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Air Jordan 4 Motorsports: Nailing the Price and Finding Your Pair
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Motorsport’ is a colorway of the iconic Air Jordan 4 silhouette, released in 2017, paying homage to Michael Jordan’s post-retirement motorcycle racing team. When looking to purchase sought-after sneakers like these, price comparison becomes essential, as costs can differ significantly across various sellers and platforms, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.
Retailer Comparison
When the Air Jordan 4 ‘Motorsport’ first released on March 25, 2017, its official retail price was $190 USD. As this release is several years old, you will no longer find these sneakers available at standard retail stores like Foot Locker, Nike, or Champs Sports for their original price. Any “retailer” claiming to have them new at MSRP now would be highly suspicious. The primary market for these sneakers today is the resale market.
Resale Market Analysis
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Motorsport’ is a popular model, and its price on the resale market reflects this demand. Here’s a look at typical pricing on major resale platforms:
- StockX: Prices for new, deadstock pairs typically range from approximately $350 to $600+, depending heavily on size. Smaller or very large sizes can sometimes be outliers. The average sale price hovers around the $400-$500 mark.
- GOAT: Similar to StockX, new pairs on GOAT are priced in the $380 to $650+ range. GOAT also offers used pairs, which can be found for significantly less, often starting from $200-$300 depending on condition and size.
- eBay: eBay shows a wider variance due to individual sellers and auctions. New pairs can be found listed anywhere from $350 to over $600. Used pairs can also be found, often with “Buy It Now” or auction options, offering potential deals if you’re patient and vigilant.
Factors Affecting Resale Prices:
- Size: Common sizes often command higher prices due to greater demand. Less common sizes might be slightly cheaper or, conversely, more expensive if rare.
- Condition: Deadstock (DS) new-in-box pairs are the most expensive. Used pairs will vary greatly based on wear, yellowing, and whether they come with the original box.
- Authenticity & Seller Reputation: Purchases from platforms with robust authentication (like StockX and GOAT) or highly reputable individual sellers often carry a premium for peace of mind.
- Market Fluctuations: Like any collectible, prices can rise and fall based on overall sneaker market trends, hype around related releases, or anniversaries.
Tips for Finding Deals
Scoring a deal on a sought-after pair like the Motorsport 4s takes patience and strategy:
- Monitor Multiple Platforms: Don’t just stick to one site. Check StockX, GOAT, eBay, and even reputable sneaker consignment shops or Facebook groups (exercise extreme caution with private sales).
- Consider Used Pairs: If you plan to wear them, a lightly used pair in good condition can save you hundreds. Look for detailed photos and descriptions.
- Set Price Alerts: Platforms like StockX allow you to place a “Bid” or watch an item. eBay allows you to save searches and get notifications.
- Be Patient: Prices fluctuate. If you’re not in a rush, you might catch a dip in the market or a seller looking for a quick sale.
- Look for Bundles or Local Meetups: Sometimes sellers offer slight discounts if you buy multiple pairs or if you can do a local cash meetup (again, prioritize safety and authenticity).
- Avoid Scams: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to reputable platforms or sellers with strong feedback. Be wary of sellers asking for payment through unsecured methods.
Authenticity Guide: How to Spot Fake Air Jordan 4 Motorsports
With high resale values come fakes. Here are key areas to inspect:
- Overall Shape and Proportions: Authentic Jordan 4s have a distinct shape. Fakes often get the toe box shape, heel height, or overall stance wrong. Compare with photos of confirmed authentic pairs.
- Stitching Quality: Nike’s quality control is generally high. Look for neat, consistent, and evenly spaced stitching. Sloppy or frayed stitching is a red flag.
- Tongue Tag:
- The “Flight” script should be clean and well-defined.
- The Jumpman logo should have clear fingers and proper proportions. The shoelaces on the Jumpman should be distinct.
- The stitching around the tag itself should be neat.
- Heel Tab and Jumpman Logo: The Jumpman logo on the heel should be well-molded and crisp. The “AIR” text underneath (if applicable to the specific Jordan 4 model variation) should be clearly defined. For the Motorsports, it’s a Jumpman.
- Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and tongue should be correctly angled and spaced. Fakes often have netting that is too stiff, too loose, or improperly aligned.
- Box and Label: The box label should have the correct font, style code (308497-117 for the 2017 Motorsports), size, and barcode. Compare it with images of authentic labels online. The box construction itself should be sturdy.
- Insole and Footbed: Check the logo on the insole for clarity. Underneath the insole, the stitching on the footbed (strobel board) should be consistent.
- Smell: While subjective, fake sneakers often have a strong, distinct chemical smell due to cheaper glues and materials.
- Price: If the price is drastically lower than the market average for a new pair, be extremely cautious.
Your Best Bet: Buy from reputable sources that offer authentication services (like StockX or GOAT) or from trusted, long-standing consignment stores. If buying from an individual, ask for detailed photos and, if possible, a proof of purchase.
Conclusion
The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports are super cool shoes that many people want. They cost more now because they are not new in stores anymore. You usually buy them online from places like StockX or eBay. It’s smart to check prices on different sites. Also, be very careful so you don’t buy a fake shoe. Look at lots of pictures and ask the seller questions. If you do your homework, you can find a real pair that’s a good deal for you.
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