I understand that this might be akin to asking which of your kids you love best, but ...

I'm looking to buy my first FD, and I'm trying to decide between Touring or R2. Assume both are available at the same time and all else is roughly equal (mileage, maintenance, etc.), which would be a better choice?

For me, I like the wacky Bose acoustic wave system and the leather seats of the touring. I like the rarity and the double oil coolers of the R2. The suede seats throw me a little, though. For whatever I buy, I'm planning on keeping it as close to stock as possible,

I'm sure trim is in the eye of the beholder, but anything else I should be thinking about between the two?

TIA for any advice :-).

 

How do you plan to use the car? Investment garage trophy? Weekend pleasure? Track or autocross?

 

Fair question! Definitely not track or autocross. Somewhere between garage trophy and weekend driver.

I tell myself that I'll never sell it once I get it, but I also said I'd stay married forever the first time, too :-).

 

My opinion is that sunroofs ruin the lines of one of the FDs most distinguished features, the double bubble roof.

On top of that the sunroof and the rest of the touring trim go against the "pure sports" idea of the FD.

If you are tall there is a little more room in the non-sunroof FDs as well.

But if you had to choose one as a daily driver, I could see why some people would want the touring model.

 

Helpful perspective, thanks. I am tall (6'2") but I've driven a 93 touring and I cleared the headliner. On that subject, I was surprised at how comfortable the cockpit was for me. I've read about flat-bottomed aftermarket steering wheels to avoid bumping knees and rubbing thighs against the hot center console, but I didn't experience any of that.

 

If you're looking for investment, I think a case could be made that the R models might appreciate a little better. And I'd stay with a LHD North American car. If you prefer leather and the BOSE over the Alcantara...ultimately it's just going to come down to what's most important to you.
If you happen to get a VERY stock example know that there are still a few modifications that are recommended if it's going to be driven. Most are easily reversible.

 

Honestly it's going to come down to what you can actually find. I think a safe assumption is that at any one time there are maybe 1 or 2 FD's for sale in each state. I doubt you will be presented with two similar enough cars to have to make a choice based on trim level.

Don't forget that there was also a PEP package which is a combo of both trims. There is the possibility of dealer installed options after the fact and user installed factory items as well.

Sunroof - Track and tall guys claim more head room for helmets and height. There is belief that the lack of a sunroof may stiffen the vehicle slightly.
Spoiler - Debatable as to what looks better. Apparently spoiler-free non patched hatch doors are desirable but only to those that prefer it.
Rear Wiper delete- Most prefer without. Some deletes use a plug in the hatch others are seamless.
Seat Material - More dependent on condition than anything. Interior color combination probably has a bigger influence.
Dual Oil Coolers - nice for track days. Negligible for a daily driver.
Bose - It's fine if it works. Nothing special compared to today's standards though. Most prefer more trunk space over the Bose system and any aftermarket upgrade will sound better.

 

I agree with everything here. If you don't want the suede seats I'd go with a PEP/PEG or Base model '94+ car (because they are more refined than '93's).

After many years I don't like the following FD features-

1. '93 Tan Interiors
2. Bose system
3. Hatch wiper
4. Fog Lights
5. Stock Spoiler
6. Sunroof

The BEST FD buying advice I've ever read/heard is to buy the latest model car you can with the best interior that fits your budget. The Interior on the FD is harder to restore than the engine or exterior, many parts are NLA with increasing used prices.

 

I have the dreaded Montego Blue '93 with a tan interior. In fact it has every shitty thing the guy above me just mentioned. Everyone here says that it's the least desirable combo, but I get endless compliments and offers to buy my car every time I take it out. I'd never swap it for red or black; too common of a color for such a rare car, in my opinion, plus the green on tan makes it look even MORE like some kind of Jaguar that no one's seen before.

What will the sunroof shave off of a lap at Laguna Seca? Not enough to notice, that's for sure.

It's definitely Hell, wiping my rear window when it rains or having surround sound when I turn on the music or opening the sunroof on a nice day though.

 

This has all been very helpful. Thanks to everyone for their perspectives! I've been casting a wide net in my search, and I'm actually flying to see a car tomorrow. Looks like a choice between a '94 Red/Black R2 and a '93 Black/Tan Touring. I'm definitely leaning towards the '94, given the improvement in the interior plastics (at the very least). Also read that a 5th gear issue in the '93 was fixed in the '94 (?).

A couple of related questions:

1. I had to Google "Alcantara" to discover that it's synthetic microfiber suede (so not leather at all). Is the "suede" in the R-series real leather or fake? If I hate it, I can get the seats recovered in the real stuff, I suppose.

2. Can anyone tell me what's going on with what looks like gap-fill foam coming out around the black plug in the hatch in this photo?

 

Buy the R2 if it's nice and has no skeletons.

1. If the seats are in good shape they are the most valuable stock seats, if you don't like them buy an extra set to have recovered and store them. Mint sets of R1/R2 seats are selling for around $1,000 right now.
2. Perhaps it rattled and that was the owners solution. That is not OEM.

 

^I second the suggestion for a second set of seats if you don't like the Alcantara...especially since you want to leave it stock. 10 bolts to change both seats.
FWIW, it's reliable rumor that MAZDA put them in the performance oriented R models purposely. If you've ever tracked or, in my case, autocrossed the car in stock class and tried to keep your butt in a smooth leather seat, you'd understand immediately. And I understand from speaking with some upholstery folks that while Alcantara was less expensive to the manufacturer, it was also more color fast and stood up to UV better than real suede.

Yeah, that's some weird stuff going on there under the hatch. That round 'plug' is where the filler neck for a rear window washer (if equipped) would have exited the hatch cowling.

 

This is my 93 rx7 touring addition. Kinda of at least. I wanted a street car with the potential of occasional trackdays. Mostly used for weekends the car is touring with a few r1 mods. I know it does not help the value but it is my car and not for sale. R1 lip, r1 oil coolers sunroof and ya leather tan interior. Bose system removed and a few other mods. My build is documented as 93 rx7 improving a already great sports car. This thread might help you a little.

 

Car is gorgeous man. Your setup is what I would go for if I were to buy an FD. How do you like the R1 oil coolers? Do you notice a big improvement?

 

Thank you. I dont have a gauge so I am not sure if the two oil coolers are doing anything. Based on the engineers at Mazda I would have to say it helps. I will be adding a oil temperature gauge soon.

 

Here's a pic of my Touring, too. R1 lip and oil coolers (Yes, they definitely make a difference at the track), Koyo 3-pass, Blitz intercooler, etc. Cooling cooling cooling is what an FD needs. If you're looking to flip the car an R1 is the call, but for a driver, any FD can easily be made faster than a stock R1.

The 1st three mods typically for an FD are AST, downpipe and a new radiator. Those three alone will cool your car off pretty well and give you some confidence on hot track days..