...thinking of buying. I don't really know much about it, and asking in their own forum will get biased answers (I did anyway). I'm looking mainly for reliability and fuel efficiency, can I find that in an mx-6? If so, which years are the best? I'm also thinking about a Jetta iii (~1992). Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

I know this is not directly related to 1st gen 7s, but of all the forums I've been to, I've seen most of the best judgement in here.

 

well, IMO, you will be better off going with the jetta in terms of reliability and fuel economy. as you may know, the mx-6 is the sister car to the ford probe. the later model probs were not all that great. the V6 was quick, compact and had decent fuel milage, but the car was plagued with the usual rear sway bar end links problem. they are almost always broken. if it were me, i would go with the later model car, such as a 95-97. they look more modern and most likely will have less miles. i do know first hand that the older mx-6's and 626's were excellent cars and would have no problem approaching 200K without overhaul and with proper maintaining.

 

The Jetta is going to give good reliability and fuel economy. There is not much else to say about the MX-6/Probe mazdaverx7 sumed it up nicely.

If you can find a Diesel VW (TDI or non TDI) They will be the best for fuel economy. I have an '04 TDI Golf, I commute ~105 Miles per day, I only get fuel once a week. MPG=~45-48

The Diesel VW has the maket corrnered for fuel economy

 

anthrax have you considered that $800 kit to convert your diesel to vegetable oil? I think it would be a good investment.

 

From the post I see on mx6.com, you got one response, a link to another page.

I own a 1988 MX-6 GT. I know a guy that had a MX-6 GT, 626 GT, and a Probe. All first gens of course. There are people that have several of these cars, either their own, or in their family. They're addicting as well.

Why would you ask people's opinion on a car, that probably have never actually owned one (here)? I knew nothing of RX-7's really until I came here, and bought one. Had I asked about RX-7's on mx6.com, I would have been told that the apex seals always go at 80,000 miles, they're not efficient, etc. Unfortunately my apex seals only lasted 6,000 miles under my ownership, but that is after a previous 222,000 miles.

My MX-6 GT has 150,000 miles on it, and due to my own fault, blew a head gasket, possibly more. Unfortunately I'm backed up against a wall with it, because it's in my garage after trying to replace the head gasket, and still has low compression. RX-7 sitting out front with a window that won't roll up, and running on 1 rotor.

I find the best way to evaluate a car that has a big following (both our cars do) is to find a website (like this, or mx6.com as examples) and READ. Find out what problems people have.

A 1st gen in good condition is a great car. I've had some complaints, but I feel the back seat is large enough for 2 adults. If you get a 1st gen, get a GT. Accept no substitutes. They've got a turbo, and that gives it a lot more torque. 190 ft-lbs torque with 145 hp.

I drove mine from FL to PA and back. Cruises nicely.

I've had 2, my first had 277,000 miles on the body with a replaced engine. Unfortunately it blew a lower radiator hose and roasted the engine (after continuing to drive at 80mph not noticing the temperature).

The best thing to do is always check over the car for anything suspicious. If it doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't. I drove to Miami from Tampa to pick mine up, and I found it through Ebay because I was looking specifically for a 1st gen GT.

As for 2nd gens, they're another animal entirely. Performance is similar as I understand. The GT of both get about a 15.7 1/4 mile. Nothing to brag about. The 1st gen DX/LX and 2nd gen 4 cylinder are about equal as well. Personally I wouldn't bother with either. The 2nd gen GT has lower torque, but uses the V6 instead of a turbo to make the power, so it's a bit smoother, rather than the later kick from the turbo you get with the 1st gen. But that kick is usually enough to satisfy me without having to go far over the speed limit.

How is it to work on? Well, again I've only had a 1st gen. Being relatively new to working on cars, the MX-6 was my first car to do anything major on. I am not a mechanic, I work slowly, and lack many of the tools for it. But I managed to change a water pump, the timing belt, and of course the head gasket.

Compared to the RX-7, the rotary takes up less space obviously, and the belts are easier to change. Much simpler in the bay, though the carburetor and rats nest do intimidate me. Both have quite a few vacuum lines to keep track of. The 1st gen GT's engine with A/C is a little cramped for a novice, but I'm certain the 2nd gen's V6 is much more cramped.

Overall, if I could get another 1st gen GT for $1000 I would, depending on it's condition. I would pass on the Probe, or a 2nd gen. I feel those are seen as sports cars, and probably have had a hard life. The MX-6 doesn't scream "sports car" and the Probe is too damn ugly to be much of anything else.

Also, the problems the 1st gen Probe's had, were with the Ford portion of their cars from what I understand. So please don't lump all their problems together.

 

Go for the Jetta. You can run the **** outa them and they last forever. Get an older one though. Late 80's I would suggest. The engines last easily 400000 miles and they normally get about 50-60 mpg. Only thing you sacrifice with them is power. They are pretty much gutless pigs. I regularily see them for sale with more than 250000 miles. Even newer ones are hard to find with much less then 150000 miles because people use them for long commutes. I remember my mom saying that her 1980 VW Rabbit got 70 mpg .

 

Thanks for all the input. I used to have an 87 Jetta... engine was super reliable, but the body was a honk of ****. Got between 30 and 40 mpg, and beat the hell out of it! I doubt they can get 50-60, unless its a diesel. I do like the discrete body style change from 91 to 92, though.
So yeah, maybe Jetta is the way to go for now.

 

I might after the car gets out of warentee.



In respons to '85Rotorypower...

My TDI has 177 Foot-LBS of torque. It moves just fine as far as I am concerned.

It only produces 100HP but that is 10 more then the old TDI.

I am not gonna set any land speed records but you sure get up to 100MPH real fast... and the worst part of it is if you have the windos up and the sun roof closed you don't rely notice...

Also go for the stick if you can...

 

Anthrax, when I say they are gutless pigs, I meant the older ones with probably 60 hp. Were also talking about the diesel ones here, and even the newer ones get 40 mpg. This is on a higher pressure turbo and larger injectors I think. Like I said, my moms old Rabbit got 60-70 mpg. This is the 1.6L diesel that made about 50-60 hp. The engine in later years was 1.9L. The late 80's early 90's Jetta used the 1.9L engine so mabey it makes 70 hp, but I know my Aunt used to complain that her car didn't have much power, but it got the best gas mileage she had ever seen. Diesel is also cheaper in most cases than normal gas.