First post *****. Been an observer of the site for a while now, and I trust you guys for information and real opinions, so I'm gonna throw this out there for any and everyone who wants to provide some insight.

I've been looking into buying an FC for quite a while, found some **** here and there, mostly dead ends (one 10th AE broke my heart lol). Just recently though, I've stumbled upon a pretty immaculate 88 GXL. This thing is spotless, inside and out, 100% maintained and takin its naps in a clean garage. It's been a weekend car for most of it's life, and as stock as you can get. The guys who have owned it have been maticulous with this thing, replacing EVERYTHING that needed it. Which leads me to where I am now.

If I get this thing I'm looking foward to spending performance/aesthetic time under the hood, and everywhere else for that matter. I know it's gonna perform, but to what extent. Having not owned an fc, I don't know what kind of power im gonna be able to conjure working those long nights with my trusty wand of wrenching.

I guess what it comes down to is NA or TII. I know you guys have both, and I know you've seen good and bad. Tell me what you think.

-Justin

 

Here are some pics of the 88 in consideration.

 

If you want high hp numbers you need to go t2. The first thing you need to do though is check compression on the housings. If you have low compression the first thing you'll need to purchase is a rebuild. Get us more technical information about the cars your looking at. But get the compression test first.

 

That car looks like pure sex.

 

Welcome to teh forums.

 

Thanks clutch, and I will be gettin more tech from him. He told me he has a 3 ring binder full of every single thing that's been done. Some things I remember right off hand though..

- He just had the FPD replaced
- New clutch
- The roof needs a little "help" closing lol
- 60k Original miles
- Apex Seals have not been replaced as it hasn't been neccessary (they haven't beat on the engine that much)

 

Buy the car.

 

FPD is a MUST. Now you know if your car fails, it won't catch on fire For the sunroof, do you need to nudge it to get it moving? Also, if you buy the car make sure you have a little money left over , just in case of the radiator hoses if they are wilted.

 

that is one clean fc

 

The sunroof just gets stuck a little when it's closing (taken apart, cleaned, lubed. That's my diagnosis). As for the funding, wouldn't do it unless I could go out and get a matching pez dispenser afterwards.

 

My sunroof has the same problem.

 

So does mine, I think I know what I'm going to spend tomorrow doing now...

 

Wow that thing looks clean... How much is he wanting?

I would suggest an N/A as your first rotary. They're easier to fix, more reliable, and more user friendly. If you decide to go for a TII later, you'll have one hell of a GXL to sell to get money .

1. GO HERE!!!!!!!! -----> http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm <----

2. Check to see if the springs on the rear of the sunroof are in place. One of mine came unhooked and now one side doesn't close completely unless I get out and push the lever down that the spring actuates. Regardless, it's not a big deal.

3. Ummmm, sexy car.

 

Price?

 

asking $5500, pretty sure that's not gonna stand though. Seeing as the the standard retail value is 1k less in EXCELLENT condition.

 

lol

your new pic is scary eatmyclutch...

 

I got this for $5,500.

 

Everyone thinks I am out of my mind to pay that much, but it was worth it. If it's worth it to you, buy it, but make sure to check out your options in other cars.

 

Nice 7 man, clean as hell.

It's not PERFECT, although very close, so I'm gonna trust my intuition in saying the price is gonna come down. This is really the only non-bullshit opp i've had, so I'm gonna take advantage of it.

 

Welcome!

if you really want performance (no offense n/a guys!) get a t2. high performance N/A's are actually more of an expertise than TII's. if you're even considering this car then you can afford a nice S4 TII and it will be way easier to extract mad crazy powah. This is a nice, NICE clean car but its not a car i would buy to modify. go look for a TII that needs some small work here and there and I think you'll be happier in the long run.

 

Welcome to the forums!

Have fun with your new FC. The NAs are still a lot of fun and great to drive. That looks like a beautifully maintained 7. Definately try to talk him down on the price tho, they certainly are worth more for great condition but i'd try him at 4k and stay below 5k on that if it were me. They commonly go for a lot less like anywhere from 1,000- for a beater to 3500 for your standard high miles running good condition. But if thats as babied as you say than it would be worth more.

The NAs have about 150hp stock and run a 16.5 on the 1/4 mile. A lot can be gained quickly by doing some exhaust work. The stock exhaust system has 2 pre-cats and a main cat which restrict like hell. If your out of money and want to address this problem immediately you can just take them off and bash the **** out of the center of them and free up some nice power, just be sure to replace the gaskets and get it back on tight. Theres where to start.

Make sure you drive it too the redline and dont be worried if you hear a buzzer go off I'm totally serious.

 

hey man welcome, that does look like a really clean car, i myself purchased an 87 GXL with 83k miles on it and let me tell you i had a 300hp/close to 300tq GTI and already i am having more fun driving my 146hp 7....

GO FOR IT!

Zak

 

Nice low mileage FC, ugly color, clean as hell, and IMO a bit too pricey. Go TII for that price, but who am I and to each their own. Welcome to the forum.

 

That is a rare color. Claret Mica? But yeah, that's a VERY, VERY high price for that s4 GXL. If you really want it, don't pay more than $4k. Seriously, you can find some unbelievable Turbo II Rx7's for $5.5k.

 

Yeah, that's claret mica, so rare i've only seen it in pictures. I really need to go see this guy soon so I can have a good idea of which way this is going.

Thanks for all the help and the warm welcome, you guys own at life.