Time to drive the FD RX-7, MkIV Supra, and 300ZX TT

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 08/06/2014 at 11:31 • Filed to: None

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In my continued quest to see if I can find a car that makes me willing to ditch my 135is lease, I have found a used car dealership about 2.5 hours away from me that has multiple examples of low-mileage FD RX-7s, 300ZX TTs and MkIV Supras. Despite always liking these cars, I have very little experience driving them.

I test drove an FD in like, 2004 or something. It was a while ago. I remember liking it but I need to reacquaint myself with it.

A good friend of mine had a couple of different MkIV Supras, but the most I got to drive either of them was moving it around a parking lot when I was taking nice pictures of it for him.

I have driven a 300ZX TT...never. A cousin of mine had an NA Z32 2-seater that he took me for a ride in, in like 1996 or something.

I figure this is the perfect place to try all 3 cars, since the cars this dealer has are all very low miles and appear to be in really good shape. So I'll be able to get a baseline idea of what each is supposed to feel like.

Should be a very enlightening trip.

Sn210 > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:34

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get all three and then sell them in 10-20 years!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:35

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That sounds awesome! Good luck! Post some mileage/price figures. I'd be curious to hear what they're asking.

Textured Soy Protein > Sn210 08/06/2014 at 11:38

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Realistically, my budget can accommodate an FD or Z32 TT. Supra prices are too inflated.

This place actually has 2 FDs (the yellow one above has 3234 miles on it, and a green one with 26k miles), 2 Z32 TTs (with 12k and 26k miles), and 5 MkIV Supra Turbos.

HiredDriver > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:39

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Good luck driving all three!

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/06/2014 at 11:40

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The yellow FD is a '93 R1 with a hair over 3200 miles on it. They're asking $28,800.

Here's their full inventory .

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:40

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For reasons I can not explain, I've always loved Z32's.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:43

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That's actually surprisingly reasonable for a dealer. I will have to browse their inventory on my lunch break. haha

Roadster Man > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:46

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WOW. That's like zero miles, even on a rotary! I vote for the FD before you even drive any of them.

You should really get an NSX though.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:47

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Browsed through, their prices are actually pretty reasonable and close to the private market.

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/06/2014 at 11:50

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Their prices on the FDs and Z32s are alright...on the high end of the range for each of those cars but they're apparently very good examples. But all in the $23-29k range.

The Supras are similarly good examples, but the prices are a lot higher. The cheapest is $39,800 for a '97 with 81k miles, on up to $68,800 for a bone stock '97 15th Anniversary Edition with 26k miles and a load of service receipts.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 11:52

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Yeah, private party I'd say that FD should go for around $23-25k or so. They can kind of get away with asking a fair bit more, since there are almost no examples with that few of miles.

Textured Soy Protein > Roadster Man 08/06/2014 at 11:56

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I also lean towards the FD. It's by far the lightest and rawest of the 3 cars.

It's been a long time since I've been in one, and while I did have an NB Miata for 4 years, I'd like to have at least halfway decent room inside to spread out. I have juuust enough room in my 135is where it feels snug but not claustrophobic.

The Z32 and Supra both are roomier than the FD. The Supra has a huuuuge dash and is like 10" longer than the other 2 cars, but is about 100 lbs lighter than the Z32. The Z32 has a more open, airy feel inside.

But these are all distant memories, so we'll see which one feels "just right."

Unfortunately, the Supra and NSX are both out of my price range. But it doesn't hurt to look.

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/06/2014 at 11:58

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I'd almost be afraid to actually drive or modify the thing, or else I'd kill its value.

Then again I'm not the type to drive any car painted PMY so it's kind of a moot point.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 12:00

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Yeah, that's a car you'd pretty much have to maintain in immaculate stock condition. Definitely would make it way more valuable.

n54 & s38 > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 12:14

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Is this dealership located in the 1990's?

Textured Soy Protein > n54 & s38 08/06/2014 at 12:40

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The majority of their cars are late model Mercedes and BMWs, with a few other random luxury cars. The rest of everything is a bunch of toys, including:

Cadillac CTS-V coupe
Corvette (3)
Dodge Challenger SRT8
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Ford Mustang Cobra R
Honda S2000 (2)
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
Mazda RX-7 FD (2)
Nissan 300ZX TT (2)
Porsche 997 Turbo
Subaru WRX STi
Toyota Supra (6)

Roadster Man > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 12:40

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Haha, it NEVER hurts to look! You'd be surprised at how cheap some NSX's are selling for. The first-run models with the 3.0L are my favorites and also happen to be the cheapest. I've seen one with around 75K miles go for about $20K on ebay a few months back.

