2nd Gen or 3rd Gen?

[Paul 8v]

Hi, I\'m new on here so please go easy on me :WaveBye

I\'m looking at buying an RX7 as a second car, after a bit of thinking it was the only Japanese car that really fitted the bill and a GTR was still too much money...

I really like the retro looks of the 2nd Gen but I\'m a bit put off by the age, do they tend to suffer from the dreaded tin worm?
But I also like the 3rd gen (que Harry hill style fight), especially the later models with the revised rear spoilers.
Is it easy to convert an earlier model over to the larger spoiler?

I\'m not really into wild bodykits and massive great spoilers which I\'ve found a large amount of the 3rd gens seem to have, the 2nd gens don\'t seem to suffer from this as much so that\'s a plus for them.

Does anyone have any advice on the pros and cons of each model?
I\'m after something which handles and stops well, the outright power isn\'t really an issue as I\'m sure any model will seem like a rocket ship compared to my current car.  I\'d like something nimble but not so twitchy that it\'ll rip my arm off if I make a slight mistake as I\'m not used to driving a performance rear wheel drive car.

any thoughts would be helpfull, I\'m not ready to buy yet as I need to sell my other car first bt I\'d like to do my research so I know what to look for.

Regards

Paul

[BlitzBoy]

All the info you want is in this sub forum

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40

[Paul 8v]

Thanks, is there a thread on there with a comparison of the models? I\'ve had a look on the search but can\'t seem to find it? Something along the lines of the pros and cons of going for a gen 3 over a gen 2 etc.

[TiddlesRX7]

Well I was in a similar situation to you. I went for the 2nd gen due to the fact it was cheeper and suited my budget more at the time (and still does!). I love it, as soon as I drove it I had to have it. Loads of fun to drive not as much of a hand full as the FD but can still get the back out when its pushed. Plus its not shabby on the track either, I\'ve done a couple of track days now and the sprint course at Rotorstock 7 and I beat some FD\'s and RX8\'s.

[BlitzBoy]

FD Pros
Faster,more power,better handling,stops better
FC Pros
Cheaper to run and insure,cheaper to buy

[dthebuk]

personally i think it depends on what sort of power you\'re going to want and what its used for.

bang for buck the FC comes out on top. Unless you want to start running silly powers

[trotter]

FD Pros
Faster,more power,better handling,stops better
FC Pros
Cheaper to run and insure,cheaper to buy

/ thread

[Koose]

Better handling and stops better ? I thought the brakes were the same brakes? But the FC is a lighter vehicle.

Both are awesome, with my budget i couldve got either, the FC is too cramped for a goliath bear like me, plus ive always been a huuuge fan of the FC (later FC ) s looks. Pretty straight forward to get to 280+hp and weighs naff all with some basic weight saving measures. Ive spent enough on my fc in the first week to have bought an FD haha

FCs are 20-25 yrs old now so naturally suffer a bit from metal cancer, i wouldnt say its a horrendous issue though, and imports tend to be cleaner (Although mine is a uk and still isnt toooo bad.

Interior build quality of the FCs ive been in was laughable, big fan of the car, but cripes the interiors are a joke.

Fun Car for me every time.

I have to admit , however, to thinking the FD is the most beautiful car of all time.

[Paul 8v]

Better handling and stops better ? I thought the brakes were the same brakes? But the FC is a lighter vehicle.

Both are awesome, with my budget i couldve got either, the FC is too cramped for a goliath bear like me, plus ive always been a huuuge fan of the FC (later FC ) s looks. Pretty straight forward to get to 280+hp and weighs naff all with some basic weight saving measures. Ive spent enough on my fc in the first week to have bought an FD haha

FCs are 20-25 yrs old now so naturally suffer a bit from metal cancer, i wouldnt say its a horrendous issue though, and imports tend to be cleaner (Although mine is a uk and still isnt toooo bad.

Interior build quality of the FCs ive been in was laughable, big fan of the car, but cripes the interiors are a joke.

Fun Car for me every time.

I have to admit , however, to thinking the FD is the most beautiful car of all time.

I\'ve seen your FC build, it does look like you could get a bit carried away with it, it\'s all good though!
Are the engines on a par for reliability? I\'m not sure how similar they are

[Koose]

Well, my aunty made it to 122k (she then sold the car so i dont know how long it lasted), Montes is at 112k i think,mines 71k,all original.

i dont know what sort of mileage the FC boys getbut i seem to remember jimmy saying anywhere between 30 and 60,000 .

There are things you can do to improve reliability. And the most obvious thing is power,more power shortens the engines life, regardless of how well its mapped, taken care of.

[TiddlesRX7]

FD\'s are around the 60-70K mark for rebuild generally. FC are a bit better by all accounts 80K ish but they have been known to do over 100K. Mitch\'s is a good example. Its around the 80K mark iirc and the compression is still really good.

[m1tch]

My FC is on 88k miles, compressions of 7.2 on the front rotors, 6.9s on the rear rotors, running 14.2 so far on the strip

All owners have:

Changed oil regularly
Waited till the water temp needle was above \'C\' before moving
Serviced it properly

It depends on what the previous owners have done, best to check for paperwork and check the dipstick for oil colour, its mainly the supporting systems like the Cooling or the fueling that go and then take out the engine.

If you look after the car, you won\'t have any issues

[1990_fc3s_t2]

Mine\'s 56k miles fingers crossed it goes to 100k! :Giggle

Have to disagree with about fc interior, I think it\'s alot better than some new cars ive been in, the suzuki swift being one. Nice thick pile carpet and the t2 has nice comfy seats...and nearly quarter of a century old!

Also my insurance is only £95 a year (peter best) so that\'s going to leave more money for fuel :rolleyes:

FC- Daily
FD-Toy

That my goal anyway :Giggle

[Hi RX7]

Glad to see my recomendation to join here was taken up, good luck with your quest I\'m sure you\'ll get all the advice you need to make a good decision.

[Koose]

Mine\'s 56k miles fingers crossed it goes to 100k! :Giggle

Have to disagree with about fc interior, I think it\'s alot better than some new cars ive been in, the suzuki swift being one. Nice thick pile carpet and the t2 has nice comfy seats...and nearly quarter of a century old!

Also my insurance is only £95 a year (peter best) so that\'s going to leave more money for fuel :rolleyes:

FC- Daily
FD-Toy

That my goal anyway :Giggle

Sorry i meant FD interior, i remember shutting a well knwon tuners door, gently, and a bit of trim fell off, i then noticed how flimsy the rest of the door card was!!