I have the chance to buy a 1990 GTU. A lady has been the only owner, and it only has 72,000 original miles. Since a chick drove it, the maintenance wasnt kept up on very well, she only used Pennzoil (Eccck, who could use that crap?) oil and filters. But I checked the compression and its better than my engine. So, should I listen to compression and get it or the crappy maintenance says its gonna blow in a couple thousand miles? I mean, just cause the compression is good doesnt mean it wont die in 20000 miles, right?

 

The compression is your best indicator of the health of the motor. Buy the car. Then clean the 5th/6th ports, b/c they're probably clogged from her not using them...

 

what was the compression on the motor? each rotor face if you have it?

 

Dont remember each rotor face but it was 100 on both rotors, with no big gaps in between each face.

 

that seems healthy enough.. if there was not big changes between faces.. then your side seals are doing good and so are your apex seals... I would say that if you do the proper maintenance and a thourough tunenup and checkign everything over with a fine tooth comb you will get quite a few more miles out of her! that is descent compression!