How Much Does It Cost To Restore & Build a Mazda RX7?

[@sumyunguy1210]

$84k just for parts and everything else NOT including the amount of money someone would spend on labor. Absolutely nuts but totally worth it definitely one of my dream cars.

[@Smeedia]

For a car you can’t just buy anymore I’d say it’s worth it, plus I foresee the Fds only increasing in value over time. AND we get to drive and enjoy it 💪

[@sumyunguy1210]

@@Smeedia Heck yea enjoy it as much as possible and at some point if you plan on selling it, you will easily get your money back and on to the next project. Thats the way the cookie crumbles as a car enthusiast, buy, fix, enjoy, sell rinse and repeat!

[@BlackThrasherrr]

I think paying someone else to restore a car for you is a crazy endeavor on its own though. ANY car would cost a ton of money

[@BobBarker-h1h]

I think labor is the most expensive part of any build if you don’t do it yourself. I think a mechanic charges $85 on average. But still nice RX7

[@sumyunguy1210]

@@BlackThrasherrrI think a solid 80% of people just pay someone to restore a car not many people in this world that are mechanically inclined nor have the time to restore but have the money to spend. Any car to restore would cost a bunch of money you are right on that but not many cars cost as much as an FD RX7 left hand drive to restore this car is just different and super rare 😂

[@Omgwatan00b]

Thank you for showing the Mazda RX7 some love. We have to keep these cars on the road!

[@timmytenders8536]

Hay man the fact that you're willing to do your work in front of the customers speaks volumes. I'm sure that if people watched the series, they would trust that the work was done right. I'm gonna have to rewatch your undercoat video because I'm about to do that to my jeep. Thanks for a little motivation.

[@Smeedia]

Should have another one coming up soon on the Subaru as well! Definitely worth doing if your old undercoat need redone!

[@boosTiMon]

You should be super super proud of yourself for this build. It belongs in a showroom. So it’s basically for sale for $100k!

[@Smeedia]

Couldn’t be happier with how it’s come out 🥳

[@rotaryrotary4227]

Love it. Always loved rx7's. 80k is a lot of money but there are so many cars at that price point that dont impress me. This thing is a keeper.

[@arthurbrown6650]

fantastic man, you are doing a great service to the community to document the cost of these projects. I tend to assume that if you do the work yourself that anyone can have a car like this. you are probably saving a lot of guys from getting in over their heads in costs, and having as forever project sitting in the garage - not that their is anything inherently wrong with that

[@Smeedia]

I absolutely refuse to pay other shops to do things if I can learn how to do them in house. While the parts costs for this stuff can be quite exspensive. If we can DIY it anyone can and it saves so much money. The biggest costs for builds is paying someone else labor

[@85mmonroe]

I have to give you a huge thanks. I just pulled my motor for the first time to replace my flexplate (lgt shenanigans). Got it back together and it fired first crank, no leaks and making full boost. Huge accomplishment for someone who couldn't change oil a few years ago.

[@rotaryperfection]

It's crazy for me to see these cost differences between those who buy parts for these builds vs someone like me who fabricated practically EVERYTHING for my 20b swap back in 2007 to make it affordable for a shade tree guy like myself. Hell, my D series 20b engine only cost me $4,500 back in 2003 when I bought it. I fabricated my own subframe, intake, exhaust and used lots of used parts and cheap stuff I found off ebay back then. Think I had around 15k in my 20b swap, including body kit, wheels and tires(NA of course). Oh, I only paid $13,500 for my 94 touring in 2003 with 65,000 miles RUNNING with clear title. Car has around 110k on it. What you guys are having to pay these days just blows my mind. 🤯

[@Smeedia]

Dude everything’s just wild for price now, the OEM stuff is really what got me when it came to just fixing alot of the old beat up stuff in the car 💀 but it’s getting harder and harder to find so many of these parts now 😢

[@scotty305]

I was thinking the same thing, I paid $16k for my 1994 RX7 in 2004 and it was just under 10 years old so I was able to finance it as well. At today's prices there are probably better bang-for-buck sportscars available. I might try to find a deal on a C6 Corvette or a brand new MX5 or GR86.

[@scotty305]

@@Smeedia I appreciate you breaking things down by subsystem. I'm not planning to spend that much money on my RX7 all at once, but it's nice to see what it would cost to replicate the suspension setup you've got. I've only skimmed the past couple of RX7 videos, is the car driving well now? Have you taken it to an autocross to get a feel for how it handles? When I switched from a mostly-stock 2000 2.5RS to a mostly-stock 1994 RX7, I spun the RX7 pretty often at autocross events because of the difference in balance and power delivery. The RX7 is quick but you can't drive it like a front-heavy all-wheel drive car.

