Greetings!

As you may be able to tell by my extremely low, nearly non-existent post count, I'm brand new here, but am looking into getting a 2nd gen. Rx for my next car. My old 1991 Mazda Protégé proved extremely capable, but I often found it to be... rather underpowered, especially for some of the stuff I was doing (let's just say the only other car the group of friends I mainly hang out with was a 1989 Supra Turbo. ). It had a little pep to it, and gave me a great deal of respect for Mazda. Just enough pep to make me hunger for more (also driving the Supra on short errands didn't help. ) Unfortunately, it met with an untimely end involving a mislabeled hairpin turn and a complete loss of traction due to gravel/sand on the road. :P

So, now it is time to find a new source of transportation/driving entertainment, and I'm seriously looking into one of the 2nd gens. I was wondering what I should be watching for when shopping around for them, what price range I should think reasonable (average, I know it'll vary from car to car), and lastly, how big of a difference is the TurboII to the other varieties of the rx-7s(GXL, GTU, etc)? Would owners of a TurboII buy them again, over another car, or a n/a version of their car? This will be a daily driver, and need something to be reliable (not maintenance free, I enjoy that part). Also, I'm curious about the suspension, I read somewhere that the Rx-7s have adjustable suspension, much like the Mistu 3kGts. Does this exist? Or is it after-market? Is there anything that you guys don't like about your cars? I'm just looking for a basic spread of info. :P Perhaps there's a FAW you guys could direct me towards?

Anyways, I look forward to regularly posting here, if I end up with one. and thanks in advance for all the information.

-ZenFox

 

Alright, here goes....There are two different sets of second Gens...Series 4 which were made from 86-88, and series 5 which were made 89-91. Heres the HP numbers for these years.

86-88 Turbo(T2) = 186 HP(?)
86-88 GTU, GXL, Sport, Base = 146 HP
89-91 Turbo(T2) = 200 HP

Heres how the models work.. GXL is the luxory model with the most options(generally) they have LSD, auto-adjust suspension(aas) power steering, anti-lock brakes, sunroof, PD, PW, leather, etc...not all GXL's had all those options though.
In 86-88 the GTU model was the top of the line Non-turbo, it weighed less than the other non-turbos, came with Limited Slip as well, usually didn't have many options, was meant to be the lightest for racing, I think it may have even had better suspension like the Turbo models. Starting in 89-91 the GTU became the base model which still didn't have many options and weighed less than other models, but it didn't have the limited slip and better suspension.
Other models of note, the GTUs...very rare made only in 90-91 I believe, maybe 89 as well. It is pretty much like the GTU of 86-88, better suspension, Limited Slip Differential, better transmission ratios, very lightweight, and the coverted 4.30 rear-end gears. Most other models have 4.10.
In 88 they made 10th Anniversery RX-7's that were white with white rims only. They come with every available option, including options that were never available before. And they are Turbo.

In general if you get an NA car it will last longer than the Turbo car, although the Turbo car has MASS potential to get some SERIOUS HP. An NA can get upwards of 200HP with some carefully planned out modding, and they are VERY fun to drive. I currently have a 90 GTU. Anyways, let us know what else you want to know.

 

SpeedRacer; You forgot to mention that 89-91 N/A GTUs,GXL,Coupes had an increase of HP"160" Vs "146" for 86-88'....Thought I clear that up a bit...

 

I have an 88 GXL NA and have done some mods to it which includes:

-Racing Beat Headers
-Racing Beat Presilencer
-HKS CatBack Exhaust
-magnecore Wires
-Stereo
-Kosei Rims w/ Bridgestone Potenza SP2
-KYB Struts
-Eibach Springs
-Suspension Techniques Sway Bars
-OBX strut bars

There are others but I'm too lazy right now to write everything down. In any case, the car is a joy to drive especially in cornering as I found out the car just wants to stick to the ground. During rainy days and late at night, I've gone drifting around corners. *I'm trying to keep my tires as long as I can* With the 50/50 weight distribution drifting the car is really a breeze. It just goes where you point it to go.

I see that you're from Seattle. A couple of good sources I found was the seattle times, and autotrader. My biggest grip about autotrader is the insane prices they sometimes have. I got mine through the times and it was cool. Good luck in finding your dream car, and you'll probably see me on the road flying around corners!

Peace,
AJ ^_^

PS: If you want me to post some pics of my car, gimme a PM or email me I'll try to get them to you as soon as possible. I'm having some trouble with my digital camera... pos... lol ^_-

 

Don't forget the 87 and later convertable as well, and the turbo models came out as a 87 model and later (there were no 86 turbos in the US).

If you are looking for a daily driver the 86-88 models were slightly lighter (about 150lbs on average) than the comparible later models. Of these models the 88 had an upgraded carpet and ball joint sway bar end links (the 86 and 87 had only rod and bushing end links). The 88 also made minor improvements to the door internal sheet metal for strength and allowing provisions for a large (at that time) 6 inch speaker and added a hood to the idiot light cluster. The later N/A models did go up to 160 Hp but the additional weight, mouse belts (except the convert), and larger gas tanks on some often make it a even trade of 0-60 or 0-100 times.

For turbo models the 89-91 models would be your best choice, as the HP went up to an offical conservitive 200hp (Mazda only had a license for up to 200hp at that time.) most street cars came from the factory with slightly over that for actual HP.

 

Also adding into speed racers comments:

The GTU was only built 88 and later, the 86 and 87 version of the sporty N/A were the "GS with Sport package" according to the fac win sticker. These GS with Sport packages were the same suspension, brakes, and spoiler package as the turbos, but generally had power steering (unlike most of the pre 88 turbo2s) and 15 inch wheels of the GXL, however it didn't have the AAS or ABS suspension/brakes found on the GXLs. They were very light as well, having only the insulation and sound deading of the base SE model.

There was also a SE model which was available until 89 that only had 14 inch 4 lug wheels and drum rear brakes. It was manual everything and the only options were power steering and air. generally you want to stay away from the SE.