future collectable Japanese cars - Which would you pick?

[Reg]

I am in a predicament and I'd like to ask this forums opinion on what I should do.

I have decided to keep the 911 even though I do not have much time/funds for it at the moment. After all I've always wanted one.

My other daily driver car is a '85 MR2. It is not currently on the road and sitting beside the 911. I've had this car for 10 years and really like it.

My father has a cherry '84 RX7 GSL SE that he wants to sell to me. This car is a 2 owner 60k mile gem that has not a spec of rust on it ever and is in almost mint shape, having never been driven in foul weather.

I do not think I can buy the RX7 and keep the MR2 both as the Mrs. does not see a purpose of me having 2 cars let alone three.

To me, the MR2 and or RX7 each have some collectible status in my mind because they were some of the most desirable cars of my generation (other than exotics of course).

The RX7 is in better overall shape with 40k less miles than the MR2 but both cars drive and run well. The MR2 fits my frame better and is more comfortable. Both look good and are fun to drive buy the RX7 has dreadful tractor like steering.

Which would you keep? Or should I just forget the sentimental attachment, sell the MR2 and put 4k into the 911??

[Sarc]

I always wanted some seat time in a first generation supercharged Mr. 2.
I had a brief affair with and 85 GSL-SE and a second generation MR. 2 - both great cars.
If I had to chose I'd opt for the RX-7, there's a timelessness in that inital design that I think trumps the Mr-2's. However,
as for collectability, I've got to go with my sentimental favorite:







Another way to look at it, how many ultra clean RX-7's do you come across, especially right under your nose. If your Mr-2 is not as in good condition, you could always get an ultra clean Mr-2 down the road when finances improve!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Isn't a 60k RX-7 already due for a rebuild?

[RallyJon]

Wow--picking future collectible Japanese sports cars is a tricky business.

I'd vote against the RX7. The MR2 IMO has more unique intrinsic goodness, but if I were going to put away an MR2 for future value it would be a 94-95 turbo hardtop. For that matter, I'd put away a low mile FD RX7.

I know your MR2 and RX7 are the originals, but would it be wiser to collect a mint '65 911 or a '72-73 911S?

[pwd72s]

A lady walked up to a guy in a bar, then said: "I've got an itchypussy."
The guy responded: "Sorry lady, I don't know anything about Japanese cars."

That said, the only Japanese "collectable" I see on the horizon is an original 240Z...

[Reg]

Paul,

I love the 240's too. That six sounds great and also has a nice line.


Blue,

The RX7 runs great. It smokes on start up but I think that is a rotary trait. The car runs nice and has good power. It is very nice underneath and straight.

Jon

You have great points as well as the GSL SE is the 73 "S" of the 1st gen 7's.

The MR2 handles great and I know it just keeps on ticking like most Toyota's do. Not sure about the Rotary in that department allthough it's been good for three or four years my Dad's owned it.

Please keep the feedback coming!

[tabs]

I agree hole heartedly with PDW72S ....

[Reg]

2nd Paul

I agree. I think the MR2 and RX7 will be simialr to the 240's, only a few years later down the road. Sort of like the timelines of the values of 356 and 911 models.

[RallyJon]

To me, a future collectible isn't necessarily the rarest, or the cool, unique one year model.

Look at the best example going--American muscle cars. The main driver to prices and demand there is lust. What car did the wealthy 50-something guy dream about when he was a kid? I never wanted a Mustang or Chevelle SS, so I don't get that whole scene. I'm 37, so I discovered cars in the early '80s. I wanted a 911 or 928, a VW GTI, a 308GTSi, a 300ZX, etc.

In ten more years, I think a lot of people will be amazed at what my generation will pay any price at Barrett-Jackson to own.

[Steve Carlton]

I think it'll be a long, long wait for very little with the MR2 or the RX7. Keeping either one means paying insurance and risking an expensive repair biting you. If you're going to keep the 911, I'd go ahead and put the money in there.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I dont think they will ever really be worht anything as collectables simply because they made so damn many of them..

I owned a factory supercharged firstt gen MR2 and that was a GREAT car. Beautiful handling, good power, and funky styling.

Buddy of mine had an immaculate 83 RX-7 GLX and that was a beautiful sports car as well.

I'd think that if anything were going to be collectable it would be something like a Honda 800 or a Fairlady Roadster.

[CRH911S]

I agree and disagree with pwds72. The 240Z no doubt has reached collector status. The next Japanese car to do so will be the Honda 2003 2L F20C S2000.

I think it's a toss up. Either one is worthy of future collector status. But what was Toyota thinking with the later MR2's? If it were me I'd keep all three.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Variety is the key...you need to have more than one toy (see below). You've got a 911 which you need to keep. Get rid of the hairdresser's car and get the RX-7.

The 240/260s are cool enough cars, but that wasn't an option you presented. Heck, if all you want is a "collectable" Japanese car, get a Fairlady or a B210.

JP

[jmz]

240Z for sure, been there done that (twice) pretty cars and plenty fast.

[targa911S]

The Toyota 2000 was pretty cool...but find one.

[targa911S]

[jmz]

forgot about the Toy 2000. Hands down that one is in the club

[targa911S]

everybody forgot about that one. I was reminded when I watched an old Bond movie just how cool it was. I have never seen one for sale though.

[CRH911S]

I dont think they will ever really be worht anything as collectables simply because they made so damn many of them..

I'm inclined to agree with Jared relative to the number of units produced having an effect on collectability. I don't think this the only detemining criteria but when it comes to price I think it has a lot to do with it.

For example, the Datsun B210. A ton of these were built, very popular, and are still desired by a few that race them. I don't know that these are collectables though. I don't see the boomer generation drooling over a pristine example of this car. However, a 65 VW bug might have greater value due to its role in the peace movement and the sexual revolution of the 60's.

The 240Z stands out as an exception and is no doubt due to the generation it had the most influence on.

[island911]

MR2 . .. RX7 . .. collectible status !?

Trust me on this; you would make more money renting any space worthy of storing a "collectible status car," than you'll ever make from collecting either of those.

Targa911S is right; Toyota 2000 is the league you need to be thinking for "collectible status".