RangerJoeEOD

I am the proud owner of an 89 GTUs 5 speed. The Car is Red with Black int. It’s clearly an S5 N/A. The Engine is poor the tranny needs Rebuilt in the worst way. I all but stole the car for $500 dollars in May, the stereo in it is worth about $1000 new, still in very good shape, Sub just replaced. The Engine is rebuilt but I don’t know when, I have NO history on the car, The Odometer has 143000 on it. Between Clutch, Tires, & windshield, i have about $1200 in it. I am on a relativity low budget. My plan was to get the Tranny Rebuilt and Engine worked on, and the sheet metal worked out and have it painted.

How Much should I Put in to it?
Is it better to Buy a Rebuilt Engine now (Maybe even Jpec)?
Is there a Market for it down the Road?

I would love to Get it Showroom shine and get away Fast, the way I know t should be. Even as slow as it is now I Can take all my friend on the road tracks. But they whoop the **** out of me in the Straight aways.

Ryde _Or_Die

It really depends on what you want from this vehicle or its replacement. You want to beat your friends in the straightaways(you know you do )? Just want a nice looking ryde that handles good? Really depends on what you want.

Scott 89t2

you do relize what the gtus is right? it's the rarest model. around 2000 in north america total in 2 years it was made. built it up nice and clean. it'll be a collectors car soon. you stole the car for that price.

RangerJoeEOD

Will puting a rebuilt engine hurt the Resale, becouse its not Orgl? Drop a line on what you would pay for a Fully restored GTUs. More than 4 grand? I Can get an Engine and Tranny for 1800, I have the Equ and skill to fix and paint the body.

Ryde _Or_Die

No I don't see a way in the world that the engine being rebuilt will do anything other than raising the value. I can seeing a 7 enthusiast payong $4000 or even more for a perfect GTUs. Not me, but there are people that would I'm sure.

Project84

Value is relative. The car could book at $1500, but that doesn't mean its only worth $1500 to you, or someone willing to buy it.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

I was under the impression that the GTUs production run was around 100. Making it the rarest model available. The 10th AE, having a run of about 1500, being the second rarest model.

"Mazda produced exactly 100 1990 GTUs' before discontinuing the mark. To this day Mazda officially denies on paper that there were ever any GTUs' made after 1989."

Jarrett

Source: http://beyondtheredline.fd3s.net/GTUs.html

Evil Aviator

The GTUs has no collector value at this time. The more non-stock parts (stereo, etc.) you ad, the less the collector value will be, that is if it ever has any collector value.

You can get a replacement transmission from the junk yard. It will be $75 - $150 with a 30-90 day warranty, depending on the seller's policy. Contrary to what you may read on some of those other web sites, the GTUs does NOT have the TII transmission. It is the same as any other S5 NA transmission except for a unique .756 5th gear ratio. A regular non-turbo transmission with a .697 or .711 5th gear will work just fine.

You can get the engine rebuilt by a professional for $2,000, which is less than what it would cost you to buy another used car in excellent conditon, even with your trade-in. Once rebuilt, the engine should last for another 100,000 to 150,000 miles, so I think this is a good investment.

ERAUMAZDA

If you really love your car money is not an option. its only a limit.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

It DOES have the 4.30 LSD rear...

I think the reason collectibilty is suffering, is due to the sheer volume of "clone" GTUs. Its not really all that easy to "certify" your GTUs as the real deal.

Jarrett

Evil Aviator

OK, that's really nice and all, but so what? I think I missed something here.

BTW, you can buy a 4.33 ring & pinion gear set for any 2Gen. NA part number M066-27-110A, and TII part number P092-27-110B.

No, it's just that not enough people care. The GTUs was never a known race winner (Cobra, GT-40, etc.), it doesn't look unique (Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari F-40, etc.), it wasn't driven by a famous person (Porsche 550, Hummer, etc.), and it was never in a movie or TV show (Mustang GT 500, Ferrari Daytona Spyder, etc.). Demand is what determines the collector value, not the production number.

