supra or rx7
Author
Discussion

funbobby

Original Poster:

1,685 posts

282 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2008
quotequote all
been thinking about buying one of the above just wondering what peoples opinions are having owned one or both, im thinking twin turbo on the supra and later shape rx7. how much is an engine rebuild on the rx7 as they seem to need it doing at certain mileage?

cocopop

1,300 posts

229 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2008
quotequote all
They're different cars, the Supra's a GT car, whereas the RX7 is a smaller, lighter sportscar. Take both for a test drive, see which one you prefer. What swayed it for me was when I drove an FD it was like being in a little road going fighter jet whereas the Supra felt much bigger.

Price of an engine rebuild depends on what needs doing. I've got receipts for 4.5k for the rebuild on mine, and a 2 year 24k mile warranty, which helps ease the paranoia a bit. They usually need a rebuild between 60-70k miles, but this can vary depending on power, and how well it's been looked after. Mine was rebuilt at 41k because the water seals went, but a friend of mine's RX is still running well at 63k.

Do your research first though, and a warning... RX7s drink. Think 15 mpg. So be very prepared for fuel costs.

ETA. Look for one that's already had a rebuild done, ideally with a warranty, and lots of history for who carried out the work.

Edited by cocopop on Tuesday 2nd December 11:25

funbobby

Original Poster:

1,685 posts

282 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2008
quotequote all
thanks for that, agree need to drive both which im in the process of trying to sort out, just wondered how people found performance/running costs etc between the two.

funbobby

Original Poster:

1,685 posts

282 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2008
quotequote all
also wondering where would be good for servicing in the herts area for these type of cars?

cocopop

1,300 posts

229 months

Thursday 4th December 2008
quotequote all
You're not having much luck with these are you...

In terms of running costs, I think the RX7 will be slightly more expensive purely because of economy.

Check out mkivsupra.net and fduk.org, those are the owners clubs, some VERY knowledgeable people on both.

Can't really help with specialists around herts. I think Whifbitz are that sort of area, and Paul knows Supras. Might be worth taking a look at what he's got for sale, as it will be mint.

mjrc

371 posts

208 months

Thursday 4th December 2008
quotequote all
based on hear say alone i think supra is the one you need.
it is the one i dream of as well

cocopop

1,300 posts

229 months

Thursday 4th December 2008
quotequote all
mjrc said:
based on hear say alone i think supra is the one you need.
it is the one i dream of as well
Out of interest, why?

funkyboogalooo

1,844 posts

292 months

Thursday 4th December 2008
quotequote all
ever considered a 300zx. I looked at loads of different japs and drove many before i plumped for my 300 and am dead chuffed with it. Have a look here for any info you might want including models specs etc, www.300zx-club.com
hth
Mike

funbobby

Original Poster:

1,685 posts

282 months

Thursday 4th December 2008
quotequote all
i do like the 300zx but just prefer the other two to be honest but from what ive been reading it sounds like the mazda needs a fair bit more care and consideration.

cocopop

1,300 posts

229 months

Thursday 4th December 2008
quotequote all
It's like every performance car, take care of it and it should be fine. I use mine as a daily driver, and it's never let me down.

IainT

10,040 posts

262 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
cocopop said:
Do your research first though, and a warning... RX7s drink. Think 15 mpg. So be very prepared for fuel costs.
You're running standard twin turbos then?

I used to get ~18mpg out of mine. A long time ago when it was close to standard.

A single tubby FD will give not only ~400bhp+ but also 25mpg on Motorways.

5-8 mpg round a circuit hehe

JDMTim

1,138 posts

245 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
I had the same dilemma a year ago, and opted for a single turbo RX7 smile

cocopop

1,300 posts

229 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
IainT said:
cocopop said:
Do your research first though, and a warning... RX7s drink. Think 15 mpg. So be very prepared for fuel costs.
You're running standard twin turbos then?

I used to get ~18mpg out of mine. A long time ago when it was close to standard.

