Would you do this trade?

Hey guys,

Last year I bought a 74 RX-4 coupe in Long Island. I like the car mostly,but there are a bunch of things that I don't like about it,and I would love to see it leave. In hindsight I should have seen these things as things I would dislike about the car,but I bought it anyway. The car is good and solid,but I like my cars more on the original side of things.

I have found a new car that when I saw it three years ago I vowed that if it were available I would do whatever I could to get it. The car is a 77 RX-3 SP that is essentially fully restored. I have seen it in person,and traveled down to CT a few weekends ago to look it over even more thoroughly. I have spoken with the seller,and worked out a deal that would involve trading my RX-4 that I have fallen out of love with,plus cash on my end. The cash is substantial,but not so if it were just the cash for the RX-3. The rub is that with what I have invested in the RX-4 it brings the investment up substantially. Now it would also mean I have the car I really want that is all restored(correctly as well),and I unload a car that I am unhappy with. In the grand scheme of things the car will be a big investment,but if I were to buy a rough car(between $4-$8k for a solid car),and restored it myself I would probably invest the same amount of money,or close to it,and lots of time I don't have with a full time job,and two young kids. Any input is appreciated.

Chris

The RX-3 SP is one of those "must own one day" cars for a true rotorhead. You're getting the car you love ready-to-go and dumping the car you no longer like. This is a no-brainer, do it!

ya dude go for it

It sounds like you've already made up your mind, but you just can't come out and say it yet.

You want the RX3-SP.

I do want it,but the investment is high with my trade.

As long as you can swing the money sounds like a no brainer. If it entails spending your entire life savings I don't know that I would do it, but as long as you have everythi8ng else covered go for it.

I completely agree with TJ.

"If you have the means, I highly recommend it."

I've never quite understood the appeal of the SP model of the RX3. Perhaps because I seem to remember it as being marketted as one of those "stripes and decals" special editions all the car companies produced in the '70s

The RX4 on the other hand....large (for a Japanese sedan) cars with the "cache" of rotary power. Yet, I can see why you might be tired of it. Still, I'll bet you can sell your "4" for a decent amount of cash, unless it's midway through a restoration.

I'm with everyone else in this thread. Sounds like you've thought through all the possible options. I say sleep on it, and if you still feel the same way tomorrow, go for it. I know I would if I were in your situation.

integraguy wrote: I've never quite understood the appeal of the SP model of the RX3. Perhaps because I seem to remember it as being marketted as one of those "stripes and decals" special editions all the car companies produced in the '70s The RX4 on the other hand....large (for a Japanese sedan) cars with the "cache" of rotary power. Yet, I can see why you might be tired of it. Still, I'll bet you can sell your "4" for a decent amount of cash, unless it's midway through a restoration.

It is mostly just a stripes and decals package,but it is a cool stripe,and decal package.

I think that you should probably do this swap.

And, quickly. Because I've wanted an RX3-SP since high school and I don't live very far from you. Don't make me find this car.

It is in Stamford Woody.

That's closer to me than it is to you. You'd better get moving.

I wonder if it's the car that my friend owned in high school.

I'm not married to it yet Woody,if you are interested I can give you pics,and a contact number.

Thanks, but I'm a little short on garage space as it is. I think you want it more anyway.

What do you guys think one would have to spend to do a full body restoration of a 70's car that was solid to start with? I ask because the seller is a body man,and did the work himself,but claims he has $2k in materials alone. I remember restoring my 83 RX-7 years ago with help from my brother in law who was a body man at the time,and even with his discount I still spentt a bunch of money,and only had a decent paint job,not a show car paint job like what is on this car.

Mazdax605 wrote: the seller is a body man,and did the work himself

Get receipts! Theres a big difference between "done cheap" and "done right". A good body guy can hide the shortcuts when the job is new but over time they show up and hurt value. If he "borrowed" the supplies from work then he's a shady dude and you don't want to deal with him anyway.

It seems to me that no matter what the math is, if you're going to be upside down after the trade then its not worth it. If you can't turn around and sell the car for what you have into it then its a bad deal. If it really means that much to you then logic will go out the window. But ask yourself: is your motivation that you want this car badly, or that you badly want out of the car you already have and you're willing to take a hit to have it gone?

Was this car on ebay not long ago?

Your investment in the RX-4 is called a sunk cost. Basically, it's water under the bridge and should be irrelevant to your future decisions. If the owner of the RX-3 is giving you fair value for the RX-4 (a car that you don't seem to have much interest in keeping), I'd say go for it!

the RX3 doesn't seem to be a car that has alot of parts availability, and prices would probably reflect that. Restoration costs go up exponentially when you have to source unobtanium parts.

Also, spending 8K on a car that you have to dump another 8K into is about the most disconcerting thing you will ever do...

Instant gratification FTW.

Junkyard_Dog wrote:

Mazdax605 wrote: the seller is a body man,and did the work himself

Get receipts! Theres a big difference between "done cheap" and "done right". A good body guy can hide the shortcuts when the job is new but over time they show up and hurt value. If he "borrowed" the supplies from work then he's a shady dude and you don't want to deal with him anyway. It seems to me that no matter what the math is, if you're going to be upside down after the trade then its not worth it. If you can't turn around and sell the car for what you have into it then its a bad deal. If it really means that much to you then logic will go out the window. But ask yourself: is your motivation that you want this car badly, or that you badly want out of the car you already have and you're willing to take a hit to have it gone? Was this car on ebay not long ago?

I am not sure he has receipts,but I know where he works,and the car has been restored for at least 3 years,and doesn't look any worse than it did when he was done. I have no idea if he "borrowed" the supplies,but I doubt it. He built the car with the intention that he was going to keep it forever,and now is in a tough stretch personally,and wants to sell everything he owns including three other RX-3 SP's,and R100,SA RX-7,FC RX-7 10th ann edition,94 FD RX-7,Rotary motorcycle,REPU,RX-2,and maybe one or two I forgot about.

Yes the car was on ebay a few weeks ago.

Mazdax605, is this the same guy that was selling a blue REPU on CL? Did he sell it already? I was kinda interested in it if the turbo-swapped FC I'm looking at this weekend doesn't work out.

No Johnathan the guy selling the REPU is Ken,and the guy selling the -3 is his friend. The REPU is still available as far as I know,and Ken told me I could get it for $2500 I think as he knows I am a REPU guy,and wouldn't bastardize it.

I just saw his updated ad on RX7club. Sorry for the threadjack.

As for the RX-3SP, I echo z31maniac's and Ferris Bueller's sentiments on it.

Platinum90 wrote: the RX3 doesn't seem to be a car that has alot of parts availability, and prices would probably reflect that. Restoration costs go up exponentially when you have to source unobtanium parts. Also, spending 8K on a car that you have to dump another 8K into is about the most disconcerting thing you will ever do... Instant gratification FTW.

What would a show quality paint job with body restoration cost the average joe consumer? Is it conceivable that materials alone could cost in the $2k range? Mind you this car was allegedly painted with primer,then a white base coat,then color(orange),and then the clear. The seller(body man) said this is the only proper way to do the paint job with the color being orange.

Technically he is kind of right. Or if he used a tan primer he could paint the orange without the white. Red oxide and grey primers toy with orange and yellows.