Considering a 2nd car... FB Rx-7 or NA/NB Miata

[manofthefield]

I'm starting to look for a second car, and my top choices are a FB(79-85) RX-7 or a Miata, probably NA, but I would consider an early NB if I could find it cheap enough.  I would be using it as a sunny day driver and autocross car about once a month.  I'm hoping to spend in the $2-4k range.

Logic says miata is the way to go.  Many more cars available, 'traditional' piston engine, more parts available.  These things play into my thoughts as a logical person, but I don't want this choice to be entirely logical.  I like the fact that it's a convertible (I wouldn't consider an RX-7 'vert.)  But miata's are so commonplace.  I do like the NB(99-05) a little better style wise, but NA's(90-07) are more in my price range.  Once I'm driving it though, I probably won't care about what it looks like or how commonplace it is.

The RX-7 is a little quirkier, and I like that about it.  This is a second car after all.  At first I liked the FC(86-91), but after looking at a lot more pictures, I decided I like the first generation better.  The FB's are lighter too.  I don't know if the Wankel is really any less reliable than a piston engine, but it sure scares people away.  I've been reading up on rx7club, so I know they need to be run regularly and they need high revs regularly.  As long as you're doing these, the rotary nuts say they they should be pretty reliable.  I rode in one last weekend which was a project car that did not have a/c and the pwr window switches were mia, so the 'practicality' of having a convertible on a summer car is at the forefront of my mind at the moment.

I really think I will be happy with either.  Both are known to be great handling cars. A normally operating RX-7 will have windows that roll down, or maybe even a/c, but it's still not a convertible.  And a miata is a great practical sports car, but it's kind of generic.

Any thoughts or comments?

FB RX-7

[yamahonkawazuki]

ive got an 88 vert sans engine. ( it went to hell and back) but its goin piston. when funds allow. similar weight and similar power but at a lower rpm. that aside. they are FUN to drive. if one rotor ever loads up, a couple ways of dealing with it, either remove fuse from fuel pump if injected or if carbed, disable fueling, or have someone tow you with plugs removed to clear it. this DOES happen sometimes. i THINK some FC's were of the 13b injected variety. and many were carbed as well. enjoy. if it were me, as a second car id say rx7. but as a primary, NOOOOOO. they have pretty much no redline lol. nothing to break no valves to float etc but high HP engines, can blow the apex seals ( 3 in each rotor) stock seals are around 56 each. last time i checked, which was a while back lol

[Huff1371]

I auto-crossed with my 85 RX-7. Wonderful car. But in those years they used the 12A engine. It's equivalent to a 1.1L and is carbuerated. Unless you're the original designer most attempts to fix that damn NIKki carb is futile. The 13B is a far superior engine with much more power, available in the 85 GSL-SE. I swapped my 12A for a twin-turbo 13B and it was an incredible car. No miata could touch it.

[manofthefield]

A carb swap for the 12a seems pretty common.  I do like the idea of fuel injection though.  The FB I rode it last week had a 13b swapped in from a FC. 

The 84-85 GSL-SE seems like the way to go, but everyone else has figured that out too, so they tend to go for a bit more money.  I suppose it'd be worth it though.

[Tronspeed3]

Miata for sure, for reliability and decent power and handling. Most fun car I've ever driven in an auto-X event. Plus you can get a used turbo kit for like $500 or piece meal one and make it even more fun to drive!Don't get me wrong the RX-7 is great but the apex seals on a rotary engine are not know for reliability. Just my 2 cents 

[bombsquad83]

More Mazda love on this forum than a Mazda dedicated site.  I approve. 

[manofthefield]

I'm no mazda superfan, in fact I like all makes.  But Mazda seems to have the right recipe of fun in a package I can afford.

[NesquikNinja]

Miata...its only flaw is a lack of power and a lack of understanding from the world that knows nothing...aka those that call it a chick car.

Neither of the flaws matter, its incredibly reliable, fun, droptop, gokart-ish...easy to work on, easy to mod, easy to just leave stock and drive...

If the Gs handled like a supersport it would be the miata of motorcycles

[bombsquad83]

I'm no mazda superfan, in fact I like all makes.  But Mazda seems to have the right recipe of fun in a package I can afford.

Well said.  That's probably why so many GS owners have mazdas.  Just take the word Mazda out and put in the  GS500.

[Flux Maven]

I would love to get an rx-7, but I have no idea how to work on a rotary so I would have to go with the Miata. I can't wait to buy a Miata, I don't care if it is a "chick car" and really what is a "dude car?" I see just as many girls driving Mustangs as frat boys.

I absolutely love Mazdas! If I had the money I would buy a Mazdaspeed Protege, Protege 5 wagon, Mazdaspeed 3, a Miata track car, and an FD Rx-7!

Unfortunately, I am a poor college kid so I will just have to keep riding the GS, but I will buy a first gen Miata around this time next year!

