What year is the best to get for a vert. I know most of the differences. Such as the 88 is the lightest and the best handling, but so is the 89. Of course the 90 and 91 are heavier but are newer. So what is the best, your opinions?

 

Same pros and cons as non-verts so its more of S4 vs. S5 issue.

I think the key is getting one in good shape, only additional concerns of a vert are top, seals plus unique body parts if you need to repair or replace anything.

 

The 89-91 front and rear end rule! Also, the '91 came from the factory with small subs behind each seat, if you don't want to replace the factory stereo...

 

ive got a 91, definately liked it better than all the other verts i saw... but thats prollly because it was in a lot better condition as well

depends on what matters to you, if you are going for more stock power, i think the s5's were the fastest ones, even though they were heavier

styling wise the s5's rock, id get the newest one (with the least miles) that you can find.

i got mine with 75k on it, beautiful condition... i would try to find something in that range... if you can afford it

considering the subtle differences in weight and power that they all had from the factory, i think now at least 12 years later, most of those things shouldnt play the biggest role... most importantly is finding one with a good solid engine / chassis / body.... usualy the best way to do that is to find one with low miles on it

 

IMO:

1st choice: 88
2nd choice: 89
3rd choice: 91
4th choice: 90

I don't like airbags, like the 90-91 came with (and need to be replaced by now because of age), and the extra weight (3100 on the 90-91 manual tranny verts, vs the 2900 for the 88 verts- all numbers rounded)

The 6 inch speakers behind the seats on the S5 versions can hardly be considered subs... maybe woofers, but in no way in heck can they be called a sub woofer.

With the 88 vert you could get it without all the extras like the leather seating surfaces (cloth found on some of the 88's is radically better to sit on when you have the top down and you run into the store for a half hour then come out and sit down), as well as not having to have the ultra large speaker head rests and a couple other things. The car is just more elemental more purist.

And really the only thing that make the 91 'vert better than the 90 is that the 91 came with the best paint of any RX-7 and the 17.4:1 power steering rack that the 89-90 GTUs and InfiniIV came with.

 

Thanks for all the info, I guess what it comes down to is preference and then finding one in good condition.

 

I would take the 88 first, although the 89+ is prettier. The 88 doesn't have the airbag issues, etc... it's lighter... the ball joints in the front are replaceable... you can swap to a TII motor without changing the ECU. The gearing on the 88 'vert sucks though, it has the 3.909 from the auto in ALL cars, not just the auto.