Just a few questions for you kids, I'm going to look at a 1988 TII with 98000 miles on her. The body looks decent as does the interior except for the steering wheel and the drivers seat, normal wear I guess.

Anyway, I was hoping to get some input on what to look for when I go to see this car. He is only asking $3000 for it since he just purchased a '93 RX7 and doesn't need this one anymore.

I was also going to go look at a 1989 red Convertible with 114k on it, but whoever had the car before the dealer, must've really took care of her, it looks beautiful...asking price $4000

Which would be a better deal? neither one will not be a DD...

 

if it isnt gonna be a DD ide say get the TII, it be more fun in the end.

 

Buyer's guides:
http://www.rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq/bguide/bguide.html
www.aaroncake.net has a buyer's guide and other info

Check them both out first. The TII will be faster, especially if the convertable is an automatic. If the '89 wasn't a convertable there actually wouldn't be a huge difference in speed vs. the TII, since there was a power upgrade between '88 and '89. But convertables are much heavier and hence slower than hard tops. An N/A is usually more reliable than a turbo and gets better mpg, so it's cheaper to own.

 

That is very wrong. While there isn't a huge difference in peak hp, the turbo has a better power band and more torque. The turbo will be noticably faster stock. Also, there isn't a whole lot you can do to a non-turbo without opening up th engine, while there is quite a bit you can do to the turbo.
I say that if you have another reliable car, then get the turbo, hands down. Just follow the checklist on aaroncake's site when you look at it. If it is smoking at all, I wouldn't get it, unless you plan or rebuilding it. If you are willing to rebuild it, you can have a total blast with the turbo car.

 

Wow, thanks for the awesome guide...and the convertible is a 5 speed.

 

You really should drive both cars first, and get a mechanic's opinion on both of them. I learned that one the hard way. If it's at all possible, get the compression on each car checked.
A few other points of advice:
-the TII engine will wear out faster
-You may have to put a new top on the convertible. How sure are you that it will keep the rain out?
-The convertible is probably the more desireable car. However, the TII will be a fair bit faster. You're talking 160 HP in the convertible vs. 185 HP in the TII. Also note that the convertible is heavier, probably by a couple hundred pounds.

If they're both solid cars, I'd personally choose to drive the TII. That's just me, though. For what it's worth, if you have to look at a rebuild for one of them, it'll probably cost you $2500-$3500 for the convertible. The TII may cost a bit more to rebuild, but I couldn't tell you for sure, as I don't know a whole lot about turbos. Hope that helps

 

S4 T2 0-60: 6.8s
S5 N/A 0-60: 7.2s
I think it's be the other way around. The TII has much better peak power than the N/A. 160HP is 85% of 185HP, but 6.8s is 95% of 7.2s.

But that's immaterial since he's looking at a vert. Assuming the vert is 200lbs. heavier, I'd guess a 0-60 of 7.7s, but I don't have the official number.

Oh, and +1 to everything else said by everyone, including Sideways7.

 

Well, the differnece between the power of the s4 turbo and s5 NA is 22 HP, but 43 ft-lbs or torque, both of which are at a lower rpm. Also, I think that the turbo and vert probably weigh similar because the turbo has some heavier components, plus some extra stuff not on NAs (like a turbo.) The stock HP doesn't matter that much, though, becuase it is far easier to get power from a turbo car than a non-turbo one. Just remember, make sure you have all of the supporting mods (fuel in particular) before raising the power of a turbocharged car.