First Gens???

[Grizzly]

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

[grinder]

you have a FB aswell - crickey matey - you must have one hell of a drive way

Stu

[Dominic]

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 ). 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 . 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

[Dominic]

Oh, forgot to mention

OLD SKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL  :InLove :InLove :InLove :cheers

[oldone]

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

[Grizzly]

you have a FB aswell - crickey matey - you must have one hell of a drive way

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

[Grizzly]

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?

[antnicuk]

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.

[mpk490p]

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?

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

[sadgoth]

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?

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.

[Ray]

ive 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

[alban1973]

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......

[shaunwil]

Yep, cheque will be with you tommorrow

I was even impressed it had electric windows !

Shaun

[kiwimazda]

All I can say is get one.

[Grizzly]

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