In my search for an FC, I have the opportunity to purchase an '89 GTUs that needs paint.

As far as second gens go, this is my first choice of models, being as how a MV TII is out of my price range and I don't really want a turbo anyway.

What kind of premium does a GTUs demand? Compared to your basic GTU or GXL. Yes, I'm aware of the wheels, brakes, and driveline differences. Also the roll-up windows and 4-speaker sound.

What color interior did they have. I thought they were available in white/black/red so are all the interiors black cloth?

Do they have the factory alarm system?

 

I've saw two GTUs models before I bought my 7. Both were red and had black interiors. I think I've seen some pics of a white one with a blue interior, though.

 

you mean S5?? M IV and what not are supras (i think?)

you mean gas? same as any other N/A FC. I put 87 or 89 in mine.


the roll up windows are better IMO. the electric ones break often, and I think are a little heavier. I believe the brakes are the same as the TII, and GXL, and wheels are the TII wheels. I think all FC's had 4 speakers. well, both mine do. I think just the speakers are better.

for color, I believe there were 3 color options(I think)
red w/ black int. white w/ blue int. and(i think) black w/ black int.

the only thing I'd want different in a GTUs is a sunroof thats why I dont have one.

 

A GTUs demands whatever "premium" the buyer is willing to pay. IMO a GTUs is worth about what a GXL is - sure, it's got some TII bits and special GTUs bits, but it's still a base model, and if you're not looking for a pure race car chassis to build up, it's not worth more than a fully-appointed N/A. In the end, you've still got a slow N/A withno sunroof, stereo, or power accessories.

With that said, I'm still on the hunt for either a GTUs or vert to install my TII running gear into. The draw of either a flex-free or drop-top chassis is too great to ignore.

Brandon

 

Ok time for me to lay the smack down. GTUs is “THE” car to have and I am not just saying that because I own one. If you like the turbo handling, brakes with out the turbo blow my motor whose and less weight then this is the car for you. Here are the options

- Red w/black int, or White w/blue, or black w/black
- TII 16” wheels w/ 205/55/ZR16
- TII suspension
- TII brakes
- NO sunroof
- Manual windows
- No rear hatch wiper
- Optional factory installed AC
- No tilt steering wheel (just stays in one place)
- 4.30 gears in the rear (now that one everyone wants )
- Aluminum N/A hood
- Probably lots more but I am tired
E-mail me or respond with any other GTUs or N/A questions

Kevin you are lagging I had to pick this post up before you

Rotary Racer "The NEW king of the N/A smack down"

 

The GTUs doesn't have the tilt wheel? Damn the one in my '90 GXL only moved about 1/2" and my cousins '87 SE had the tilt; its hard to imagine them building any w/o them...

What I meant was a Mark 5, or MkV, or whatever. NO not a Supra that is just how they refer to them in SPC from back in the day, when they did a special on the history of the wankel.

Still what abou the passive theft deterent system? Stock?

 

I was looking at a kelly's blue book and if you want an rx-7 that is the higher valued it valued the convertiables above the TII coupes. GTUs were below the turbo coupes.

James

 

IMHO the 86-87 Sport package and the 88 GTU are basically the same cars as the GTUs only lighter. The 89 GTUs has the 16" wheels and the better diff, otherwise they are effectively the same. I think it's been proven that the extra hp of the 89+ cars doesn't really make them much faster than the 86-88 cars since they are *heavier* than the early ones.

The Sport package is the most aerodynamic FC too!

Jeff

 

I thought the '89-'91 had the best aeros @ .29?

 

The 86-87 Sport had a Cd of .29. The rear spoiler on a sport package is functional, I don't think the "better looking spoiler" is functional as far as reducing drag. Your choice, form over function. The 88 GTU has the same body package as the 86-87 sport but with the other rear spoiler.

Jeff

 

A covertible version of almost any make will usually be worth more than the coupe version. Although mine is worth squat now that I have dismantled the whole thing!

 

Yo,


Okay, okay! Sheesh, I'm at the relatives for Christmas.

Superslinc, to answer your question about what premium they demand:

1. If the GTUs is in really nice shape, and the seller knows it's a rare car...you'll pay extra.

2. If the GTUs is a beater, and the seller doesn't know jack...you can steal it.

It all comes down to the seller's awareness of the market. There is market for the GTUs, it took me 3 months to find mine, and they are getting rarer all the time.

I remember there was a 38K mile GTUs in the Bay Area and they wanted like $8K for it. I think it sold pretty fast. Again, it depends on condition and knowledge.

Just out of curiousity, what are they asking for the GTUs that needs paint? They seem to be around the $3-4K range...with the really nice low mileage ones going for $5-6K.

I paid $5900 4 years ago.

Hope that helps!

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Worth every penny!"

 

i got my gtus last year for 1700 it was beat up but still it was workable and im still workin on it with in the frist 30 days i had it got hit twice on both sides of the fenders i never caught the guy that did it both times it was a hit and run wish i could of caught them could of had a panspeed areo kit and rims so now im waiting for this guy to come up off this 87 so i can get the parts fenders and doors but since it didnt have tilt steering i put ia pair of gxl seats in that i got off of ebay for 25 bucks and they have tilt column on their for about 30 bucks my gtus had 113000 when i both it super engine
need new injectors though they leak and i have a tranny seal leak to easy fix

 

Get one, Those cars are so awsome and fun. Itd be my second choice after the TII
Try not to spend over 3k for it i mean it really depends on milage and condition and like mentioned before sellers awareness of it being a really really rare car.
Good luck

 

If it doesn't have original paint, to a collector it isn't worth anything.. unless of course you completely restore it.

