300zx TT or RX7 TT
 

I figure this would be about the best spot to get honest opinions.
I am doing research on my next car, something to tinker with, have some fun. I am deciding between a 300zx TT and 93+ RX7 TT. I love the looks of both, the rarity of an RX7, but I honestly do not know a lot about it. I have heard they are very unreliable and very reliable. I am mechanically inclined, taken automotive classes, am able to do work myself if able. I know they are finicky, but thats about it other than statistics.
My question is this, is it worth trying to make power and reliability meet in an RX7 or just go with the 300? Since I already know what I would have to do with a Z to accomplish this feat. I am not looking for a 600hp monster (320hp is more than enough for me in this car)
I just want some honest opinions and no bullsh*t, I know I'm new at these cars, but I'm not an idiot, I have common sense (I've seen some harsh ragging on newbies on forums). I will have plenty of time to figure out my plan once I can find one worth buying. What have you guys done with yours? Major problems/ setbacks you've had, Reliability. Anything would be helpful.

Both are about the same in reliability. I would pick the FD hands down.

honda? lmao...depends on how much time you have. I have worked on both and excluding the actual motor itself, the rotory is much easier to work on with much more room. the tt z is a nice car, but if 320 is all the hp you want, it would be cheaper on you to get the 300. since its got 300hp stock and can be found a bit cheaper then a good fd. on the other hand, search the production numbers and youll see why many of us cherish the fd...altho a tt z isnt a common car, the z itself is. the fd didnt really have a weak base model. they are all tt and all rare, some more then others.

case in point, my vr4....fairly rare....a 3000gt, fairly common, so most people can identify my car. FD isnt like that, people arent used to seeing them, base or not.

power, the 300z can make 320 with i/h/e
the rx7 i/h/e/tune would get you close depending on the boost numbers you push (sequential/non-sequential) the BNR stage 3 turbos will net considerably more if you wana spend the money to upgrade the stockers

if your cruising with 320, reliability is about the same, rebuild a stock motor and treat it right and it will be fine.

price, the fd would be more expensive to get and meet your goals with, since stock they are pricey and anything else is way beyond 320 or is motor-less haha

it all comes down to you and what you want. I wanted a 300 to dd with the fd as my weekend car since i drive 100 miles a day. but the fd to me has a much more exotic feel to it and to go beyond 500 the fd would be a better canidate due to the way it was built

in addition....remember that 320hp at the wheels will feel very different in the 2 cars. one is a light, sequential turbo rotary and the other is a middle weight, twin turbo v6

go with the rx7 you won't regret it. especially if your getting the option of a fd you should definitely go for it and don't turn back. your gonna fall in love with the car.

I have no regrets about buying my FD nearly a decade ago. Great car. I went VERY slow with the modifications. Spent the first year doing reliability mods and just learning about it. The car is still only milldly modified compared to many...near stock boost levels, maybe 300 whp.

BUT being here in the midwest (I'm in Bellevue) means your practically on your own. No rotary shops within several hundred miles. I've had one rebuild over the years and fortunately there was a local military guy with whom I'd become friends and who was very experienced. He helped ALOT. I'm sure it wouldn't have been such a smooth experience without him.

On the other hand I'm a member in the local Z club (one of a few exceptions made) and know the cars a little through friends in the club. The Z32 TT is a fun car but alot heavier. Properly maintained maybe a little more reliable, although that depends ALOT on what you start with. The Z32TT also has a "finicky" quality to it and I don't think they're particularly easy to work on either. Hell I whined about the lack of space under the hood on my car until I saw the Z32TT. And just because it's piston, I don't think it's a simple engine.
But there's good club support...networking knowledge etc., and aftermarket support for the Z32. In contrast you can count the number of running FDs in this area on one hand.

No one can make the choice for you.

