In my search for a new non-daily driver car I've been looking at Mazda's other RWD car. I really like the mid 90s style but know squat about them.
What kind of reliablity do they have?
After market? Or is it another cobble together car like the MX-6?
What kind of swaps can be had?
Are they all autos?
This and and another 68-73 4 door Nova are on my list for right now. I had to axe the Miata because my gangly legs and arms dont fit comfortably.
They brought 5-speeds to the US in '88, but they are exceedingly rare. I much prefer the HC (boxy 88-90) body style over the later bar-of-soap-with-too-small-wheels version. The HC also looks awesome with TurboII wheels.
There was some kind of talk about these not too long ago... I think I found what I was thinking of: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/what-years-of-the-mazda-929-were-the-bad-ones/28590/page1/
I ran a set of 929 wheels on my Probe in the $2004 Challenge, but I don't know too much about 929s. The aftermarket support for them, however, appears to make the MX-6 look as well supported as a Civic by comparison.
Great car. No aftermarket. Sad face.
MadScientistMatt wrote: The aftermarket support for them, however, appears to make the MX-6 look as well supported as a Civic by comparison.
Thats what I found after a search last night. Not that I mind too much.
I can tell you that the JE-ZE in one of those is a pretty stout motor that will swallow nitrous pretty well.
If I do get one I'll probably stuff a Chevy SB or 5.0 in it if it fits.
I can't find a decent one for sale though.
Back in the day, they were very well-regarded cars that ran forever and were comfortable. I remember the "newer" one had much less headroom than the 626 of the same vintage.
ThePhranc wrote: If I do get one I'll probably stuff a Chevy SB or 5.0 in it if it fits. I can't find a decent one for sale though.
Do you need four doors? If not why not go with a 3rd gen supra? That engine bay will swallow a lot of domestic V8's. They're all over with blown head gaskets.
Xceler8x wrote:ThePhranc wrote: If I do get one I'll probably stuff a Chevy SB or 5.0 in it if it fits. I can't find a decent one for sale though.Do you need four doors? If not why not go with a 3rd gen supra? That engine bay will swallow a lot of domestic V8's. They're all over with blown head gaskets.
Why bother? The 7MGTE is a good engine.
I think I've heard that 929s eat transmissions.
Xceler8x wrote:ThePhranc wrote: If I do get one I'll probably stuff a Chevy SB or 5.0 in it if it fits. I can't find a decent one for sale though.Do you need four doors? If not why not go with a 3rd gen supra? That engine bay will swallow a lot of domestic V8's. They're all over with blown head gaskets.
Not a matter of need, got a 2010 Sentra for my needs. I just like the ascetics of the 929.
Same goes for the Nova. I wouldn't get a 2 door but will pimp a 4 door sleeper.
Isn't this another Mazda product, like Otto Maddox says, that eats automatic transmissions? Everything else said about them...so far, has been true.
integraguy wrote: Isn't this another Mazda product, like Otto Maddox says, that eats automatic transmissions? Everything else said about them...so far, has been true.
From what I understand, yes.
The 5-speed bell-housing that mates the 929 engine to a Turbo-II style transmission is still available from Mazda for $250
Local used car place has one hiding on the back lot, been sitting idle for many years. Now I must look at it. Damn you all.
One common factor I've seen on the later cars that I've found on the webs is the leather seats are all shot.
I like the HC chassis models as well. I found one on CL in the Seattle area about 8-10 months ago,and almost bought it. I wish I had now, but I feel that way about a lot of cars I didn't buy.
The engines seem to be tough, i once pushed one off the road that a girl had been driving until it died at a stoplight-completely out of water. I saw her driving it again about a week later.
ThePhranc wrote: One common factor I've seen on the later cars that I've found on the webs is the leather seats are all shot.
Leather seats in pretty much any car that age are shot.
In reply to Travis_K:
The motors are pretty tough. They are also non interference.
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