Ok, from what I've heard from some people, they say that the R2 was a milder race version compared to the "full" race version of the R1.

I know that they both include front and rear spoilers, and suede seats.

I know they don't have the rear wiper, or bose system.

I thought it was only the R2 that had the DUAL oil coolers...

I also heard that the R1 had stiffer suspension than the R2. I thought they were the same?

I would have used the search, but as we all know, "R1" and "R2" are only 2 characters. If anyone can shine some light on this subject for me, I would appreciate it.

 

R1's & R2's both had dual oil coolers. R1's are made in '93. R2's were the same thing, but made in '94 & '95. The only difference besides the year is the R2's had slightly softer suspension & a thinner rear sway bar (or is rear strut bar )

 

In the end, choose whichever is in the best condition.

 

Cool cool, yeah I knew the whole 93-R1 and 94,95-R2 thing...

Why in the heck did they make those handling changes

R2's are way more rareanyways, so I'd probably take one of those, regardless of the less-than-R1-handling

 

I believe they softened the R1's rear suspension to produce the R2 to improve handling characteristics (made the car handle more neutrally). Harder is not necessarily always better. Balance between front and rear is also important.

 

I vote R1, it's "purer."

 

1993 - *americans* This damn thing is shaking me to death! I Can't take it anymore! Soften up the suspension! I want a Cadilac not a Sports car.
*Mazda* Ok

1994 - *americans* This damn thing is STILL too stiff!!! Soften up the damn thing! I don't CARE if it lost Gs on the track. It's TOO damn stiff!!
*Mazda* Ok

1995 - *americans* You guys are on crack! This thing is STILL too stiff!
*Mazda* Ok

1996 - *Mazda* Go **** yourselfs

And yes, test results DO show that the R2s lost Gs on the track as opposed to the R1s.

But in the end, and after 10 years, it doesn't really matter. Most of us end up modifying the suspension in one way or another by replacing the shocks with either adjustable shocks or coilovers, changing spring rates, sway bars, etc.

I picked a touring because I can always change out the suspension on it and add larger oil coolers. It would have been a bitch trying to add a sunroof to an R1/2

 

now days get the one that is in better condition as stated above handeling charastics will be the same anyways since the suspension is more then 10 years old already.

 

 

Just make sure it has a sunroof.

 

From a guy that has had a lot of FDs, condition is by far the most important factor.

R1s had stiffer shocks and a stiffer rear sway bar. All 93s have the same rear sway bar so if you do end up with an R2 you could just put a rear bar on it from any 93.

The factory shocks have probably been replaced by now anyway...

 

I'll vote for the R-1 because that is I have and I love it. However I would jump on a good condition R-2 as well. Condition seems to be the most important factor to me as well.

 

Frankly, the base model has the best power to weight ratio and will be faster than the R1 or R2,

 

On a circuit track, it would come down to driver. With both drivers equal, R1 is faster.

 

Italian R1 as mine came with:
full leather
sunroof
rear wiper
cruise control
as well as front and rear wing
double oil cooler
front strut bar
no cd and no bose
the touring model is quite rare here as well the base model
in fact i've never seen models without leather seats for ex.
i think this is due to the fact they had to compete with Ferrari, Lamborghini and so on
btw i can see on the service book it had a recall in the first 2000 Km to stiffer the suspension
it says " installed sport suspension package"

 

Base - 2,789 lbs., 255 horsepower = 10.94:1
R1/R2 - 2,800 lbs., 255 horsepower = 10.98:1

The weight of the driver and amount of fuel in the tank would have a bigger impact on performance...

 

I think I read somewhere that they added more sound-insulation to the R2, thus increasing the weight. I can't remember where I read this, so it may be complete bs.

And of course, let's not forget the other difference, which is interior panel material. '93 looks nicer that '94, '95, but it's not as durable.

 

the base might be slightly lighter but add a 2nd oil cooler, and front brace to a base and you're back to the weight of an R1/R2. so it's kind of pointless to compare weights.