[yamahonkawazuki]

Miata for sure, for reliability and decent power and handling. Most fun car I've ever driven in an auto-X event. Plus you can get a used turbo kit for like $500 or piece meal one and make it even more fun to drive!Don't get me wrong the RX-7 is great but the apex seals on a rotary engine are not know for reliability. Just my 2 cents

in a turbo 13b tbh if stock theyre garbage. but roughly 180 per rotor to replace 3, and 2 rotors per engine. and roughly 6 hours give or take to remove engine, and strip it for service. really isnt that bad. this usually doesnt happen that often if you keep the rpms below 9000 lol

[Huff1371]

Miata for sure, for reliability and decent power and handling. Most fun car I've ever driven in an auto-X event. Plus you can get a used turbo kit for like $500 or piece meal one and make it even more fun to drive!Don't get me wrong the RX-7 is great but the apex seals on a rotary engine are not know for reliability. Just my 2 cents

in a turbo 13b tbh if stock theyre garbage. but roughly 180 per rotor to replace 3, and 2 rotors per engine. and roughly 6 hours give or take to remove engine, and strip it for service. really isnt that bad. this usually doesnt happen that often if you keep the rpms below 9000 lol

RPMs BELOW 9K?? NEVER. Honestly, the rotary is extremely easy to work with if you get the concept in your head.It's actually easier than most "regular" engines. If you get a 12a engine, then swap the carb with a holley, which requires a new intake manifold, you're probably gonna spend about the same as getting the GSL-SE or a awful ugly 2nd gen. There is nothing wrong with a miata but thereis nothing like spooling up the turbos on a rotary engine whining up to that magical 10k exhaust note. Well, the GS is pretty close.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Miata for sure, for reliability and decent power and handling. Most fun car I've ever driven in an auto-X event. Plus you can get a used turbo kit for like $500 or piece meal one and make it even more fun to drive!Don't get me wrong the RX-7 is great but the apex seals on a rotary engine are not know for reliability. Just my 2 cents

in a turbo 13b tbh if stock theyre garbage. but roughly 180 per rotor to replace 3, and 2 rotors per engine. and roughly 6 hours give or take to remove engine, and strip it for service. really isnt that bad. this usually doesnt happen that often if you keep the rpms below 9000 lol

RPMs BELOW 9K?? NEVER. Honestly, the rotary is extremely easy to work with if you get the concept in your head.It's actually easier than most "regular" engines. If you get a 12a engine, then swap the carb with a holley, which requires a new intake manifold, you're probably gonna spend about the same as getting the GSL-SE or a awful ugly 2nd gen. There is nothing wrong with a miata but thereis nothing like spooling up the turbos on a rotary engine whining up to that magical 10k exhaust note. Well, the GS is pretty close.

ive seen many turbo 13b's blow apex seals north of 9k. and yes theyre quite simple to work on. front plate, front rotor housing, inside contains rotor and 3 apex seals. through which the eccentric shaft runs, then central plate, then rear rotor housing. essent. same as front.  then rear plate ( left out quite a few small parts lol)

[Juan1]

The question here is how reliable do you want the car to be?  My NB Miata is now at 145,000 relatively problem free miles.  My first car was a 1982 RX-7 who's apex seals blew within 5,000 miles of me owning it (less than 50,000 miles on the car).

[manofthefield]

Well, I don't want the car to be a constant project, but I can handle occasional downtime since it's a second car.  I think I can accept replacing the apex seals once if I really have to, but I will expect things to hold up for 50k+ miles after that.

Just an update, I'm definitely leaning RX-7 right now and will probably go that way unless a super deal Miata comes along.

[oneNonlyTu]

Convertibles are way more "wobbly" in the corners. Get a roof to sort that out(or a roll cage). Miata's got the wheel base for very hard turns once the flex is dealt with. Wankels sound whiny.

[yamahonkawazuki]

mine wasnt wobbly at all. bracing FTW, the stock black bbs wheels help. backs are almost 10" wide suspension is no slouch either. last time i drove it before i pulled the rotary, i had it up to about 9500 shes spittin fire out of a 5" fart can LOUDLY. if i dont v8 her, i can build a rotary about same price mine when she died was at 179k miles i think apex seals were replaced at 87k accd to paperwork. and ones that were in it upon disassembly were still good. but plating was going in the rotor housings
this is how fun they are to drive this one has the light colored bbs wheels. but looks same otherwise love how they sound too. plus to remove engine takes on average 2 hours. takes all of 20 minutes to disassemble it) heres a drive in one
actually no heres deflooding one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZVVGOr8jRo&feature=related
heres driving a 91 vert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJfmqQ3NXUE&feature=related

[pantablo]

Miata!

Here's my 1991 (NA6) with 190,000 mile track car:




easy and cheap as chips to work on:
My pit crew swapping wheels, lol


parts are super cheap. Easy on consumables. Consumables are cheap (relative to other track cars).


The apex seals are the weak link of the rx-7 and are in the middle of the motor...

I bought my miata already track prepped for $3000.
Had spare wheels (which I sold and replaced with better ones)
stainless brake lines
upgraded brakes and rear LSD diff
roll bar
hard top
de powered, de a/c'd, etc
a few other things I cant remember

I bought race tires ($600 installed), alum bigger radiator ($300) and after 4 trackdays I need to replace the original pads of unknown age for $300 (race pads and new rotors). Easy enough I can do the work myself in my carport.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGxRLGKbJQI

[Toogoofy317]

Don't get a vert unless it is a hard top or one you can store in a garage! I had nothing but misery in mine for four years. Although, the sunfire GT was a fun car to drive I wasn't too sad to see it go. I got this last week!



Almost as fun to drive as riding Flick almost Flick is still more fun!

Mary

[Toogoofy317]

Or if you got the cash I was digging this vert!


Didn't like that he had "Porsche" in huge letters on the side but was still gorgeous!

Mary