HI everyone! I need help for my friend who was questioning me whether he should buy an RX7 (Gen3) '92 model or an Integra TypeR '97 model both JDM.

The RX7 had its engine overhauled a few months ago and all engine parts, except for the rotors, are brand new. The car is in perfect condition, is lowered and has a 5Zigen Exhaust.

The Honda Integra TypeR is in very good condition with just 31000Kms! and all stock, except for the Blitz exhaust which is all modified (from the headers till the back pipe)

The Rx7 is priced $4,381.86 less than the Integra! I was just wondering why.....

Can anyone of you suggest anything? (I know that you are all big fans of the RX7 but i am sure that i can have some really honest answers)

Thanks in advance!!

 

balanced rwd car vs *** dragger? if he has to ask, he'd probably just be better off with the ITR. though the ITR will be better on gas and probably be more reliable, being NA and all.

 

u kidding?

 

Integra = reliable, easy to drive (front-wheel), practical car.

RX-7 = not-so reliable, RWD, gas eating pig, no trunk space or conveniences.

Dave

 

you came to the wrong forum if you are looking for a straight answer...

Anyway they are both very different cars. It depends what you are looking to do with it. I have tracked an ITR and can say it is a lot of fun and is almost worry free. Which I cant really say about my FD - but is a more fun in my opinion.

I will say that Honda made a great engine to drop in the ITR, The B18C5 was/is a respectable motor despite what people might say. But, that being said, I still love my FD.

 

I had more fun in my '98 ITR (cammed, coilovers, custom header/exhaust...200whp) than I have in any car since (prepped BMW E30 325is, '95 BMW M3, 320 whp '94 RX-7).

The ITR at 200whp was about the limit of power that was "relatively" safe to explore on the street. If I try to have any fun in the RX7 I am doing well into triple digits (the same was true for a 997 Porsche I was driving for awhile). The ITR you could get into and have fun with in any gear at any speed...and be "closer" to legal. It also made a sound that was totally intoxicating, moreso than any car I have ever riden in/driven (and that includes some exotics). I loved it and never regretted the purchase for a second.

I cannot say that about the RX7. It gives me constant headaches and stress...and never seems to be running perfectly. I can never have all out fun in it because I am constantly afraid of blowing it up. However, it is the best handling car I have ever driven...with some crazy amounts of power to back it up. With a reliable worry free engine I would probably sing a different tune about the car, but as of now...I wish I never would have gotten rid of my M3.

And that is all I will say about that....

 

I feel like I gave a straight answer. If we can't be honest about our cars, why the hell are we posting?

I have owned, tracked, auto-xed, daily driven (the fd only sometimes), and worked on both cars. I can give an unbiased opinion I think. If you can afford two cars - and won't get frustrated at having the RX7 down when you would like to have it running - then get the dead sexy RX7...

If you can't afford to play with the RX7 and drive another car daily....get the ITR and start track driving and getting into the scene.

FWIW...the ITR can bite you on a race track if it is set up fast and you f-up. In my ITR I could keep up with cars that had twice my power because of my momentum into and out of a corner....exit speed counts for a LOT! And that was a lot of fun!

 

Yep, great response cozmo (seriously did not expect an objective response from anyone). I've grown way too accustomed to the Honda-Hate in this forum haha.

But my car runs fine, never was an issue of being able to afford anything.

 

So,
I think I can help you out here:

I have a garage queen 93 rx-7 which I pamper.

I also race front drive hondas / acuras in a touring-car style series.

Appearance
The rx-7 is gorgeous, has a timeless look, and draws looks from lot's of folks of all different backgrounds & age groups.

The ITR is an attractive car and will make you famous with the 18-24 year old crowd.
(Advantage - rx-7)

Handling
Both cars are fantastically fun to drive, but different. The ITR is a bit more "raw" and less refined, but is very easy to drive fast and is very forgiving. The ITR brakes are amazing bone stock.
In the hands of a SKILLED driver, the rx-7 is very quick, wonderfully balanced, and an absolute blast to drive. The brakes are a little underwhelming and the car WILL bite an inexperienced driver.
(Advantage: Draw)

