

The car runs, however, it has recently had some trouble keeping going. At the moment, were chalking it up to a carb issue, but we havent had a chance to take it completely apart.

Interior is very clean. The majority of wear is small tears or rips. As most of the vinyl and surfaces are smooth and clean, indicating very little use.

The body has some cosmetic issues, fender dent, left rear taillight bumper area crack, and dings elsewhere i cant remember at the moment.

Paint. I know paint used in 79 is gonna be a lot different than modern paint, so we have not done anything besides washing, in terms of paint restoration. Its original as paint can be.

For the past 5-6 years its been hanging out in our garage. And even before that, it was garaged. (which is where i think most of the dings came from) So it has had much less exposure to elements than many of the other 79's out there.

While some think its horrible that we need to get rid of this. My dad and I's stance are: This car has too little mileage and too original to drive for fun. It doesnt have the 5speed. Rotary. (as much as the rotary is a plus, its also a negative).

We'd rather let this go to someone who will enjoy this without the mental burdens that keep us from putting money into it.

Offers are welcome! haha.

thoughts? comments? concerns?

DISCUSSION (15)

Casper > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:06

That's a tough one. It also depends where you live. If it were a 5 speed GSL-SE I would say you could try for $5000, but I honestly can't see anyone paying over $2000 for an automatic. If they are buying for the low miles/collection value, they won't want to fix the transmission. If they are buying it to modify, they low miles are meaningless.

I'm not a good judge because I have a hard time looking past what I would pay as I buy a lot of used cars.

pdthedeuce > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:10

perfect car for a v-8 swap ... undesirable with the automatic , but automatics make for easier swaps .

Sparf > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:15

Had this been an '84-'85 5-speed GSL-SE I'd be boarding the next plane to buy it off you... If I had the money...

This being a '79 (with the pre-facelift rear which I really dislike) and a slushbox I'm not so sure though. Casper's price idea seems to be about right for the US used market (you could definitely try asking for a lot more if you were here in Europe). You could try starting at $3000 or $3500 first though and see what offers you get I guess.

MountainCommand > Casper
10/25/2013 at 11:16

yeah 5K is not unreasonable for those cars. But they are definitely the most desirable.

And i live in NJ for context.

So the best thing it has going is that is got pretty much no rust. (dont count surface rust on the small ding areas).

But yeah, its a bit of a dilemma.

MountainCommand > pdthedeuce
10/25/2013 at 11:17

interesting.. manuals make it harder?

MountainCommand > Sparf
10/25/2013 at 11:19

haha, i wish it was a gslse, but alas, its not.

I honestly dont see this car becoming a gem years later, so its just gonna get cheaper and cheaper.

OtherBarry > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:20

Start now and expect to take a bath. There was a guy near me that had a 1984 300ZX with low miles in great condition that he wanted like 8 grand for and it was on craiglist for over 2 years, still might be.

Good luck anyway.

Casper > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:21

It will come down to how much you really want to sit on it. You can always list high and work down... but it will probably take a while before you get down low enough for someone to buy it since it's a private party automatic.

MountainCommand > OtherBarry
10/25/2013 at 11:23

i guess its all about exposure, and having the right person see the car. I still see similar ads from months back of super overpriced cars like you mentioned. I wont do that, which is for sure.

Thanks.

pdthedeuce > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:26

generally speaking , yes . the location of the shifter matters more with a manual . the clutch linkage can cause issues . less linkage issues make for an easier swap . this assumes swapping in the v-8 transmission , of course .

MountainCommand > Casper
10/25/2013 at 11:29

in truth, we had it listed before about a year & 1/2 ago. we put it around 7K.... Got a decent amount of interest, but no solid offers. Right afterwards we changed our minds to keep it. But now, we did a 180 and are now certain on selling it. obviously for much less than 7.

And honestly, if the car goes to the right person, i wouldnt mind it going for much less. I hate that its an auto, which really kills any fun in owning or selling it. at least from our point of view.

Moltenburn > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:42

Minus the small carb issue, I see this being a highschoolers first car. It is stupid clean for the year, just boring option set and a older year. I would park it outside a highschool and it will end up sold for $2500. A low mileage Daily driver is worth that period regardless of the type of car. I just sold a 85.5 Escort Lx w/ automatic for $2500 46K original miles. Guy who bought it was for a delivery business.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > MountainCommand
10/25/2013 at 11:45

I think it's always easier to move sports cars in the spring, when a young man's thoughts turn to how he can get down a lady's pants - I mean, sports cars. At least, that's kind of what I think of when I try to remember back that far.

How tough is a 5sp swap on these? I would have thought the parts would be generally available. The 12A (if that's what it has) is slightly tougher, but the mileage is a nice factor.

MountainCommand > Moltenburn
10/25/2013 at 11:49

Interesting idea. I might have to do a spin off of that idea. Though their age & experience makes me uncertain...

When car meet/show season starts again next year, i plan to make ads to stick on my car when i bring it. I never got a chance to this season.

MountainCommand > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
10/25/2013 at 11:53

Ive looked into 5speed swaps. It would be about a grand for the parts. But i dont have all the tools (hoist) to make it happen easily. Also, then it wouldnt be an all original, matching numbers car. At least that was my dads argument, as he's done the muscle car scene, and is set on keeping matching numbers... I was pro swap. But honestly a swap is still a lot of work. And it usually involves a bit of custom fabrication.

Its not just the trans and mechanical parts. Gotta get a new center console and new dash cluster if you want it done correctly. Then i lose my original mileage.