Ok, I found a 89 TII, but it was wrecked! The entire front end is jacked up! The front bumper, hood, and front fenders are toast and gone, and the top of the frame is damaged. He said it like the crossmember in front of the radiator was bent to hell. It has a few light mods on it, and he said it still pulls like a champ! I am considering trading my 91 N/A for it, after I fix the broken Differential mount, that is. He is supposed to e-mail me with a response, but he said he would consider it! Does this sound too shady, and I am living in La-LA Land, or should I trade my RUNNING and light modded N/A for it? Also, how much would all that stuff (frame, fenders, hood, and front end w/ lights) cost to fix? I don't need a perfect color match, just legal to drive!

 

The engine has 50k and so does the turbo. Both are j-Spec. It has S-AFC, downpipe, cd player (who cares?), and a few other goodies. He said he was going to sell it for $5k before the accident, so the rest of the car is great. I think he is sending some pics so I can verify!

 

I don't think I would trade a good n/a for a busted up turbo. How much does he want for it? See if you can buy it and keep your n/a for now till you see what kind of damage your looking at with the tII. If you buy it and find out the frame is bent that'll be a serious kick in the ***.

 

I am desperate for a serives 5 TII! At this point I would sell my soul for one! I am going to test drive it and all, I just want to see how much $$ it will cost to fix. He said about $1k-1.5k, but if I do it all myself, I think I can do it for cheaper! Hell, I can bum rides till she is done!

 

Oh yeah, it is looking to be a straight trade.

 

Wrecked cars generally are not worth much. Even a TurboII. If the car is that easy to fix why doesn't the guy just fix it himself? I wouldn't trade if I were you but might consider just buying it to fix later.

 

Uhh... I love RX-7's and all... but none of them drive THAT great.

I would keep a nice good condition N/A over a wrecked TII any day. It sounds like it has a TON of damage. Honestly in the eyes of the insurance companies the car is probably totaled.

Good luck,

 

The real thing is: the car runs fine! It is mechanically fine, only cosmetic stuff is messed up. So having overemphasized this, should I walk away ar what?

 

Based on your description and without seeing it.... I would walk.

 

It can be mechanically sound but you need to check the frame good and suspension damage, possible bent wheels and lots of other ****. Damn if you weren't in such a hurry you could wait for a better one. I'm gonna be selling mine in a few months. I have to paint it and stuff but it's absolutely beautifull. I have a booklet of receipts about an inch and a half thick. But anyway just wait for somethin' to come along. Thats what I'm doing. I'm banking on someone having to get rid of their cherished rex and then I'll ****** it up.

 

I am a broke college student, and I only make $6.50 an hour, so out and out buying a series 5 TII is nearly impossible. I want a series V b/c of lower miles and higher hp. I love my baby, but I want to get rid of her so I can get a TII! He is sending pics, I think. When he does I will post em and we can go from there!

 

Contrary to what everyone else is saying, I would CONSIDER it. It MIGHT be a good deal, and you MIGHT get hosed. here are some things to consider:

Front fenders will cost you about $85 each for "aftermarket" reproductions. They fit ok, but aren't painted. You can use that as a bargaining tool with the local salvage yard... find an FC with a toasted motor and the same color... pull the fenders, headlight assembly with motors and all, and the nosecap. You'll probably want the foam and maybe the actual composit BUMPER that is behind all that. It'll be easier to find parts from an NA. 86-88 and 89+ are not QUITE the same, try to find the same series car. You're looking at probably $500 or less for those parts I would guess. Another $200+ for a hood- any year TII hood will work... just find a TII hood in the appropriate color.

I could easily swap all those parts in an afternoon. (I've done so.)

Now, here is the tough part. You need to find a body shop that will make you a good deal JUST to straighten the frame parts.
Pull everything off so they have a clear area to work with. (fenders, hood, nosecap, headlight assemblies...) Hopefully about $500 or less to "pull" the frame straight. They use some pretty sophisticated equipment to do this kind of stuff, you probably CANNOT do that part yourself.

Bolt everything back on- it takes some patience to get it all lined up though.

LOOK AT THE CAR IN PERSON, and TAKE IT TO THE FRAME SHOP FIRST, BEFORE YOU TRADE. Otherwise you might get hosed, BAD.
Get an estimate JUST to straighten the frame/core support. If the seller won't let you do that, I would say forget it.

Good luck!