Which one is better, in your opinion?

[CyberPitz]

This is essentially me trying to throw around which year RX-7 to buy, since they both have their advantages to me *Price and availability*

Here we have a 1979 - 1985 Mazda RX-7 (First Generation). The car resembles the looks of the Nissan and Porsche looks. The car comes with a 12A engine, can come automatic or manual transmission. It's not a bad car, it's just difficult to find one in great condition, considering its age. If you could drop a later version of the engine, the 13B, down in it, this car can get to some great speeds. The Rotary engine requires alot of TLC to keep it up and running, but this engine is very powerful in the end. Now for pricing. You can get a decent non-turbo one of these for $1,000 on upwards to $2,500. For the turbo 12As you can get one for $2,000 up to around $3,000. Now for the 13B swap in there, and with the car running perfect, you're looking around around $4,000. Personally, I'm looking for something a little quicker than my car, so I'm hoping to go for a turbo. Here is how this one looks.

Next we have the 1986 - 1992 Mazda RX-7 (Second Generation). This one Mazda went with the more "Sporty" look, while also including luxury items* such as leather seats, Limited Slip Differential, Sunroof, Power Steering, and other such items. This car features the more tuned 13B Rotary engine. With this car pushing stock around 130 horse power, you can see why people enjoy driving this thing, and not requiring a turbo to go fast. With a turbo, the 2nd gen can reach upwards above 200 horse power, making the transition worth it. This car has a perfect 50/50 Front/Rear weight ratio out of the factory, making it great for making sharp turns, and drifting! This cars interior, as well, shows its age rather well for being 20 years old, but if the owner has kept good care of it, you won't be able to notice that! The pricing on these cars are a bit higher, due to the age. Good condition non-turbos go for aroudn $2,500 upwards to $4,000 if you can find one in perfect condition. With a Turbo II in it, you can easily find one for $3,500, but if you are wanting to get one that won't require work as soon as you get it home, you're looking to spend around $6,000 for it. There are also Convertible versions of this car out there, but they weigh more, thus aren't as quick. Doesn't make them any less attractive though, but replacing that tarp isn't the cheapest or easiest thing to do. Still great for those hot summer days when you just want to go out driving with your woman next to you.

* - Only on certain models.

 

[Shamrock]

I prefer the 2nd Gen over the 1st. Personally, I like the looks better. Though, that convertible is just hideous.
I do think the RX7 is a great overall car though. Definitely a great tuner car and well worth it for that cost.


And is it just me or has anyone else heard these words "more quick" put together? Quicker

 

[Stormy]

Sorry dude, not a fan of either.

 

[sarcastinator]

A wise woman once called this car a "midlife crisis-mobile".


I <3 my sister!

 

[CrazyHarij]

first one is absolutely brill

second is shit, ricer wannabe car sort of

 

[ailevation]

I personally would go for the FC. You don't like 240's?

 

[xcellerate]

Rotary motors - 60% of the time they work all the time.

---or---

Rotary motors - Communism worked in theory also.

 

[<RJMC>]

what about another car?

or just get a civic and pimp it fast and gangsta style whit exagerated bodykit and vomit-inducing painting and 80 kilograms of audio to increase performance

 

[Darkside55]

I'm biased, as a 2nd-gen RX-7 is one of my dream cars. I'd go for that one, personally. I would've suggested the 1st gen if you wanted longevity, as the 12As only have 100hp. Less power but less stress, too. But since you planned to dump a 13B in there anyway, and it sounds like you're going for speed, just get the FC.

I hope to pick up one of these this year as well. Would that I could get my hands on an Enfini...

 

[Krynn72]

You should get a Cadillac XLR








D:

I say the first one, because I like how it looks. I dont know anything about cars, so looks is what I always go for. I want my XLR

 

[FieryGoose]

In my opinion the 2nd generation is the better choice because of the obvious revisions they made, although neither one is the most reliable. I had a fd back a couple of months ago and sold it to get a wrx because i wanted something less temperamental. I also owned 2 240's before the rex and I enjoyed those both a whole lot, you don't have to constantly worry about the apex seals f'ing up, They are not as attractive cars in my opinion but you can definitely make them look better with a little money. Not to discourage you necessarily, but the one thing that drove me to sell my rex was that if the engine "blew" i would go under and lose a bit of money, you just never know with those cars, I know that a rebuilt for a 3rd gen costs around 7k and they can blow without warning. If you absolutely stuck on a rx-7 then get the second gen. turbo 2 if possible, but really do a lot of research so that you know what your getting yourself into, because the worst thing you can do is buy an rx-7 and not know how to do basic repairs on it, that is unless you have good cash flow.
Really though I would suggest jumping on the 240 bandwagon because of the difference in rebuild costs overall reliability and the fact that they have nearly as much potential of being a great performer. I didn't enjoy my 240's as much as my rx-7 obviously (being that it was pushing over 330hp to the crank)but my 240's were by far better daily drivers, not to mention better on gas. You might lose some money on a 2nd gen rx7, i'm not so sure about the 1st gens. but i know from experience that you can make money if you buy a 240. For example i bought my s14 240sx for 4k and sold it within 4 months for 8k all i had to do was a little paint work and make it clean.
So my suggestion: get a 240sx either s13 or s14,(the s14's are much more convenient, trust me), or if you cannot be detached from the rex's then get a 2nd gen rx-7, 13b>12a. Also as a side note how much money are you planning of spending overall, because both the pics of the engine bays that you posted are displaying single turbo configurations, which with tuning cost bank....
Here's a few shots of my old rx-7 for the car lovers:

 

[CyberPitz]

Fox: I already own a 2nd gen, but it's shite right now. Got it for 900 bucks, and it is in crap condition. Engine needs rebuilt, tranny needs rebuilt, clutch plate is completely fried, wiring is all screwy, fuel line needs replaced, Might need a new TPS, Need battery terminals, Ignition Coils might not be the best, need new injectors.

