Hi Guys and Gals.
Not to sound like a Noob BUT!! What are the First gens actually like?
I have owned and driven Fc\'s and fd\'s but the First gen has always been a car that attracts my Interest.
I have a first gen at the moment but it needs some serious welding and to be Honest would make a decent donor car, What i was thinking is to buy a solid one and use it as an Every day car then keep my FD for the week ends??
Is this feasible? Does the 12a NA get half decent MPG? as opposed to say a Turbo 2 or an FD if driven with respect? Also do they need allot of Looking after or are they reliable if serviced well and good compression?
I know they are knocking on a bit now but i really do like the Shape of them and there becoming rare to see on the Road.
I\'m intrested to hear what the owners have to say about them.
Cheers.
Chris
you have a FB aswell - crickey matey - you must have one hell of a drive way :D
Stu
Think of the FBs as like the Mafia..... Once you\'re in there\'s no getting out!! (and no that doesn\'t mean the darn door wont open :D ). They are seriously addictive little cars........ simple, lightweight, fast, turn heads, sound awesome. I know they have nothing in terms of speed in stock form on the FCs and FDs but with some well spent money you could make a serious road rocket.
I get between 220-280 miles on a full tank but could probably improve on this :D . Mine\'s still on its first engine at 64000 miles and is a long way away from a rebuild. Doubt they need any more looking after than the FCs or FDs but you gotta look out for rust, leaving these cars out in the rain on the driveway is a bad idea.
Spare parts are easy to find and cheap, Tim at Rx Motors has pretty much every part under the sun.
Go for it....
:bandit
Oh, forgot to mention
OLD SKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL :InLove :InLove :InLove :cheers
They are sexy,beautiful,wicked,addictive,easy to maintain,have a weird wheel pcd,cheap to run (in std form),predictable handling,rusty and scare the ****e out of many a car on the road.They are head turners cos they are not dime a dozen and dont look like the normal Jap sports car.Absolute fun as a daily driver,cheap insurence.......blah blah blah...:InLove :3gears-rh :yes :King :cheers :guinness
Quote from: grinderyou have a FB aswell - crickey matey - you must have one hell of a drive way :D
Stu
LOL yeh. I got given the First gen by a frend of my Dads. (been sat in a garage for 5 years after it failed its MOT for welding, Its quite bad but its only done 52k and has dark Black/Grey seats etc which look well.
So i may invest in one with a Solid Shell and make a nice First gen of them both.
I\'ll have the set then :)
Is there a model to look out for?
Is things to look out for when looking at them? I have a good idea where they Rot :yes but is things like electrical and running gear reliable in them or am i best of keeping it simple?
i have had 3 now along with every other type of RX7, they are so simple and light, the clutch is really light and with a set of headers and the airpump removed you get pretty good economy. I have more fun hacking around in the FB on the roads than the TII.
The one i have at the mo has shocks springs steering bushes and the all important brakes upgraded and its brill.
Quote from: GrizzlyIs there a model to look out for?
Is things to look out for when looking at them? I have a good idea where they Rot :yes but is things like electrical and running gear reliable in them or am i best of keeping it simple?
ive always had the 84 -85 mk3 cars these have the rear disc\'s and lsd and my choice when it come\'s to FB\'s im on my 4/5 on now, pretty much did the same as you had one that rotted out found a mint shell all wax oiled new bushes shocks etc but no engine, in goes my ported 13b a respray and its fun all the way MPG is a bit naf but it\'s my weekend car so i live with it
check out my link
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6548
Mark
Quote from: GrizzlyIs there a model to look out for?
Is things to look out for when looking at them? I have a good idea where they Rot :yes but is things like electrical and running gear reliable in them or am i best of keeping it simple?
for looks and rarity value the series 1 (SA22 chassis code before the FB code was used) 79-81 reg year, the cleanist looking of the gen 1s.
Quote from: mpk490pive always had the 84 -85 mk3 cars these have the rear disc\'s and lsd and ...