A single tubby FD will give not only ~400bhp+ but also 25mpg on Motorways.

5-8 mpg round a circuit hehe
Yep, standard twins. Worth every penny in petrol though biggrin

And stop giving me more excuses to go single, you bad, bad man.

IainT

10,040 posts

262 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
cocopop said:
IainT said:
cocopop said:
Do your research first though, and a warning... RX7s drink. Think 15 mpg. So be very prepared for fuel costs.
You're running standard twin turbos then?

I used to get ~18mpg out of mine. A long time ago when it was close to standard.

A single tubby FD will give not only ~400bhp+ but also 25mpg on Motorways.

5-8 mpg round a circuit hehe
Yep, standard twins. Worth every penny in petrol though biggrin

And stop giving me more excuses to go single, you bad, bad man.
Go on, you know you want to...

I'm actually thinking of swapping back to a slightly smaller single than I have at the mo - either keep the T70 and downsize from 1.15 housing to 1.0 or possibly get something a bit more high-tech...

I do love the power delivery of the current setup but it's fractionally too laggy to be much fun at my local circuit (Brands) as Druids is right between 2nd and 3rd. In 2nd it's very lively and gear changes are rushed, in 3rd it takes too long for power to arrive! It's tough!

funbobby

Original Poster:

1,685 posts

282 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
have to say im leaning more too a supra at the mo, coming from tvr's i just fancy something bit more bullet proof and the rx7 sounds bit more highly strung, heard they need to be cooled down after runs etc which on a daily basis sounds like aggro,saying that need to have a spin in each and follow the heart as it is a second car after all!

buckman63

89 posts

239 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
funbobby said:
need to have a spin in each and follow the heart as it is a second car after all!
That's the bottom line, most of the advice from forums is constructive and useful, some is just biased, and some just hearsay !!

I have owned both as second cars ( currently 94 RX7 ) and each has its own merits. I loved the grunt of the Supra. The performance of the RX7 is good on any day, but on a cold dry winters day like today it's just horny!! Yeh I know I'm biased !!

Edited by buckman63 on Friday 5th December 18:47

royalwithcream

14 posts

212 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
You really need to think about what you are using it for IMO. If you are road going then the Supra is a lot more comfy being a GT and a lot bigger and heavier with all the luxuries. If you want a track car then without a doubt the Rx7 is the one to go for.
If you want an easy engine to look after that is bulletproof even if its not cared for that well then go for the Supra. On the other hand there's nothing quite like a a rotary on full song. The response is amazing and they are a pleasure to drive.
Both cars will do massive power with fairly standard internals if thats your thing. The Supra has a lot more torque low down though so its generally easier to get a progressive power curve.
As said the Rx is much more suited to a track than the Supra. Both will do drag extremely well so I guess the Rex gets extra points for flexibility. Suspension and chassis is one of the best on the Rex whereas the Supra can be hard work to get set up right for track. Also its weight will put extra stress on just about every component.

mjrc

371 posts

208 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all


Out of interest, why?
[/quote]
if the rotary engine was a sucess there would be a few car brands using them!
ok, they are light and they rev alot. that is great for racing cause it is normal to open an engine every so many races\miles. but for the road it just doesnt work. this forum would be called rotorheads if i was wrong!

buckman63

89 posts

239 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
mjrc said:
Out of interest, why?
if the rotary engine was a sucess there would be a few car brands using them!
ok, they are light and they rev alot. that is great for racing cause it is normal to open an engine every so many races\miles. but for the road it just doesnt work. this forum would be called rotorheads if i was wrong!
Not worth a response really

IainT

10,040 posts

262 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
funbobby said:
the rx7 sounds bit more highly strung, heard they need to be cooled down after runs etc which on a daily basis sounds like aggro
No more so than ANY turbo'd car. Assuming mad hooning on a journey but sensible driving on the approach to home then pull-up and switch off is fine.

You wouldn't want to rag any turbo car, have the manifold glowing cherry-red and then just turn it off unless you like big bills.