[@100cotton0]

Makes me glad I got my FD with a rebuild and single turbo already done to it instead of tackling it myself. I've done lots of fixes and several larger cosmetic mods but still only have $42k in it for something probably 80% as nice as yours. Granted there's always more things on the 'to-do' and even worse the 'want' lists to add some spending on. 🤣

[@Smeedia]

The list will never end but I totally feel it. WhenI first got it I definitely did not plan on a total tear down for it. But here we are 😅

[@mr.baconman956]

You make me feel way better on me rebuilding my 1996 sti ra. I'm 8 months deep buying parts and am looking at another 7-8 months to finish....

[@heftygainz]

84k is a ton but good luck finding one in this same condition for cheaper. This thing is fully gone through bolt by bolt and also built motor. Fetch well over 100k

[@Smeedia]

Couldn’t be happier with it knowing that it’s been 100% and totally gone through 🥳

[@Mast3r_YumYums]

Worth every penny. I'm surprised in the lack of comments about the gasket at 4:12 lol

[@Smeedia]

lol that gasket gets me every time 😂

[@kylekennedy21]

Like you said, hold onto everything. I stripped my Java wrx for EVERYTHING it had. Wiper motor bolts and nuts and everything especially since gd parts are getting hard to find in my area. Granted I’m missing quite a bit but I have 4 27 gallon totes in just parts. Not including the trim and and cowl and complete dash. So in my opinion. Horde good parts that are expensive

[@Smeedia]

For real, the seals and all the small things are worth holding onto. I did not realize just how exspensive some of this stuff was until it was too late 💀

[@kylekennedy21]

@@Smeediaespecially all the sensors that are under the dash are expensive as fuc. Also side note, anyone need a gd dash? Kinda tired of looking at it lol

[@cingkole7893]

its PERFECT! can't wait to see some tuning and driving vids!

[@Smeedia]

I’m stoaked to get this thing on the road 🥳

[@losdc5185]

When you were putting together the black evo and mentioned an Rx7 build, I was hooked from there! Never thought this build was come out as amazing as it did! Such a beautiful turn out man!🔥🔥🏆

[@keigorjai01]

It is worth for doing this if you love the car. Thumbs up for all your hard work. 👍

[@professorlife1619]

It’s sooo beautiful and amazing! Especially being white and how everything just looks right on it. I might of miss the part you mentioned the cost of rims and tires, and new brake/ fuel lines, it’s crazy how all the little stuff adds up as well 😋

[@TheRudoman]

100% worth every penny!!! She’s a beautiful machine!

[@kirionr122]

One of the best cara ever made, its worth it as long you are an enthusiast

[@MonkellD]

I'm pretty subaru biased but watching this car being built, this is a nice freaking car. The attention to detail was really cool to watch unfold!

[@evnyquil4159]

But it comes at a cost got me good. Wow that car is perfect and must be stupid fast.

[@kylebrumley-lg2sr]

Congrads for ur resto it's beauty and worth the money

[@dat1dood97]

I have my rx7 coming in from Okinawa that I'm gonna restore at my shop. Unfortunately it got vandalized the beginning of this year, so a ton of parts are missing. I'm not the greatest videographer, but I plan on starting again and filming the process.

[@Smeedia]

Definitely film it! It’s always cool to go back and see where it started and your progress!

[@dat1dood97]

@@Smeedia I might reach out for some tips or maybe places to find some parts if you’re okay with that? It’s currently on the ship and I’m collecting parts.

[@michaelmanago282]

$83k, Blood, sweat and tears for a LH drive FD imaculate Resto. WORTH IT!!!

[@Smeedia]

That’s what I’m saying! Tbh came in lower than I thought it would 😅

[@michaelmanago282]

@@Smeedia SHeeeshhh, I remember you said it was hard to get parts for it as well, because it was LHD, while its super easy to get the right hand parts. definatly a win, now you just got to lock it up somewhere in a time capsule, let that value appriciate, while enjoying it spareingly.

[@VS666]

Can’t wait to see this in person next season, truly a labor of love

[@Smeedia]

It’ll be out and about soon 🥳

[@fixflickss]

Take in the labor cost would be interesting as well :) thank you for the video

[@dandiaz4052]

Damn I was close I said 87k on your insta post 😮 100% worth it with the outcome you’ve produced. I love this car.

