Hey guys I have a 89 s5 that runs and drives fine but I'm looking at a 85 vert to learn how to rebuild as well as the Ins and outs of the motor. My question is as it says the rear of the the motor has bad compression, am I looking for a new motor or just a rebuild like I would want to do?
I know you can't know much from just a post about it but any clue would be appreciated.

 

there is no 85 VERT..that is an 88..
If you get that Vert for 400 bucks you have done well.
Verts have a higher asking price for some unknown reason,.
You can source a top on Ebay,..personally I like a Coupe,but when I had a Vert it felt "safe"..which I found a little weird as I kept thing what if I rolled over?"..they fixed that at Mazda though by making it Bulky in weight..and slow than a coupe..lol!

 

In general if the rear compression is just a bit low, not gone, you can probably assume there isn't major engine damaged.

You might get away with just pulling it apart, throwing new seals and gaskets in, then ending up with a reasonably good engine for a daily driver.

But you might also find worn rotor tip slots, housings with massive chrome flaking and irons with stepped wear so large you could snap off a finger nail in it.

It's hard to say.

But at $400, it's not much of a financial risk. I'd buy it.

 

now at $200? sounds fishy to me.

 

If he has the wherewithal, one could part it out for at least a few times over the initial cost.

 

and space that isn't inside city limits, or one inside it that is fenced and not visible.

got a neighbor across the way who works on cars, the city went on his property and tagged the 2 that were obviously inoperable with big ole green stickers. they only moved into the house less than 6 months ago too. people tend to think they can have inoperable cars on their property, except when they are obviously inoperable most cities are starting to crack down on them. course it is south dakota, and it is probably pretty rural just about everywhere there.

 

I'd jump on it. You cannot lose at that price. If you wanted, you could find a used running engine and swap it in. This would be the quickest and cheapest way to go about it. It would make a great driver!