Ok Guys

I'm new to RX-7's and need some help. I'm 42 and I have wanted an RX-7 sense they first came out. I'm at the point in my life where I have the chance to have some fun so here is my choices:

1984 Mazda RX-7 S, 2RTR, 1.1L engine 113,000 miles, new exhaust, very clean. No rust - http://autos.keepitlocal.com/used/de...5&CarID=601009

or

1986 RX-7 GLX, 2RTR, 1.3L, new motor, new battery, new clutch, new alternator, new tires, new ignition components. Body is in excellant condition and recently repainted, no rust (sorry no pics of this one)

I can get either of these cars for about $2500 which would be great as it would leave me with cash left over for upgrades.

I kinda preferr the looks of the 1st Gen RX-7's but the 86 has a new engine so that has me thinking.

What do you guys think? Any pros/cons of gen1 vs gen2?

Thanks

John

 

Well, probably the biggest difference is the fact that one engine is carburetor without any computer control and the other is totally computer controlled. This is going to affect drivability in a big way. The 84 has the carb engine. The model of the 84 is basically the base model. There isn't too many options on it. Looks like it even has the rare steel wheels.

As for the 86, there isn't much to say about 2nd gens. I personally hate them, and call them an RX-7 wannabe. Their styling just sucks, and there really isn't anything special about them performance wise, unless you get a TII. Of course, this is my personal opinion. But opinions aside, I have read that many people prefer to drive a 1st gen over a non-turbo 2nd gen. They just aren't as much fun to drive as a 1st gen.

I would go with the first gen personally. Much more fun to drive. More of a drivers car than the 2nd gen could ever be.

 

$2500 for an '84 S is a little steep. Properly maintained, the 12A (1.1L) can last over 200K.
The Fuel Injection system used on the '86 models has a couple of issues that are critical, such as the Pulsation Dampner. This particular item can cause a fuel leak, resulting in a fire.
I have both an '83 GS and an '86 GXL. I'm more of a 1st gen fan myself, and prefer the '83 for many reasons. The biggest reason, is the simplicity of the carb and ignition system, along with the fact that the 1st gen was what I originally fell in love with. I'm the same age as you, so we share the same fondness of the 1st gen from the time they were first introduced.
Granted, there are many more upgrade options for the second gen, because many more companies offer stuff for them VS the first gen. Custom wheels is a good example. The 12A equiped first gen uses a very unique bolt pattern (4 X 110) which makes it difficult to buy wheels. They are offered, but only by a few select companies, and in a limited variety of styles/sizes.

 

I must agree.......

I think you will find that most of the 1st genners dont really like the 2nd gen...

I have owned both and although the 2nd is more refined the 1st is my fav and now as im am in my mid 30's.

I always thought the 1st gen was classic and timeless while the 2nd gen was a rotary powered 944......

I have also heard that the 2nd gens are electrical nightmares (I didnt experience it in the one i owned)

Just my opinion......

Lastly you can buy alot nicer 1st gens for less than $2500.00

Jay
1984 FB

 

That looks like a really nice first gen.

The second gen you are looking at is the LEAST desirable of all second gens in my book. It's the first year they made them (as opposed to the next to last year they made them for the first gen) and the GXL is the heavyist NA second gen there is. It's got a bunch of gimmicky crap like adjustable susspension ect ect that is no doubt, no longer functioning. S4 FC's also have ugly interiors.

I'd get the FB. It's got great miles for the year. And the're just plain more fun than FC's if it's not gonna be your daily driver.

Good luck,

--Alex

 

I was talking to another 1st genner over lunch and (maybe because we are first genners, but he does have and had FC's) we agree the FB has it over the FC. FB's are more pure of line and purpose, talk him down and put a TII engine in with the money saved and call it a day.

 

It probably comes down to what you think looks better. Me, I'd rather have a 1st gen any day for lots of reasons. But I think the price for the 1st gen should come down a bit.

 

be sure & check for rust
look under the rear storage bins

 

Screw it. Buy both. Use the second gen to trash all week while you save all your hard earned cash to spend on the first gen. After you drive the 2G, you will be glad that you have the 1G to get in and really have some fun. Personally, I agree with most that the 86 sucks big mokey *****, but look at it this way. You can pull the 13b out off the 86, build the living hell out of it. BIG freekin turbo, and voila, you can spank with the best of them. Just my wish, I mean, just my opinion. Dang, did I say that out loud?

