Porsche 944 v/s Mazda RX7!
Discussion
I have £7000 in the bank and want to spend that on something superb for the money.
Come down to 944 Turbo or a Mazda Rx7.
Have heard about the bullet proof build quality of the 944T, but have heard a fair amount about the delicate rotary engine of the Rx-7. Is this true?
I can't really affford expensive repairs, so please let me know if an Rx-7 really is the budget supercar of choice for the man who really wants some rocket speed!
Come down to 944 Turbo or a Mazda Rx7.
Have heard about the bullet proof build quality of the 944T, but have heard a fair amount about the delicate rotary engine of the Rx-7. Is this true?
I can't really affford expensive repairs, so please let me know if an Rx-7 really is the budget supercar of choice for the man who really wants some rocket speed!
advocatusdiaboli said:
I have £7000 in the bank and want to spend that on something superb for the money.
Come down to 944 Turbo or a Mazda Rx7.
Have heard about the bullet proof build quality of the 944T, but have heard a fair amount about the delicate rotary engine of the Rx-7. Is this true?
I can't really affford expensive repairs, so please let me know if an Rx-7 really is the budget supercar of choice for the man who really wants some rocket speed!
Afriad its not really the budget choice, but it certainly fills my heart more than a 944 was.
Cheers
Lee
(Just home from the garage getting the FD fixed lol)
The 944T is becoming something of a cult classic so it's unlikely to depreciate as much as an RX7 will, the fuel economy will be better, there's not gonna be much in it handling-wise.
If you do decide to go the RX7 route then do a lot of research on them, make sure the owner takes it to the redline (or near it) at least once everytime they take it out to prevent any carbon build-up in the engine.
Also try to buy one that has a long-way to go before it needs an engine rebuild or one that has had it done recently as you don't really want a bill for that shortly after forking out for the car.
>> Edited by Steve_Evil on Thursday 7th July 15:16
If you do decide to go the RX7 route then do a lot of research on them, make sure the owner takes it to the redline (or near it) at least once everytime they take it out to prevent any carbon build-up in the engine.
Also try to buy one that has a long-way to go before it needs an engine rebuild or one that has had it done recently as you don't really want a bill for that shortly after forking out for the car.
>> Edited by Steve_Evil on Thursday 7th July 15:16
advocatusdiaboli said:
I have £7000 in the bank and want to spend that on something superb for the money.
Come down to 944 Turbo or a Mazda Rx7.
Have heard about the bullet proof build quality of the 944T, but have heard a fair amount about the delicate rotary engine of the Rx-7. Is this true?
I can't really affford expensive repairs, so please let me know if an Rx-7 really is the budget supercar of choice for the man who really wants some rocket speed!
It is a budget supercar capable of warp speed!
If you're lucky it'll cost you sod all to run (apart from a lot of optimax). If you're unlucky it'll cost you 3k for a rebuild.
For 7k you might find one with a recent(ish) rebuild but it may be highish mileage. You could get one with no rebuild for 5k and take the risk knowing you've got 2k in the bank to soften the blow.
You're also unlikely to find a completely standard FD and some smallish mods will give performance that would blow the 944 into the weeds.
IMO the 944 looks dated now (although still looks good) and to me the FD has so many features that modern supercars aim for it has hardly aged at all.
I'm biased but I think you'd have no regrets getting a rotary - the engine is a complete gem.
Both are fabulous cars, I'd suggest you try out both before deciding.
The 944T is totally bullet proof if it's been properly maintained, but there are also neglected ones out there that need £££ spending on them. If a new clutch is imminent, that's around £1000 straight off.
The 944T can also be easily (and cheaply) tweaked to a reliable 300-350 hp. 0-60 is then about 5secs, top speed around 170. The 968CS is rated by many as the finest handling Porsche ever, and the CS suspension is easy to fit to a 944.
There are a few guys over on the Porsche forum who run modded 944T's, I'd suggest asking them for info if you haven't already.
The 944T is totally bullet proof if it's been properly maintained, but there are also neglected ones out there that need £££ spending on them. If a new clutch is imminent, that's around £1000 straight off.
The 944T can also be easily (and cheaply) tweaked to a reliable 300-350 hp. 0-60 is then about 5secs, top speed around 170. The 968CS is rated by many as the finest handling Porsche ever, and the CS suspension is easy to fit to a 944.
There are a few guys over on the Porsche forum who run modded 944T's, I'd suggest asking them for info if you haven't already.
