I agree with Doubleohsmurf that the engineers at Mazda did a commendable job developing the new engine and the RX-8, considering the arrogant executives and bean counters in Dearborn threw every possible obstacle in their path. But I will stand by my statement that the rotary will never match the thermal efficiency of the piston engine. To match what is now being done by Honda, Toyota and various Jap and German engines, you would have to build a rotary with ports that change shape, size and location according to RPM and throttle setting. With a piston engine the valve tiiming , rate of opening, amount of lift, rate of closing, and now even the number of valves opening can be controlled independently of piston position. I don't believe any amount of development will ever allow this kind of optimization with the rotary.

A big advantage has always been the smoothness. I enjoy driving my rotary RX-7 because it revs to 8 grand and never sounds busy. But now, with the use of computers to solve the difficult dynamic problems, and the addition of balance shafts in some designs, even this advantage is not so great as it was.

I also agree with mcnannay that 1st gen owners seem to be in two groups. The young guys who can't afford a newer car, and the olders guys like me who have owned more expensive and more complex cars and want to go back to something simple. That is why 65 Mustangs, 70 Chargers and other muscle cars are so valuable - guys like us want something that performs and we can tune without a bunch of computer equipment.

Even if I could fit into it comfortably, I would not want a 3rd gen RX-7, and I certainly could afford it. I prefer to have a collection of toys, as shown here:

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/646433

Note there are 4 pages.

I can afford just about any car I want, and I have three FBs and a REPU.

B

Certainly the N/A factor is the key to engine longevity. A friend of mine just turned over 390K miles on his FC. How the hell he pulled that off I will never know, but it just goes to show that with patience and care you can make anything last.
As for grouping, I fit in the enthusiast group. I chose the 7 because of its racing history, watching tapes of the IMSA races in the 80's. Back in the day when the Mustang had a 5.0 and was powerful, it was always confounded by the little 7s. I love the underdog.

dude, what do you think the 6 port 13b's are, rotaries with ports that change shape, size, and location. vvt way before vtec. i think the main problem with rotaries is the ridiculous amount of combustion chamber surface area. none of the fuel agents the walls burns because it cant reach combustion temp, too much heat is transferred to the cool metal. wasted energy makes me sad

FBs last because they have a nice balance of modest power and decent frame and running gear durability.

I'm 67 and the FB keeps me young. Keeps me limber every day when I slip my 6'2" into the drivers seat. Tells me when I've had too much to eat and have to diet. And it runs quick around the turns in the windy hilly roads around here that go to and from my hilltop house.

B

I'm about to turn 52, my 85 GSL is 20 years old and the odometer is approaching 170,000 miles. I drive the 7 to work each day (110 mile round trip) precisely because it is very reliable, very inexpensive and fun to drive. For example, the Turd cost $1,600 on ebay, and I might have another $1000 into it (all paid for cash), while my 2002 Protege5 cost $17,000, most of which I still need to pay. And I do all the work on the 7 myself, saving lot's more money. See the Turd at:

http://members.cardomain.com/turd10

1st gens just make good economic sense, which appeals to both younger and older people (but not republicans, all they want to do is drive up the deficit, harvest short term profits, destroy the environment and fill the roads with SUVs).

Ray

I drive an FB because I find it to be a super light quick car for going around a road course. I wouldn't dive the car up for anything. And as far as new cars, my daily driver is a 95 Celica that was brought to America about a year ago w/ AWD. There is just something special about the 1st gens.

I have been in and around (what is now) my car for my entire life. My dad bought this car in 1989 from some chick who absolutely fried the stock motor after 100K. My dad took the car home, put a rather large sum of money into over the years, and after the motor started smoking badly (13B streetport), he decided it was time to up to a 13B 4 port with a streetport.

This car was the first car I ever drove, and my dad actually let me drive it when I was nine years old. Granted, I didn't get higher than 20 mph in 2 gear, but that cemented my love for this car. I always told my dad that that was the car I wanted, and in 2002 when he got a WRX, he said it was mine.

I was elated, even though I couldn't legally drive it. I have gotten quite a bit of practice behind the wheel over the years, and my years of go-kart racing helped with the factor of "responsibility of a fast motor vehicle."

Anyways, that my story. Am I spoiled for having this car? I think so, but atleast I appreciate it. I know that my father didn't have to give me this car, but he felt I was worthy; and, I am definately greatful for that.

Now, back onto the topic of engine longevity, the motor currently in my car has ~100,000 miles on it. The lady who first owned the car obviously forgot to check the oil and overheated the motor so badly that it melted the thermostat. The second motor, which my dad ditched after 80K due to smoking, is now in a buddy's 197x's Datsun 1200.

Total, my car has 288,xxx miles on it. The paint is gone to hell, there are a crap load of dents (stupid hail), I need a new body kit, and the wheels need a good cleaning. So, I certainly have my work cut out for me, but she is still my baby. Heh.

Sorry for the book... : ( Haha.

Now here is a true RX-7 owner. Cajun Rotary Power, you gotta respect it.

You've had some very interesting projects there.

Clean85,

You can repair that body damage yourself. And repaint the whole car. All you need is a 1/4 sheet palm sander ($30 at any hardware store), a bunch of 300, 400, 600 and 800 wet paper, a slide hammer ($20 at the local auto store) and maybe a "Ding King". After that, some rattlecans of paint (I used 12 cans of $1.68 rustoleum Apple Red on my last car), and some Bondo. You might also want a 1/3 sheet sander ($30 B&D). And why not? What have you got to lose? Plus, doing a good body job is very satisfying.

B

LOL...how big is that tool box!