Purchased the ’89 TII new March17, 1989, red/black leather, and thought I would post the problems or lack thereof to get the car this far. First let me say that the car is garaged, no winters and no rain since 1992.

Quick rundown, the car still has the original:
Original suspension components
Struts
Rotors
Alternator
Starter
Radiator
Wipers front/rear
Original washer fluid in rear reservoir
Original exhaust, but needed to replace the chrome tips
Original bulbs, except for one headlight, but replaced both to be same manufacturer
Radio/Equalizer, but 2 door speakers were replaced and the night lights are out on both
Clutch master cylinder
Slave cylinder

Normal maintenance every 3k and presently on the 3rd battery, and 3rd set of brakes

71 oil/filter changes-Castrol 20-50 but with the new engine Rotella 15-40, Mazda filters
19 spark plug changes
6 fuel filters
4 sets of belts
Two thermostats and 4 “O” rings
One power antenna cable
Shift bushings once
Rebuilt front calipers once 128k
Replaced rear calipers once 144k
Redline trans and diff fluid since 10k and changed 3 times
TPS replaced once with a used unit, then replaced with a new TPS
BAC valve replaced once with used then a new BAC valve

Engine cracked a seal at 155K miles (9-15-02) and was replaced with a Mazda remanufactured unit along with OE clutch assembly, T/O bearing, pilot bearing, new metering oil lines and all vacuum and water hoses replaced. At the time of engine replacement, removed the pre cat and main cat, installed a downpipe and Bonez high flow cat, G Force ecu, 3G fuel pump along with a Hallman MBC and disconnected the boost solenoid as it was working itself to death trying to keep up the 11-12 lb boost. Still have the 2 cats and actually install the OE main cat for Jersey inspection when needed.

The transmission was rebuilt twice, once at 72K and again at 155k when the engine was replaced.
Driveshaft replaced at 155K
One set of motor mounts191k
One set of trans mounts 191k
Trans cross-member 191k

Although the wipers hadn’t been used in maybe 10 years, on the way to KD Rotary a slight drizzle coated the windshield and after the wipers were turned on they couldn’t be shut off, needed to pull the connector then replaced with a new switch at 155k.


Thought this might be interesting. To back up slightly, when the car was new and as it was the first S5 TII delivered to Maple Shade Mazda, the front air dam was installed upside down and needed to have it replaced 3 weeks later. Needed another installed at 26k when a tech caught it on a driveway and ripped it apart. Same with the driver’s side leather seat cover that was replaced twice when techs induced cuts when entering/exiting the vehicle.

Body, no dents/scratches, but when the car was 6 months old and parked, a young fellow backed into the right front that caused damaged to the front bumper cover (replaced), headlight door (replaced), and right fender repainted. In 1995 I turned into an extended curb and broke both the right fender and rocker extensions. Other than that, all OE outside/inside.

Under warranty, the rear main seal and clutch disc was replaced at 16k miles, and the heater control panel was replaced 3 times before they found a bad ground.

Back in 2001 I purchased a ’91 TII rolling chassis to be used for parts if ever needed, but so far have only used one item, the clip for the hood rod.

Been a great car and still enjoy taking it out for a ride every now and then, although it only sees maybe 2-3k per year but still gets a lot of positive responses.

 

Thank you for Sharing! Would you happen to have any pics?

 

neat! i know of another T2 that went 200k (they guy sold it, so it lasted longer)

it was also red, but an 87, grey cloth i think.

the engine lasted the whole time, along with the turbo, stock exhaust, clutch, trans, etc etc.

right around 200k it got a radiator (new factory unit), injectors, an engine harness, air control valve, and probably the intake gasket (while you're in there...)

the exterior had 1 ding, on the roof where it got hit by a golf ball....

in both cases the list of things required is really short for a 23 year old car!

 

This thread is awesome! Thank you for sharing. The first engine lasted 155k, what was your driving style like?

 

Old work buddy of mine had a 87 or 88 TII with 188k. He told me he bought it with well under 30k on it over 10 years ago from a elderly ladie. He said he didn't do nearly any maintenance on it, mostly just oil changes. At 188k the oil control rings were pretty much toast and he sold it before i could get my hands on it. And to note, i seen him warm the car up every single time before leaving work.