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6548
Mark
Mark,
LSD\'s were not standard on any UK first gen\'s, are you sure you have an LSD in yours?
Ray
There are decent un rotted ones around, The one that Shaunwill is buying from me is a 85 (b) and has never been welded. My elford which is slightly earlier is the same, but has had 2 small welding repairs done in the past. Parts are very cheap, easy to work on, lots of room, fairly modern interior for the age of the things. the steering on the 82 ser2 elford feels slightly different and positive to the ser3 85 model but not a lot of diference.. the rear brakes discs on the elford are solid and they are vented on the later one so it seems. I have done 4000 miles or so in the elford this summer, fuel economy is fine, I would say mid 20\'s but it does not have any emmision stuff. the handling is very similar to the MX5s and prob weigh about the same from all the onesI have driven, slight under steer into nice controlable oversteer, 50.50 weight dist,, nice sweet little car, also comes with that live axle hop that you get to add to the charm..and nobody knows what they are. which is the best part......
Yep, cheque will be with you tommorrow :)
I was even impressed it had electric windows !
Shaun
All I can say is get one.
Urm.... My First gen Plans may have been put on hold, i\'ve just seen an Rx2 three door thats on its way over :) its not mad expencive ither which is a Pleasent suprise. But oviously i\'ve not seen it so we wait and see what its like.
Ahh well guess i\'ll be buying a oil burner as an every day car ;)
Quote from: RayMark,
LSD\'s were not standard on any UK first gen\'s, are you sure you have an LSD in yours?
Ray
Pretty sure it is, i had a auto box on it so it may be a import?
Mark
No UK cars had an LSD, only the GSL model in Japan or the states. I know cos I had an LSD from a GSL fitted to my \'85 series 3. By the way, I\'d suggest you drive one of these 1st gens before you buy one - the steering is CRAP. I don\'t beleive that a single owner would not replace it for a decent rack conversion if one existed. I\'m still trying to find someone willing to do the conversion for me.
(Bah humbug)
I liked my Elford Turbo and if I were to get another 1st gen I\'d keep my eye out for another Elford.
Oh, and Don Pamponi is right - the steering is crap. But you get used to that.
I beg to differ about the steering probs,..........all the 1st Gens I have owned have handled superbly :cool Even ol \'rusty\' handles like a dream....almost to the point where I fall asleep on the freeway\'s.:cheers
Just got home my my new daily and they are very cool cars, handling is very good even on original bushs. The steering has play in it but thats half the fun !
Shaun
Quote from: shaunwilJust got home my my new daily and they are very cool cars, handling is very good even on original bushs. The steering has play in it but thats half the fun !
Shaun
Good on you bud,congrats,and may you have many happy motoring miles...:cheers :cool .Once the steering box is tweaked,or reconditioned it will be a dream...............:D
Compaired to the series 3 landrover (1970\'s) my stepdad owns the steering is fantastic, it wouldn\'t ever want to go in a straightline. Its a case of getting use to it. Bit fun overtaking traffic !
Shaun
Quote from: GrizzlyUrm.... My First gen Plans may have been put on hold, i\'ve just seen an Rx2 three door thats on its way over :) its not mad expencive ither which is a Pleasent suprise. But oviously i\'ve not seen it so we wait and see what its like.
Ahh well guess i\'ll be buying a oil burner as an every day car ;)
An RX-2 three door, must be extremely rare!:p :rollin
I\'ve never had a problem with the 1st gen steering either. One of my cars had some play but I just adjusted the steering box and all was good again. Putting big wheels on will affect handling though - tram tracking, etc
Tell us more about the rx2 that is on its way over??? over from where? Really curious.
I had a series 3 fb ni oz and it came standard with 4 wheel disc brakes and an auto. Such a beautifull little car to drive for fun or just to the shops. Wish I had gone down that route instead of a car half made from wood!!!!!
cheers, michael.