Ahhh! The agony of choice. Thought about both myself. Always liked 944s, the image of bombing down the outside lane of the Autobahn past Stuttgart at 150 mph with the lights on... Apparently well-maintained 944T engines will see 200K miles+, whilst the KKK turbo itself is good for 150K miles. 50/50 weight distribution, rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, great handling and of course Porsche build-quality. The turbo engine is an 8v head, without the timing chain/tensioner/cam sprocket hassles of the S and S2.
The RX7 FD is one of THE best looking sports-cars I've ever seen, and I still wet myself when I see one. The fuel 'economy' and engine reliability has always put me off a bit. Paying extra for a rebuilt-engined car seems to make sense to me. Be warned that I know a chap with a mildly tweaked FD who sees 12 mpg if he uses any of the performance...
944T/RX7... Sod it, buy the RX7.
ST
The RX7 FD is one of THE best looking sports-cars I've ever seen, and I still wet myself when I see one. The fuel 'economy' and engine reliability has always put me off a bit. Paying extra for a rebuilt-engined car seems to make sense to me. Be warned that I know a chap with a mildly tweaked FD who sees 12 mpg if he uses any of the performance...
944T/RX7... Sod it, buy the RX7.
ST
speedtwelve said:
I know a chap with a mildly tweaked FD who sees 12 mpg if he uses any of the performance...
944T/RX7... Sod it, buy the RX7.
ST
I saw single-digit mpg round silverstone so that doesn't suprose me but in the real world you'll struggle to get that low an average over a full tank on the roads.
Performance cars aren't supposed to be fuel efficiant
Dunno about the RX7, but 944 turbo cabs hold their value very well (if you can find one!). Even 'standard' 944T coupe prices have already bottomed out and are even going up slightly for nice examples.
Why try one for a year, then sell it on (maybe even for a small profit), then buy an RX7?
Why try one for a year, then sell it on (maybe even for a small profit), then buy an RX7?
advocatusdiaboli said:
Dunno boys, still leaning towards a 944 Turbo Cab you know?
The agony of choice indeed!! What's the average payout on an RX7 per annum?
The way I look at it, either car is going to screw me!
How many miles..? Servicing is an absolute doddle - change the oil every 3k for nice cheap mineral oil (or expensive mineral oil if that's you thing)... Filter and oil change ~£15-20 per time plus an hour the 1st time and 30 minutes after that.
Plugs every 6-12k depending on mods and how rich the map is. Just change mine (mildly tuned car) @ 12k and they needed changin sooner so will do them at 6k next time. ~£60 for NKG plugs. Sod of a job but no more than 30 minutes with the right tool.
Standard air filter doesn't need changing often, my aftermarket ones don't need changing at all...
Nothing else to do for genreal servicing - simple checks of coolant and regular oil checking and topping up (I do mine monthly covering ~800 miles a month). Keep an eye on belts for signs of wear for higher mileage cars - simple to replace if needed.
Not timing chains to worry about or anything overly complex. Occasionaly boost problems from the various vacuum hoses and solenoids on high milers and can be tricky to trace until you've sussed what goes where! Simple enough job to completely re-do if you're of a mind and enjoy that kind of tinkering.
I'd say that your choice might also depend on what you want to do with the car - do you want to keep it standard or start modding it (for power, handling or reliability)?
If you want to mod the car the FD is a great thing to work with and you can add parts to increace the above in a gradual manner and end up with lots of power over time (or go the whole hog in one go!)...
Mine's gone from ~255bhp to 300bhp (last year and is about to undergo some more surgery to put out around 400bhp (~340rwhp). That should keep me happy until next year's single turbo and 400rwhp
Go for the RX-7!!!!
I got mine a few months back, and its been nothing but a joy.
Even after spanking it into a hedge the shine hasn't been taken off it.
Yes the insurance is harsh, yes the servicing is a bit harsh, and yes i've averaged 14mpg so far, but it all fades to the background when you nail it in 2nd and hear that noise.....
I got mine a few months back, and its been nothing but a joy.
Even after spanking it into a hedge the shine hasn't been taken off it.
Yes the insurance is harsh, yes the servicing is a bit harsh, and yes i've averaged 14mpg so far, but it all fades to the background when you nail it in 2nd and hear that noise.....
Beefmeister said:
Yes the insurance is harsh, yes the servicing is a bit harsh, and yes i've averaged 14mpg so far, but it all fades to the background when you nail it in 2nd and hear that noise.....
I must have the lightest right foot inthe RX-7 clubhouse!
Then again, if you drive everywhere at 7k rpm in 2nd it's no wonder
[hijack]Going to be @ the Wharf tomorrow?[/hijack]
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