i remember measuring the MGB and 12A engine/trans mounts, and it looks like a 12A would just bolt right in, it can't be that easy, but its really really close.

 

I resurrect this thread in the name of the car gods! Breathe again mighty beast!

Mazdaverx713b, I was hoping you could expound on your mr2 spyder and FB comparison. I currently own an mr2 spyder and love it, but I'm looking at swapping for an FB. I owned a Turbo II FC and loved that car but had to sell it at the time. I love rotaries in general. I agree with 100% of your comments on the MR2. It has unbelievable steering response and can move through traffic like a water bug on a glass-smooth pond. It's exhilarating to drive in twisties. Shifting is a touch rubbery but relatively short easy throws and an uber light clutch which makes shifting a delight. It's shortcomings are the missing gear...This thing needs a 6speed on the highway and it's quite annoying on long highway drives with no traffic with the rough running engine. The engine is weak with nigh imperceivable torque. It's biggest attribute overall is that it's super light (~2,200lbs), which brings me to the FB.

The FB weight (~2,300lbs no?) is close to the MR2 weight AND has a rotary which is all very appealing. I'm thinking it will have similar characteristics from the weight similarities but I'm not sure because FBs are such old cars with old tech (admittingly its age and looks are nostalgically attractive to me). From my understanding the FB has gear box steering which doesn't sound like it's going to be fun to drive, though I'm not sure. The live axle also sounds antiquated so in my mind these two systems are starting to make the FB sound like it's going to start feeling like a Foxbody Mustang (not literally of course).

Assuming the FB is refreshed, how does it's handling and driver inputs compare to the MR2? I know you made some comments on it but could you go into more specifics why the FB is more favorable to you? Would you be willing to sell a Spyder in favor of an FB assuming both are in well maintained condition and similar values? Thanks for any of your insight.

 

I think the FB is better than a miata or an MR2.

Faster, simpler, prettier.

And it's got a Wankel.

 

I test drove a miata in 2005. It was for a free meal voucher if you test drove a new mazda. I thought the miata was slow. It handled better than my at the time 32 year old rx-7. The steering wheel hit my thighs. I'm an average build guy 5'9" and 165 pounds.

Now how the hell did my short very fat blonde bitchy lesbian manager get her legs to in between the set and the steering wheel.

If you don't mind the miata's slowness and you have skinny thighs, I would choose it over the rx-7 for the availability of parts.

 

Never driven an MR2 but I think that's apples to oranges. MR2 to Fiero (both affordable mid-engines from the '80's/'90's) I can see.

Now 1st gen RX7 vs Miata is an excellent comparison since I feel the Miata is the spiritual successor to the SA/FB cars. The FC moved in a different direction by trying to be a more upscale, comfortable GT car, heavier and more powerful. And styling wasn't strong either as it stole its looks directly off the rear-drive Porsches of the time (Mazda engineers freely admitted that).

When the Miata came out in '89 with it's small, lightweight, round pop-ups and low-power to high-smiles quotient, it brought back what the FC had lost. A fun affordable sports car for the masses.

 

I haven't driven a miata, but I don't get people saying it's slow compared to FB?
nb miata 0-60: 7.9 sec
12A Rx-7 0-60: 8.9 sec

 

They're both slow.

 

that is a good point, its like the Miata took the nimble connected part of the SA/FB and the FC took the smooth effortless power part of the SA/FB i've been driving my FC back to back with the miata recently, and the FC is so smooth and quiet, its a nice change from the miata

 

Maybe the miata got faster since 2005? Maybe the demo test car I drove was a dog? Miata had a cool exhaust note.

I also tried the rx-8. Auto mags/rags like Road and Track or Car and Drive (whatever) said the rx-8 was comparable to the s2000 and n350. S2000 handled better but had a rough ride. N350 was faster but didn't handle as well. Afterwards, I was happier with my rx-7.

One of those mags said that "Everyone's cutie pie is a cheap date", for the one year of Miata ownership evaluation.

 

Well, I have both; an SA22C (1979) and an NA6 (1992). The SA22C is an ITA/IT7 race car that I've partially restored to be "road legal" so that I can drive it to and from the race track and the NA6 is lightly prepped for track days and HPDEs and is my daily driver. Both are quite agile but the SA22C takes it hands down on sheer acceleration (from 60 to 80+) on the highway. Tight and technical sections, the NA6 takes it easily because of the rack and pinion and suspension geometry (car is equipped with modest MeisterR CRD+ with super hard springs). The SA22C is a bit ponderous owing to vague center feel but gives better feedback because I can "feel" the weight of the car in the corners. Both are great cars in their own right and for the purpose.