Rip rx7

[IMOA]

I actually think BreaksMyWallet is partially right, about the 1% thing at least.
Comparing new to old at the same price is never relevant, so the Boxster bit is way off mark; but because I don't believe many people are actually car enthusiasts (at best they're mostly "being seen in a car" enthusiasts), I do think most 86 buyers are wanting an inexpensive sporty-looking car regardless of driver involvement ... and if it didn't look like arse, they'd be better off in a Veloster.

I would certainly agree that a reasonable chunk of buyers are exactly that and I also reckon that this would be much more common with the younger drivers, the aforementioned sharkfin and polish set. For the Prelude/Celica bunch I reckon you'll find them in something like a GTI. Mid range punch for that commute, an interior and NVH levels which are miles better than the 86, usable back seats and a german 'prestige' badge. The 86 gives up a lot to get a bespoke RWD chassis with that level of handling at that pricepoint and while some would have got a bit caught up in the hype I reckon it's less than people think.

That said, this is an RX7 thread and I for one would take a long hard look at a coupe MX5 with a 4 cyl turbo engine priced around the 60k mark.

[rj_astra]

The same people who bought a 86 for "handling purity not power" are the same type of people who said the same when they bought an MX5.

The biggest topic of conversation re MX5s is how to get more power out of them

[Rezz]

I'd also like to know (the undefinable) the intangible value the 86 product has brought to the Toyota brand. The part where old mate 86 owner influences his GF to get a corolla over a mazda 3 or focus.

I'd say there's some, but that would be for any buyer of any car that was happy with it and cared about what their family or close ones drove enough to try and influence their purchase.

[rj_astra]

I'd say there's some, but that would be for any buyer of any car that was happy with it and cared about what their family or close ones drove enough to try and influence their purchase.

IT's hasn't done their reliability/quality image any good. The 86/BRZ drag both Toyota/Subaru down in quality ratings in the USA.

[perthdrivers.txt]

The same people who bought a 86 for "handling purity not power" are the same type of people who said the same when they bought an MX5.

The biggest topic of conversation re MX5s is how to get more power out of them

Why is that a problem? Jump on an R35 forum and you'll find no end of conversations about how to get more power out of them, and theyre a 500hp car...

I doubt theres a car model out there that doesnt have a bunch of owners wanting more that the factory gave them

[Captiva Fan]

IT's hasn't done their reliability/quality image any good. The 86/BRZ drag both Toyota/Subaru down in quality ratings in the USA.

Probably because the definition of "quality" in the USA has little to do with intended usage or goal of the car, and entirely about how cushy the ride is & the number of cup-holders.

The same people who bought a 86 for "handling purity not power" are the same type of people who said the same when they bought an MX5.
The biggest topic of conversation re MX5s is how to get more power out of them

How many of those people bought it new?

I would certainly agree that a reasonable chunk of buyers are exactly that and I also reckon that this would be much more common with the younger drivers, the aforementioned sharkfin and polish set. For the Prelude/Celica bunch I reckon you'll find them in something like a GTI.

I dunno ... I borrowed an 86 off a workmate, which had aftermarket springs, shocks with hardness cranked up to 11 (which I wasn't aware were adjustable), and suspension bushes made of diamonds.
The nopix still wants one, after a ride in it, despite the dental surgery required ...

Yeah she'd be happy with a Golf, but the VW brand is all that elevates it over a Corolla. She'd be happier with the 86, and it really is still the best price-per-coupéness new car around.

That said, this is an RX7 thread and I for one would take a long hard look at a coupe MX5 with a 4 cyl turbo engine priced around the 60k mark.

I don't even think that'd be hard to do, what with Alfa Romeo using the platform with their own body plonked on it ... Mazda could borrow back the 4C motor to put in it.
Although that might hurt Mazda quality ratings ...

[Captain_Slow]

V8 rx7 replacement suggested above, they'd sell maybe two of them lol.

Yeah, and it would require a fairly substantial amount of work if we're still talking about doing it on the MX5 platform. The Corvette sells well enough (at least in the US - why those bastards at GM wish to deprive me of the opportunity to buy one here at a sensible price I don't know) but I think it comes back to Forg's point about one model in a niche does well, two ends up losing money for both manufacturers.