AreExSeven

Whats the stock gear for a S5 TII?
And any idea what that bad boy costs?

Evil Aviator

All of the other 2Gens with manual transmissions came with a 4.10 rear end.

Replacement ring & pinion sets are about $400 - $600 new. It is cheapest to get a sponsorship from Mazdaspeed, but I would imagine that Racing Beat and Mazdatrix could get them for non-racers.

RangerJoeEOD

Thanks for all the info, Keep it coming.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Maybe so, but then again, none of those ever applied to the 10th AE. So why does that model have a collectability factor?

Evil Aviator

The 10AE doesn't currently have any collector value, either. However, it is worth a few hunderd dollars more than the other 88 TII models because of its better paint job, headlight washers, and other premium standard equipment.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

I tend to disagree (to a point, I know they arent worth a fortune). But what it really boils down to, is
an old car is really only worth what someone will pay for it.

Maybe the GTUs is not worth much to you (or alot of other people). But it IS the rarest of the RX-7 models. Which in my opinion makes it worth holding on to.

Rat

*edit* RangerJoeEOD, I am sorry for hijacking your thread.

Evil Aviator

Oh, I agree with that. The only problem is that not enough buyers currently value those cars like you do. This can change, of course, but IMO that's no reason to pay extra for these cars right now, and I don't think that anybody should worry about ruining any "collector" value.

IMO it is good for him to see this discussion, and I think it does relate to his thread. Besides, I'm sure that he is happy to learn that his car is one of the better RX-7's made.

BTW, if RangerJoeEOD thinks that his engine is about to blow, then I suggest everyone to take cover.

RangerJoeEOD

I am enjoying this discussion very much. I also think its kind of funny a group of people with such a common tie can have such different opinions, and be so stubborn all at the same time I do take a lot of pride in my car, i like driving something no one knows anything about. (Rotary what’s that, do i have one in my car too? NO !! ) I can say it a good feeling knowing no matter how many Civics, Mustangs, RSXs and even F body’s are out there, I have a One Bad *** car, One of 2000 (or 1000 if you talk to the right people)

RangerJoeEOD

I thought it appropriate to explain this for thou that might not understand, and brag a little

My username has three parts
Ranger, Army 75th Reg. Airborne Ranger
Joe , Uh that’s my name
EOD, Explosive ordnance disposal (that means i play with bombs)


I am a bomb tech, If you see me running try to keep up

Evil Aviator

So when are we going to see pics of the world's first RX-7 with Astrolite-G injection?

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Here is my question. Where are you getting your GTUs production numbers from? Officially only 100 were made, not 1000 or 2000.

I just think that owning the rarest FC is pretty cool. No, its probably not worth a lot of $$, but who cares? I probably have one of the only 10th AEs in Tucson, and believe me, it does attract attention (when its running.. )

True, my opinions do differ from evil aviators, but at the same time, he does have a point. All my friends HATE my FCs, and probably wouldnt **** on them if they were on fire. Me? I guess I am a little attached to the stubborn things, so the value to me is a little greater.

My opinion? Keep the GTUs.

Jarrett

Suds7

Astrolite-G :p

Hydrazine is actually remarkably easy to make, and I am sure you know about NH4NO3

RangerJoeEOD

You really need to look into getting new friends. When I clean my Rex up and hit the streets, people look and friend wish. When it can run as good as it is unique i will be sure to be all the envy of all those mustang owners.

Several people told me, on the forum, that numbers were in the range of 1000 to 2000. I would love to hear some concrete numbers from Mazda. I am in process if doing lots of research my self. All should feel free to post the number they heard and it source.

ajsuper7

hey j-rat. ive seen another 10th ae in tucson, some kid at uofa has one and it has got atleast exhaust, i never got to race him or talk to him. i only saw that car drive by me a few times. also, there are alot of fc's near the university including mine. someone in a stock s4 got their **** pushed in by my moded s5 na last year...i couldnt believe how slow those things are stock...i hope it wasnt you, it was a 87 judging by the wheels. if it was you...sorry haha