RE: Mazda RX-7: Spotted
Discussion
2002 Spirit R for sale at Jimmy's if anyone's interested, less than 10K miles on the clock. Lovely car, I've been in it a few times when I had mine serviced there.
http://www.jimmys-rx7.co.uk/for-sale-fd-rx-7.html
http://www.jimmys-rx7.co.uk/for-sale-fd-rx-7.html
mr2j said:
od404 said:
They are the sort of cars that need to be driven to be understood I feel. A lot of people comment about 'not understanding' the benefits of the rotary engine, and when taken on its own I can see where they are coming from.
As a package though the RX-7 just feels right to me, the combination of a well balanced chassis combined with an engine that revs freely and has a nice, wide powerband (if retaining the twin turbos) makes for a lovely drive on the open road.
They aren't without their problems, but generally I've found rebuilds to be pretty reasonable and at least in my experience, not as frequent as the internet would have you believe. A good good servicing regime will help keep these engines running well for as long as possible. Also as has been mentioned, UK cars are getting rare, but they are also the ones that suffer more from rust than their imported cousins (due to longer on salted roads), so if anyone is dead set on a UK model then make sure you have a keen eye!
I've attached a photo of mine, I realise it falls more into the 'Fast and Furious' category, but they do say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I lost my glasses years ago!
As a package though the RX-7 just feels right to me, the combination of a well balanced chassis combined with an engine that revs freely and has a nice, wide powerband (if retaining the twin turbos) makes for a lovely drive on the open road.
They aren't without their problems, but generally I've found rebuilds to be pretty reasonable and at least in my experience, not as frequent as the internet would have you believe. A good good servicing regime will help keep these engines running well for as long as possible. Also as has been mentioned, UK cars are getting rare, but they are also the ones that suffer more from rust than their imported cousins (due to longer on salted roads), so if anyone is dead set on a UK model then make sure you have a keen eye!
I've attached a photo of mine, I realise it falls more into the 'Fast and Furious' category, but they do say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I lost my glasses years ago!
- swoon*
Such a good looking car. I did the Jap sportscar thing in the shape of an MR2 turbo (equally good looking as standard IMO) but I *really really* want one of these. I just wish they could achieve 30mpg if driven gently/on the motorway, then I'd definitely have one. As they are I don't think I could stomach the terrible mpg no matter how I drove, and I'd want to drive it daily.
Best car I have ever owned. Both subsequent owners have enjoyed my old RS and she is still going strong. N214FKE
I've downsized to a MX5 which is very nice but not as special.
My "affair" with FD3S started at Le Mans where there was a black one parked in a dusty corner. I didn't know what it was. I glanced at it every time I walked past and it got dustier and dustier which just seemed to accentuate its small size and lovely shape.
I'll never forget the day I finally bought one. Slightly nerve wracking. Very thrilling.
PS You'd have to be pretty daft to get caught out by the sequential turbos on a slippy roundabout.
I've downsized to a MX5 which is very nice but not as special.
My "affair" with FD3S started at Le Mans where there was a black one parked in a dusty corner. I didn't know what it was. I glanced at it every time I walked past and it got dustier and dustier which just seemed to accentuate its small size and lovely shape.
I'll never forget the day I finally bought one. Slightly nerve wracking. Very thrilling.
PS You'd have to be pretty daft to get caught out by the sequential turbos on a slippy roundabout.
Looks like a nice car there, fella :-) ;-)
What d'ya reckon about one of these next year?
after all these years I still adore these FD's .
To find an original 92/93 FD is a rare feat these days , almost all have been d1cked with .
I've found an absolute stock '92 for sale in red & to see it in its stock form - its just lovely . even makes me want it more than my old Spirit-R I had years ago - pic attached .
The Mazda Museum in Hiroshima has a 92 in red . no Spirit-R . The original car will be worth tucking away in years to come .
What d'ya reckon about one of these next year?
AB5150 said:
after all these years I still adore these FD's .
To find an original 92/93 FD is a rare feat these days , almost all have been d1cked with .
I've found an absolute stock '92 for sale in red & to see it in its stock form - its just lovely . even makes me want it more than my old Spirit-R I had years ago - pic attached .
The Mazda Museum in Hiroshima has a 92 in red . no Spirit-R . The original car will be worth tucking away in years to come .
I miss mine (standard 92 model other than the wheels and exhaust after nearly 20yrs, sorry for the pic overload):
I ran mine like a Honda Civic without fault, but they are very thirsty (17mpg). Sold it to buy an BMW E46 330i as I needed back seats for the kids. This was much newer with far fewer miles - but was an unreliable heap and it's German M54 engine went bang at the mileage pub bores will say "rotaries always go bang". Sad times.
I ran mine like a Honda Civic without fault, but they are very thirsty (17mpg). Sold it to buy an BMW E46 330i as I needed back seats for the kids. This was much newer with far fewer miles - but was an unreliable heap and it's German M54 engine went bang at the mileage pub bores will say "rotaries always go bang". Sad times.
Edited by LotusAlfaV6bloke on Thursday 25th July 19:48
Edited by LotusAlfaV6bloke on Thursday 25th July 19:49
PATTERNPART said:
Best car I have ever owned. Both subsequent owners have enjoyed my old RS and she is still going strong. N214FKE
indeed, still putting a smile on my face every time the turbos come in Such a combination of agility, stability, and smooth power, it's really great to drive fast.
I'm 33, definitely Gran Turismo generation, I remember deferring buying a PSX with GT at launch, just until I'd finished my A-levels. Otherwise I'd have got three E's!
Worth noting that not only is there a wider choice of imports, but you may benefit from the minor reliability and other improvements Mazda made in '96 and again in '99 (UK sales ceased in '95).
As far as keeping unmodified goes, be aware that the standard intercooler isn't really up to trackdays, so you have to choose between venturing on track and preserving originality. (I chose the former).
I'm seeing 20-22mpg in out-of-town driving, manageable if your annual mileage isn't too high. Yes the running costs are high, but it's hard to find anything as light, balanced and quick, short of a true lightweight with the compromises that entails.
IMO, buying an FD is a far less financially reckless decision than taking on the depreciation on a brand new car - an FD might need a £5k engine rebuild, whereas a new car will lose £5k in depreciation every ~18 months or so.
Every time I walk out of my front door and see my FD, I think how lucky I am to have such an amazing car.
Marc p said:
Really?
They are definently going for more than when I last looked, a quick search across PH, AT and eBay brings up the cheapest one at £4300, with most at around the £8k mark, when I was last looking, they could easily be picked up for £3k-£4k.
Advertised and sold are completely different. After being a frequent user on the main forums until very recently i can tell you, most remain unsold if up around £8k, the price drops and drops or they get stripped for parts with rolling shells often being given away.They are definently going for more than when I last looked, a quick search across PH, AT and eBay brings up the cheapest one at £4300, with most at around the £8k mark, when I was last looking, they could easily be picked up for £3k-£4k.
I would take preference of buying one needing a rebuild and get the work done myself (specialist of course), at least that way i would know its done right, some rotary builders offer as much as 3 year warranties on a rebuild, cost about £2 - £2.5k, not bad for a full rebuild if you ask me.
Anyone buying one wont regret it
kambites said:
Get one which has been converted to an LS V8. 
I have actually considered this. The problem is I don't really have the space to do it myself, and the quality of anyone elses conversion will probably be a bit rough and ready for a reliable daily car. And I'd want to keep the AC and cruise control working which i'm guessing most people get rid of.Would love one though.
. Couldn't afford the £5k it would have cost in total for an engine rebuild and all the costs involved. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff