Window Shopper: Mazda RX-7

Go back to the tail end of the 1970s, and things weren’t looking so great for fans of the traditional sports car–plus we had to wear all that polyester. A savior was approaching, though, and it came from an unlikely source: Japan.

Datsun’s 240Z gave Americans a viable alternative to Europe’s best s…

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So which one of you didn't want to claim this piece? Or do you have a new intern that hasn't been introduced to the mob yet?

In reply to the staff of Motorsport Marketing:

So why would you buy one over a Porsche 944, given that the go for the same prices?

In reply to BillBall:

For the same price I'd agree that the 944 is a more desirable car than the RX7, but I'd suspect the Mazda is much easier and cheaper to maintain than the Porsche, and probably less finicky/more reliable also.

The one for me would be the FD turbos!

In reply to BillBall Japan's quality & reliability! :

I haven't owned both so I can't claim know the answer but I wonder if a 30 year old rotary RX-7 is any more reliable that a 30 year old Porsche 944, condition and maintenance being equal.

BillBall wrote: In reply to the staff of Motorsport Marketing: So why would you buy one over a Porsche 944, given that the go for the same prices?

Rotary is easy to build and cheap to build. I don't think i've heard of anyone significantly doing any work to the non-turbo 944s. RX7 is more of a weird car and caters towards those people. Rotary engine is interesting to many people.

If I didn't want to do any power mods, why I think you would buy the RX7 if you were going from logical reasoning, I wouldn't get the 944 even. I would get a 924S.

Really why would you buy either car? There are "better" (opinion) cars at the same price. You can always come up with something else. Alfa GTV6, Skyline GTS-T, E30 BMW, S12 200SX, Mitsubishi Starion, etc. The fans of each could argue their point for all of those vs 944 or RX7. Like I would pick up a Starion WAY before I picked up a RX7 or 944. Not for any reason other than I like them.

I have owned both RX7s and 944's, and to me the choice is easy; 944 hands down. Even with the maintenance tax, its far and away the better car. The only good point to the RX7 to me was the engine. The rotary was super sweet, but everything else was a let down. Mine was a '83 GSL and the steering was numb and lifeless. Power only OK, even in the '80's when I owned it.

I used to autocross a friend's later GTU model RX7, and I liked it less than my '83. You had to literally drag it around the course. It never worked very well and it had no "soul" to speak of. It was rather a bland car. Nice, but bland. Now, the ND he traded for, that was a different story. Fantastic car.

By comparison, the 944 was great to drive. The steering feel still ranks among the best ever, and the driving position is spot on. Of course it is more expensive and there are probably better, newer alternatives, but I still miss both my NA and Turbo 944's. I can't day that about other cars I've owned.

In reply to racerdave600 : Dave, I'd agree with you... but your playing field wasn't level! The '83 with the 12A is a pretty basic car, and the 944 was probably double the cost when new.

Now, the '84-85 model with the 13B is a much more fair and interesting comparison with the 944. I have never enjoyed driving a 12A car, but the 13B models are a blast, especially with some better width and lower profile rubber to improve the handling.

The GTU was part of the FC series (2nd gens, 1986-91) which were generally dogs from many perspectives (style, quality, performance). Today they are good hosts for LS1 swaps, something I generally consider sacrilegious, but in this case, I'd make an exception.

Currently own a FD (which is a whole different kettle of fish)...

I'd much rather have my TR8 over a 944 or RX-7. Certainly a lot more performance potential from the V8 and more exclusive, although its probably more fair to compare the RX-7 with a TR7. But to get back to the OP, my brother had a very nice bright red RX-7 back in the day with the optional targa look top and front spoiler. He sold it to pick up a TR6 which he still owns today, but I still remember his RX-7 as a very nice car. At the same time my buddy owned a Porsche 924 and another had a TR7 but I'd consider the RX-7 the more preferable.

I've always liked RX-7s of any vintage. My Mom had a FC, and the one time she let me drive it solo left quite an impression (I was used to driving a '73 Beetle, so...). I was visiting her last week in Tennessee and saw what appeared to be a solid 1985 FB RX-7. Somehow, the temptation to stop and check it out closer was resisted. I'd love to have an FD, but too much money for a toy and I can't see daily driving one at this point. I like 944s, but I'd take a nice RX-7 any day.

I never saw a lime green RX-7 with gray painted side mirrors on the front fenders. Couldn't the CM staff have found a photo of a U.S.domestic RX-7 that would have brought back more memories for the majority of its readers?

I have driven mostly BMWs for the last thirty years, E-code chassis of all types, mostly M models. I briefly owned a Series 3 Mazda RX-7. Hands-down one of the nicest cars I have ever driven. Quick, quiet, and great handling car.  And mine was the top-of-the-line GSL-SE trim model. It had beautiful and tasteful interior appointments and a serious, sports car instrument panel and gauges. I would own it again in a heartbeat. I actually liked it better than the 1989 BMW E-30 325is I have now as my weekend fun car. 

  I owned Rx7s buying my 1st one the Fall of 1978 and my last one being a 91 ragtop.  Over those years I had 6 different ones and still would own one if there was a decent engine rebuilder in New England.  In the early days, me and 2 other guys use to go to autocross and hillclimb events and clean up as no one could figure what class to put us in.  The engine was the size of something you'd find in a MG, but the the power couls let me run against Mustangs, Corvettes and yes TR8s of their day and we would always walk away being the best of the day.

  My last 2 were the convertible versions and even though they were heavier and never offering the turbo version in the States, were my favorites of the bunch. 

944 vs. RX7 vs. others - who cares?  We all like what we like. 

This article misses the mark on a few items: 

• Rust, and specifically rust where the rear control arms attach to the unibody.  There is a gap  between the mounts and body that collects dirt and moisture, rusting from the inside out.   Once you see it, it is often too late.  Pull the storage bins (on the cars that have them) out to inspect.  Fairly expensive to fix. 
• Steering is recirculating ball, not rack and pinion.  They can have quite a bit of play in them.  Often this is due to other worn steering components, particularly the idler arm bushings. 
• The power antennas generally don't work - as on most old cars! 

Other than that, the engine condition as noted.  These are really easy to live with if you start with one in good shape.