As for how much I'm trying to spend, rightly, right now, I don't have any credit, so a loan is tough, and I only have 1k. I make just under 700 bi weekly, and I pay ~400 bucks a month for bills, maybe an extra 100 for food. So it will take a couple months to get any decent money for a 2nd gen, and a 3rd gen *My fkn dream car* is way out of my price range, unless I can find someone who can cosign for me, and the bank be willing to give me 12 g's to get one. I don't see that happening, so I'm not holding my breath.

I could probably sell my rex for 1-1.5 K, but not much more than that. It's got some serious problems, and will keel over and die one of these days, but as of now, it runs. I, personally, don't like the looks of the 1st gen near as much, but damn if it isn't cheap. Single Turbo 12As really aren't that slow, and, if I'm not wrong, they can push up there towards 200 HP.

The whole reason I'm doing this is because I'm trying to get a loan from a bank now *Only 5k, but I don't think I'll get it since I don't have any credit...* and I really want another car, before this one blows up. Or at least another car to drive that's more reliable, and use mine as a project car *Though I'm not too fond of that, I already have 1 dead rex in my garage, and my roomate owns an 87 GXL which he finally got running...*

But damn if that FD isn't ace. Too bad you had to sell it. I wish I could get my hands on one so bad.

 

[<RJMC>]

them just buy a bicicle

or a horse

 

[FieryGoose]

I also have a 2nd gen. sitting in the back yard right now, water seals broke, so its drivable, the only problem is that its a time bomb for future problems. I'm not too familiar with the 1st gens. but honestly i just don't really like the way they look. I would get an s13 240 over a 1st gen rx7 mainly because of reliability. You can get 240's for pretty cheep, however, now since the ricers saw f&f3 the prices are going up. That's why i mentioned the possibility of you maybe making some money off of buying and selling a 240 and maybe later getting something you will really like.

I see you want something with a bit of power under the hood. It's just kind of hard to find something "powerful" for the price range your looking under. I would say just get a 240, or even a maxima, being that they are actually pretty fast 3L v6 w/5spd, in my opinion maxima's are actually more badass than 1st & 2nd gen rx7's and 240's alike. They is definitely a lot less stress involved with 4 cylinders and 6 cylinders than with rotorys but that just might be me. But the choice is up to you I just wouldn't recommend getting a car that has the tendency to break, especially if you rely on it getting you to work.

 

[CyberPitz]

I also have a 2nd gen. sitting in the back yard right now, water seals broke, so its drivable, the only problem is that its a time bomb for future problems. I'm not too familiar with the 1st gens. but honestly i just don't really like the way they look. I would get an s13 240 over a 1st gen rx7 mainly because of reliability. You can get 240's for pretty cheep, however, now since the ricers saw f&f3 the prices are going up. That's why i mentioned the possibility of you maybe making some money off of buying and selling a 240 and maybe later getting something you will really like.

I see you want something with a bit of power under the hood. It's just kind of hard to find something "powerful" for the price range your looking under. I would say just get a 240, or even a maxima, being that they are actually pretty fast 3L v6 w/5spd, in my opinion maxima's are actually more badass than 1st & 2nd gen rx7's and 240's alike. They is definitely a lot less stress involved with 4 cylinders and 6 cylinders than with rotorys but that just might be me. But the choice is up to you I just wouldn't recommend getting a car that has the tendency to break, especially if you rely on it getting you to work.

Haha, believe me, I know. I hate it when I keep running into problems. That's why I'm wishing I could get a 7 that is all ready to go, and works great, so I don't have to worry about it. I wish I could get an RX-8, but, sadly, that's 20 grand, and if I can't afford 10 grand, ain't happening. I guess I might just have to keep pooling my money, and hope one day I'll get a loan!

 

[Geogaddi]

I like the second one because I used one of those to get me through the first half of gran turismo 4.

 

[FieryGoose]

Haha, believe me, I know. I hate it when I keep running into problems. That's why I'm wishing I could get a 7 that is all ready to go, and works great, so I don't have to worry about it. I wish I could get an RX-8, but, sadly, that's 20 grand, and if I can't afford 10 grand, ain't happening. I guess I might just have to keep pooling my money, and hope one day I'll get a loan!

Alright man well good luck in your search, I hope you find a car that you like and will enjoy.

 

[Geogaddi]

I'm saving 1500 dollars to put Lambo doors on my CRV.

 

[Darkwolf]

The second gen looks too boganish for my liking. The nice European look of the First gen is more to my liking...