Value of a GTU with very low miles?
#1
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Value of a GTU with very low miles?
Need some quick advice. I have a friend with an 88 GTU with 15,000 original miles on it. The car literally looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. super super mint, he's the original owner, (old guy), doesn't have time to drive it, and wants to sell.
The paint is mint, the interior is mint, the car has been garage kept, runs 100% amazing, it's super quiet, etc. I'm literally afraid to touch it.
My question is, how much is something like this worth? I figure it's a collectors item, are there people willing to pay big bucks for an NA FC?
thanks
The paint is mint, the interior is mint, the car has been garage kept, runs 100% amazing, it's super quiet, etc. I'm literally afraid to touch it.
My question is, how much is something like this worth? I figure it's a collectors item, are there people willing to pay big bucks for an NA FC?
thanks
#2
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Impossible to tell.... What's it worth to you? If it is cheap enough then buy it.. If you are buying to resell you better get it well under $3000 to make it worth your time... An 88 gtu is not a desireable model.. But that one is desireable because of the miles... I dont feel that car is an investment..
#3
FC guy
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its not a super valuable collector item, but hopefully it stays in the condition its in and continues to lead a easy life and not end up drifted into a light pole
I would say it can fetch $4500-$5500, maybe a little more by capturing the attention of that one guy who is willing to pay more for it
I would say it can fetch $4500-$5500, maybe a little more by capturing the attention of that one guy who is willing to pay more for it
#5
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Just to add, a friend of mine just purchased an '89 Black on black GXL, automatic transmission, with 63,000 miles on it for $2,200. Saw it in person and the overall condition from every nook and crany I looked suggested the low mileage was legit.
#7
I had an 88 GTU. They ARE awesome. Mine had the T2 seats with T2 style door panels and cloth interior (yet with crank windows). It had a sunroof but a base model audio system. It had power steering, 4 piston brakes, LSD, and hard suspension. It was such a fun car and I miss it. Too bad it's dead now. I sold it to a friend and he got nailed in an intersection.
Still, I agree that it wouldn't realistically get more than $5k. It's still a non turbo.
Still, I agree that it wouldn't realistically get more than $5k. It's still a non turbo.
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#8
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I bought an 89 GTU with 56k for $400. I then bought a 90 GTU with 62k for $600.
The car is really worth what someone will pay for it, and that may be a little, and that may be a lot. But I'd say no less than $2000.
The car is really worth what someone will pay for it, and that may be a little, and that may be a lot. But I'd say no less than $2000.
#11
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I just don't pay much for N/A's haha. The first one I bought was the most expensive at $1800, but I was dumb then.
The only problem with a car that's sat so long, is the fact that things do deteriorate with age. Rats/mice will get into it. Electrical connections corrode.
I, personally, wouldn't pay more than 2k for it, and if someone told me they wanted 7k+ for it, I'd probably laugh in their face. Because to me, it doesn't matter the features, miles, condition, etc. It's still an S4 N/A. They are a dime a dozen, and for 7k you can take a clean S4 roller and make one hell of a car.
But this all a matter of my opinion haha
The only problem with a car that's sat so long, is the fact that things do deteriorate with age. Rats/mice will get into it. Electrical connections corrode.
I, personally, wouldn't pay more than 2k for it, and if someone told me they wanted 7k+ for it, I'd probably laugh in their face. Because to me, it doesn't matter the features, miles, condition, etc. It's still an S4 N/A. They are a dime a dozen, and for 7k you can take a clean S4 roller and make one hell of a car.
But this all a matter of my opinion haha
#12
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The advantage of that car is its low miles, but the value would depend on its mechanical condition. When you use the word "mint" to describe such an old car, then I know you have no idea what you are talking about. I recommend taking it to a qualified mechanic who can at least give an accurate mechanical assessment.
The Sport is generally considered the best S4 NA performance model, but the GTU is a close second.
#13
An engine/power train with low miles on a car that is now 23 years old is not a good thing unless properly maintained and stored. You're friend is going to be disappointing with the offers he gets as educated car buyers will know better.
#14
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Figure a (very) worst case scenario- a total engine rebuild with some new parts (housing/rotor/plates?) and paid labor...say, $3.5-4K maybe?
That same $4K is the starter price on a decent paint job around here (Denver).
Figure in interior work/replacement and things can get very pricey (and increasingly difficult to source parts).
When I look at older cars, I basically ignore the mechanicals, figuring I'll be going through them anyway as part of basic maintenance.
Besides, 90% of mechanical work I can do myself in the garage, not true of paint/bodywork.
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The latest trend in auto collecting is unrestored cars. If you are going to drive it your money would be well spent elsewhere. If you are going to use it for Saturday show night, it would be a good one.
And Clocker is right, the mechanicals are way less expensive than body work on these cars. Paint is only original once.
And Clocker is right, the mechanicals are way less expensive than body work on these cars. Paint is only original once.
#17
Rotary Powered Since 1995
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As always, the value of this car will be determined by the demand.
I presume it's in Chicago because that's where the OP is from. It's a huge city with lots of potential buyers and FC fans, plus it's a rust belt location where clean FCs will be rare. I would think that if this car is worth a substantial premium anywhere, this would be the place.
On the other hand, it will get no attention from younger buyers who typically have tight budgets and will prefer cheap speed over low miles and originality. As has been mentioned, you could build a much faster TII project car for $5000+, so this car will need to find a future collector/well-heeled FC fan.
