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Hunting for the Air Jordan 4 Motorsports: Price Comparison & Deals
The Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Motorsports’ is a 2017 retro release that pays homage to a 2006 friends and family colorway created for the fourth anniversary of Michael Jordan’s Motorsport’s Racing team. Featuring a premium white leather upper with Game Royal accents and black detailing, it captures the essence of MJ’s racing team. When hunting for a sought-after pair like the Air Jordan 4 Motorsports, comparing prices is crucial. This can help you find the best deal and ensure you’re not overpaying, especially since these sneakers are now primarily found on the resale market.
Retailer Comparison
Originally released on March 25, 2017, the Air Jordan 4 Motorsports had a retail price of $190.
At the time of release, they would have been available at major sneaker retailers like Nike, Foot Locker, Finish Line, and select boutique sneaker stores. However, as this release is several years old, you will no longer find them available at these retailers for the original price. The primary way to purchase them now is through the resale market. Occasionally, a specialty sneaker consignment shop might have a pair in stock, but their prices will reflect current market values, not the original retail price.
Resale Market Analysis
The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is a popular sneaker, and its price on the resale market can vary significantly. Platforms like StockX, GOAT, and eBay are the main places to find them.
- StockX: Prices for a new (deadstock) pair typically range from approximately $350 to $600+, depending heavily on the size. Common sizes may fluctuate within this range, while very small or very large sizes can sometimes command different prices. The “last sale” price is a good indicator of current market value.
- GOAT: GOAT offers both new and used pairs. New pairs generally align with StockX pricing. Used pairs can offer savings, potentially ranging from $200 to $450+ based on condition (from “Good” to “Like New”) and size. Always check photos carefully for used pairs.
- eBay: eBay is more variable. You might find auctions or ‘Buy It Now’ listings. Prices can fluctuate widely here, and it’s crucial to buy from reputable sellers with strong positive feedback. eBay now offers an “Authenticity Guarantee” service for many sneaker sales, which adds a layer of protection. Expect prices similar to StockX and GOAT for authenticated new pairs, with potentially wider variance for used or unauthenticated listings.
Factors affecting resale prices include:
- Condition: Deadstock (brand new, unworn, with original box) pairs are the most expensive. Used pairs vary based on the level of wear and tear.
- Size: Highly popular sizes (e.g., US 8-12) often have more demand and can sometimes fetch slightly higher prices or sell faster.
- Authenticity: Verified authentic pairs, especially those coming through platforms with authentication services, are valued higher and provide peace of mind.
- Market Demand & Hype: General trends in sneaker collecting and specific demand for the Air Jordan 4 silhouette and this particular colorway influence its price.
- Seller Reputation & Platform Fees: Established sellers or listings on platforms that include authentication and buyer protection may have slightly higher prices due to overheads and trust.
Tips for Finding Deals
- Be Patient: Resale market prices fluctuate. Monitor listings over time; sometimes, prices dip slightly.
- Consider Used Pairs: If you don’t need a pristine, deadstock pair, excellent condition used sneakers from reputable sellers on GOAT or eBay can offer significant savings.
- Compare Across Platforms: Don’t just check one site. Prices for the same size and condition can vary between StockX, GOAT, and eBay.
- Look for Local Sneaker Groups/Consignment Shops: Sometimes, local Facebook sneaker groups or reputable consignment stores might have pairs. This can sometimes avoid platform fees, but be extra cautious about authenticity.
- Beware of “Too Good To Be True” Deals: If a price is significantly lower than the market average, especially from an unknown seller or a less reputable source, it could be a scam or a counterfeit product.
- Factor in All Costs: Remember to include platform fees, shipping costs, and potential import duties or taxes (if buying internationally) in your final cost calculation.
- Set Price Alerts: Some platforms allow you to set alerts for when a sneaker in your size hits a certain price point.
Authenticity Guide
With high resale prices, counterfeit Air Jordan 4s are unfortunately common. Here are some general tips for spotting fakes (it’s always best to also search for specific “legit check Air Jordan 4 Motorsports” guides online for more detailed comparisons):
- Overall Shape & Proportions: Familiarize yourself with the correct silhouette of an Air Jordan 4. Fakes often have an incorrect stance, toe box shape (too bulky or too slim), or heel bump.
- Stitching Quality: Authentic Jordans have neat, consistent, and high-quality stitching. Messy, uneven, frayed, or widely spaced stitching is a major red flag.
- Jumpman Logo:
- Tongue: The Jumpman logo should be well-defined with clear proportions. Look for “lollipop hands” (round, undefined fingers) or a “butt crack” on fakes. The stitching around the patch should be clean.
- Heel: The Jumpman on the heel tab should also be crisp and well-molded. The proportions should be correct.
- “Flight” Script: The “Flight” script below the Jumpman on the tongue should be clearly printed or embroidered, with correct font and spacing.
- Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and at the base of the tongue should be correctly sized, shaped, and angled. On fakes, the netting might be too wide, too thin, or made of a flimsy material. It should also sit relatively flush, not stick out too much.
- Heel Tab: The plastic heel tab should be sturdy and correctly shaped. The pull tab part should have a defined look.
- Tongue Tag (Inside): Examine the text on the inside of the tongue tag. Fonts, spacing, and overall quality of the text are important. Compare with images of authentic tags.
- Box & Label: The shoebox quality, color, and the information on the box label (style code, size, barcode, font) should match authentic pairs. Style code for Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is 308497-117. Fakes often have flimsy boxes or incorrect label details.
- Smell: Authentic Nikes have a distinct factory glue smell. A very strong, overpowering chemical smell can indicate a fake.
- Air Unit: The Air unit in the midsole should be clear and properly inflated. Fakes might have cloudy or poorly constructed units.
When in doubt, always try to buy from platforms that offer an authentication service (like StockX, GOAT, or eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee) or get a second opinion from a reputable legit check service or community.
Conclusion
The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is a really cool shoe, but it came out a while ago, so you can’t just buy it in regular stores anymore. You’ll usually find them on websites where people resell sneakers, like StockX or GOAT. The price can be high and it changes a lot, so look around for the best deal. Make super sure the shoes are real and not fakes before you spend your money. If you really like these Jordans, save up and be smart about where you buy them to get a fair price and the real thing!
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