Friday 7th November 2008

SOTW: Mazda RX-7

The second-gen Mazda RX-7 - for when engine size doesn't matter...

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If bragging about engine sizes is your thing then read no further. But if you like pretty Japanese coupes that have more than a passing resemblance to a Porsche 944 then you have come to the right place.

This is the Mazda RX-7 – a 1.3-litre sports car that has sadly become a rare sight on our roads these days. The FC we have here is of course the second generation of the RX-7, otherwise known as the Series 4 and 5 if you want to complicate things. It did come with a turbo but this is the normally aspirated 146bhp version.

Of course the reason for the pitiful engine size is down to its Wankel design, which produced plenty of power from a relatively small displacement. Still seen in the RX-8, Mazda has hung in there with rotary power even to this day.

All RX-7s were good-looking (the third generation especially in my opinion) and all provided decent handling. Those who have driven both say that what you get with an FC is oversteer on demand, but with more control than the first generation.

It was heavier than the preceding model but the FC still won plenty of acclaim and today it makes an interesting Shed proposition, and is no doubt a future classic. The one we have here has a full MOT and very low mileage for its age.

There’s also a surprising amount of kit and all round it seems to be in good shape. The only modification is lowered suspension, which should make it a decent track car if done properly. We’re not sure whether saying the car is a ‘hand full’ is a particularly good selling point, but there’s only one way to find out…

(Lengthy) Ad reads: 'Mazda RX-7 Three Doors, Manual 5 speed, Coupe, Petrol, 63,000 miles, Red. CAR ONLY JUST ARRIVED AWAITING PREP, FULL VALET, LOWERED SUSPENSION, NEW MOT UPON SALE, PART EXCHANGE PRICED TO CLEAR, PART EX-VERY WELCOME, REAR WHEEL DRIVE, ROAD TAX, STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST SYSTEM CUTOM, SUPERB DRIVE, SUPERB HANDELING, VERY LOW MILES FOR THE CARS AGE, VERY POWERFULL, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Alloy wheels, Anti theft system, Central locking, Cloth upholstery, Colour coding - Body, Colour coding - Interior, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Heated screen, Immobiliser, Power assisted steering, Radio, Remote locking, Radio/Cassette, Spoiler, Sports seats, Sunblind. THIS IS A PRIVATE SALE!!! THIS CAR HAS JUST COME IN PART EXCHANGE ON A MEMBER OF STAFFS CAR I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR AND FOUND IT TO BE A HAND FULL THIS CAR IS VERY QUICK AND HANDELS SUPERBLY THIS CAR UPON SALE WILL COME WITH A NEW MOT AND A FULL VALET. THIS CAR MAYBE SUITED TO SOMEONE IN THE DRIFT SCENE BEING REAR WHEEL DRIVE SO HURRY FOLKS THIS CAR WONT BE HERE LONG WHEN CALLING PLEASE ASK FOR GLENN PART EXCHANGE VERY WELCOME £995'

[Official Slacker]

Got to love a good wankel . . . . .

[Matbmx1]

I like this quite a bit any idea where its advertised?

[LHDisbest]

Top Shed!

wankeltastic.....

[williamp]

The engine would make it inetresting, but other then that its just a boring 80s japanese "sports car", which usually meant 2 doors and less plastic inthe interior.

[Oli S]

Matbmx1 said:

I like this quite a bit any idea where its advertised?

Autotrader

[gareth.e]

Reminds me of how much I've always wanted an FC2 in black

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/701657.htm

I missed out here

Edited by gareth.e on Friday 7th November 12:49

[sleep envy]

so much fun (and potential for bills) for less than a bag

excellent

[shouldbworking]

Hah! youd have to be a true sadist to buy one of those.

I bought one as a shed (£400) to see what the reality was like.

The answer : far worse than you ever imagined.

It was really really really noisy, despite having no exhaust leaks or similar, it would let forth flames and backfires on the overrun to a massively excessive degree, we are talking pedetrians soiling themselves and diving for cover to avoid what appears to be the noise of gang warfare kicking off.

The engine. I dont know who proclaimed these engines as so smooth you need a buzzer to say change up... immensely buzzy and annoying, the gear ratios were designed so that town traffic speeds are either high rev noisefests in 2nd, or socially acceptable amounts in 3rd but with absolutely no power available.

