Mazda RX-7 vs Chevrolet Corvette

Back in the 1993 to 1997 time frame these were the cars to have in SCCA Solo 2 Super Stock class. The RX-7 might have had an edge on some courses, but they were more fragile than the Corvettes. An RX-7 driver told me that she had issues with lug nuts shearing off, and using a lot of oil. The Mazda RX-7 was lighter than the C4 Corvette by some six hundred pounds and it was quick. I preferred the durability of the Corvette though. Which is why in November 2001, I traded the C4 Corvette for a C5. That was a big advance.

Not really a fair comparison because the Vette is a convertible.

I rode in a Corvette only once, and only as a passenger. It was a silver Corvette C6 2008, from that moment on, I became interested in the history of the car. For 60 years, 6 generations were changed, now appeared 7th, in each generation a lot of modifications and engine power outputs. I read in one magazine that all Corvettes before the 5th generation had too soft suspension and weak brakes to be considered as a sports car, but judging by the laptimes on this site, C3 and C4 were competitive in their time. There were few cars that can offer so much drive and performance for the money.

Interesting comparison. The best C4 is ZR-1 and Grand Sport. But I also like the roadster version. I have already drive C4, C5 and C6 cars and they has very own characteristic. C4 and C5 is almost same but C5 has better structure and much more comfort. C6 is feel like driving European performance cars but still has some American element on the engine. Still a wild animal.

@Lafars

...Wait..

finally a new legit member :D i must warn you, we do have a troll problem

@196ss
Yes, I owned a red 1995 Corvette convertible, and then traded that in for a black 2002 Corvette convertible. The C4 and C5 are very different cars. The C4 had less structural rigidity with lots of flex, and cowl shake, but despite that it still had good brakes and handling. The C5 was enormously improved: lighter, but very rigid structure. More interior room, and easier to get in and out. The better structure allowed better handling as well. Brakes were excellent. Even the bodywork was a softer feel plastic than the type used on the C4 (which had been prone to hairline cracks). GM made lots, and lots of improvements (totally re-engineered) only the Corvette name stayed.

Viking, thanks for your interesting comment. If you were driven both C4 and C5 vette, what can you say about comparing performance of this cars? Did Chevrolet engineers improved much handling and braking ability of C5, or it was on same level as C4?

The Vette was faster in acceleration, But the RX-7 hand superior handling, The feel was better, As an owner of an RX7 for the past 9+years(2002Model), I can say that, Up until 1995, The RX7 had a better handling feel, Hell even the Spirit R handled better in actual feel then a C5 ZO6, But only in feeling, Wether it actually handled better is subjective. The Top model RX-7 would get utterly raped by the top model Vette in every performance aspect, But I can definitely see why someone would take a RX7 over a Corvette. RX7 offers something a TRUE Sports car should offer.

I know the Corvette rather well since I owned a 1995 model, and I was an SCCA competitor at the time that Corvettes and RX7s were direct competitors. In SCCA Solo II competition in 1995 Corvettes and RX7s dominated Super Stock class. The RX7 had better cornering grip because of light weight, and stiffer structure. The Corvette had better low to mid-range torque. They were actually very close competition, and the advantages were very slight in either case. I was running in D stock at the time with a Neon ACR, but I spoke to Super Stock competitors: both Corvette drivers and RX7. I think on some courses the lighter weight RX7 was better, but it did require more maintenance than the Corvette. The RX7 used oil and needed more frequent oil changes, and the engine seals were prone to failure after 80k miles. But on a tight course the RX7 usually would win. I purchased a 1995 Corvette convertible in 1999, and thought is was okay except for the auto transmission (which was not what I wanted, but accepted since manuals were ridiculously unavailable and very rare). If the '95 Corvette had been a manual, I might have kept it. Oh well.

Shaggy, Fangio Man, why do you think Corvette LT-1 was faster? Power/weight ratio was about the same, but RX-7 was ~200 kg lighter, and had better weight distribution - front 48%, rear 52% (against Corvette - 52% front, 48% rear). Furthermore RX-7 in its time had some of the best brakes and suspension, and was known as great handling car. Mazda RX-7 price in US in 1993 was about 37 000$, it's interesting, that was more or less expensive then Corvette LT-1?

This post has received too much negative feedback and is hidden. Click here to show it anyway.

I expected the Corvette to win, but actually by a much greater margin.

I expected it to be more clear.

I expected that result.

Someone knows, what was the price of this cars in US in 1993? I think RX-7 on tracks was faster, cuz tsukuba lap was wet, but on the straight may be Corvette was better.