marlaman

Hey 1st gen section of the forum! (i've never been in here before but post in the 2nd gen section often)

Hey i know a guy who works with my dad and his wife has a 1st gen that they want to get rid-of. the car has everything original on it and has only 53k miles on her. Charlie (the dude) mentioned to me briefly one day that they want to sell it.

assuming he wants what the car is worth, what would be a good price to offer him? since i am a ***** and must have everything that god tempts me with i am considering purchasing it. so just a rough estimate would be awesome. and the car has no rust and was stored every winter and only driven in the summertimes. Oh yes it's also an 83.

thanks much!
Matt

jays83gsl

Welcome to the 1st gen section!

There were multiple 'flavors' of the first gen. S, GS, GSL, and GSL-SE, but yours isn't an SE because those were only 84-85.

If you can't find out what kind it is from the owner, tell us what kind of options it has.
I think a good checklist would be:
Power windows/mirrors
Sunroof
Lighted Keyhole (?)

That'll be a good start.
I ask this because each model cost different amounts

marlaman

I know it has a sunroof and i {THINK} it has manual windows. not for sure on that though, i've seen a picture of it so that's how i know it has a sunroof. if you need more info let me know i'll find out on monday.

M

jays83gsl

Yeah, we probably cant give you a price without knowing if it has all that. Cruise control is another option to look for. Also, if it has rear disc brakes, it's a GSL. I think LSD was GSL only too, but I very well could be wrong.

In that condition, with such low miles, it is worth a lot (as far as first gens go).
There are some things to look for before getting a price, though.

Make sure all things work, first of all. Heater, A/C, all that.
Check under the carpeting, especially in the back area, and where the spare tire is.
Check for rust in the storage bins.

marlaman

ok charlie (dude who owns the car) told my dad that it's a GSL. and my dad saw it today and he told me it's pretty much as near mint as an 83 can be considering everything is original.

Matt


ps, i like the 1st gen section of the forum, you guys are genrally a little cooler headed than the 2nd gen forum section. i shoudl buy this just so i can be around you guys more! lol

jays83gsl

We'll be glad to take in another, although I shouldn't speak for the rest of this forum, since I'm a newb

GSL are great if you like having stuff like Power Windows, Cruise control, stuff like that.
Actually, my car's an 83 GSL. Some of them even have lighted keyholes.
Go for it, you'll never regret it.

As for an asking price, in as good condition as he says, with it being a GSL, AND low miles to boot, I'd say asking price is anywhere from $900-$1200. QUITE reasonable for a sports car. It also depends on the availability of 1st gens in your area. If there's quite a few, then the price may even be lower. Where I live, there's around seven in the whole town, so I ended up paying $700 for a non-running project car. I love it though.

I would advise you go check it out yourself. I'm inclined to beleive that it's mechanicly fine, but check stuff out anyway.

The big worry with the first gens seems to be rust. It hides itself too.
As I said before, check under any carpeting you can get under, engine area, exhaust, spare tire area, and, if possible, in the storage bins (I think you have to remove them to find the hidden rust.

If I were you, I'd ask to hose it down, just to get a good look at how the seals are holding up. Fire it up, make sure it idles between 600 and 800, as that seems a good idle range, from what I've gathered.

A bit off topic, but you mentioned it. This section seems to be a bit cooler headed because it appears that more mature (read: older, no offense ) people drive the first gens. I, of course, am not included, as well as a few others here, but, it's a majority.

Here's a link to my poor ol' GSL to make yours look a helluva better
http://www.cardomain.com/id/teepojay

Peace

Mills

iTrader: (1)

I, too, have a first gen and a 2nd gen 'vert. I'm also from MN

First gens are very rare here, esp. in mint condition. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants at least $3500 for it. The GSL was the top of the line model until the GSL-SE came out.

Check it out and take pics, there's lots of people in this section that will help you out!

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Be careful about one thing - the low milage. Ask if the car has ever been left to sit for a long time. My project car is totally rust-free with a beautiful interior, but it was left to sit in one place for five years and it's taken me almost three to get it back to road-worthyness!

1st gens are awesome project cars. No computers to worry about (Unless you have a GSL-SE, that was fuel injected.. yuck!), and everything can be done with a simple 100pc toolkit. I know.. I've done it!

The thing with us in the 1st gen section is that we tend to be cheap-asses when it comes to actually buying the cars . More often than not you'll hear someone say "I dunno.. it looks pretty bad... I'll give ya $50 for it".

I don't know what you should offer for it, but I can say that if you need any help, advice or info, we'll be glad to help.


One tip I can give you is check for Rust. The first place (or the worst place) that rusts on 1st gens is under the storage bins. Pull the bins and look for rust becuase you can't actually see it any other way unless it's REALLY bad.

Jon

Tom

If I recall- an 83 GSL should have limited slip and 4 wheel disc brakes, too! (or at least as options). I know my 85 GSL has LSD, 4 wheel discs and all the other bells and whistles too).

In any event, a near mint 1st gen with that low of miles is a sweet, sweet find! Personally- I think the price tag/worth is much, much higher than previously stated (if the interior is A+ and there are no major dings or rust).

