Hello,
I'm looking for feedback from someone who has actually driven and can compared multiple generations of RX-7/8.

I currently own Mazdas and Porsches. MX-5 NA, NC, RX-7 FD, 968, 987, 997.

I'm thinking about adding another RX-7 or RX-8. I don't care about straight-line performance. I'm looking for something that is light on its feet, has excellent precise heal-toe experience, direct feeling shifter, precise steering and communicates well driving at 9/10th. Curvy road driving is the target. Lots of warning before the back comes around. so ideally as close to an MX-5 NA as possible but with a Rotary engine.

While I think my FD is a very special car, I prefer a normal aspirated engine, shorter gears and a better heal-toe shifting characteristics. I would appreciate any shared experiences which can help point me in the right direction.

 

in an FC you might try a GTUs, and in a 1st gen you might try the GSL-SE.

the GTUs is a non turbo FC, with the turbo wheels, 4 piston brakes, a 4.3 LSD, and a shorter 5th gear. no sunroof, manual windows, turbo seals. so its got all the performance stuff with the least amount of equipment. it is a really fun combination.

the GSL-SE is a regular 1st gen with a 13B 6 port replacing the 12A, its 30% more power, it also got larger brakes, and bigger wheels and tires, it took a good car and made it better. i have this thought that a good car gets driven, and it will be hard to find a low mileage example, and the GSL-SE fits the bill here. we used to see these with 300,000 miles on the, sometimes more. or if you like, its probably the best car Mazda made until the 1990 miata

the 79-80 Rx7 deserves an honorable mention, as does the 86-87 sport model, its like an early GTUs

and remember these cars take well to modifications, so if you found one that was done well, it would be great