personally i say go for the RS.judging by the gorund effects it's a 90-92. the ground effects are better looking and so are the wheels. the 86 is going to have 15" wheels and the RS will have 16" wheels. it is also possible (but not likey) that theRShas rear disc where the 86 Z will have drums. if the 86 has a L69 305 it will only have 20hp(190hp)morethan the 305 in theRS (from 90-92) if it has theLO3 engine (the only V8 in a RS rated @ 170). the suspention is upgradeable on both cars to the same specs. so suspention is no problem.

 

Thats right. I would not be comparison shopping for Hp. Mileage, condition inside and out, running condition, What would need more work,.....
And the weakest part of the RS's suspension is the weak *** springs. Ok for the V6 but if it has the optional V8 then a set of the Eibach progresive rate lowering springs (250.00 +/-) and struts and its all good.

 

the RS is also goin to have a 7.625 28 spline rearend instead of the 7.5 26 spline like the 86Z. if they both have the stock trannies in them the 90 700R4 is 100% better than the 86 700R4 . the 86 and down 700R4 had a very weak input shaft, it got revised in 87 to a much stronger unit. the 86 also may not have a rearsway bar and the RS will likely have one. there are several different little things that would make the RS more desireable than the 86Z but these are just a few things to consider.

 

A simple comparsion would be the RS (cheaper model) & Z28 (more expensive model). Used car prices also reflect these differences other then condition. So don't pay more for RS then Z28.

 

the RS is at leat 4 years newer and looks to be in alot better shape , use car price guides wont matter. the RS looks to have decent paint on it (may need washed and waxed) and it is one color where the Z is two colors and the paint does look that great. the RS has decent looking polished wheels and the Z28 looks like it has chrome it with krylon wheels....i still say buy the better looking RS and leave the Z sitting there.