I think a stock FD with such low mileage won't necessarily be a nightmare to maintain. In my book, the Z32 TT takes the back seat to both the FD and the Supra. It's almost there, but not quite.

I'm not too surprised to find that the FD is the most cramped of the three. Mazda was all about keeping things small and light with the FD. When you park it next to an NA miata with a hardtop, it looks like an XL miata. They even drilled holes in the frame, just like on a WWII Zero fighter plane, to lighten up the FD. Now that is cool no matter how you slice it.

Good luck- I really hope you get the yellow one! Drive them all first, of course.

T5Killer > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 13:01

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Oh my a '00 Cobra R and a GT500 vert. this is a great dealership

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 13:41

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HOLY SHIT! Where is this place?

I have owned a Z32 TT 5spd and it was an absolute dream it's the only car I have ever had that I still regret selling.

They are all great choices. the FD would be the riskiest to own out of the bunch. even at low miles those apex seals could go kaboom. especially since it essentially been sitting for 10+ years.

The TT Supra has alway been a dream of mine but like you said way over inflated.

I would have to go with the Z32 on this one.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 13:55

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For an unmolested turbo supra this one isn't too bad (yes it's auto but the price more than makes up for it).

http://www.diamondmotorworks.com/detail-1994-to…

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 14:01

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this Z32 was fantastic until I saw the drywall screws holding the speakers in.

I can't believe the dealer did not take care of that before listing the car.

Textured Soy Protein > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/06/2014 at 14:47

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So, yes, those tweeters look stupid. But they're actually rather fancy ScanSpeak Revelator tweeters that go for $330 a pop—and are intended for building into home stereo speakers.

I don't know why someone would decide to use tweeters meant for building home speakers in a car application, but the work looks like it's pretty good quality. Looks like they built pods for the tweeters, over the factory door HVAC vents.

Vs. the stock door panel:

I also think they built enclosures for the woofers into the doors. If you look at the stock door panel above, vs. the pic below, you can sort of see how the woofer is angled out from the door some.

Probably sounds pretty great.

Still looks a bit stupid.

It would probably be much more practical if the speakers had some kind of grilles over them.

Textured Soy Protein > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/06/2014 at 14:51

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I personally would never bother with an automatic Supra—and that's even though my 135is has a DCT. An old mid-90s 4-speed torque converter automatic is just not appealing to me. The drag racers like them but otherwise it's a car that is better with the 6-speed. The premium being charged for 6-speed cars over autos is pretty silly though.

Textured Soy Protein > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/06/2014 at 14:52

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Judging by your other posts, I think you found it. ;)

(The big DIAMONDMOTORWORKS. COM banner on the wall in the pics kind of gives it away.)

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 08/06/2014 at 14:54

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it sucks that they did that it's no longer completely original. I liked this z32 much more than the other one with the tan interior and polished wheels.

Delusion77 > Textured Soy Protein 08/07/2014 at 00:00

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Get the z32! I am a fan of the other 2 but realistically the supra will be over priced and the rx7 will cost a lot to maintain.

Textured Soy Protein > Delusion77 08/07/2014 at 00:20

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We shall see. The Supra is realistically out of my price range. I generally prefer lighter, nimbler cars which gives the RX-7 the advantage in theory. I also like the looks a lot more—the FD is one of my favorite cars to look at. But I also want at least decent comfort and ability to spread out a little for road trips, which is where the Z32 has the advantage.

Delusion77 > Textured Soy Protein 08/07/2014 at 00:52

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Yea the FD is an absolutely beautiful car, :) [and so is the FC IMO] But its a super model and you have to treat it like that. The Z32 is much more of a big GT than a delicate sports car.
I get that they are both flagships of the respective brands but are actually in totally different classes.

Dsscats > Textured Soy Protein 09/06/2014 at 23:31

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Verdict? Also, try to get a 95 and under 300ZX, as those were OBDI and easier to find parts for.

Dsscats > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 09/06/2014 at 23:32

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YES. THIS I APPROVE OF

Dsscats > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/06/2014 at 23:35

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The other bad part? The side air vent is below that....

Dsscats > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/06/2014 at 23:36

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Tell me mas about the Z!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dsscats 09/06/2014 at 23:41

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I'v told you the story of my Z before Silver 1990 JDM RHD twin-Turbo 5spd.

Dsscats > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/06/2014 at 23:46

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Oh yeah, with the NA bumper. Completely didn't associate the story with the name.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dsscats 09/06/2014 at 23:47

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that would be the one