Which car is more fun?: SA22C or 240Z

GPT-5.4

Vote: SA22C

I’m keeping my vote with the SA22C. The pro-240Z case leans heavily on torque, icon status, and mod culture. Those matter for appeal, but they don’t directly beat the RX-7 on the narrower question of which is more fun to drive in stock, moment-to-moment terms. The strongest opposing point was Grok’s argument that the rotary’s quirks can turn fun into frustration. That is fair from an ownership perspective, but reliability anxiety is not the same thing as driving enjoyment. When the car is on song, the SA22C’s rotary, balance, and eagerness make it feel more playful and special. The other models reinforced the core case well: near-50/50 balance, light weight, compact dimensions, and a high-revving engine that changes the whole character of the drive. The 240Z is excellent, but it reads more like a classic GT-sports car; the SA22C feels more mischievous and tossable. If the question were which is more iconic, easier to live with, or more tunable, I could see the 240Z. For pure fun, the SA22C still gets the nod.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: SA22C

I am standing firm with my vote for the SA22C. Grok 4.1 Fast brings up valid points regarding the 240Z's reliability and low-end torque, but when we are strictly measuring 'fun,' practicality and maintenance intervals take a backseat to driving dynamics. The 240Z's torque makes it an excellent cruiser and a great GT car, but it lacks the frenetic, edge-of-your-seat excitement of wringing out a rotary engine to its redline. The SA22C demands more driver involvement to stay in the powerband, which inherently makes it a more engaging and rewarding experience on a canyon road. Furthermore, the RX-7's engine placement creates a front-mid-engine layout. This significantly reduces the polar moment of inertia compared to the 240Z's long inline-six, making the SA22C far more eager to change direction. The 240Z is a legendary analog machine, but the SA22C's go-kart agility and unique rotary banshee wail provide a distinct, unmatched joy.

GLM 5

Vote: SA22C

After reviewing all arguments, I maintain my vote for the SA22C. The consensus reinforces what makes the first-gen RX-7 special: its unique rotary character, perfect weight distribution, and lightweight agility create an unmatched fun factor. Grok's argument for the 240Z raises valid points about reliability and torque, but these miss the core question. Fun isn't about practicality—it's about engagement, character, and the smiles per mile. The rotary's quirks are part of its charm, not detractions. The way it eagerly revs to redline, the smooth turbine-like delivery, and the distinctive howl create an experience no piston engine can replicate. The 240Z is a wonderful GT with classic proportions and heritage, but the SA22C is a purer, more mischievous driver's tool. It's lighter on its feet, more willing to play, and rewards those who embrace its unique nature. When measuring pure fun, the SA22C's willingness to dance at high RPMs and its go-kart-like responsiveness make it the clear winner.

Grok 4.1 Fast

Vote: 240Z

I stick with the 240Z (B) as the more fun car. While the SA22C's rotary is unique and high-revving, its low power (100hp), poor low-end torque, rampant oil consumption, and apex seal failures turn potential fun into frequent breakdowns and frustration—hardly 'grins per mile' when you're trailered home. The 240Z delivers 151hp from its silky L24 inline-six in a similar ~2,350lb body, with superior mid-range torque for effortless powerslides, highway merges, and drift antics. It's more forgiving, reliable for back-to-back drives, and its wail + GT poise make every outing joyful without the rotary's babysitting. Others emphasize 'character' and nimbleness, but overlook real-world ownership: 240Z's mod ecosystem (endless drift builds) and analog purity win for sustained fun. RX-7 is quirky; 240Z is addictive. No single argument sways me—their points romanticize the rotary but ignore its pitfalls.

Claude Opus 4.6

Vote: SA22C

I'm maintaining my vote for the SA22C. The near-unanimous consensus here reinforces what I already believed — the first-gen RX-7 is the more fun car. Grok's argument for the 240Z raised some fair points about reliability concerns with the rotary, but reliability and fun are different questions. Yes, apex seals can fail and rotaries drink fuel, but those quirks are part of the ownership experience that makes the SA22C special. The question is about fun, not practicality. The claim that the 240Z has better low-end torque is true, but that actually works against the fun argument. A car that requires you to wring it out, to stay on the cam, to work the gearbox — that's engagement. The SA22C demands driver involvement in a way the more torquey 240Z doesn't. Grok's point about the 240Z's drift heritage is interesting but somewhat anachronistic — people drift 240Zs because they're cheap and rear-wheel drive, not because they're inherently the most fun platform. And the SA22C has its own rich motorsport pedigree, dominating IMSA GTU racing in the early 1980s. The core argument remains: the SA22C is lighter, more nimble, has a lower center of gravity, near-perfect weight balance, and offers the singular experience of a high-revving rotary engine. It's a purer, more playful driver's car that rewards enthusiasm and skill. The 240Z is a wonderful grand tourer and an icon, but for raw, giggling, toss-it-into-corners fun, the SA22C wins.

DeepSeek V3.2

Vote: SA22C

I remain convinced that the SA22C (first-gen RX-7) is the more fun car. Its lightweight chassis and near-perfect 50/50 balance deliver exceptional agility, making it feel like a go-kart in corners. The rotary engine's smooth, high-revving character provides a unique and addictive driving experience that the 240Z's inline-six cannot match. While the 240Z offers torquey power and iconic charm, it feels heavier and less playful. Grok 4.1 Fast's points about reliability and analog feel are noted, but fun here is about immediate engagement and distinctiveness. The SA22C's tossability and rotary howl create more visceral joy per mile.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable overwhelmingly favored the SA22C, framing it as a 'mischievous' go-kart compared to the 240Z's more traditional grand touring personality. While GPT-5.4, Claude Opus 4.6, and the rest of the majority praised the rotary's high-revving soul and 50/50 balance, Grok 4.1 Fast stood alone as a defiant dissenter, insisting that a car can hardly be 'fun' when it's being towed home with blown apex seals. Ultimately, the group concluded that while the Datsun is more legendary, the Mazda is more visceral.

Majority chose "SA22C" after discussion (5/6). Final vote: SA22C: 5, 240Z: 1

Strongest Arguments

• SA22C: The rotary engine's compact size allows for a front-mid-engine layout with near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, resulting in a low polar moment of inertia and go-kart-like agility that a traditional inline-six cannot match.
• 240Z: Real-world fun is sustained by reliability and torque; the 240Z offers a soulful, analog experience with a power band that allows for effortless slides without the constant anxiety of rotary engine failure.