From MX-6 to RX-7 (hopefully)
07-28-01, 11:16 PM
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From MX-6 to RX-7 (hopefully)
Hey, I just registered. I own a 1993 Mazda MX-6. I'm seriously considering buying a used 3rd gen RX-7. What I need to know is what to look out for. I'm thinking I'll probably only buy one that's had the engine replaced or has VERY few miles on it. More importantly, I'm considering an automatic transmission. Do the ATs in the FD have any known problems? I know in the MX-6, the transmissions have cooling problems so they'd die around 60,000 miles. Do RX-7s suffer frmo this as well? And how much slower is the AT than the MT? I know the difference in ATX/MTX for an MX-6 is about a second and a half in 1/4 mile time, stock-for-stock.
Any info you could give me to help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Any info you could give me to help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
07-28-01, 11:32 PM
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I haven't driven an AT so I can't speak from experience but from what I've heard the AT's take a lot of the fun out of an FD. Definitely try both before you make a purchase!
07-28-01, 11:42 PM
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Originally posted by supergoat
MATT!!!!!!!! That rules!
I can't help on 3rd Gens though, just 2nd Gens. Just wanted to say hey.
And why are you selling the Six????
MATT!!!!!!!! That rules!
I can't help on 3rd Gens though, just 2nd Gens. Just wanted to say hey.
And why are you selling the Six????
And I'd like an AT because first of all, I can't drive manual... yet... And second, it's gonna be my daily driver and there are so many times that I'm glad I don't have to mess with a shifter. Like when you're just rollin' along with your g/f holding her hand.
Can't do that with a manual. 
07-29-01, 12:31 AM
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well the good news about an AT is that they are typically cheaper, and most of the time havn't been abused as much as the MT's.
With an AT look for low mileage, but unless the rebuild has been done by one of the KNOWN RX-7 shops, I wouldn't look at a rebuild. ( not many AT owners mod their cars, and therefore arn't usually as familiar with the RX-7 vendors. So that means that it was probably rebuilt by a dealer)
As far as the fun factor, from a MX-6 to an 3rd gen, you'll be happy for at least several months. (your mx-6 will probably beat the rx-7 off the line, unless you torque brake. At least mine did. But besides that it'll spank the mx-6)
The tranny on the rx-7 is out of a MPV (I think) so it was kind of an afterthought. It's not too bad when the car is stock, but it can't support big HP. Shift feel and control is much better than the mx-6 (I allways felt the mx-6 tranny computer was retarded, it shifts in strange places when you get your foot in)
One thing you should probably do with the RX-7 after you buy it is take it to a good shop and let them do a full checkup. You could easily have a boost leak and not know about it( because it'll feel so much stronger than the Mx-6.) You should probabally have plugs,wires, and fluids replaced at the same time.
If you have more specific questions about AT's let me know.
Matt
Matt@Morton.net
With an AT look for low mileage, but unless the rebuild has been done by one of the KNOWN RX-7 shops, I wouldn't look at a rebuild. ( not many AT owners mod their cars, and therefore arn't usually as familiar with the RX-7 vendors. So that means that it was probably rebuilt by a dealer)
As far as the fun factor, from a MX-6 to an 3rd gen, you'll be happy for at least several months. (your mx-6 will probably beat the rx-7 off the line, unless you torque brake. At least mine did. But besides that it'll spank the mx-6)
The tranny on the rx-7 is out of a MPV (I think) so it was kind of an afterthought. It's not too bad when the car is stock, but it can't support big HP. Shift feel and control is much better than the mx-6 (I allways felt the mx-6 tranny computer was retarded, it shifts in strange places when you get your foot in)
One thing you should probably do with the RX-7 after you buy it is take it to a good shop and let them do a full checkup. You could easily have a boost leak and not know about it( because it'll feel so much stronger than the Mx-6.) You should probabally have plugs,wires, and fluids replaced at the same time.
If you have more specific questions about AT's let me know.
Matt
Matt@Morton.net
07-29-01, 03:51 AM
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Funny how you talk about brake torquing. My MX-6 actually has an upgraded torque converter with a 3000 RPM stall speed. If I remember correctly, that's the stock stall on an FD converter? But anyway, there's no real serious reliability issues with the AT on the 3rd gens? Either way if I get an automatic, my first mod would be a tranny cooler. And as far as modding the car, I wouldn't really do too much with it. Intake, maybe exhaust. That's about it. Any more detailed info you can give me would be great! I'm going to look at jobs tomorrow. I'll be finding one to pay me some serious cash, so I'll be able to afford to sell my car to buy an RX-7. So if there's any other issues, let me know. I'll definitely check it out completely and all that. I'm looking for one with a new motor, but I dunno. The only one I found was a dark green MT. 
The other one I found was a red (uNF) automatic with no spoiler, (anyone wanna buy me a j-spec wing?) but it didn't say anything about a new motor. It had about 66K miles on it.
