Shopping for T2s; need help rationalizing which one to buy
06-10-11, 01:05 PM
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Shopping for T2s; need help rationalizing which one to buy
Hi all,
So I have been shopping for a T2 for a couple of months now. Looking for one I can keep and maintain for the long term, hoping for an appreciation in its value as good ones become more scarce.
I am down to 2, one of which I would like to purchase. I am hoping I can state the scenarios and get some constructive feedback on what others on the forum would do or what you think.
Each car will likely cost me $6000 to $6500 to buy from the present owners. That seems to be the going rate here in Southern Ontario for a T2 with a clean chassis, minimal rust, and some basic performance mods. Looking at other cars for sale in Canada and the US, the price seems appropriate.
Car #1 - its an 89 S5 T2. 141,000kms (88,000mi) on the car with the original engine. The car has been modified and maintained by a local rotary specialist that I trust, and has a catback exhaust, a downpipe, FCD, HKS cone intake, a turbo timer, lowered springs and aftermarket shocks. The owner believes that the turbo wastegate has been ported. The interior is great; the paint is original and faded. Its very clean and fairly rust-free on the bottom, but has a little surface rust on the rear wheel wells behind each wheel. Seems mechanically sound, and pulls hard in 1st and 2nd. Its not insured, so I couldn't take it on the highway. The AC still works. It needs a new driver's window switch, the intermitant wipers don't work, and the power antenna is broken. Has a nice aftermarket stereo. It will need paint soon ($3k to $5k).
Car #2 - its an 88 S4 T2 10th AE owned by a guy I have known since I got my first RX-7 in the 80's. 160,000kms (100,000mi) on the car with a rebuilt engine (with 3mm apex seals) with 40,000KMs (25,000mi) on it. The car has been modified and maintained by a local rotary specialist that I trust (he also built the engine), and has a turbo-back exhaust (single pipe), some sort of ECU mods, HKS cone intake, Apex lowered springs and Koni adjustable shocks. The interior is great; the car was painted 5 years ago. Its very clean and fairly rust-free on the bottom, but has a little surface rust on the rear wheel wells behind each wheel. The car was used for a while in Solo II and Pro Solo events where it held its own against Mustangs and Corvettes. I haven't driven it yet (Sunday if its not raining), but I trust the owner, so i know its going to pull and ride the way it should. The AC and power antenna do not work. Has a nice aftermarket stereo, has a 2+2 back seat, and comes with 2 sets of Riken rims/tires and the OEM 10th AE rims.
The crux of the decison (IMHO) probably comes down to the new paint and engine of the 88 vs. the rarity or S5 turbos and their better intake and turbo system. I do not think that there is any collectability quality to 88 AE's, as there seem to be a lot of them around for sale.
Any thoughts appreciated.
So I have been shopping for a T2 for a couple of months now. Looking for one I can keep and maintain for the long term, hoping for an appreciation in its value as good ones become more scarce.
I am down to 2, one of which I would like to purchase. I am hoping I can state the scenarios and get some constructive feedback on what others on the forum would do or what you think.
Each car will likely cost me $6000 to $6500 to buy from the present owners. That seems to be the going rate here in Southern Ontario for a T2 with a clean chassis, minimal rust, and some basic performance mods. Looking at other cars for sale in Canada and the US, the price seems appropriate.
Car #1 - its an 89 S5 T2. 141,000kms (88,000mi) on the car with the original engine. The car has been modified and maintained by a local rotary specialist that I trust, and has a catback exhaust, a downpipe, FCD, HKS cone intake, a turbo timer, lowered springs and aftermarket shocks. The owner believes that the turbo wastegate has been ported. The interior is great; the paint is original and faded. Its very clean and fairly rust-free on the bottom, but has a little surface rust on the rear wheel wells behind each wheel. Seems mechanically sound, and pulls hard in 1st and 2nd. Its not insured, so I couldn't take it on the highway. The AC still works. It needs a new driver's window switch, the intermitant wipers don't work, and the power antenna is broken. Has a nice aftermarket stereo. It will need paint soon ($3k to $5k).
Car #2 - its an 88 S4 T2 10th AE owned by a guy I have known since I got my first RX-7 in the 80's. 160,000kms (100,000mi) on the car with a rebuilt engine (with 3mm apex seals) with 40,000KMs (25,000mi) on it. The car has been modified and maintained by a local rotary specialist that I trust (he also built the engine), and has a turbo-back exhaust (single pipe), some sort of ECU mods, HKS cone intake, Apex lowered springs and Koni adjustable shocks. The interior is great; the car was painted 5 years ago. Its very clean and fairly rust-free on the bottom, but has a little surface rust on the rear wheel wells behind each wheel. The car was used for a while in Solo II and Pro Solo events where it held its own against Mustangs and Corvettes. I haven't driven it yet (Sunday if its not raining), but I trust the owner, so i know its going to pull and ride the way it should. The AC and power antenna do not work. Has a nice aftermarket stereo, has a 2+2 back seat, and comes with 2 sets of Riken rims/tires and the OEM 10th AE rims.
The crux of the decison (IMHO) probably comes down to the new paint and engine of the 88 vs. the rarity or S5 turbos and their better intake and turbo system. I do not think that there is any collectability quality to 88 AE's, as there seem to be a lot of them around for sale.
Any thoughts appreciated.
06-10-11, 02:41 PM
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Nice ride, btw. The very rare 91 T2. Don't see many of those around.
There's a very nice 90 T2 in Vancouver, but it would cost $2000 to ship it east.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...427446714.html
06-10-11, 02:51 PM
#4
Tough call. I'd probably go with the AE though, because of the fresh paint and engine. S4 vs. S5 stock diff. is only 18hp anyway, and the two cars are only a year apart. I also usually see more S4 parts for sale at a slightly more reasonable price.
Aside - is this Ian who used to go to the MSOC/RX-7 Club of Toronto SoloII events (I went to a few in the mid to late 90's)?
Aside - is this Ian who used to go to the MSOC/RX-7 Club of Toronto SoloII events (I went to a few in the mid to late 90's)?
06-10-11, 02:58 PM
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Tough call. I'd probably go with the AE though, because of the fresh paint and engine. S4 vs. S5 stock diff. is only 18hp anyway, and the two cars are only a year apart. I also usually see more S4 parts for sale at a slightly more reasonable price.
Aside - is this Ian who used to go to the MSOC/RX-7 Club of Toronto SoloII events (I went to a few in the mid to late 90's)?
Aside - is this Ian who used to go to the MSOC/RX-7 Club of Toronto SoloII events (I went to a few in the mid to late 90's)?
BTW, the AE is being sold by the former RX-7 Club/MSOC President. The rotary specialist I referred to is Mazdees
Last edited by IPWinsor; 06-10-11 at 03:02 PM.
06-10-11, 03:21 PM
#7
Pretty sure it's you...I recognized the name because you were always near the top if not 1st on the time sheets for your class. I was thinking either Miata or 1st gen. Darryl D.'s car? I guess the AE is the one you know the history for longer? That would be a big plus.
[I was a young shy guy in a red S4 around '96-'98. Went to a few meetings and SoloII events. During one of them (at the MTO Keele & Lawrence? event) my balljoint went and I still have the jack stand to give back to whoever lent it to me. It's only been 13-16 years, lol.]
[I was a young shy guy in a red S4 around '96-'98. Went to a few meetings and SoloII events. During one of them (at the MTO Keele & Lawrence? event) my balljoint went and I still have the jack stand to give back to whoever lent it to me. It's only been 13-16 years, lol.]
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