Rotortuner

I say $1700-$2000. Its all stock but not low enough milage to really be a collector, those are usualy 20k or less miles. Truth is, there are like 495000 of these out there and they are really pretty easy to find, in my area i see 200-700 runners all the time that arent in too bad of shape.

CJG

1stgen_tn

I'd start a price at $1,000 and see what he says. If he doesn't take it for that, you can always go up from there. Get it as cheap as you can b/c you'll want extra money later for mods. Trust me, most 1st gen owners become obcessed with making there sevens faster. Mainly b/c there is a overwelming number of options you can go with to suit your taste for your streetcar. By far, it's the funnest car I've ever driven and yes, I've driven a FC seven.

faye x7

Business is business, you could scam the guy can try and get it cheap. Honestly I'd say the car is worth at least 2-3k depending on the condition. But whatever, just my opinion. Of course, if he OFFERS it to you for 1k...then take it. heh Then it's apparent he's not trying to sell it for the money.

1stgen_tn

Maybe I don't value the 1st gen Rx-7's that much (have no idea of NADA value, I reccomend checking that out though) but, I just wouldn't give more than $1,000 for a non-SE or LE seven. That is assuming the car has NO aftermarket upgrades. If it had a turbo, recent porting, aero kit, etc. then I would expect to pay more of course.

I'm just going off of the East Tennessee market value for 1st gens. Around here, there are quite a few still running around and most can be had for less than $1k. I know of 2 right now that are for sale if anyone is interested... I can take pictures if you want too.

One is a 84-85 GSL 5 speed in really nice condition (silver, could use new paint but that's it for $1,500 at a used car lot here. It's sat on his lot over a year now.)

Another one is parked at a Big Lots for $1,200. It is a 84-85 GS 5 speed. It's missing the front lower valance and has a new paint job (cream) Not the best paint job I've seen though.

Anyway, I wouldn't give that much for either of these cars but I probably would for the one described at the beginning of this thread.

purple82

I doesn't sound like it's in the rough at all from your description. If the paint is in good shape (check for storage bin rust, especially in MN) and it checks out good mechanically, I'd say it's a bargain at $2000. This will probably make some of you roll your eyes, but an '83 with 53k miles is a rare find. I personally would probably spend up to $3000 for it.

Tom

I spent a fair amount for my 85GSL with 70K on the odo. The car was babied and 1 family owned. Interior almost 90-95% condition, body straight, excellent paint and was maintained fanatically. I really waited for a damn good 1st gen, and was willing to pay a bit more. But I also look at it this way- No bodywork and paint needed, no immediate attention to mechanicals. Add up body work, paint, a new water pump, radiator... stuff like that and you can easily sink over $1,500 into a car just like *snap* that.

It all depends on what you want/need as far as what price you are willing to pay.

calvinpaul

iTrader: (2)

I paid 2500 for my 85 GS with 165000 mi on it. Perfect condition though, single female owner who liked to baby it, almost all original. It runs like a beast but, it is also my baby. I will never regret getting my rex. Go for it.

Kentetsu

A no-rust garage queen is always going to be worth more in a "rust area". Don't be afraid to drop some $ on it if you have to. It sure beats paying less for something that's rusted. Good luck!

marlaman

I don't like that not my style. that shows what the world is really coming to. but yeah i'm planning on asking him tomorrow (today)
what he wants for it. i'll see what he says and get back to youse guys.

Matt

jays83gsl

I think the point is, if all you said is true about it, then almost any price would be WORTH paying. Definately.

1stgen_tn

I consider myself lucky then (didn't until now). I have $300 invested in my 83 GSL. You can see it here http://www.cardomain.com/id/1stgen_tn , all it needs is paint ($200) and a new set of tires (another $200) and I would consider it pretty darn nice. So, at $700 investment, I guess I'm just a lucky guy. It would be good to know that it's worth more than that to someone else...

One draw back I guess, mileage is at 177k on my car and 130k on motor. So yeah, I guess 53k on ANY '83 model car is pretty dang rare and it would be hard to put a price on.

I'm interested in finding out what the guy asks for it. I'll shut up now.

purple82

A $200 paint job will look nice for maybe one year.

jays83gsl

It's better to save up for a paint job that'll last 6 or more years, but only costs you 1000, then to spend 200 every year (making about 1200 total )

1stgen_tn

$200 Is The Cost Of Paint & Materials Only.

I Do All The Work Myself..... My Seven Will Never See A Shop In It's Life. I Don't Like Other Men With There Hands On Her

marlaman

Well i talked to charlie on the phone today and he said he needs to talk to his wife since it's techinically her car. odds are i'm not going to bite on it. i need to start saving for college next fall and i'd really like to go to wyotech and i still have a project or 4 going at the moment. so when he lets me know tomorrow on the price i'll post it up here so if anybody in the area is interested you can perhaps give him a call.

also not to be a post ***** or anything i'm doing a 5 speed conversion on my 90 vert and if any of you guys would like to see a few random pics hit up my other thread in the 2nd gen forum, and i'll even give you a link so you don't have to look around for it if you'd car to take a look, and/or make suggestions, comments or whatever! https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/%2Apics-%2A-progress-my-5-speed-conversion-%2Apics-%2A-339650/

Peace,
Matt