Hey RarestRX, et al:

Is there any way to tell for sure from the VIN whether a car is a real GTUs? I'm looking at one to buy, but all I have is one pic, front left 3/4 view, to go by. It looks as if all the paint is uniform in color, and the fender has the GTUs emblem in the right spot. The wheels are the right ones. BUT, there is no wing on it, and I think the ground effects are gone, too. It looks as if it has no sunroof.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ren

 

Here's a pic:

GTUs photo?

Ren

 

document not found, turboren

 

****, sorry, i forgot you have to be a memeber of the group for that to work. I'll have to see if I can remedy that.

Ren

 

Try this:

Ren

 

That the one on autotrader?

 

the GTUs's didn't come with ground effects or the T2 sideskirts...some did have the optional front lip...but only a few.

looks kinda real to me...looks like there is no rear wiper (a sign of GTUS) ...(kinda hard to tell though with the dark reflection on the hood...

and no sunroof...

 

There is no encoding in the VIN to tell trim levels. I think if you find someone at a Mazda dealer they can run the vin and they will have in their records what trim the car is. Another easy way to tell is while driving the car in 5th, your speed will be double the RPMs. So at 3000 rpm you will be doing 60. 4k=80, 2.5k=50 etc. Well, my GTUs does anyway. (And I have the window sticker to prove it's genuine) At least it will tell you you have a GTUs trans and 4:3 rear....

 

MARKS, That is only correct if the tires are the same diameter as the OEM tires

 

uh... no!

Why do you ask?

Ren

 

Nope you're right!

 

The GTUs was thhe onl;y nonturbo model to come stock with 16" wheels, so look in the door sticker at the man. wheel/tire size.

I gots a GTUs too, its on the autotrader. You want my car man?

 

Good Point

 

That's a good idea. I think his problem though is that he's buying from out-of-town or something. If that's the case, then there's no way to tell from that picture or from the VIN#. He should see if he can get an interior pic and find out if that steering column is adjustable...

Steve

 

True ´nuff, I´m buying from WAY out of town (like 4000 miles).

Hypntyz, how much?

Ren

 

It looks like it has a rear wiper so I would almost say that is a big negator on the authenticity. But yeah check on door wells and everywhere else. If it is a damn gtu's congradulate yourself cause not many people have the damn things anymore

 

Where is RarestRX? I thought he'd be the first to chime in on this one...

Ren

 

Here's a pic of my '89 GTUs from almost the same angle if you would like to compare.

 

Yo,


Sorry brudah! I'm actually out of town right now.

It's going to be tough to tell if it's real or not if you can't drive/touch/look at the thing.

Biggest visual tip offs:

No sunroof
16" Meshie rims
No rear wiper
Manual windows
Cloth seats

What people are talking about the sticker in the door is it should say:

205/55-16

Instead of the 205/60-15 or whatever came on non-GTUs NA RX-7's.

If you can, have the dude take a photo of the sticker on the driver's side door jamb, as well as just a general interior shot. If it has manual roll up windows, then it's prolly a GTUs.

Feel free to PM me with any Q's about where it is, price, etc. If it's near Sacramento, I can go buy it...er...check it out for you. *grin*

Hope this helps!

KS
1989 GTUs "If it's real, you're gonna /love/ it!"

 

Thanks, KS, that info will definitely come in handy.

So I take it the wing was an option, like the chin spoiler?

And, they only came in red (not sure of name), right?

Ren

 

Yo,


Nope, that GTUs (If it is a real one) is missing the rear spoiler. You'll have to ask where it is! It should be there.

The GTUs came in 3 colors: Noble white, Blaze Red and Brilliant Black.

Woah, you're in Iceland?!

KS
1989 GTUs "Better get that block heater..."

 

That makes sense, because I think I remember seeing a white one in Hampton, VA, about 5 years ago.

I would bet that red is the most popular color.

Ren

 

$3500 obo. www.rotaryresurrection.com under for sale. 120psi per rotor, fresh rebuild with 4500 miles, mint interior and drivetrain, runs strong, great body, needs paint bad.

 

I talked to him about 2 weeks ago. He said it was a GTU-S. Though about buying it, but I really want a REPU right now instead.

 

Update:

Well, naturally, the car sold already. Story of my life. It was selling for $2000, so I was really hopeful.

I don't know what the real story is, because the jackass never returned my e-mails or phone calls. FWIW, his other-than-cash option was a trade fora 92-ish Civic. He obviously didn't have a clue what he had. What a bonehead.

Yeah, I'm just bitter because I missed out...

Ren