I have a 88 GTU and A 90 vert. I bought my GTU when I was 20 or so and wanted to go turbo along with other things but never got around to it. Now 10 years later I drive it 200 miles (if that) a year and im thinking about converting it 100% stock. Kids, married life, and business have put the sevens low on the priority list and I no longer feel the need to have the fastest or coolest 7 on the block lol.

It seems like a clean stock 7 is actually worth more to most people rather than a modified car where build quality is a concern. My vert is almost 100% stock minus a few things that I can put back easy if I sold it and It's getting older so I realize that it's not really a classic but it's also becoming a rare sight to see a clean original 7 driving around. I am also trying to keep it clean and preserved so maybe in 20 years it will be a classic worth far more than today's value.

So the question is, does anyone keep their seven stock for the purpose of preservation or resale value? Or am I just a weirdo?


Dave

 

Stock S5 verts can fetch quite a bit these days.

 

Yeah I looked up the blue book value on it and if I do a few mior repairs that it needs it's worth alot more than I thought, and paid.

 

i think it depends on if its tastefully modded etc.. obiously cheap parts like autometer gauges, sportmax wheels will drop value imo. Quality expensive japanese parts imo will keep it up.

 

lol, quality expensive japanese parts.

Right now it's rather simple to have a totally clean FC, we have a SA22C that I'd love to see looking like 1979. but yeah keep the FC near stock.

Personally I change a few things, like I'm looking at a few body parts TII sideskirts maybe a new bumper n such but no body kits. My interior is all stock besides the audio player.

Cars that are modified like crap, look like crap.

 

How about doing light mods like intake exhaust, wheels, etc etc.

You know, VERY close to stock, but still adds more fun to it?

 

If it is in excellent shape leave it stock. If you do... Only use quality parts, I know its tempting, but I would like to see more 7's left alone.

 

I had a clean 88 GTU but nobody wants one. There is ZERO demand for a n/a s4 FC hardtop. Even if you have a super clean 50k car it's worth what, 3 grand or something to most people. Do whatever you want to the car, but do it for yourself, not in hopes that it will make the car worth more.

 

Me too

 

this one is reasonable for the price. And i say tastefully modded with good quality parts
http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/240198...bo-norcal.html

yet im sure you guys would have a heart attack as none of you believe your car is worth that much.

another tastefully modded car with quality parts
96 impreza for 11k
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1704254

you can ask for however much you want for a tastefully done car within reason

 

I don't think these cars will have a lot of collector value in the near future, if ever. The resale value of any used car is in the dumps right now due to the low interest rates, the desperation of dealerships to sell new cars, local emissions and safety testing, the growing number of communities which ban working on your car in your driveway, and the added value of a warranty. The high cost of some replacement parts doesn't help, either.

Keep in mind that $26,530 back in 1990 is the equivalent of nearly $43,000 today, so even if you sell the car for $10,000 it has still taken a huge hit in value. Add to that the registration, insurance, and other annual operating and maintenance costs, and you have a real loser of an "investment".

Given that, yes, a stock car tends to hold its value better than a stripped-out ricemobile. Also, these cars are excellent in their stock form, and the convertible model is one of the best convertible sports cars ever designed.

 

you're not weird. It's a worthwhile pursuit! knowing that your car is, stock, and pristine.


Unfortunately resale value isn't going to be a worthwhile endeavor unless you find/have a car with an amazing pedigree (owned/driven by James Garner), super low miles, all stock... you know the drill, "Time Capsules" tend to sell better.

my S5 'vert
super clean, "odd idle" (cold start cam stuck sometimes, 30 minute fix)
a little paint fade, perforated leather on the driver's seat had two rips, and 64k on the clock with a record book as thick as a phone book.
cost me one thousand dollars here in Florida.

 

You guys bring up some good points about the resale value. I like the look of the S5 vert and I think it's a great car just the way it is looks, etc. It's not a speed machine but it leaves it's own mark in the RX-7 family I think.

My main goal is to just have an original in good shape down the road. My GTU is the car I can play with a bit. I actually bought the car from a forum member in Oregon and the first thing I noticed was the oxidized paint and old wax on the top and mouldings. I spent a week carefully bringing it back from the dead, about 90% paint correction and plan to finish it off this spring. It was kind of a diamond in the ruff for me.