 

Bring it.



Oh, don't be obtuse. Of course that's why you're saying that.

If you're looking for that, I suggest you look into an S4 Sport model. They're even lighter. The GTUs' aenemic power is not enough to justify the short 5th gear (how long does it take an N/A to get out of 4th gear? A LONG TIME), and 4.3 rear ends are both available in the aftermarket, and can be paired up with a better LSD design (read: torsen).

Besides, the average driver (note: you are "the average driver" unless you've got extensive competition experience) can not take advantage of the very small handling difference between the TII and GTUs, and the TII, no matter how you cut it, will walk all over any N/A in the straights. Around a track, the TII is THE choice.

And what about around town? TIIs have useable torque. I can accelerate from 65-90 on the highway, and pass traffic, without having to downshift into 4th. Useable is the word here. Can an N/A do that? Sure. But it's sloooooooooooow.

Cloth only.

All of which can and should be upgraded anyway.

Sounds like a base model to me...

...with a weak 7" ring gear diff. You also forgot the short 5th gear ratio. In a weak-*** N/A gearbox. And if it matters that much, just buy a Kaaz 4.88 rear end.

'Verts have aluminum N/A hoods, too, to say nothing of the numerous identical S4 aluminum N/A hoods. And now that Dave Gibson's selling paintable CF N/A hoods which are even lighter, well... can you say "moot point"?

The only thing else you forgot was the aluminum jack and spare - which are readily available, if you keep that heavy ***** in your car.

King, eh?

Brandon

 

Hey,

i bought my 89 GTUs for 600bux! the body was rusted to hell but the driveline was all good so i put everything on my 90 GTU. Didn't like to do it, but it was cheaper in the long run. Plus my GTU looks like a GTUs anyways (ex. no sunroof, rear wiper, etc etc.)

GTUs all the way!

ps. i still want a TII

 

The GTUs will only be valuable and collectable to RX-7 enthusiasts. To the rest of the public, it's still a "POS" 11 year old car. So don't expect to buy it as an investment.

(Sorry, had to bring some reality into this thread. Note that I am not saying it is a POS, just that's how most of the public views any 10 year old car).

 

I would never buy a car as an investment. Thats a depreciating asset if there ever was one.

 

Thats pretty much what I was thinking along the lines of; only valuable to an RX-7 or Rotary nut.

 

Wow I almost don't know how to respond to your as*h*le like comments… But wait, I do!

I was joking around

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


If you're looking for that, I suggest you look into an S4 Sport model. They're even lighter. The GTUs' aenemic power is not enough to justify the short 5th gear (how long does it take an N/A to get out of 4th gear? A LONG TIME), and 4.3 rear ends are both available in the aftermarket, and can be paired up with a better LSD design (read: torsen).

[/QUOTE]

Oh and the S4 are faster? Damn dude how long you been into 7's might want to get your facts straight. Yep you are right 4.30's are available to buy aftermarket, but guess what I don’t have to buy them because they came on my car did they come on a TII, NO.

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


Besides, the average driver (note: you are "the average driver" unless you've got extensive competition experience) can not take advantage of the very small handling difference between the TII and GTUs, and the TII, no matter how you cut it, will walk all over any N/A in the straights. Around a track, the TII is THE choice.

[/QUOTE]

Ok so now you know how good I drive, you might not want to make comments about a persons abilities until you have seen them in person. If you bothered to read what I wrote I said " If you like the turbo handling, brakes with out the turbo blow my motor whose and less weight then this is the car for you." Yep they handle just about the same this is why I said "the turbo handling, brakes". Next quote "with out the turbo blow my motor whose" my motor is 173+k miles and the last three owners have raced it and so have I it is my track only car can your turbo do that? "and less weight" well that speaks for it's self.

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


And what about around town? TIIs have useable torque. I can accelerate from 65-90 on the highway, and pass traffic, without having to downshift into 4th. Useable is the word here. Can an N/A do that? Sure. But it's sloooooooooooow.

[/QUOTE]

Did I say anything about around town? No. 1st off you should not be driving over 65 on a street according to the law. I never said anything about the N/A being faster, I never have and never will but I don’t see blown apex seals in my future from boost creep.

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


Cloth only.

[/QUOTE]

Yep like I said I forgot something because I was tired.

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


All of which can and should be upgraded anyway.

[/QUOTE]

I agree about the brakes and suspension but not about the wheels. Plus what if this person can only afford the car and not a lot in aftermarket performance parts (read his post cant afford a TII). Got to get the best bang for the buck.

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


...with a weak 7" ring gear diff. You also forgot the short 5th gear ratio. In a weak-*** N/A gearbox. And if it matters that much, just buy a Kaaz 4.88 rear end.

[/QUOTE]

Again we are talking about a N/A NOT a turbo (because he does not want to buy a TII). Not worried about breaking transmissions with a N/A.

[OUOTE]Originally posted by No7Yet


King, eh?

Brandon

[/QUOTE]

Well Brandon If you read the 2nd gen fourm much you would know that I was poking at my buddy Kevin (RarestRX) buy taking his style of signing posts.

Last thought, This post was about what the options of the GTUs, and what the GTUs was all about. This is what I did in my post besides play fully poking at you turbo guys. If you bother to read his original post he said “As far as second gens go, this is my first choice of models, being as how a MV TII is out of my price range and I don't really want a turbo anyway.” Why did you chime-in in the first place? I can answer just because I poked at the turbo’s a bit. But I just poked at Turbo cars in general and did not make any quick judgments about anyone’s skills in mechanical or driving abilities.

Quote from XXX “The moral of the story is don’t be a DICK, DICK”