Hello Folks ,,,

As you know i have posted a few times trying to find a 1985 GSL-SE ...But have been having a tough time traveling around finding 'Busted Up" or "Molested " GSL-SE that are not worth some of the crazy prices these people are asking ....So i have turned my attention to finding a nice First Generation 1990 to 94 Miata to have as a second fun car ...I have never driven one but have always liked them whenever i saw one on the road ..plus there seems to be more out there to choose from at reasonable prices and look better than some of the beat up rx7 i have been looking at ..lol ..In any case again i ask the elite panel ..Should i give up my search for the elusive 13B motor or settle for a fun in the sun convertible that is becoming a Classic as well..... ok Guys and Girls give me all your constructive feedback about this matter ....

 

12a all the way!

 

Patience. Check Craigslist, Autotrader has few if any 1st gen RX-7s. There are two different ones showing up on CL now, one in High Point, NC and the other in Shelby, NC. NC cars don't have the rust you'll see up in NY.

Besides, as soon as you get a Miata, you'll find the '85 you want but you'll be stuck with MacGruber's car.

You could always go with a 12a and have it built.

 

The new miata that I test drove in 2004 had less pull than my rx-7. Its exhaust was cool though. Handled nice, and the steering wheel hit my thighs.

The reviews say that a used miata is "everyone's cutey pie is a cheap fun date, that is low maintenance."

 

The Rx7 has the class, but older miatas are handling monsters. I would consider one for my next project, if I fit in it.

 

Miata has a better chassis
RX-7 has a better engine

I say get the Miata and drop in a 13b.

 

Miatas handle well -- no doubt. But . . . every time I see some guy stopped at a light in a Miata, I can't resist. I yell out "Hey man, your sister called and she wants her car back!"

 

you must get an "anti-gay bar" if you buy a miata (rollbar) it may just save your life

 

No doubt about it that the RX-7 is more unique than the Miata. I'm not gonna lie though, I think the Miata is a super car. I've never had one because it's convertible, and all that wind and sun will give you stroke after a nice day trip. I did think of getting one with a removable hard top and leaving it on, but you know what? Every time that I pass a nice Miata (with wheels and tires and roll-bar so it doesn't look like a secretary car) the drivers always wave at me in the RX-7.
The RX just special.

 

Funny you should say that ..i happen to be a Gay guy ! lol but i agree it seems to be more of a girl car ....If i do decide to buy one i will have to butch it up with an anti roll bar and aggressive manly aluminum rims and bigger tires ..LOL

 

My wife has a 2nd gen miata ('99) and it is a fun car, but I wouldn't ever consider trading my '85 gsl for it. And my 12a does have quite a bit more pull than the 1.8 in the miata.

 

Not an SE, but a nice looking GSL: Mazda Rx7 GSL

Asking price seems a bit high though...

 

I'd say Miata hands down, but the people on the RX-7 club are so much cooler than those old farts...

edit: Nice Corrado

 

The Miata is definitely not a car to be talking up. If you want to daily-drive the Rx-7 though, you are gonna need to be either mechanically inclined or have lots of money to keep it on the road. That is if your trying to get one on the cheap.

This forum helps to diagnose problems, but most mechanics are no longer interested in dealing with older cars unless they are raping your wallet.

If you want to have a rare vehicle that will impress you daily, get the Rx-7. If your just looking for 2 seater with some pep, the Miata will probably be more practical.

My wife likes driving in one of few remaining 1st gens on the road, and its ability to out perform brand new sports cars.

 

if you REALLY want the SE, then just be more patient. you can, and will, find a nice one. however, if it's a case where it doesn't matter which one any more, then go ahead and get the Miata. I think they are really cool cars. you can't go wrong.

 

thats awesome. parts are really abundant for those cars. they can be right wee beasties when done up so much so im tempted myself to pick up one as a project.
also i am waiting for mazda to release the new one. its suposed to look amazing.
(something like this)

 

the GSL-SE was the best car Mazda had ever built, until the Miata, which is nearly its equal, BOTH cars are great.

they are both practical, reliable, and FUN, while being good looking.

i have had both, at the same time even, and actually i've had my eye open for either one lately, inexpensive Miatas go really fast here, i've had no luck.

i'll throw a 3rd car in the mix, i have had luck with. the Rx8. its fun in the same way the miata is, its practical; except the gas mileage. reliability seems to not be as good, but its not nearly as bad as popular perception.

i mention the Rx8 because they are CHEAP.

 

Gotta give it to you -- that one looks tough.

 

not mine lol wish it was its definately lovely looking.

 

THIS!

