The Mazda RX7 vs 944 Porsche – Which is the better car?
The Mazda RX7 vs 944 Porsche are excellent sports cars with a pretty diehard following behind them. Just as many Porsche owners insist they will never drive anything else ever again, so do many Mazda owners insist that this mean and gritty brand is a step above the rest.
Now, we are clearly a Porsche blog. There is no denying that. But we are honest, direct, and willing to give Mazda a fair shake of the sauce bottle.
We will compare these two great cars on their looks, performance, value, reliability, and a few other key points to determine which we think is the best. Here is the RX7 vs 944. Let’s dive right into it.
Highlights
- Comparison between Mazda RX7 and Porsche 944 sports cars in terms of looks, performance, value, reliability, and more.
- Performance: RX7 has varying engine sizes, with the third-generation producing 255 to 280 brake horsepower, reaching 0-60 mph in 4.8 to 5.5 seconds. Porsche 944 has a 2.5-liter engine with 150 to 165 brake horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.5 to 7.5 seconds.
- Reliability: Both cars can be reliable with proper care, but RX7’s rotary engine requires specific attention, while the 944’s conventional engine generally requires less specific care.
- Looks: RX7 has a sleek, aerodynamic design with pop-up headlights, while the 944 has a more muscular appearance with rounded wheel arches. Both have distinct designs.
- Value Retention: Porsche 944 generally has a better reputation for holding its value due to a stronger brand image and enthusiast community.
- Track Performance: RX7 excels in agility and speed, while the 944 provides stability and balance. The choice depends on personal preference.
- Overall: No definitive “best” car; both are powerful and excel in different aspects. The choice may come down to personal preference based on looks and brand preference.
The RX7 vs 944 -Which is more powerful?
In terms of power, there is a pretty wide variety of power levels across all versions of these models. For example, the RX-7 had various engine sizes throughout its different generations. As a point of reference, the third-generation RX7 (1993-2002) featured a 1.3-liter engine.
It produced between 255 to 280 brake horsepower. The top speed of the RX7 varied across different generations and models, but again the third generation reached around 155 to 160 mph. The 0-60 mph acceleration time for the third-generation RX7 was around 4.8 to 5.5 seconds depending on whether you were running a manual or an automatic transmission.
The 944 was also available with different engine sizes. However, the most common engine was a 2.5-liter, but later models included a 3.0-liter.
To keep things fair we will compare the 2.5-liter as our benchmark. The 2.5-liter engine produced around 150 to 165 brake horsepower, while the 3.0-liter engine offered approximately 220 to 250 brake horsepower in later models.
The top speed of the 944 varied depending on the specific model and engine, with the 944 Turbo reaching around 160 to 165 mph. The 0-60 mph acceleration time for the 944 ranged from approximately 6.5 to 7.5 seconds.
So right off the bat, we can see that the 944 was quite a lot more powerful in terms of engine size while the two cars sat inside a very similar brake horsepower range. However, the RX7 being rawer and lighter meant that it does have a slightly faster 0-60 even if it doesn’t quite top out at the same level as the 944.
The RX7 vs 944 -Which is more reliable?
Both the Mazda RX7 and the Porsche 944 can be reliable with proper care and maintenance. The RX7’s “quirky” rotary engine requires specific attention, while the 944’s conventional engine generally requires less attention and less specific engine care.
The 944 has a reputation for reliability, but both cars’ overall reliability depends on things like maintenance history, usage, and condition. If you are on the market for one of these bad boys, a pre-purchase inspection is advisable if you have a focus on reliability.
The RX7 vs 944 -Which is the best looking?
The RX7 has a sleek and aerodynamic design with a wedge shape and pop-up headlights, while the 944 has a more angular and muscular appearance with rounded wheel arches.
Both cars have distinct and iconic designs, neither is definitively better than the other. However, you could break this down into subtlety vs power.
This is interesting because in this instance the Porsche is the more muscular of the two whereas it would almost always play the role of the sleek and sexy sports car in any other comparison.
The RX7 vs 944 -Which holds its value better?
In terms of holding value, the Porsche 944 generally has a better reputation compared to the Mazda RX7 and that certainly conveys value retained over time. Porsche generally has a stronger brand image and a dedicated enthusiast community, which helps maintain its value over time purely from the perspective of a larger, dedicated, customer base.
The 944’s classic Porsche design contributes to its ability to hold value relatively well. On the other hand, the Mazda RX7, while a beloved sports car, may not have the same market demand as Porsche. The RX7’s value is also massively diluted due to the increased production numbers. Supply and demand factors in here pretty heavily.
The RX7 vs 944 -Which is the better track car?
The RX7 vs 944 are both great choices for track enthusiasts. The RX7 is known for its exceptional handling, lightweight design, and agility while cornering.
It is also the faster of the two getting from 0-60 mph. The 944 offers a well-engineered chassis, balanced handling, and stability.
With a focus on top speed over the speed with which it gets there. The choice between the two as a track car depends on personal preference, with the RX7 excelling in agility and adeptness, while the 944 provides a stable and balanced track experience.
The RX7 vs 944 -Which is the better overall vehicle?
There is no definitive best car when it comes to these two beasts of the street. Both are great cars, both are powerful cars, and they do a heck of a good job on the raceway. Sure, the 944 has a higher top speed but the RX7 counters that with a faster 0-60.
The RX7 handles tight corners better but the 944 offers a far more stable driving experience. To summarise, both great cars, both great looking cars, and although the 944 is probably the safer choice in terms of reliability and resale ability.
In all honesty, the best car for you is more likely to be the one you like the look of the most. If you are a Porsche guy or gal, you’ll prefer the 944; if you’re a Mazda man or woman, you’ll prefer the RX7. It’s as simple as that.
Below in the comments section, let us know which of the two cars you think is the superior sports car. Is it the sleek RX7 or the more rugged 944? Thanks for reading and we will see you around again soon. Cheers.