I sold my 92 300z and bought my 90 gtu. They are both non turbo. Every car ive ever owned, i do as much of the work as possible myself. The z was a nice car but nearly impossible to even simple work without pulling the motor. I can only imagine how much worse it would be with turbos taking up that much more of engine bay space. The electrical on the z's are a mess. They're in constant need of cleaning of electrical connections because of corrosion and any z below 94 will need a new fuel injector conversion cause the ethonol kills them. Was not nissans plan im sure as to why the injector system was redesigned in 94. Also on the z, extra caution is needed when it comes to the timing belt which is also a pain to replace. Its recommended the waterpump be changed as well at the time just as a precaution. If the timing belt breaks on a 300, its bends the valves immediately and your stuck with a engine breakdown and rebuild. Maintenence nor parts are inexpensive. I liked my 300 but one of the main reasons I sold it was because of the high maintenence costs. When i looked back through the cars i liked the best that i had over the years, thats why i bought my rx7. The rx7 is a much lighter car. I think the z was rated at 3200lbs if im not mistaken. My rx7 power numbers are near to nothing as compared to my z but just from a personal perspective, im not the extreme power hungry guy i used to be, most the time, lol. But like the others said, its gotta be your choice. I think the fd may be more pricey but i believe the cost for that will catch up with you with the 300. I enjoy both cars, but i dont miss working under thehood on my old 300.

To me you are tasking about 2 different platforms and ultimately the decision is yours. You are also asking this question on a RX7 FORUM where the results could be slightly biased at times. =)

That being said, import sports cars from the 90's, I've always had a "tier list"...and even that tier list can be broken down by performance, looks, etc.

Long story short, I put the 300z below pretty much everything else from that era (and I've spent more than a couple hours driving one). I'd rate, for me personally, all of the following cars superior: FD3s RX7, Supra, NSX, Skyline and maybe even the 240. That is me personally.

I don't think you can really go wrong with FD but if I was going Z car, I'd get one from the 70's or early 80's. =)

I own both and IMO they are two very different cars.
300zx is much more of a cruiser where as the Rx7 is an out and out sports car.

FD always.
Drove them both, and i fell in love with Mazda.
Rotary is something different, a dream maybe?

The two cars are in different classes.

300 is a highway beast more in class with supra
FD is a purebred sportscar, like the NSX.

It all depends on what you personal taste is in weapon of choise.

If you like a big heavy battle cruiser, 300...
If you like a fast nimble little thing, the destroyer is perfect for your needs(rx7)

They both require knowledge about the car to work with, all though i would say the rx7 being more special in engine design, needs more specific rotary knowledge than owning a piston engined 300TT.
They both have helpful and knowledgable communities online.
They both have the powerlevels you ask for within an easy grasp.

When it comes to looks, FD is so much more sexier!

Personally, id go rotary, its.... well, once you have taken an FD in good shape for your first spin... you just sit there and giggle... and this feeling recides in you, every time..!

300ZX is way too heavy IMO. And the engine bay is a nightmare to work in.

^ this right here sold me on an FD being my next project. I drove a friend's immaculate '94 around for a day and I was in love. The sound, the feel, the nimbleness all sold me.

I just parted out and am selling a G35 coupe because it is a pig. Plain and simple.

I highly doubt I will ever look back at the creature comforts a luxury sport coupe gave me over the fun I know I will have with the FD.

I'd have to say FD all the way. Z32's are nice, but not nearly as nice as third-gen RX-7's. Z's are heavier, harder to work on, and equally as unreliable. The only real benefit is they're about half the price of an FD :lol:. But at the end of the day its your decision, and you'll have to live with it; so go with what you want. There are plenty of great side by side reviews of the cars to help with your decision. Hopefully you make the right choice!

And we have a winner!:egrin:

If it were me I would pick the rx7, they are rare, light, and fun to drive. As long as you take care of it, it will take care of you.

http://www.carthrottle.com/carthrott...300zx-or-rx-7/

Amazing comparison here.

From me, talk to someone who has owned each car. People say things they hear, you want to hear real facts. People say the vr4 is too heavy....woopie, mine weighs 3600 lbs...complete car with stereo system. Also with 15k in the car, including the cost to buy it, i make 600hp and run an 11.2 on street tires. And with 4 wheel steer it handles amazing in any conditions.

Other people say the rx7 is unreliable, but if you can get a motor built right on any of these cars, it will go forever.

Last thing...look at this b4 you say the rx7 is unreliable.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=7C7hMjE4lmM

http://www.fd3s.net/magazine_article...article02.html
http://www.fd3s.net/magazine_article...article01.html

I think FD... there is nothing better than a rotary engine at 9k rpms!

Fd... I like the rotary

The 300 will put out some horses but it does compensate for some weight.
Both Great Looking!

My buddy has a 300 and I love it

I have a rx7 and I love it

my buddy takes highway ramps at 50+ with no hesitation and its amazing.

The downside is the cramped engine bay imo.

There's so many differences its best to list what you want , and ppl can tell you
what they think

The Rx7 TT hands down

next think about doing the comparasion between the s2000