Btw 30 - 35k for a RWD, modern day NA s13 needs to commended not criticised for what its not.

Absolutely. Still beats me why there isn't a faster version for those wanting more though.

That said, this is an RX7 thread and I for one would take a long hard look at a coupe MX5 with a 4 cyl turbo engine priced around the 60k mark.

Yeah, and that's the concept I've been arguing here. $50k would be even better but I don't know if that's doable when a regular MX-5 is close to that on its own isn't it?

The biggest topic of conversation re MX5s is how to get more power out of them

As a two-week veteran of this MX5 caper, yes and no. No you don't think you need any more power when you're chucking it around suburbia in 50, 60 and 80 zones. Get out of the open road and it wouldn't go astray, and same goes for arriving at the next roundabout just a little quicker. In relation to mine I'd perhaps argue that it doesn't need more power so much as it needs to be freer-revving so I can get to the top end in a bigger hurry. Some low end torque would be good too; but I need to remind myself that I'm switching between this and a car with 530Nm so obviously apples aren't oranges.

I think, in summary, that a Corvette is actually exactly the car I want - light and low like an MX-5, but with a V8 and proper straight line speed. But I'd hesitate to spend what people are asking for RHD converted C6s here when a Cayman S would be cheaper and better made.

[yohoes]

Same ^ for the same reasons.. light, low, powerful, moddable, look fkn awesome

I want a C6 or C5 so fucking bad.. but for the price in Aus.. no deal

[yohoes]

God damn it.. why did I google them



Fuck that makes me sad

[Walt Kowalski]

Anyone who talks about a front wheel drive anything in an RX-7 thread does not understand why people love RX-7.

I wouldn't drive a FWD or AWD to the shops let alone on a bendy road or a track.

One mate bought another mates Megane for Targa after years in an RX-7 on the same roads and the Megane nearly killed him when he tried to go flat thru some sections. Sold the useless POS after christening it "The Migraine".

[Walt Kowalski]

And another RX-7 mate converted his Lambo to RWD.

RWD and lots of grunt is bliss to me.

Especially when combined with possibly the world's best affordable lightweight chassis that is the FD.

[Captiva Fan]

I think, in summary, that a Corvette is actually exactly the car I want - light and low like an MX-5, but with a V8 and proper straight line speed. But I'd hesitate to spend what people are asking for RHD converted C6s here when a Cayman S would be cheaper and better made and unlike the Corvette would have superior ride & handling to my Commodore.

Indeed, indeed ...

[clutch-monkey]

I think, in summary, that a Corvette is actually exactly the car I want - light and low like an MX-5, but with a V8 and proper straight line speed. But I'd hesitate to spend what people are asking for RHD converted C6s here when a Cayman S would be cheaper and better made.

cayman is basically mx5 all grown up so to speak, same kind of great handling-modest weight- naff all power theme. bit meh for me because unlike mx5 if you want more power it's $$$
C6 would be a lot of fun imo. but that price

[IMOA]

I dunno ... I borrowed an 86 off a workmate, which had aftermarket springs, shocks with hardness cranked up to 11 (which I wasn't aware were adjustable), and suspension bushes made of diamonds.
The nopix still wants one, after a ride in it, despite the dental surgery required ...

7 front and 6 rear actually And as demonstrated you need to drive faster, they're monotubes with decent valving, give the dampers something to work with.

Absolutely. Still beats me why there isn't a faster version for those wanting more though.

My guess is 2 reasons

1 - it was built to a very specific price (cheap) and a very specific purpose (handling/fun). Adding power would have made it miss the price or turned it into a corolla sportivo, they wanted something different, cheap enough get young buyers interested and create a buzz around the brand.

2 - For those that are willing to pay more for a higher spec car why not start with the first lower powered one and release the next one in a few years time, that way you sell 2 cars.

Yeah, and that's the concept I've been arguing here. $50k would be even better but I don't know if that's doable when a regular MX-5 is close to that on its own isn't it?

I would be quite confident in saying no, it's not doable.

[Captain_Slow]

Indeed, indeed ...

Ride, yes. C6 is typical American rock-hard "sports suspension". Handling, though, on a twisty road is excellent provided the surface is decent. C7 is supposed to be genuinely world class in this respect.