I have had 3 RX-7's so far all 1981 Series 2's.
1 with a 12A mildport, 1 with a 13B extended bridgey and the other with a '91 13B turbo engine running 18PSI.
The 12A mildport was by far the best one for a daily driver out of the 3 so I would be looking for a simialar setup, but I am wondering what year car is the best over all.
I was thinking Series 3 1984-85, because they come with cruise control, sunroof, stronger diff & the fact that it is a little newer than the other so less rust/problems etc. What do you guys think?

 

Personally I like the early 79's, the ones buikt in '78.. that way you can say you have one of the first RX-7's ever made.

 

Good Point, but I much prefer the style of the 1981 onwards.

 

84-85 cause of the better looking dash, among other things.

 

I'm a big fan of the 84-85's myself. Nicer inside and mechanicals. Plus, of course, the GSL-SE

 

...but the 84-85's have those damn misplaced
oil coolers.

 

solution: GSL-SE

heh, trust me

 

IMO 1981, no crapy looking tail lights, side trim where its supposed to be, no damn ovens as exhaust manifolds,LSD as an option, no space ship looking dashes, fuel injection is nice but thats a different story(a13b story).

 

For 12As, I'd say 81-82, due to the lighter weight and better oil cooler. 83 has the good pre-84 (fits 79-83) 130mph speedo, instead of the crappy 85mph limited one, but has the bad oil cooler. I also prefer the interior on the pre-84 models, particularly in black. GSLs have the LSD and rear disc brakes, but S models are lighter (no sunroof or any power accessories) and can be converted to GSL-specs. But, bar none, the 84-85 GSL-SE is my favorite. It has the FI 13B, better oil cooler, and at least the gray interior is not too offensive

 

Gotta love the 1984-85's! GLS-SE especially. Think about it, by then they had 5-6 "model years" to get things perfect! Besides, I've always been partial to the rectangular vents!

 

man you guys are really making all this big deal about "this one has a cool oil cooler, and this one has a cool dash, and this one has a lighter front end, and htis one.." Dude, parts for 1G RX-7's are ALL over the place. I personally have TEN transmissions for 12A's cause I bought a guy's parts collection for his race cars, he had 'em all in case he blew one up. I've got light AND heavy front ends, I've got fenders, lots of 'em, trim pieces, THREE complete taillight assemblies, a full extra black dashboard.. I mean, TONS of extra crap from all years of RX-7's.. matter of fact I'm going to probably change over to the panhard rear end for the race car (cause aftermarket rear ends aren't legal in SCCA), and the street car I may actually spend some $$ and buy a different setup.

Moral of the story, 1G RX-7's are like water, go buy yourself one, part it out, and trade parts to people for other things you want.

 

A '79 Lmt Ed, only 3000 made, and also my first RX7. Probably the closest a 1st Gen would be to a classic.

The '83 Lmt Ed with the cool champaign green color and BBS wheels (essentially early versions of what came standard on 2nd Gen Verts) was probably the best looking at stock.

Best 1st Gen, however, '84-85 GSL-SE. Fixed the suspension for overstear, bigger brakes, 13B with fuel injection, stronger LSD with better gearing. Best stock 1st Gen made, bar none. Guess thats why I own one.

 

I love the 83 because of the interior(Black). The 84- 85 just looks cheep.
I also like it because it is just so nice and basic, There is nothing I cannot work on in this car. I do not have to worry about fuel injectors, or power steering, and I love my manuel choke.

 

1980!!!

They had the best of everything... minimal solenoid rack, no cats, electronic ignition, standard Big Fat 18mm rear stabilizer ( ), the nice big air/oil cooler, and (IMO) they look better because they don't have that big cross-rear taillight and they don't have the soft-looking rounded bumpers.

Yes I looked for a long time before I found mine

 

Every year is the best year! And of course your favorites are the ones in your corral, although lookin' over all you people's hosses does at times make me breathe hard! Close your damn hood already, Max!

Denny, from the corncrib.....:p

 

Don't worry Denny, I've closed the hood on that one, its whats under the "NEW" hood that you will have to worry about

 

!


(scurries to check out the website)

 

the gsl-se is the most "fun" to drive...but heck, you can soop up any car to go fast, but it you are speaking original, i prefer the gsl-se ...it is so much fun to drive and the up grades (ie suspension, gear ratios etc..) all make this car more of a sports car....the other 1st gens are fun to drive too but they just don't drive like the "se's"......Is it the "best" ...heck ...I don't know, but I have a se and a gsl and the se just "does it" for me........cjf.....

 

i'm partial to the ones with the round air vents. my '83 has 'em. not sure about the other years.

 

best? hmmm.... that depends. my 79 was the best for having fun in high school, showing up punks with camaros who didnt know how to drive, doing stupid things like offroading places that 4x4s got stuck(its amazing what a little speed can get you thru!), my gsl se was the best for sphincter puckering acceleration, seeing me thru tough times, showing up people in 5.0's and porsches who didn't know how to drive, and shifting WELL past redline(she just wouldn't stop accelerating! ) , my current 82 ( well, 82 with bits of 81, 83, 84, 85) is the best for teaching me to work on cars, cornering like she's magnetized to the road( except for those sweet ***-end out powerslides ), and learning just how much i really love these cars! point is... the best RX-7 is the one your right foot happens to be flooring at the time! i've loved all mine, and if i ever get another, i'm willing to bet i'll love it too!