After 89.5 are they really better cars? I think in 90 they started coming with an air bag, Any other better options or features? 91 was the last year wasn't it, for convertibles? Did they also weight more after 89.5 to go with the slight power increase? Any info is cool! Thanks!

 

The 89+ weigh (3100lbs) more than the 88 (3000lbs) did.

The 89+ has almost 15 more HP than the 88 did.

The 90+ Verts have Ford made airbags.

The

So...

If you want the lightest, go with the 88 (but change the rear end to 4.1 or 4.3, as the 88 only came with the 3.9 rear end gear)

If you want the fastest go with the 89

If you want the safest for driving without your seat belt on, go with the 90 or 91. (though the 90 is slightly faster than the 91, again due to the 91 only getting the 3.9 rear end from the automatics).

 

Icemark,

You sure about that? My '91 owners manual says only '91 Automatic Coups got the lower gear ratio rear end. That the Vert's got the 4.1. Is this a mis print?

 

I have never owned a 91 'vert, so I am only quoting from a Mitchell repair/ parts manual and from the http://2ndgenrx7.freeservers.com/specsmaster.html webpage, so yes it is always possible that the Mitchell people got it wrong.

The notes say that on the 'verts the 88 and 91 got the 3.909 rear end regardless of the tranny and that the 89 and 90 got the 4.1 regardless of tranny.

Although I am more and more coming to the conclusion that Mazda doesn't really what they shipped after 88.