Stacey's Mazda RX-7, Stolen!

This document last modified November 8, 2001.
In late October, 2001, a young lady named Stacey in Vancouver contacted me for some advice. She told me that her immaculate 1985 Mazda RX-7, which she purchased new, was recently stolen, and she was seeking advice about its value, for insurance purposes:
 

Hi Jim,

My name is Stacey, I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I hope
you can help me. Your web page grabbed my eye. You see... on October 24/01
my Mazda GSL-SE was stolen. I  had adored the RX7's since 1979 & swore I
would own one. Back in September '85 when I saw what the new "86's" would
look like...... I panicked. On my way to work......... I went to the
dealership, bought the last RX7 GSL-SE on the lot & drove to work.. The
deal  took 15 min. (no kidding). Two days later I was offered more $$ than
I paid for it. During the last 16 yrs the car has been my baby. No driving
in the rain. Garaged from October to June, Stored indoors in the winter (
hey.... this is rainy/snowy Canada!). Waxed & buffed ( door jams too!)
There are no dust bunnies under the seats. No smoking & no eating in it
either! No rust, no dents, no scratches. There are rock chips on the
front...but I never repainted it. Everything in it is original. Never had
engine trouble. The only repairs done were the breaks &  Tires.. The
original tires had lots of tread.... but cracked (rotted off). The thing
runs like a dream. Its my "play" car. 107,000 kilometers. Mint condition.
Today I found  out from the "specialty car market dealers"  in Vancouver
that this model is a hot commodity on the foreign market  A target for
theft & is probably in a container on a slow boat to Japan. (Japan, China
& Parts of Europe). By the way, I work in  the insurance industry in
Canada. & I have contacts at the Port of Vancouver & The information I
have obtained on "our car" is not common knowledge I know my car is on a
"slow boat to Japan" where cars as old as ours are considered "antiques"
Please tell you friends who own RX7's that are in mint condition to put
"passive alarm systems" on them they are targets... the cars will be
stolen.

I asked the insurance adjuster what she thought the car was worth. She
looked at the pictures & said she didnt't have a clue.... but it's not the
book value

So.... I did ask your help....... I know now that our car is NOT common.
Do you know where I can find out a fair "actutal cash value" for this car.
I'm a girl & I know "now" it's vaulable. I just wish I knew a week ago.

The car cannot be replaced, I am the original owner.....16 yrs

I just wish I had known, I'd rather have my baby back

Stacey
 

Well, unfortunately, they found the car...


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