Porsche 944 or RX7 2nd Gen?

[benhogan]

Which one would you pick? Which is more mechanic-friendly?

I hate cars that require you to remove 2 or 3 unrelated things just to do routine maintenance.

I figure that parts for the Porsche would be 2X the cost of the Mazda parts. I can live with that.

I am looking for a 2010 summer project. I want to buy the car in the wintertime.

[JollyRoger]

Go with the Mazda. 944 is one hell of a fun car, but it is a money pit and was not very reliable. 2x? Try like 5x. I paid $750 for alternator, for example.

[Chas H]

The RX-7 is very easy to work on and it doesn't require much work.

[benhogan]

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

I paid $750 for alternator, for example.

HUH?????????????

Both cars can be acquired very cheaply these days. I think I'll go with the Mazda with maintenance records as a prerequisite.

Thanks

[frosty]

I think the 2nd gen RX-7 aged well. A friend of a friend has one and he's done some tasteful upgrades on it. It looks pimpin' and could easily pass for a "newer" car to the non-car person. The car also has a cult following, I think.

[JollyRoger]

Originally Posted by benhogan

HUH?????????????

Both cars can be acquired very cheaply these days. I think I'll go with the Mazda with maintenance records as a prerequisite.

Thanks

What you mean HUH? You asked about parts, not cars. 944's are cheap because they cost a fortune to maintain, the parts cost a bundle and most of them have had the crap beat out of them buy people who can afford to buy them new and use them up. I put one out there for ya few years back, hope you don't buy it.

[Jorn]

Go with the 944 and you have a project for summer 2010, 2011 and 2012; more bang for the bug.

[JollyRoger]

There is a Chevy 350 kit out there somewhere for them.....

[tbomachines]

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

There is a Chevy 350 kit out there somewhere for them.....

Renegade hybrids for the 944 http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

Granny's speed shop for the Rx7 http://www.grannysspeedshop.com/
...I've done a bit of fantasizing myself

I would go with the RX7...great looking cars, but do some research on the engine first. Blue smoke on startup/rev usually points to failing apex seals which are a pain to fix. Very very smooth up through the powerband though. ALso, in terms of performance, replacing the cast iron manifolds with lighter (like aluminum) saves a ton of weight. Turbo 13Bs can hit upwards of 400hp pretty easily....

[BobK]

924s. more aerodynamic body and same motor as 944. Don't even think about a 944 turbo. buddy is a six figure DBA who does his own work and even then just a clutch about killed him

[raymr]

The Rx7 has some high quality hardware, especially in the exhaust, designed to withstand the rotary engine heat. However a broken apex seal means total engine teardown or replacement. If its been over 80K miles since a rebuild, you are taking your chances. The ignition system is pretty funky too, and the interior plastics become very brittle with age, ie the movable air vents on the dash snap like potato chips. Gas mileage sucks (13-19) but redlining that motor thru the gears is just awesome!

Apples and oranges, which one do you want? Have you driven them both?

[KarTek]

I would go with the Rx. Plus, you have a Mazda specialist, Grover McNair over there by the airport... (RDU) If you need any extra help.

[732002]

RX7 Why no Supra or Z?

[t walgamuth]

Forget them both and get a Miata!