Whats the most powerful STOCK 2nd gen RX7? I need to learn some more before I buy one :|

 

S5 TII

Jarrett

 

S5 turbo II?

k, the S5 is just the engine model number, right? or what? Like I said, I'm a newb.

 

200 HP

 

Opinions on this car? other than the fact that the seller can't spell correctly, I have no idea wtf i'm doing :|


http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...&car_year=1987

 

S5 is 89-91 2nd gen.
S4 is 86-88

S5 TII has more HPs then the S4.

Jarrett

 

Gotcha, thanks a ton.

 

Oops, forgot to mention that S5 means series 5, as in the second half of the second generation from 89-92. They have many revisions compared to the 86-88 years. They are heavier, more optioned, have a different front bumper cover, different tail lights, and more stock HP. Someone here once posted that driving an S5 compared to an S4 felt like sex with a condom versus the natural way; ie. he meant that he couldn't feel the road as much and the driving experience was more "rubbery".

 

That would be an S4 N/A.

 

Yeah, after you posted the years, i figured that.

How hard is it to find an S5 TII for under 3k? Impossible?

 

3500 is a little steep for an S4 NA with 100k miles, new rims / tires / exhaust or not.

 

Depends on who you talk to.

Some people here claim to be able to get them for less then 2500.

Jarrett

 

I'd like to know where they're getting them from :|

 

Ask Evil Aviator and his side kick DAN CARVIN.

 

I was talking to someone tonight, and they mentioned a recurring problem with a gasket on the rotery motors.


Wtf was he talking about?


Any tips and tricks to avoid nasty expensive problems?

 

Also just talked to some other people who said the Turbo2 has more problems than the N/A, is that true? :|

 

It's true if the previous owner(s) and you didn't take care of it.

 

turbo cars= more problems. thats just a no brainer. more vacuum lines, sensors, and then the heat issue. not to mention stresses on other parts of the car that are dealing with the added power and heat (though most are beefed up components).

 

That's not 100% true. If you follow the recommended maintenance; replace hoses, TPS, & Pulsation dampiner every 85K miles; and fix any electrical sauder problems (do it yourself fixes), they're both just as reliable and last a VERY long time. The NAs can last 160-300+K miles if, and the TIIs can last 140-200K miles depending on your maintenance cycle & driving habits (ie driving it like you stole it keeps your engine happy).

Plus you can avoid engine damage by having the compression checked at higher mileage. If low, just pull the motor & apply the rebuild kit (do it yourself).

And usually the turbo will let you know when it's getting too worn. That can be rebuild much cheaper than if you let it self destruct.

 

Hrmmm, so all and all, I ought to go for the turbo huh? Its worth it if I can find one?

 

Yes, if all you care about is the power, the TII is the way to go. If you keep your eyes open you can find some good deals if you look around for a few months. These sites are good for buying tips:
http://www.kbb.com/
http://fc3s-pro.com/sitemap.html

 

BTW, since you are new, note that the only factory turbocharged US RX-7 models from 87-92 were the Turbo II and the 88 10th Anniversary model. The others, such as the SE, GX, GTU, GTUs, GXL, Base, Sport, and Luxury models, were non-turbo.

 

You should get NA because first of all there is a little bit less maintenance then TII. And second of all owning the rotary powered car is like being a driver you aren’t the driver until you get into the accident (there are exceptions). So I'll give you 90% that you going to kill your first Rx (you might fix it after words but still you will kill it). And with non-turbo it is going to be cheaper to fix it or not as hard to part with. Once you pass the graduation you can get or do what ever you want.

Also try to do everything yourself on the car. Those mechanics will screw your car up and you will learn faster and you might be the exception.

 

I've heard the horror stories about mechanics, and my neighbor and my grandpa know some about rotary's, so im gonna enlist their assistance, plus, theres always a mazda dealership :|

Why do you think im gonna kill my first RX? Explain? It shift/drive far different than most normal 5 speeds?

 

Just expirince. I killed mine. And other 3 friends of mine did that. I'm talking about about relativly old car which most likly will have problems which you might or might not notice and just let them develop to somthing what will kill it. Plus rotaries have different symptoms for their problems then pistons.