After careful deliberation and recently sucky gas mileage, I have decided its time to replace the O2 sensor that has been bad since last time I performed the ATF treatment. I got one from a local parts store, that was apparently specifically for my year and model; however, it wouldn't mate with the connector. I found a Bosch Universal at Pep Boys; the wire is too short and I really don't want to go cutting the wire on the old one to make it work. I heard that its a "special" wire and your better off not splicing them.
Last resort, called the local dealer. The genius behind the parts desk needed to know my VIN. Why, you ask? He said I need to know if the car was made in Japan or the US. I tried to convince him the car was most definately made in Japan, but that was a losing battle. Oh yeah and they want $180 for it.

Options:
1)buy the universal and cut the old wire so it will reach. How do I go about splicing the wires together? Should I solder them?

2) Buy Mazda sensor for $180 that will definately work.

3) Buy 4-wire sensor and gauge. that might be cool except for the fact I'm selling the car soon and don't want to put all that money into it, although its probably cheaper than the Mazda one.

4) Anyone got a spare O2 sensor?

Recommendations? Hints? Tips?

 

Option #1

It's not very difficult to cut, twist, and solder the wirest together.

 

Rotary performance sells the factory O2 sensor for your car for $60. You're dealer has quite a markup.

http://www.rx7.com/cgi-local/2catalog.cgi?cat=12&part=3