Decision-making disorder...

I think all the new guys are required to start one of these, so here's mine. I'm trying to get my paws on an inexpensive weekend runaround/spare car/autocross car. I'm aware that Miata is always the answer, so of course this is all just silly and hypothetical, but I'm looking for opinions on the two cars I'm torn between.

1996 Plymouth Neon ACR 88k mi Asking $2800

Or...

1990 Mazda RX7 GTUs 111k mi Asking $3000

So here's my predicament (aside from the fact that both seem priced a bit optimistically)...

I have an irrational attraction to the ACR and I've always wanted one, but I'm not a fan of the wrong-wheel drive. On the other hand, rotaries are just plain cool and make beautiful music. Problem is, I'm not keen on the awful gas mileage, the intensive maintenance, and the fact that it seems any little hiccup with the engine necessitates a full rebuild.

So since this won't be a day-to-day ride, I'm seeking your collective experiences with either of these cars, specifically which might make the more satisfying part-time autocross/DE car.

I would bet that the RX7 is outright more satisfying to drive... but i have no idea which one i'd actually get if i were in your shoes. The Neon is simple and cheap to operate... and that would count for a lot in my situation.

I'm not a fan of expensive engine rebuilds. Neon.

Yeah, the neon. I've just known too many people that have had terrible, expensive luck with rotaries.

That seems like a lot for the Neon. I would make darn sure the shocks are in top condition before spending that much on a Neon just because it is an ACR. That being said, I also have an irrational love on the Neon, and would get it. Just cover all your bases and try to talk them down a bit

ETA: 2800 for a SOHC ? I would probably pass

Well it's a coupe so it's got the DOHC motor, that helps a bit. I like that the ACR is something like 300lbs lighter than the GTUs and has almost the same power; but even so I agree, the price still seems a bit high...

neither. Just being an ACR doesn't make the neon worth that much. I can find DOHC 5 speed cars for under 1K. The ACR package is just a 3.94 diff ratio trans, front and rear sway bars, and konis IIRC.

Both, neon for basic over all fun and the RX7 when you are ready to step it up and not only become a better driver but mechanic as well

ivegotr over 2k cash in my acr. i love it. talk him down a bit to ~2k, and enjoy.

have you confirmed acr status?

and mine is now my daily. hard to beat 35-37mpg n that fun little package.....

I paid about that for my ACR 8 years ago...

I loved my ACR and would own another clean example in a heartbeat... unfortuantly I beat the crap out of mine delivering pizza and failed to change the timing belt (and without saying more that should say why I no longer have it :( it was a very practical car, got good MPG and the gearing was great for the mostly in town driving I did delivering pizza.

I love the FC rx7 but don't really fit in em... i'm sure with some work with the seats and a small steering wheel I could shoehorn myself in day-in day-out and would love it... and when/if the engine died I'd be tempted to swap a v8 (if thats good or bad i'm not sure lol)

RX7 any day. The 7 can be a supercar. The Neon can be a really fast econobox.

Another vote for Neon ACR.

Neon, I love magic triangles, but for just beating the ever loving E36 M3 out it. I would go with the neon.

I'd get the GTUs. You'd have to try to kill a naturally aspirated rotary.

MrJoshua wrote: RX7 any day. The 7 can be a supercar. The Neon can be a really fast econobox.

I couldn't agree more. The Mazda is better in just about every way, you just have to take better care of the rotary.

Nothing irrational about loving the neon. Wave 20 $100 bills in front of the guy and drive it home.

Okay, well the guy selling the ACR came down on the price, is throwing in and extra set of wheels, and has responded to my requests for a VIN and additional photos. The guy selling the GTUs responds to my emails (eventually), but has yet to provide what I've asked for (VIN, more photos) and is firm on his price. I think my decision has been made, stay tuned...

poopshovel wrote: Nothing irrational about loving the neon. Wave 20 $100 bills in front of the guy and drive it home.

That'll do. Or wave 9 in front of me and take my escort.

/threadjack

The ACR will handle great for a FWD car. Ultimately, the RX-7 might be more rewarding, but the Neon will be an absolute hoot.

FWIW, the '95-6 ACRs had Arvin non-adjustable struts, not the Konis.

bluescooby wrote: Well it's a coupe so it's got the DOHC motor, that helps a bit. I like that the ACR is something like 300lbs lighter than the GTUs and has almost the same power; but even so I agree, the price still seems a bit high...

Unless my eyes are off it doesn't have the hood bulge so that makes it an SOHC. The DOHC doesn't fit under the regular hood.

All the coupes got the DOHC motor, but I'm going to a dealership today to pull the build sheet to see what's up and make certain it is indeed an ACR.

Edit: He'd also sent more photos that show the hood bulge better...

Edit again: Build sheet confirms it's an ACR

Have you seen the car in person? If he came down i price and the shocks were still in good nick I would get the neon. I loved all of my Neons, and those were just base models. I ALWAYS wanted an ACR.

You said inexpensive so I'm gonna recommend the Neon. If you weren't on such a tight budget and didn't mind the wrenching I'd recommend the RX7 because it's a much better car, but it will eat your money, time and effort like a black hole.

Picked it up last night, got it home this morning. Final price was $2100, and I'll be the first to admit I probably overpaid a bit. The seller was up front with the issues (bad paint, tired Arvin struts, bad paint, exhaust leak, bad paint), but additional problems popped up on the 12-hour drive home. Luckily most of the things are small and easily fixed: inop speedo, odo, and trip meter are related and a speed sensor should fix them; CEL is an O2 sensor and hopefully related to the exhaust leak; severe vibration through the steering wheel was cured by swapping the tires back onto the stock wheels and rebalancing them this morning; glasspack muffler can be swapped for something much less noisy. Three big things need attention: paint, struts, and a noisy throwout bearing on the original clutch, in that order.

Thanks for the opinions, this is gonna be a fun car!

I love that body Neon, seriously fun to drive, econobox, don't see many anymore...