 

Look for a gsl-se u get the larger engine and the 1st gen styling./

 

Absolutely, Minnesota, check for rust in the 1st gen. You won't necessarily be able to see it without a little dissassembly either, so don't assume it's fine if it's not showing on the surface of the wheel well. It can be fixed if it's not too far gone, but at least you could use it as a leverage point in price negotiations.

Don't worry about the carb in the cold if you're planning on driving it in the winter. The stock carburetor in these cars was equpt to handle very cold operationg conditions. My 82 started life in northern Minnesota and didn't have cold weather issues. I'd be more worried about the electronics problems that the 2nd gens were prone to have.

I wonder what the 2nd gen guys would say if asked the same question? I bet the answer is diferent.

 

I agree with everything that has been said. I owned an 87 SE, it was a fun car, but they are a little more spendy to modify than the first gen. The electronics in the 2nd gen are indeed a nightmare! I do prefer the styling of the 2nd gen more, but for all around quality, the first gen has it beat.
BTW I hail from Minnesota!
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Justin

 

this is a 1st gen forum so we are going to prefer the 1st

 

Yea you know were all a bit biased here. The 1st gen looks clean but I would agree with looking for the rust in the storage bin area, thats the most prone area on these cars.

Oh and welcome to the forum! I just turned 40 and the 1st gen is one of the sexiest cars ever made IMHO. I have an 86 GXL, but it doesnt run. Its sitting in the parking lot at work. I think it has a fuel problem, but I bought it for $200 so not complaining.

 

you can get alot of power outta carbs. you just gotta know how to use them!

 

I would say this is a tough choice. I'm not a fan of having to hold the choke for 10 minutes so the FB will be warm enough to drive when it's cold. I like how the FB is smaller than the FC but the FC will have alot of power options that the FB wont as well as fuel injection. I have driven an 86 GXL becuase my buddy has one and they are still fun to drive. I'd say go with the FB just because it's an S with steel wheels and I have an 83 S with steel wheels and they are seemingly pretty rare. Good luck though

 

Go for the GSL-SE as said above. You get the bigger engine, more low end torque (although less peak hp) than the 2nd gen, and still get the nicer 1st gen styling. 1st Gen parts are a little more difficult to find.

My mother in law had a 2nd gen - constant electrical gremlins, and $3000 Cdn for a complete exhaust system with cats. Bigger, heavier and somewhat unattractive. Unless its a TII vert, 1st gen all the way.

I'm 44 and fell in love with the 1st gen in the eighties, so for me, an easy choice.

I agree with the others, you should be able to get that price down for a base model like that.

 

The choke holds itself out and springs back when the car's warm. All you should have to do is pull it out when you start and push it in a little a couple of times to keep idle around 1500. There's nothing there to be annoyed by. You don't have to wait at all before you can drive it either.

 

haha wow... definately bias...
anyone forgot to mention the fact that the 2nd gen performs better in every aspect?

 

You mean it's performance numbers were better? That's quite different from enjoyable driving. Ask anyone with a Miata.

 

I have a 85 s and love that car to death the styling is dead on and it has never let me down once. I also have a 88GTU and besides the turbo car it is the best 2nd gen you can get but only the 88 model. I have had a couple of problems with the gtu but nothing major. Its fun to drive and it is more of my DD than my 85 which I try to work on and get running then drive change something(performance wise) then drive again

Either way youll be happy with what you get

 

BTW I REALLLLLY like that spoiler!!

 

Go for the 1st gen of course, for all the reasons listed above (except the guy who said the 2nd gen performs better in all respects, not sure what planet he's from). But I'd do some shopping. The GSLs have all the beauty and simplicity of the carbed 12A engine but with lots of nice additions like LSD, disc brakes all around, electric windows, much nicer interiors (the door panels don't rot out, for example). You can get a real nice GSL that might need a little maintenance work but well worth investing in for less than $2000. Some claim the SEs are better, but expect to pay more.

Ray

 

Whoops I see, slpin is from planet California. That explains it.

 

My question is how big or tall are you? If your taller than 6' 3" your going to find that the celieng of the car is a little close or if you have long or big legs or thighs trying to shift with a manuel and turn at the same time is a little interesting. I'm 6' 2" and my head touches the ceiling in my 79 (auto) and 84 (manuel). Though my 84 has leather seats so they sit higher or I don't sink in as much than in my 79 so it is a little harder to shift. as for the 2nd gen it's a bigger car, but it is all about what you like in a car, just be ready to get comfortable with the ceiling.