Hey, who all here has owend a 93-95 RX7? What did you think of the it? How did your Rx7 stock compare to a stock S2000? When I say compare I mean how was it as a dailey driver, handling, acceleration, everything. What were somthings you didnt like about it? What mods if any did you have and how did you like them. What major problems did you have and how could they have been prevented? Any info would help. Thx

James

 

Had one. Loved it more than my s2000. It was my daily driver too, but I just couldn't afford to maintain it anymore so I sold it. I still miss it. I bought an S2000 because I thought it was going to be similar. The S2K does not compare...The Rx-7 was superior in EVERY department (looks, speed, handling, rarity) except for sound at quality. It just wasn't reliable...I did all the reliability mods to it, but still, other things would start failing. I now drive an NSX which I would consider up there with the Rx-7, except alot more "exotic". But still, I sometimes miss that Rx-7. People with high mileage that don't have problems are extremely lucky....reliable FD daily drivers with high miles are rare.

 

yeah, the rx7 makes DSMs look like hondas in terms of relyability

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Saint_Spinner
Had one. Loved it more than my s2000. It was my daily driver too, but I just couldn't afford to maintain it anymore so I sold it. I still miss it. I bought an S2000 because I thought it was going to be similar. The S2K does not compare...The Rx-7 was superior in EVERY department (looks, speed, handling, rarity) except for sound at quality. It just wasn't reliable...I did all the reliability mods to it, but still, other things would start failing. I now drive an NSX which I would consider up there with the Rx-7, except alot more "exotic".

 

Ah...this is my kind of topic. I just happen to be a former RX-7 fanatic. Owned 2 '93's since 1998. I used to use my 7 for EVERYTHING. It was my daily driver, road trip car, and mini-cargo transport, where I would often pack it to it's limits just so I could say I did it--from laundry, to Costco groceries, to Home Depot building supplies, the time I moved out of my parent's house, even clown-car-esque antics like fitting 4 adults including driver. I still own my second one, but only by title--spiritually, I've moved on. The old car now sits in my carport, covered with weeks of dirt and pollen.

They were both a blast to drive, but total nightmares when things started to go wrong. I feel like every known problem associated with those cars has happened to me at one time or another. Heat is the biggest killer of the third-gen RX-7s. Perhaps if I went single turbo, heat wrapped the downpipe, modified the frame to allow the radiator to sit vertically instead of that ridiculous 45 degrees, things might have lasted longer, but guess I'll never know.

About three weeks ago, after my third engine in two cars called it quits and left me stranded in a particularly bad neighborhood in SF, I decided it was time for something new...and more reliable. Honda seemed like the ticket. I still wanted something sporty, but I couldn't afford an NSX, so I drove home a 2004 S2000 the following weekend.

If you've ever rode in an RX-7, there is a trademark smoothness and exhaust note that only the rotary can produce. At first, In the S2000, when I heard that raspyness around 5000rpm, just before VTEC, I couldn't help but feel like I was causing permanent damage to the engine. I'm used to it now, but I still miss that smoothness.

Handling: Perhaps it's one or the combination of shorter wheelbase, lighter weight, and structural rigidity, but I swear the S feels more nimble with better adhesion that what I remember with my 7. I've taken both cars up to Mount Tam and various stretches of Highway 1 and I feel more connected with the S than I ever did in six years with the 7. I'm sure there are quantitative reasons proving the 7 is indeed better, but I do not race and have only my driving impressions to go on.

Power: I was down about 100 rwhp, and while that punch is noticeably missing, I was surprised to have forgotten what it was like having some low end torque on a naturally aspirated I-4. I'm sure the gearing also had a little to do with it as well. I was so used to having that infernal sequential system with all the turbo lag, followed by the kick from the primary turbo, and finishing with the bigger kick from the secondary turbo. It took awhile to get used to linear acceleration again, but experiencing VTEC for the first time after the break in was a pleasant substitute for now. Supercharging looks like a fantastic option, but alas I'm leasing and have got a hefty mortgage payment to boot.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JamesB

 

As a previous second gen RX7 owner, I'm very fond of rotaries. When the 3rd gen RX7's came out, I was floored. That car was, and still is, one of the most beautiful on the road. Not to mention light. And really fast.