 

Old guy now, but never did drive the car hard. I could take the car to 80-90 and there was no problem unless I was in boost and it would hiccup. Dave at KD could create the problem when on the street, but when trying at the shop with the EKG hooked up, at least that's what I call it, it took 5 times before the problem surfaced. The wife used it for work the first three years and we accumulated 70k miles with her driving and all the joy riding on the weekends, and after that it's been in the garage. Actually had a NHRA Competition license until 2006 and didn't have it renewed but the TII was never abused and will still hold its own weight. The only reason I even made the mods to 12 lbs is that in stock form and 200HP, there were stock sedans that were as fast, if not faster than the 7, so it needed some extra oomph. Even with the Bonex cat it passed Jersey inspection in 2011.

The date on the picture is not correct as it was taken last year, 2011, just too lazy to do the date change and as it was on Photobucket thought I would share. Have others, that aren't available at the present time, but when I find where they are, I'll post them also to give a better perspective of condition after all the years and miles.

 

Thanks for sharing mate!

 

I see you got the gold paint out!
I wish my wife enjoyed my FC's like I do.

 

I actually had them gold plated at a business in Ohio. My wife still enjoys the car, but when I'm driving she doesn't like me to, let's say exercise the car.

Always a piston engine guy and as with many people, the ability to be able to detect the precise shifting point from the engine sound, but even to this day that "little" rotary will just keep on winding and found it difficult to shift just from engine sound, especially when first gear is just a blip, so decided to add a shift light. I have the old style small HKS boost gauge attached to the steering column cover, naturally after I supported it with metal on the underside, then attached the shift light to the boost gauge. It helps.

Another problem I wanted to mention, years ago the driver's side key lock spring broke, little sliding door came out and now the lock is frozen. Have a replacement but not installed as I want to get it coded properly for the car.

Have a great day guys and better add girls to be safe.

 

Very cool. That TII found something that seems to not happen all that often anymore - an owner who has kept it since new and taken great care of it. Cars are so expendable these days and most people don't give that kind of attention to one car over 20+ years. Keep it up!

 

Did you keep it out of the salt?

 

NiceeEEEe

1989 ... dang I was only 9 yrs old ... not old enough to own a car yet.

Well, 2005 I bought my first Rotary rx8, 63K on odo now, Got another FC 3 yrs ago and now planning to get a SA22C/FB and keep it ...

 

he said he garaged it every winter

 

Couldn't locate the old memory card so as it is a beautiful day here in Jersey, thought I'd bring the car down from the back garage, give it a wash, take it for a ride later and snap a couple of pictures.
We were never a big fan of the S5 TII mesh wheels so replaced them many years ago with the AR's. Have the OE wheels and caps in the back garage and not a nick on any.
Here it is, about 1 hr ago and 201,139 miles, all original except what was mentioned before. If you look closely, the front bumper cover that was replaced and painted by Maple Shade Mada back in 1989 has turned slightly darker while the front fender extension that was replaced in 1994 but was never painted has darkened also.

 

Beautiful, with one obvious exception...

 

The wheels are really not too bad. I prefer a nice t2 wheel or efini BBS myself though. But it still has the factory fresh look.

 

Just thought I would add that the driver's side is perfect with no blemishes.

Got to remember, those wheels were purchased way back in the mid '90's, but if done today there would be a different wheel on there, probably 17's if I could find the right diameter combination, or even a 16/17 combo. Right now it has BFG 215/55-16 and Continental 235/50-16 and presently that 235/50-16 size is nonexistent, so if and when those tires wear down looks like I'll be doing some searching, but then again I might not be around by the time that occurs.

Thanks and have a great day!

 

Do the passive seat belts still work? That would be incredible if they do.

I'd love to see some interior shots if you get a chance.

 

My 88 BBS vert wheels would look good on that car

 

Yup, still work but the driver’s side was repaired 10-12 years ago when it jammed in the track.

The interior pictures were just snapped a few minutes ago, car in garage and interior not what I would call clean as the Mother’s Leather conditioner hasn’t been applied since last summer, but at least you’ll get the idea. Not bad for 23 years along with the miles.


They are what I originally would have liked to put on the car, but they were only 15”, and the 16’s from Japan were too costly, so went the cheap route with the AR’s. Maybe next time.






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