And as far as modding the car, I wouldn't really do too much with it. Intake, maybe exhaust. That's about it. Any more detailed info you can give me would be great! I'm going to look at jobs tomorrow. I'll be finding one to pay me some serious cash, so I'll be able to afford to sell my car to buy an RX-7. So if there's any other issues, let me know. I'll definitely check it out completely and all that. I'm looking for one with a new motor, but I dunno. The only one I found was a dark green MT. The other one I found was a red (uNF) automatic with no spoiler, (anyone wanna buy me a j-spec wing?) but it didn't say anything about a new motor. It had about 66K miles on it.
07-29-01, 04:14 AM
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There are 2 big reasons why the AT's lag so much, Turbo spool up time, and the gear ratios. Ok all 3rd gens have to deal with turbo spool, but it's alot easier to rev to 3k and drop the clutch than it is to get the AT upto speed (hence the need for loading of the torque converter.) The other problem is that the diff ratio for the AT sucks for acceleration(but we do have a higher top speed laf). Lots of modified AT's have changed to a 4.3 diff ratio, and it's supposed to help(I'm still waiting to do mine).
All AT's come with a tranny cooler, as long as your not planning on road racing it and as long as you flush the ATF every once in a while you should be ok with the stock setup untill you get some hefty HP(but by that time you'll have to do something with the tranny).
As for reliability issues, it's the same as the MT. Don't over heat, change your oil,get a boost gauge, and get a downpipe.
Don't rush into buying any 3rd gen, take your time, make a checklist, and if possible have it looked at by a rx7 shop.
plus if you havn't found it yet, read Steves site
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/
Matt
All AT's come with a tranny cooler, as long as your not planning on road racing it and as long as you flush the ATF every once in a while you should be ok with the stock setup untill you get some hefty HP(but by that time you'll have to do something with the tranny).
As for reliability issues, it's the same as the MT. Don't over heat, change your oil,get a boost gauge, and get a downpipe.
Don't rush into buying any 3rd gen, take your time, make a checklist, and if possible have it looked at by a rx7 shop.
plus if you havn't found it yet, read Steves site
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/
Matt
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07-29-01, 11:43 AM
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Well transmission is a big hanging point for me. I don't know whether to go with the automatic or the manual. I know everyone's gonna say that a manual is more fun to drive, but I'm not gonna count that. I know in the MX-6, the automatic tranny makes a lot more noise than the manual. The manual really feels smoother to ride in. Acceleration isn't too big of a deal to me because any RX-7 is gonna be a HUGE step up for me. Same with top speed, especially since I'll probably never get to top speed. So right now I'm on the lookout for a 93-95 (are any years better than others?) red or yellow RX-7 with a brand new motor. I suppose one with like 20K miles would do too, but I'd like the new motor option.
So right now I'm on the lookout for a 93-95 (are any years better than others?) red or yellow RX-7 with a brand new motor. I suppose one with like 20K miles would do too, but I'd like the new motor option.
07-29-01, 02:44 PM
#9
thats not paint....
I was looking at ATs when I was trying to buy my FD. I wanted a MT but all the cars I looked into ended up an automatic. I ended up going with a MT though. This is my first car with manual and I love the change. Try to practice in a few of your friends cars or better yet get them to teach you.
07-29-01, 02:51 PM
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The later the year, the more bugs were worked out. If I were going to be looking for a new one, 95 ~45K Mi , 94 ~50K, 93 ~55K. There are little things that are different between the years, Plastic trim (textured on 94/95, ruberized paint on 93), the tach is different (93 has lines between the #'s the 94 and 95 don't.)
As for which tranny, go drive both.
Noise isn't going to be an issue, in fact the AT will probably be quieter than the MT. Most of the AT's I've seen are the Tourign package, which has more insulation.
New engines are nice, but they can also indicate other things. If it's been rebuilt by a RX-7 shop ( you should be able to find out which ones are good by asking arround here) then it's probably ok. But you also have to ask, why was it rebuilt? Did they overheat the car? Did it have really high mileage? Were they thrashing it about on a racetrack? An engine failure is indicitave of someone either not maintaining the car, or operating it beyond it's design. (but my guess would be on improper maintanance)
The engine is only one system in the car. You also have to think about the # miles on the other systems. A suspension with 45K mi on it is going to feel alot tighter than one with 90K mi.
Unless you plan on replacing lots of stuff on the car, I'd highly suggest that you find one with less than 70K miles on the body.
You'll have alot easier time getting ahold of a red car. I think the Yellow was only offered on the R1/R2 packages which were manual only.
Matt
As for which tranny, go drive both.
Noise isn't going to be an issue, in fact the AT will probably be quieter than the MT. Most of the AT's I've seen are the Tourign package, which has more insulation.
New engines are nice, but they can also indicate other things. If it's been rebuilt by a RX-7 shop ( you should be able to find out which ones are good by asking arround here) then it's probably ok. But you also have to ask, why was it rebuilt? Did they overheat the car? Did it have really high mileage? Were they thrashing it about on a racetrack? An engine failure is indicitave of someone either not maintaining the car, or operating it beyond it's design. (but my guess would be on improper maintanance)
The engine is only one system in the car. You also have to think about the # miles on the other systems. A suspension with 45K mi on it is going to feel alot tighter than one with 90K mi.