It was really thirsty. 18mpg thirsty. I asked the owners club what might be wrong with it. Nothing, that sounds about right was the answer.

The heater controls - nevermind cables or anything that doesnt go wrong, lets have it all controlled by computer. We could have them pull out like a car radio if they did need to remove it... except then we'll put the connector plug in the firewall so they have to take the dash apart LOL!

Want to go on a short trip? walk, itll be easier than unflooding the engine at the end.

But I bet its fast right? no. its not, a total absence of torque anywhere in the rev range will leave you wondering if your engine is broken.

Not that im bitter you understand.

Gave it away in the end as I got sick of the sight of it (and a circle of life thing, I got given a free car I liked once, passing on the favour - and strangely the guy loved it)

[dublet]

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

[cocopop]

dublet said:

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

There are NA examples around that manage well over 100k.

[shouldbworking]

cocopop said:

dublet said:

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

There are NA examples around that manage well over 100k.

Mine was at 150k without a rebuild and just starting to get a bit iffy.

[gareth.e]

dublet said:

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

For £900 I wouldn't be worried about a re-built.. if that came along I would sell it or have it re-built out of the love of my heart

[Dubmaster77]

Ha Ha!!!
Myself being a true sadist have had one of these and a series two!!! I did love them both but the Apex seals went on my first series 2 and I ended up giving that away!!! My second was the same shape as the one in the pic, But in Gold!!! The exhaust used to run so hot, You coul die in the cabin on a hot summers day!!! But the heater refused to work in the winter.
The big nut that holds the crank pulleys on (and holds the engine oil in) Would regularly come loose spraying the German Hihgways in oil!!!
I ended up giving that away too!!!
These cars are a serious mission!!! Its no wonder there are non left!!
18MPG....... Was yours a Deisel???? I rarley got any where near that!! and while I think they are quikish!! You do have to rev them Hard!!! But I do drive a 16v Golf so I must enjoy it!!, I dont think the Fuel consumption/Performance ratio is worth it, Id Rather a V12 Jag!!!

[Adrian W]

Ex missus had one of these and then a Turbo11 rag top neither ever missed a beat.

[N Dentressangle]

Oli S said:

Matbmx1 said:

I like this quite a bit any idea where its advertised?

Autotrader

Here

[dublet]

cocopop said:

dublet said:

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

There are NA examples around that manage well over 100k.

There are human examples that live to well over 100 years old. That doesn't exclude the rather large chance you will die tomorrow.

Edited by dublet on Friday 7th November 13:17

[PhillipM]

"I dont know who proclaimed these engines as so smooth you need a buzzer to say change up... immensely buzzy and annoying"

I think yours must have been shot then, ours is solid mounted to a tubular spaceframe in a 650 kilo car, and you still can't tell whether it's at idle or switched off unless you look at the rev counter.

Until you take your helmet off and hear the exhaust anyway....bwaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppppppppppppppppppp

Worth it for the noise alone.

Edited by PhillipM on Friday 7th November 13:27

[dele]

I love RX7s, i cant comment on the FC as i had an FD3 myself but it just had so much character

Maybe im insane but i loved the fact that it would let me goto 8500rpm while screaming to me "Im going to blow up if you carry this on" as well as the popping and banging on over-run and uttery poor MPG

I dont know, maybe im mental but its this sort of car really appeals to me, it just makes all the other choices seem too, safe? normal?

Id have another one in a heartbeat (but it certainly wouldn't be my daily driver)

[cocopop]

dublet said:

cocopop said:

dublet said:

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

There are NA examples around that manage well over 100k.

There are human examples that live to well over 100 years old. That doesn't exclude the rather large chance you will die tomorrow.

Edited by dublet on Friday 7th November 13:17

Well that's down to chance and how well you look after yourself (or the car in this case)

[dublet]

cocopop said:

dublet said:

cocopop said:

dublet said:

I wonder how long it'll be until the tips are worn down and need replacing (probably again).

There are NA examples around that manage well over 100k.

There are human examples that live to well over 100 years old. That doesn't exclude the rather large chance you will die tomorrow.

Edited by dublet on Friday 7th November 13:17

Well that's down to chance and how well you look after yourself (or the car in this case)

Exactly my point.