Sorry, I think something similar as well. Not nearly as mean looking as a First Gen in my opinion, but that black Miata is pretty good looking

 

Kentetsu routinely beats up on a supercharged Miata on coilovers with his CSP classed high mileage 12A FB at his local autocrosses. Food for thought.

 

Miata is a much nicer driving car handling-wise, but the RX-7 is more daily drivable IMO. I couldn't imagine sitting in a Miata for more than a half hour, while I can (and have) driven 16 hours at a stretch in the RX-7.

I'm speaking of course of 1st-gen Miatas. Like RX-7s, I don't acknowledge the existence of later generations of Miata or the fact that Mazda stopped putting the 1.6 in them at some point.

 

I prefer SEs but I love convertibles. If you're looking for an SE one thing you need to keep in mind is that it's either going to run (and I mean correctly, none of the starting on one rotor then the other one kicks in when the water is pushed out) or one with a dead engine. The problem is that it is possible to get a dead engine to run but the temp gauge usually shows if it has problems with the O-ring seal in the rotor chamber.

If you are mechanically capable, these are usually a good deal and you can either get a wrecking yard engine (it's a crap shoot) or have one built and the cost will depend on how bad the old engine is. If you have to replace the engine, get the radiator cored as well. Replace the clutch, PP and throw out bearing and pilot bearing.

When you look at the car and this applies to any car, demand from the owner that when you look at the car, it has sat overnight so you can see how it starts. They'll try to start it and warm it up so it seems to start easily.

Check under the oil cap for white goo, you don't see as much on a rotary but it's not a good sign, if you see it on a Miata, it usually means head gasket, run.

Check to see if they used anti corrosion coolant. If they used just water, you can count on galvanic corrosion slowly eating at the metal around the o-ring seals on the inside and outside seals.

On the SE, look for rust at the mounting points on the locating links and watts linkage.

I like Miatas, if someone wants to make a comment that it's a girl's car, I could care less. They handle great, are practically bulletproof and there are several models to choose from. Although you want a '90-'94 car, I would go with a newer one, less wear and I'm not talking engine and tranny but the bushings and such. I'm in the process of replacing all the bushings in my SE's sway bars and will replace the lower control arms with the ones from Mazdatrix and the tension rod bushings. It's actually not that expensive and I assume a Miata's parts are probably cheaper since they're still in production and you don't need to go to specialty houses like Mazdatrix or Racing Beat, unless you want to hop up your Miata.

If you are going Miata, don't forget about Mazdaspeed cars. Granted, I would expect them to have had a harder life but they are fast and a normal garage should be able to work on one compared to the looks you would get if you brought an SE in for fuel injection problems. Oh yeah, didn't they go to a 6 speed tranny at some point? You might want that on your wish list as well.

If it has the factory removable hardtop, even better but I don't know how much value that adds.

If I were to buy one now, I would use it as my commute car so I'd try to find one with the retractable hard top. The manual top is easy and you can reach it from the front seat but I have to park outside and I don't want some d-bag to slice my top.

Good luck.

 

i don't mind the 1.8, but i hate the 94-97 dash, its foogly. the 99+ cars don't particularly do much for me either.

 

Thanks so much for all this Feedback ...I actually might go the Miata route ...i just today went to go see a Silver 1990 Miata .... was a north carolina car all its life NO RUST at all ! the silver paint was still shining with very few dings and scratches here and there ... The car only has 59,000 miles !!! I actually never drove a Miata ..and let me tell you ..i fell in love instantly once i was driving it around ..loved the exhaust sound and actually was pretty quick for a 1.6 liter engine ...it has the Package A plus it had the power steering option ..plus the Limited Slip Diff option too ..the guy had the original window sticker ! the price seems to be right for the low mileage and very clean exterior and interior of the car ... the guy was asking 5900 its a small local Dealership that sells quality used cars ..but will sell it for 5400 ..what do you think is that price worth it ??? im thinking it is .... actually the guy knows alot about Miatas since he has one too ...and was telling me lots of interesting things about the car ..i never knew that the Miata engine was a mazda Truck engine to begin with .... i asked him how much he actually paid for it and he was honest and told me they paid 4000 for it plus another 500 to ship it to NJ (thats where the car is located currently)and another 500 to recondition it new brakes and tune up ...so he was honest that they will be making only a 10% profit on it .... It was awesome with the Top down and driving it around it reminded me of my 2004 Mini Cooper S i use to own in any case im seriously thinking of buying this car ..What do you guys think ? Should i take the plunge ?? im sorry im asking this in a First generation RX7 Forum ....lol Hey at least they are both Mazdas ..and im thinking the Miata would be much more reliable than the RX7