Recently, I've been digging through craigslist and other websites looking for a first gen rx-7. I have a mustang that is a current project car and I need a car until I finish the mustang. I was digging around and found a pretty nice, red, automatic Rx-7. I can't find any other decent rx-7s in red that are a manual. If I bought it I would daily drive it and occasionally mess around on empty streets or in parking lots, the mustang is going to be my fast car. Would you guys suggest these? I know that second and third gen automatics are not terrible, but I haven't heard anything about the first gen. Thanks.

 

The automatics are usually well cared for low mile examples...but they lack most of the excitement you get out of driving a car with 101 horse power, which is why they are well cared for and low miles. However, if it runs, drives, stops, and will pass your state inspection, go ahead and take the plunge. I think getting it to pass smog will be your biggest challenge.

 

Yeah, the car is not registered in California. I texted the guy about the miles as he did not specify, but he did say it was not driven much.

 

What I'm wondering, is would it be considerably slower than a manual would be?

 

Oh jesus, he just replied to my text. He said it has 160,000 miles, which is a lot for a 12a. But according to him hes replaced a lot and it runs strong. Now I'm debating whether I should buy it

 

It's the same motor, it's just you can't rev it out with an automatic. Really, smog is your concern if you plan to register it in CA. If it isn't currently registered in CA, he may have an aftermarket exhaust on it that won't pass.

 

I had a red 83 automatic. The car was mint, wish I had it still. Even had AC!

The auto is dog slow. The gearing is pretty bad.

 

I agree with what's already been mentioned. The automatic shifts at something like 3,750 RMP so it doesn't have a chance to wind up or rev out. That cuts down on the seat of the pants fun factor. The good news is, because of this, many auto's have not been abused or run hard, so the motors can survive in better condition. It's not that hard to swap in a 5 speed to bring the fun back. As mentioned, smogging an old Rx-7 in CA should not be under estimated however. It's taken a substantial number of these cars off the road there.