Unfortunately, as you know, they were as reliable as well... something very UN-reliable. I recall reading nightmare stories from guys with NEW ones, never mind older ones.

If only Mazda would bring it back... and build it better, stronger, faster!

 

James,


I really like both cars. I have had a 94 rx-7 for over 2 years now. Interms of a daily driver, there is no comparison the S2000 is better. Interms of handling both cars are exceptional but the rx-7 has much, much higher limits and is easily has the best handling of any Japanese car. In terms of acceleration there is not much comparision, the Rx-7 is faster. I would sum it up like this, the rx-7 is faster, has better G's (.98-1.03), better brakes, faster acceleration and better handling. The s2000 is more refined, more reliable and cheap to maintain. Now, keep in mind the S2000 is simply fantastic in terms of handling. unless you plan on tracking the RX-7 or S2000 the difference in handling on the street is not important, IMHO.

Interms of mods, I bought my car when it was bone stock and slowly modded it and ran it at the track and dynoed it. An exhaust will give you 100 RWHP. (thats midpipe, catback, downpipe and intake). when you upgrade the exhaust you need to upgrade the computer to add more fuel. it gets costly after a while. but its fun, lol. My car has been reliable I used it as a daily driver for 2 years as my only car. I blew the engine on the dyno once though. Even if your car is reliable you are going to have problems with shocks, tires, bushings, etc. Bushings are a fortune to replace and you have something like 12 of them in the rear of the car.

If the only thing that matters to you is performance, then forget about the s2000 it will not compare to the Rx-7. If you think that because a new S2000 is $32000 and you can get a good deal on a used FD makes the FD a bargain..just know that you will pay much more for the FD in the long run. The S2000 can offer you a percentage of the performance of the FD without any of the headaches. Its an amazingly engineered car. for me, there is nothing that can replace the FD. While I consider the S2000 to be the closest comparision to the FD, in reality the fd is in a class by itself.

this was my thread when I test drove my friends S2000 along time ago. I put the text of my review in bold.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?s=&t...highlight=s2000

I have wanted to drive a s2000 for what seems like forever. My friend Kevin and me decided to trade cars and have some fun on the street....Anyway after driving the two cars I can put things in perspective. Looks are subjective and in my opinion both cars are stunning. The S2000 had more of a refind modern feel while driving, while my car had more of a brutal raw feel to it. I was really impressed with the power the S2000 has, but I think the fun with the s2000 is the revving of the engine and how happy the car seems to want to climb to 9000 rpm. I shift at 8100 in mine, although my car loves to rev, it seems the S2000 climbs revs even faster than My car does. It was funny, I forget how loud my car is with my MP. Sitting in the car I never notice it. When I was in his S2000 and he flew by me in my RX7 I can hear the exhaust on the RX7 and its LOUD. LOL.

My car is not stock and I forgot what a stock rx7 feels like so I cant compare power. I can tell you that the S2000 has a much softer ride, bumps are not as brutal. The shifting is perfect and the steering is exact. The Rx7's shifter is ok. My chasis has 152,000 miles, I have alot of play in my steering and I have worn bushings. His car had better steering response as a result of that.
He was really, really, really, really impressed with the torque of my car. He was really having alot of fun driving it.

So in the end my opinion is the S2000 is far more civilized and refined than the RX7. In the RX7 you can feel the engine and the road more and in the S2000 you feel the car more. You can have the top down in the s2000 and not mess your hair up, LOL.

I would Love to have an S2000.

 

"My car has been reliable I used it as a daily driver for 2 years as my only car. I blew the engine on the dyno once though."

Not exactly a stellar report for reliability. How was the dyno different than driving hard on the road? Too bad, I was hoping to read more people say they had zero problems with their Rx7TT. Seems like a great project car and future classic, except I'd be really unhappy to put $$ into a motor that blows up as easily as a dragster on nitromethane.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Penforhire
"My car has been reliable I used it as a daily driver for 2 years as my only car. I blew the engine on the dyno once though."

Not exactly a stellar report for reliability.