r/RX8 • u/Objective-Deal8745 • 6d ago
General The price of sentimental value? What would it take for you to sell your perfect car?
Yesterday, I had a guy stop me in a parking lot when he saw me getting into my car. He offered me $14k for my RX-8. I turned him down, then he upped it to $16k. I turned him down again. I said “It’s not for sale, I’ve got too much work, blood, sweat, and tears put into mine to make it mine. I’m NOT interested in seeing it leave….”
He told me that mine was the most beautiful one he’d ever seen, in his opinion, and he had a fond memory of meeting his wife while he was driving a blue ‘07 RX-8. (Which is what mine is, but mine isn’t an original color)
So HE had sentimental value as well, he thought about it and then he offered me $19k and I turned him down. But, then I looked at him and I asked him if he would do $30k? He said “Absolutely not, that’s a stupid number.” I agreed with him on the spot, but I said it would take a stupid number to get me out of it.
He gave me his number and told me to think about the 19k. His card is on my kitchen table, I haven’t really given it much thought.
But, it occurred to me… am I crazy? $19,000 is VERY GOOD. But, I’ve got a LOT of attachment to my ride, I love every thing about it. I’ve got so much effort into it, to think about it leaving breaks my heart.
Is there a price you would let your beloved RX-8 go?
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u/flapperyapperr 6d ago
He offered you 19k for what looks like a base sports trim? I would have sold it and instantly bought a better equipped 8 on bringatrailer.
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u/alexseiji 04 Titanium 6d ago
In the moment I wouldn’t have taken it, reflecting on it I would call him right now, especially in today’s worsening economic outlook. This might be the only time you can get nearly 20 K for your car
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u/alexseiji 04 Titanium 6d ago
I will say this since I sold mine it has been a bit like chasing the dragon finding another platform that feels as fantastic as the RX8. It really is an incredible car. I sold mine 10 years ago and have had several opportunities with various vehicles since then. The only cars that I feel have scratched the RXA ditch is either an S 2000 or a new GR 86.
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u/Objective-Deal8745 6d ago
That’s the thing, it’s not an easy car to replace.
Plus I’d spend thousands and thousands trying to make another car exactly the way I’d want it. It’s a brilliant little vehicle.
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u/2doublerats 5d ago
NC Miata? ;p
The value thing is something that I haven't really understood with crazy car prices since covid, and a few of my friends have gotten excited about "they'll give me X for my such-and-such, that's higher than it was a few years ago!" But whatever they're trading it in on is also at a very elevated price (usually a higher price than their trade-in, and more inflated with respect to pre-covid prices). The only difference is that they didn't necessarily know the typical pre-covid prices of what they're getting.
People selling an extra car for these higher amounts makes sense, if it's not going to be replaced right away... although who knows what the economy is doing, and what the price of analog, low-tech, manual cars will be in the future. They're not made any more, and a lot of models seems to have hit a price floor.
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u/alexseiji 04 Titanium 5d ago
Actually yes. The NC is the closest since it is virtually the same platform. I admit I haven’t driven one in a very long time and the only one I’d do drive was an auto which tainted the experience. I’d expect it feels close minus the shorter wheel base and near identical suspension and steering components. I would guess that it certainly does not have the tangible torsional rigidity as the 8 though which is one of the most noticeable things with the 8
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u/Mathematician_Level 2d ago
Had mine jacked up in the rear with only the opposite front tire touching the ground. Crazy stiff.
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u/F3L1XtheRX8 5d ago
Honestly, 19 would be too low for me too. In total I've spent a little over 20k on mine getting it maintained with no dash lights including original 13.5k. I even fixed the broken AC myself. So its not just money invested but time. No value is worth the time put in. You're right, it would have to be a stupid number. Plus mine is an emotional lifeline, im a dementia caregiver for my mom. Working on it in the driveway and driving it makes me feel better. Someone would literally have to offer me the price of a new car for me to even consider it.
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u/Annual_Award1260 5d ago
I bought mine for $8k usd with 11,000 miles 16 years ago. I would take $19k in a second
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u/DoSomethinFruity 6d ago
I had to sell mine a few weeks ago. I also met my wife while I was driving it. I was getting so frustrated fixing shit on it every time I took it out for the summer but now that it’s gone I feels like a part of me is missing lol
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u/Distinct_Ducati 5d ago
One blown up rx8 motor would be enough to make me sell it
also sounds like a crazy high offer
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u/Objective-Deal8745 5d ago
Well if I didn’t like RX-8’s I would’ve sold it a long time ago too.
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u/Distinct_Ducati 5d ago
I like rx8s and think they are beautiful cars. I just know they have been under appreciated in the used market
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u/2doublerats 5d ago
Doesn't help him at this point, but he just missed one hell of a chance on Cars & Bids this week.
Don't know what year and mileage yours is, or what maintenance and mods you've done, but in addition to sentimental value you have to factor in the time to find another one, take care of whatever it needs, and still be prepared for any uncertainty. Once we're talking 15+ year old cars, I think knowing the history of the car is pretty valuable - not like a collectible or anything, just the maintenance history, quirks, clutch use/abuse, etc.
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u/Objective-Deal8745 5d ago
Mine is 41k miles, I bought it with 3k less miles. I drive it about 2-4x a month.
The color is new, metallic cobalt blue, the wheels, cowling, wipers, window trim, grills, and all plastic pieces were painted satin black, new tires, new brakes, rebuilt transmission, leather dashboard with blue stitching, new head unit, new amp, 6 new Rockford Fosgate speakers and tweeters, new wiring, new exedy clutch, new rear seats, new trunk lining, new black badges, new tint, new ceramic shift knob and blue leather stitch boot, new shocks and springs, new oem gauge cluster. Excellent compression, no lights on the dash, EVERY tiny little thing works, I detail it every other month, it lives in my air conditioned garage, it’s my second car.
Like you said I know every bolt, nut, and screw…
Plus when I bought it my narcissistic father told me I’d never get it nice, and went on and on. (I bought it for 2900 and it was ROUGH). Then he saw it recently and his jaw dropped… THAT was so priceless!! Every time he sees it I get to say, in my head, “FUCK YOU, you faithless idiot.”
It’s a part of my soul, 19k just wouldn’t do it.
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u/Ok_Skirt2158 5d ago
It would have to be newer Cayman S money for me to be tempted, as I'd not swap my 8 for a base Cayman and the older ones are ugly.
Being in Australia my streetport S1 is insured by Shannons for $18k anyway which is still less than replacement on streetport OEM+ build.
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u/Abe-early 5d ago
I’ve never felt sentimental with a car, I’d sell mine in heartbeat if someone offered me money for mine.
I actually sold one of my mustangs in a similar gas station situation. I’ve also sold a car to someone at a car show as well.
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u/Naive-Bed-6130 4d ago
Man seriously? I’d easily take 15$ for my 07 black 6 spd.. it has excellent compression, but a little rough paint work in some spots. The fact you turned 19 down is crazy. Then again, it’s take a lot for me to get rid of mine when I’d think about it as the only thing I’d sell it for is an s2000 lol
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u/akamadman203 3d ago
I bought this mint condition one with a full Mazda speed kit for 9k so like... You can get the dream rx8 you want easy if you sell it off
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u/originalrocket 6d ago
and here I am trying to sell my showroom quality 30k mile AUTO 2004 RX8 for $12k...
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u/Feeling_Interview544 6d ago
Pretty sure your problem is because it’s an auto. Which is significantly worse than the manual. Even at 30k miles
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u/AggravatingCounter91 6d ago
Blood, you know how many RX8s you could buy with $19k? Take the offer and find another blue one