Reliability
- The rx-7 is a complete pain in the *** to work on - and you will need to work on it a lot. My 93 is meticulously maintained, but ya never know what is going to happen to it day-to-day. Read the forum for more info. Most rx-7s go through a lot of prep before they can be reliably tracked (oil coolers, radiators, ducting, catch cans, etc.)
- The B18c5 motor is incredible. My race motor has a stock bottom end, puts down
down 200hp at the wheels and has $70K and 60 track weekends on it - that's 120 days of track time. The entire time I am at the track, that motor is betwee 5500 and 8500 rpms---it just takes it. And the compression on it is still flawless. In general, the ITR is track-ready out of the box - change the pads and go to the track, pound it all day, and drive it home - no worries.
(Advantage: ITR)

So it depends on why you are buying the car:
If money or reliability is an issue: Buy the ITR
If you want a ready-to-go track toy: Buy the ITR
If you LOVE the FD and are willing to put up with a lot of crap to own it, but thr Rx-7.

Me - I did both. My garage queen is an FD and my track rat is a 2200lb ITR / EG hybrid.

- Phillip

 

Integra all the way, cheap to fix (if you have to) parts easy to find (at least in the US) don't know about Malta. way more people on the integra forum. Good luck with the buy.

 

if you have to ask this kinda of question may as well switch names with this guy ^


eh actually theres a good point. having more than 1 car is important. i may have 2 rx7s, but a 2nd gen n/a is reliable for gettin around so that dont count...

i would say its a must to have another car if u got a 3rd gen.

 

Why would he switch names with me. I would prefer the guy go to another forum as opposed to being in here asking these kinds of questions. He may as well be in here asking if he should get married or not. Amounts to the same kind of BS.

 

This is third gen forum where he found multiple third gen owners that have also owned ITRs (or equivalent). I do not think his question is misplaced.

I actually think these cars are more similar than you are giving them credit for....as crazy as that sounds. The ITR was purpose built to be a track car, straight from the factory. The RX7 may be more of a "true" sports car, but straight from the factory it is far less of a track car. It needs substantial work to make it reliable to beat on for 30 minute sessions in any kind of even moderately hot weather.

They both tap into the same nerve when you drive them. Both Honda and Mazda were engineering these cars for people who get a big time thrill from getting the most out of their cars performance wise. It just shows two different approaches at the same issue.

I would say the RX7 and S2000 can be compared straight across the board....

And i think the ITR is more of a raw purpose built "performance" car than the S2000... even if it isn't a true "sports" car

 

My mistake, I was under the assumtion this was a forum to help RX7 owners with there cars, not an opinion forum on what car should I buy. There are allot of people that help others out with problems and maintenance, and mostly knowledge, while opinions do tend to cloud some threads most are factual and quite helpful. I can find nothing helpful about injecting any number of opinions about which car should i buy, it will get him nothing but opinion. So you think maybe he should try out the S2000 > ? ? ? as opposed to the Integra as it would be more of an apples to apples comparrison.

 

I just purchased my 93 rx7 r1 kitted,rims and clean interior at about 13p.s.i I soled my gsr for this car. I can honestley say that I do not regret this trade at all. I have been told by many that this is a wallet car meaning the money it will cost to repair and upkeep it. I dont care, why? I get more respect for having a beautifull car than just a hp machine. I have style, control and power that I cant get out of a great horse power to weight ratio car such as honda or acura....I feel safer in the rx7 as well. All in all my car is immaculate and its in a diffrent class that a honda or acura so there is no comparison in my opinion. I am new to this forum and hopefully I can be of some help as I am sure you all will be. Thanx-Anthony

 

Oh yeah, I also was wondering If any one can help me. I live In California as was wondering if there any mazda specialists and where I could get a new engine from?

 

There is a West Forum on this board for local inquiries, and please read the newb stickies at the top of this forum; most of your questions should be answered.

Back on what is a very tired topic...

 

Next people will be coming on here asking "Cement Truck or Rx-7?"

 

Sigh............this guys friend will probably buy the 7 and next week he'll be in here asking how to make his new Greddy BOV make that ripple noise or which BOV makes the most noise.....again looking for opinion.

 

Integra Type R (K20) is a fun car as others have said. You get recaros, the fun of 6 sp manual, rev happy engine, very fun on twisties (in my point of view anyway) too. But then again, you won't get the fun of boosting. Just boring v-tec "spank" instead of a hard turbo kick. But reliable,but won't look as sexy as the 7. but but but....there's no end to it :lol

If I were Takumi, I'll have the dc5-R as my downhill and FD as an uphill weapon