Considering as next car...
 

Hey everyone, I was shown this site a LONG while back by a buddy of mine who is a bigtime rotary head and I'm starting to get that way... I've worked at a Mazda dealership a while back, had the chance to drive around 6 of the RX8's. Felt like a riding lawnmower till I got into mid-high RPMs and then it was a blast to drive. Rearwheel drive, gosh, I loved it. I'm currently in the middle of a project with my daily driver ZX2 and my 78 MII ghia but after I'm done with one or the other I'm considering maybe getting rid of my daily and getting a 2nd gen RX7 and making that my project. I really wanted to make my next project a 1967 Porsche 912 or 912E or maybe a bike.... That was kind of a drastic turn of spectrums, Porsche 912 or 912E (both of which are gutless just due to the small engine size they weren't made to go really fast, they're more of just a classic that's kind of cool to putt around).... or a bike, light, quick, fast.... I'm just afraid if I do that that I'll kill myself because I KNOW I'll want to test the limits, if I'm in anything with horsepower and torque I can't help but test it out... SO after careful consideration and narrowing it down to the 912 and a few other cars like the 924 or 944 Turbo the name turbo kicked in my head and I was speaking to my good old friend who had his RX7 and he was like "why not get something you can drive every day that will last a while that has more aftermarket stuff that won't cost your ass for parts because it has the name Porsche on it.... like an RX7, you wouldn't believe how great they are." So I'm considering it.... he reminded me of this site.

So I guess what I'm making this thread for is for some feedback with current owners..... a 3rd gen would be cool but would kill me on insurance for sure.... if anyone doesn't mind answering the following questions I'd be very grateful! Or just shoot me an email (I've never been able to drive a 2nd gen RX7 but was able to drive IN one that my buddy had, it was pretty fun, though it was dying :( poor thing, he drove the crap out of it...)

- What kind of mileage should I expect with a 2nd gen car? Of course depending on the miles....

- How is the clutching system? Is it more aimed towards a stock clutch with more slipping or is the stock clutch more sporty and grab more (that would be nice)

- Handling... I've heard that the weight distribution is near 50/50, like 52/49% or something like that? Anyone have any more information on this? If that's true this would make an awesome autocross car... Also, how does it feel in a drift or slide in comparison to the response in power?

- Regarding the engine... is it even necessary to balance a rotary engine? I'm not too technical in regards to a rotary engine as I am with a 302, haha... yeah... laugh all ya want, I'm learning on this rotary stuff... but if it's possible who can do it? Recommendations? Because a balanced engine has a nice feel to it...

- More on the engine.. in comparison to the horsepower to torque ratio does anyone have any numbers?

- Last but not least... does anyone have any quotes on insurance? Haha.... ok just kidding I'll ask the company myself.... but for real does anyone have any links to nice aftermarket sites that they've found were helpful in aftermarket parts and setups on the 2nd gens?

Thanks for your time to anyone who answers in reply to my post..... I'll continue to search the net for as much info as I can. I don't expect everyone to answer it all, but these are just questions that I'm asking from the owners as far as your own experience. I'd rather go by experienced opinions than random sites I find.... I'll take both though :)

Later! Take care of your rides.

Gas mileage?
15 city / 25 highway


Stock is stock.
Stock is soft.
There are lots of aftermarket options out there.

DTSS screws up most of the spirited driving performance.
Good tires are a must.
The car pushed a lot on the autocross course.
The car is really outclassed by newer models in serious top-tier autocross competitions.

ANY engine needs to be balanced.
I don't know of ANY engine that ISN'T balanced.
Any unbalanced engine is going to shake itself to death.
The rotary engine comes with counterweights and all rotating components are factory balanced.

Torque lags behind horsepower.
I'd knock like 10% to 20% lower torque than horsepower in most cases.
Think Honda VTEC...

Look at the FAQ.
Do a keyword search "insurance".
As for parts...READ more, ask questions LESS.


-Ted

Please read the FAQ for FC sticky thread at the top of this section before posting. Many of your questions are addressed there.

ahh, thank you, my apologies.

Is this old? ;)

my first post a YEAR ago! wow.

I know this is an old thread ...but just curious how you can justify that answer because it bothers me. Basically, there is cornering, braking, and accelerating. Despite how old this car is, why couldn't maximize these just as well as any other brand new car and potentially be a top competitor?

did you ever get a 7?

Actually am looking at one now, someone posted "Your first thread" in the lounge, this was my first thread like a looonnng time ago. I do actually agree with SidewaysFC, I'm starting to hear more and more that the FB and FC are great for autocross. This local kid has an FB that's thrashed that I'm thinking about buying and me and my fiance we saving up for an FD as our first car together :) In the mean time, I'm still studying this rotary stuff.

Rotaries are project cars ...and you will soon find out if you plan on getting the FD for a DD. Get the FB and make it a weekend fun car ...and get something economical together. This is just my opinion. I promise your fiance will hate you less when shit doesnt break every month ;)

Others will say otherwise, but I garuntee you will regret getting a rotary as your DD. I did, and I had to get another DD. When I got another car I was so happy, because now I can tinker all I want and not worry when it needs to run. :)

Try and get a ride in a Z06.
Try and get a ride in a Lotus Elise.
That will change your mind on how fast you think your FC is...


-Ted

Yeh, but for the price of the Z06 and the Lotus Elise (~$50K+ Around here, at least) I could own ten very, very nice condition TIIs :D

. . . or make a downpayment on a house, or start a buisness . . . etc etc

I can beat most Z06's at the autocross track, course, just about none of them have any idea how to drive the damn things! :D

Given a good driver... I'm in trouble!

Dude, you never said anything about price! :P
SCCA Solo II autocross does not designate classes depending on how much money you spent on the car. :P


-Ted

Outclassed is outclassed. If you can't afford one of those vehicles, then you probably can't afford to race on the level that you'd need one.