[@C4banchee]

That engine bay looks so sick. Nice work man. With the price of those engine components I can understand why people go with LS swaps.

[@Smeedia]

The Ls swaps are way more affordable and make power easier. But the Rotary RX7s hold value wayyyy better as well

[@norbelarchilla5578]

Congrats bro, a hood, the tune and you made it!

[@danielxiong5842]

Amazing build man

[@Smeedia]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@davey_tones]

this is such an awesome project, you should be proud.

[@Smeedia]

Incredibly happy with how this things come out 🥳

[@onewilllive]

finally my build is done.....when can i drive..congrats brotha such a beautiful turn out.

[@Smeedia]

Come on over I’ll have it washed for ya 😅

[@subroyal1496]

I need a video of this thing ripping down the street so badly!

[@Smeedia]

Very soon! Just need my tune and hood 🫡🙌

[@ZzWeAreVenomzZ]

@@SmeediaAre those items included with the total end cost

[@bk3540]

Dang man, less than blue though in her last running condition. I love this build man, turned out so amazing good!

[@Menace_sti]

All that in one year 😮sheesh man what a good year. So worth it man. The cleanest one ive seen!

[@Smeedia]

Thankfully some of the universal stuff like injectors I already had sitting around. 😅 stoaked with how it’s come out!

[@thirdgearpull]

owning and driving an icon... priceless 😉 particularly sweeter after restoring it yourself...

[@Smeedia]

Oh 100%, plus these LHD RX7s I forsee them appreciating long term, kinda an invest I suppose too 😅

[@thirdgearpull]

@@Smeedia agreed...

[@smillman437]

100%, my all time favorite car in your stable (past and present). Cover Blue’s, and not to diminish any other sick s builds. I’m not a Mazda guy or anything. FDs are just undeniable and an improved zero-miles one especially.

[@Smeedia]

I’m right there with you, the styling on these things are just timeless. And while the other builds have been awesome, not take the cake for how far this one has come 💪

[@albegt98]

for a reconstruction done like this of a car that is practically vintage it is normal that it costs.....if you look at the price of certain cars you can't understand what history they have....you rebuilt this one in a spatial way, great work 👍💪

[@swagsubie]

I've been waiting for this one

[@Zaakro]

I hope my suggestion helped you pick the VIS hood. They're a good company.

[@Smeedia]

The fitment of the VIS stuff has always been pretty good 🙌

[@NOLINN]

100% Worth it!!

[@Smeedia]

No complaints here 🥳💪

[@Gorillaathleticsofficial]

Factory new 93’ spec with a built motor in 2024? The right person will pay 100k for that easy ! 👌🏽

[@omialmanza1900]

Its a beauty, hands down! 👍🏽

[@Smeedia]

Thanks Omi! 🥳

[@leeswrxsti4902]

Man, love your work and attention to detail. cant wait to see the final product.

[@Smeedia]

Excited to get it that last little bit it needs 🥳

[@tommanning7337]

Totally worth it!!!!!!! Including all the blood sweat and tears that went into it !!! 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@Smeedia]

Happy with the outcome of this thing 🥳

[@bernardthefourth]

Congrats on the build. You deserve so many more subs for how good this content is. I hate to suggest this but if you did some clickbaity crazy shit I think it would do you some good. Think like Doug Demuro running over a PT Cruiser with his H1 Hummer like stuff.

[@Smeedia]

I’ve always been so against clickbaity stuff, I know I get so annoyed when I watch a click bait video I wouldn’t want to do it to other people 🙏😅

[@clayband9183]

@Smeedia I was wondering what’s your opinion or switching my 2013 wrx oem brakes for the STI Brembos? Do you think it would be ultimately worth it? Thanks really enjoy your videos man you’ve helped me out a lot!

[@surrrithux]

I honestly thought it would cost more. Mine was around $33k to fix, and that was new OEM engine (before the price doubled, torn down and street ported), blueprinted trans, tires, brakes, ECU, engine harness, gas tank, rebuilt twins, a few other minor things, and labor (all done by Banzai Racing).

[@Smeedia]

Same, I was expecting to break into the 6 figures category 😅

[@erasmoalmanzar792]

Came out amazing

[@mookel798]

Hey great video and nice car! Where did you get the rx7 front plate from?