I bought my '88 GTU in 2007 for $6000. It's mint and Brilliant Black, had 27,000 miles on it. It was pretty much the way I'd have ordered one if I'd had the money to buy one new in 1988. The sellers were looking for $12,500 which I thought was insane. At the time, there were quite a few super clean, super low mileage NAs trading on eBay in the $6000 range, so I used that as my argument for "comps." The sellers initially refused my offer, but after a couple months they realized that was top dollar. And this was in 2007 when the economy was a lot stronger than today.
It is getting much harder to find clean FCs, especially in places where they salt the roads. No, this is not really a "collectible" car yet, but most serious collectible cars cost a lot more than $6000. I'm going to guess this car's present value in Chicago would be $5000-7000 if the seller is patient. If he's in a hurry, he'll have trouble finding the right buyer and may have to settle for half that amount.
I don't know that there is an official consensus, but I have also seen the Sport mentioned as the best S4 NA. I don't really understand this though, because the '88 GTU has the same equipment as the Sport, only it also adds LSD. I guess the '86-87 Sport may be a few pounds lighter, you're more likely to find an '86-87 Sport with the aluminum hood, and some prefer the duckbill spoiler to the S5 rear wing that debuted on the '88 GTU and TII.
I presume it's in Chicago because that's where the OP is from. It's a huge city with lots of potential buyers and FC fans, plus it's a rust belt location where clean FCs will be rare. I would think that if this car is worth a substantial premium anywhere, this would be the place.
On the other hand, it will get no attention from younger buyers who typically have tight budgets and will prefer cheap speed over low miles and originality. As has been mentioned, you could build a much faster TII project car for $5000+, so this car will need to find a future collector/well-heeled FC fan.
I bought my '88 GTU in 2007 for $6000. It's mint and Brilliant Black, had 27,000 miles on it. It was pretty much the way I'd have ordered one if I'd had the money to buy one new in 1988. The sellers were looking for $12,500 which I thought was insane. At the time, there were quite a few super clean, super low mileage NAs trading on eBay in the $6000 range, so I used that as my argument for "comps." The sellers initially refused my offer, but after a couple months they realized that was top dollar. And this was in 2007 when the economy was a lot stronger than today.
It is getting much harder to find clean FCs, especially in places where they salt the roads. No, this is not really a "collectible" car yet, but most serious collectible cars cost a lot more than $6000. I'm going to guess this car's present value in Chicago would be $5000-7000 if the seller is patient. If he's in a hurry, he'll have trouble finding the right buyer and may have to settle for half that amount.
I don't know that there is an official consensus, but I have also seen the Sport mentioned as the best S4 NA. I don't really understand this though, because the '88 GTU has the same equipment as the Sport, only it also adds LSD. I guess the '86-87 Sport may be a few pounds lighter, you're more likely to find an '86-87 Sport with the aluminum hood, and some prefer the duckbill spoiler to the S5 rear wing that debuted on the '88 GTU and TII.
#18
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If you really think your car is mint then I have a challenge for you. I am willing to travel to your location and give you $20,000 if you will give me $500 for each part on your car that I can find in any condition other than mint. What do you say?
Everybody has their own opinion on the subject. The main difference is that the Sport has the best aerodynamics package of the FC models. Some people think the Sport package is ugly and they don't care about the actual performance. Regardless of the opinion, the Sport package is unique, an LSD isn't. Most RX-7 enthusiasts consider the Sport to be the more premium S4 NA perforamnce model, but of course there is disagreement.
I don't know that there is an official consensus, but I have also seen the Sport mentioned as the best S4 NA. I don't really understand this though, because the '88 GTU has the same equipment as the Sport, only it also adds LSD. I guess the '86-87 Sport may be a few pounds lighter, you're more likely to find an '86-87 Sport with the aluminum hood, and some prefer the duckbill spoiler to the S5 rear wing that debuted on the '88 GTU and TII.
#21
Nothing to see here.
If you really think your car is mint then I have a challenge for you. I am willing to travel to your location and give you $20,000 if you will give me $500 for each part on your car that I can find in any condition other than mint. What do you say?
Everybody has their own opinion on the subject. The main difference is that the Sport has the best aerodynamics package of the FC models. Some people think the Sport package is ugly and they don't care about the actual performance. Regardless of the opinion, the Sport package is unique, an LSD isn't. Most RX-7 enthusiasts consider the Sport to be the more premium S4 NA perforamnce model, but of course there is disagreement.
Everybody has their own opinion on the subject. The main difference is that the Sport has the best aerodynamics package of the FC models. Some people think the Sport package is ugly and they don't care about the actual performance. Regardless of the opinion, the Sport package is unique, an LSD isn't. Most RX-7 enthusiasts consider the Sport to be the more premium S4 NA perforamnce model, but of course there is disagreement.
#24
Rotary Powered Since 1995
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If you really think your car is mint then I have a challenge for you. I am willing to travel to your location and give you $20,000 if you will give me $500 for each part on your car that I can find in any condition other than mint. What do you say?
...The main difference is that the Sport has the best aerodynamics package of the FC models.
...The main difference is that the Sport has the best aerodynamics package of the FC models.
As for the aero package, the '88 GTU had all the pieces found on the Sport (rubber wedges in front of all four wheels, short foam front lip spoiler and aluminum undertray) aside from the different rear wing. Also the '88 GTU had the vented side mirrors instead of the solid ones. I like the aero package a lot too.