Unless you plan on replacing lots of stuff on the car, I'd highly suggest that you find one with less than 70K miles on the body.
You'll have alot easier time getting ahold of a red car. I think the Yellow was only offered on the R1/R2 packages which were manual only.
Matt
07-29-01, 06:53 PM
#11
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Originally posted by CajunCC
Well I'd sell the MX-6 because that's the only way I could afford an RX-7.
And I'd like an AT because first of all, I can't drive manual... yet... And second, it's gonna be my daily driver and there are so many times that I'm glad I don't have to mess with a shifter. Like when you're just rollin' along with your g/f holding her hand. Can't do that with a manual.
Well I'd sell the MX-6 because that's the only way I could afford an RX-7.
And I'd like an AT because first of all, I can't drive manual... yet... And second, it's gonna be my daily driver and there are so many times that I'm glad I don't have to mess with a shifter. Like when you're just rollin' along with your g/f holding her hand.
Can't do that with a manual.
07-29-01, 07:20 PM
#12
Blow up or win
I agree. RX7's are SPORTS CARS. Sports cars come with manual transmissions so you can actually DRIVE them. Learn how to drive a manual or buy a Lincoln - they come with cupholders also!
Sorry FD auto owners, but a 7 with an auto makes about as much sense as a submarine with a screen door! (although the auto probably does make it a lot easier for your gf to manipulate the mango!) Wait. Come to think of it --- Ok. that does it...... I've changed my mind - I want an auto. my gf
me
Sorry FD auto owners, but a 7 with an auto makes about as much sense as a submarine with a screen door! (although the auto probably does make it a lot easier for your gf to manipulate the mango!) Wait. Come to think of it --- Ok. that does it...... I've changed my mind - I want an auto. my gf
me
Last edited by RonKMiller; 07-29-01 at 08:03 PM.
07-29-01, 11:57 PM
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it's not only for the fun factor (a manual).
You get a lot more control over the car by choosing your gears, and then you can do stuff like heel-toe.
Just get the manual, it's the only real way to drive a good sports car like the RX7. If you can't drive a manual yet then hang off on the RX7 for a couple of months and get a friend with a manual car to take you to a carpark and show you how to use the clutch.
It's fairly easy to learn and once you have the basics it's just practice to get nice and smooth.
best of luck anyway
You get a lot more control over the car by choosing your gears, and then you can do stuff like heel-toe.
Just get the manual, it's the only real way to drive a good sports car like the RX7. If you can't drive a manual yet then hang off on the RX7 for a couple of months and get a friend with a manual car to take you to a carpark and show you how to use the clutch.
It's fairly easy to learn and once you have the basics it's just practice to get nice and smooth.
best of luck anyway
07-30-01, 01:46 AM
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hi spigot,
we never got automatic 3rd gens here in Australia but I have driven a few "automatic performance cars" in my time (my wife has a r32 skyline that is turbo & auto as one example) and it just can't compare to a manual in my books.
we never got automatic 3rd gens here in Australia but I have driven a few "automatic performance cars" in my time (my wife has a r32 skyline that is turbo & auto as one example) and it just can't compare to a manual in my books.
07-30-01, 05:18 PM
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The only reason those cars come with the option of automatic transmissions is so that rich old farts with more money than brains can drive a hot looking sports car to keep his image and his ego up so he can pickup on 18yr old girls even though he doesn't know how to drive and can barely tell what lane to drive in.
07-30-01, 07:00 PM
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Originally posted by sejanus
The only reason those cars come with the option of automatic transmissions is so that rich old farts with more money than brains can drive a hot looking sports car to keep his image and his ego up so he can pickup on 18yr old girls even though he doesn't know how to drive and can barely tell what lane to drive in.
The only reason those cars come with the option of automatic transmissions is so that rich old farts with more money than brains can drive a hot looking sports car to keep his image and his ego up so he can pickup on 18yr old girls even though he doesn't know how to drive and can barely tell what lane to drive in.
07-31-01, 10:50 AM
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I guess there IS as much AT/ATX hating as there is on Probetalk. *shrug* I see advantages and disadvantages to both. If I was keeping my MX-6, I'd buy a manual RX-7. But since I'd have to sell it, and have the RX-7 as my daily driver, I just don't know. I'll learn stick and drive both and see what I like more.
07-31-01, 02:53 PM
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Your right about the AT bashing, but they do tend to get really quiet after they get their asses handed to them. Granted my AT isn't stock, and yes a MT with the same mods would probably beat me, but I'd be willing to give it a go on a race track.
BTW it is possible to hold gears in the AT, just like the manual, but I won't miss a shift and screw my syncros.
Matt
BTW it is possible to hold gears in the AT, just like the manual, but I won't miss a shift and screw my syncros.
Matt