[@Smeedia]

Etsy 🫡 was like $15 or so

[@Wolfwood0011]

this car is FREAKEN Beautiful for what you did and for how it looks. absoluty!!! what you did is nothing short of amazing!!!Personaly i think it looks better then most...not all but most new cars today. Still looksing at doing a 2nd Gen. but think im going to Start on my 97GMC 1500sierra first maybe do an SP383 instead of fixing up the votec350. and my son is going to start a project on a 94 nissan Hardbody. which we are tossing the idea of a 13b in it. but still up in the air the SR20 motor would probably be a better fit for it.

[@ThroaT-HiT]

Tanner says he's gonna keep it turned down a bit 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Smeedia]

Shhhhhh 😂

[@TurblownEng]

We need to finish these oil pans asap LOL

[@Smeedia]

Yessssss, I don’t wanna keep dealing OE pans back on 😂😅

[@MattTheTrashcan]

Can you pop tune the new vbs just wondering bought one😂

[@Smeedia]

lol yes you can 😅

[@inactivemogul403]

note to self... find a way to keep all my seals in good condition. 😐 🤣👍✌

[@Smeedia]

Keep them all safe 😂😅

[@mr.spokomaro]

That was a lot of money and considering that all labour was free. Still amazing build and definitely worthy the cost. Its practically a new car. Have managed to build that of the YT income or do you have a full time job behind the scene? Big shout out from the UK 🇬🇧 🙌

[@Smeedia]

KZbin helps, but mainly from building Subarus for other people 😅 at this point it basically is just a new car 😅

[@Kenny.G-33]

Definitely worth it ❤❤

[@alfozinsavage4875]

It's definitely worth it 👌🏽

[@BROLYONMOLLY]

How much WHP that thing making with those mods?

[@Smeedia]

If we go full send we can make the turbo around 650, swap to a different turbo and could prob get it around 700-750whp

[@dealt]

Yeah, if you were to buy a fully built and restored FD you would have likely paid the same amount. Better to DIY. Car looks great bro!

[@Smeedia]

Thank you 🙏🥳

[@jjjjjjjjjjjj5t]

Car looks absolutely beautiful, do you have the specs for the wheels size and offset?

[@R1Armadill0]

It's all about what YOU want, What You're into. These thing can know no cost... sometimes. I can't afford a GT3 soooooooooooo...

[@Smeedia]

That’s what is about, as long as it’s something we wanna build and we’re happy with it. That’s the goal 🫡💪

[@Red6er]

Glad you kept the spicy dorito engine, LS swaps in FD are blasphemy

[@josephmatuszak3855]

Worth it.

[@Smeedia]

No complaints here 💪

[@scoobysean555]

Just done ebay list for the gc 😄 think you spent more on food than i have my whole car ....in 5 years 😮

[@Smeedia]

It definitely adds up quick 😅

[@DarkInstinct05]

$27k and that's a 2-Rotor build! phewww, i can't imagine what a 3 Rotor build would net 😅

[@Smeedia]

Just for a good built 3 rotor is like $25K alone 🥲

[@joshanderson1122]

So you're saying win the lottery or get used to being poor before attempting? You were learning on the fly so to turn out this good be proud. You set the bar high. Can't wait to see the 22b clone all finished

[@WRXMAN-ms2mm]

Respectfully and not trying to be a wet blanket the actual DIY cost is higher than the $83,000 quoted. There is the cost of your shop rental, the utilities and the cost of any tools purchased for this car. These soft support costs are very real. Regardless of cost this build demonstrates that rebuilding cars from an essentially a body in white is very expensive. Hope you get lots of smile miles.

[@debugin1227]

They have not bested this styling to date.

[@Smeedia]

The FDs styling will always be timeless 😮‍💨

[@johnlexus1]

How much could this sell on BAT?

[@Smeedia]

Tbh I have no idea 😅

[@chriscantmss]

My favorite part was when you said “I’m not a baller like that” okkaaaaayyyy 😂

[@scottphillips364]

Worth over six figures! Imo😎

[@Smeedia]

💪💪💪

[@omegapharaoh6978]

Your RSX-7 is so damn clean!!! Watch out TJ 😉

[@Smeedia]

😌😌😌

[@stevelteska]

I want to know the number on the 22b when it’s done

[@alexthompson-bo7ej]

is it worth it? hell yeah its one sick ass car

[@Smeedia]

No complaints here 🥳

[@byronstoddard1835]

You built a beauty! Worth 80000….yes. Good thing you didn’t take in account for your labour

[@Smeedia]

Labor costs added in, I can’t imagine what it would put this thing at 😅

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

You could travel the world, house deposit and a cool dirt bike for that money

[@Smeedia]

I’ve traveled the world and bought house, I have not got a cool dirt bike though 😅

[@twentyonenix8386]

83 is suck a big number to swallow but at the same time considering how rare the lhd versions of the FD, it sounds about right. though tbh these little japanese sports cars should be realistically at around 20k... but the economy is in shambles lol.

[@TP16Diecast]

Early gang 🔥🙌

[@Smeedia]

Gang gang!

[@christianlynn6997]

Fire

[@Smeedia]

🙌🙌

[@DarkInstinct05]

notification gang ✋🤚

[@Smeedia]

Gang gang!

[@viko1786]

Probably the only original part is the front windshield. Everything else is replaced, damn. Edit: Nevermind, I missed the replacement video. xD

[@Smeedia]

The rear glass is still original 😅

[@bc8Sooners]

Does it has AC thought?😁

[@Smeedia]

No 😢 BUT I do have all three stuff to put AC on it I wanted to 😅

[@baoly9550]

$83k and that’s not including labor and love. I’d buy this car over any modern car all day for $83k and have the most baddest and iconic cars of all time.

[@Smeedia]

Something about clean Old sports cars that just hits different from newer cars 😮‍💨

[@R3XZiLLA]

I firmly didn't believe your comment- "I'm not a baller"

[@Smeedia]

Have you seen the price of ganadors?! People want like $4,000 for some mirrors. 😅 I’m cool with some of my rep parts to save some dollas 😅

[@nessisti212]

#MochiBuilt #MochiPerformance #MochiGotBoost

[@Smeedia]

Momo gang

[@JamesBond-ip6pl]

I honestly didn’t think you spent that much on it. You will get to enjoy it and still be able to get a pretty penny when you get tired of it.

[@strmshadow8411]

I would say probably about 45k.... I'd consider it a labor of love, just more than I personally would've put into one.

[@Smeedia]

@@strmshadow8411idk I see some pretty rough ones go for 45K 😅 with what’s all been done this FD should easily last another 30+ years. Even at the 45K price point most still are original under costing, Original bolts etc

[@strmshadow8411]

@@Smeedia I just don't think that the market's sustainable though. But again, I could be completely wrong. I think the market will eventually go back down to "sane" prices. But then again, all it takes is the right buyer. Although I love the cars, they definitely feel their age and replacement parts (interior) are worth their weight in gold.

[@JamesBond-ip6pl]

@@strmshadow8411 He also basically got a brand new FD.

[@strmshadow8411]

@@JamesBond-ip6pl No FD is basically brand new, and 93 is the least desirable year unless it's CYM Yellow.

[@mrsocrates2211]

Damn thats alot of money but if i ever have money like that i would have done the same, wish i could repair car like that. Thanks man great videos and great car

[@scoobysean555]

Yes 😅

[@Smeedia]

😅😅😅

[@haydendonham]

Nah I spent 26k for 600 hp 13b wiring everything except tune and ecu . So probably 35k .80 k is insane

[@0-BADVIBE-0]

Jesus, do you need help spending your money lol??? Extremely nice build sir!!!

[@Sharinnegan_414]

for that year of the car and its a jdm car? parts are very hard to find nowadays, and they do get really pricey. $84k? would of have bought a diesel truck! buy an abandoned car and spend tons of thousands of dollars to rebuild the whole car, thats a waste of money down the drain, but i think it is worth it if youre planning to keep the car as for collection. those are a rare find! but diy redbuilding the car saves alot of money!

[@chocOneOOne]

doesn't even include labor...can't even imagine what that would add

[@Smeedia]

Labor costs would be wild on this thing. Can’t imagine what that would add to it 😅

[@ilyayevdokimov6063]

his wife watching this O_O

[@Hakiri27]

short answe.... too much

[@Smeedia]

I will never financially recover from this 😂

[@Hakiri27]

​@@Smeedia😂😂😂

[@LanceUngerBBYFOZ]

First🎉😊

[@Smeedia]

Early fricken bird!🐦

[@LanceUngerBBYFOZ]

​​​@@Smeedia👀gotta love notifications 😜

[@krunksvoldihno]

powder coat alternator

[@Smeedia]

I debated it but I like having the silver break things up a little 😅

[@ThroaT-HiT]

I love this car so much, but this makes my wallet cry just a bit 😅

[@corbinhinojosa5686]

That’s at least 100 to 120k with labor

[@Smeedia]

Without a doubt 😅

[@supers0nic77]

"More than you can afford, pal. Wankel" (brap brap noises)