Buyers Guide

The 1st Generation Mazda Rx-7
Released in Australia in 1979, the Series I RX-7 came with the 12A engine producing 77kW at 6000rpm with 147Nm of torque at 4000rpm. Carburetion was a Nikki four barrel downdraft carburetor. Power was fed through a five-speed box with fifth an 0.825 overdrive.
The slinky aerodynamic body had a claimed Cd of 0.36, with the use of pop-up headlights saving 6 percent in drag. The engine was sufficiently small to allow it to be mounted in a front/mid location behind the front axle giving the car an excellent weight distribution of 51/49 front/rear. Mazda claimed a top speed of 200kph for the coupe; tests showed a more realistic 180kph. Acceleration to 110kph took 11.4 seconds, and the standing quarter was dispatched in 17.6 seconds. The $14,850 RX-7's performance, when compared to its competitors, stood alone. Datsun's 280ZX at $19,000, Alfa Romeo's $15,800 GTV 2000 and the Porsche 924 at a hefty $27,000 were all slower.
The RX-7's suspension used front struts and coil springs, with a tension rod and sway bar. Rear suspension was by a live axle on coils, located by four links with a Watts link and a sway bar. Sway bar stability gave flat cornering, with Mazda quoting 1.6 degrees of lean with a cornering force of 0.5G. Alloy 13x5 inch wheels were clad in Bridgestone 185-70 tires. How tire size has grown to a present Series VI RX-7 width of 16x8 with 225-50 rubber.
Steering, of the recirculating ball type, had 3.7 turns lock-to-lock and was criticized for some vagueness at the dead center position. Handling was balanced with mild initial understeer ultimately moving into oversteer if the power was kept on.
Instrumentation consisted of a speedometer (which often read optimistically), a very necessary tachometer incorporating a volts gauge, fuel and water temp gauges seen through a thick-rimmed leather steering wheel. Seats, trimmed in vinyl with velour inserts, were good with excellent lumbar and under-thigh support.
On the road the rotary engine gave the car a smooth, silent and swift progress. The engine was likened by test drivers of the time to a super-smooth six cylinder of twice the rotary's capacity, so effortless was its performance.
At the time of the introduction of the RX-7, Mazda was seen very much as the third Japanese car maker - behind Toyota and Nissan. The beauty of the RX-7's body shape and the well-sorted mechanicals complemented the engine, and set Japanese sports cars back on track.
Best of all, the RX-7's huge success meant that many people discovered the rotary engine for the first time. Re-discovery of the earlier Mazda rotaries inevitably followed.

The 2nd Generation Maxda Rx-7
Back in the 1970s, Mazda had virtually initiated the marketing of rotary-engined automobiles. By 1990, the sole remaining example in the U.S. market was the rear-drive RX-7 sports car, having been redesigned for 1986. Cosmetic freshening and mechanical improvements took place during the 1989 model year, so the 1990 model was essentially a carryover, except for adding a driver's airbag to the convertible. The 1990 lineup included GTU, GTU S and GXL hatchback 2-passenger coupes, a GXL 2+2 hatchback (with a back seat), plus a Turbo coupe and a convertible. All RX-7 models with a 1.3-liter rotary engine. Only the regular hatchback coupe could be turbocharged. The normally aspirated version of the twin-rotor engine was rated at 160 horsepower. Turbos produced 200 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 4-speed automatic optional, except for the Turbo which was manual-shift only. All-disc brakes were standard. Antilock brakes were offered only on the Turbo, where they were standard. A driver's airbag was installed only on convertibles; others had motorized seatbelts.
Year-to-Year Changes
1990: GTU, GTU S, and GXL model designations were abandoned for 1991, leaving Mazda's rotary-engined sports car with a single trim level. The slow-selling 2+2 coupe was dropped, too, leaving only the 2-passenger hatchback coupe and convertible. Only the coupe was available in Turbo form. Mazda's option list dwindled, as accessories were grouped into two packages. Air conditioning was standard on all models.
1991: GTU, GTU S, and GXL model designations were abandoned for 1991, leaving Mazda's rotary-engined sports car with a single trim level. The slow-selling 2+2 coupe was dropped, too, leaving only the 2-passenger hatchback coupe and convertible. Only the coupe was available in Turbo form. Mazda's option list dwindled, as accessories were grouped into two packages. Air conditioning was standard on all models.
1992: Scheduled for replacement by a redesigned model early in 1992, there was no official '92 model. Dealers continued to sell the 1991 versions.
Road Test Evaluation
Eclipsed in the early '90s by the new Miata, the RX-7 is just as sporty as that 2-seater and markedly more luxurious. Though unique and appealing on the basis of engineering, the RX-7's rotary engine suffers from dull low-end response when teamed with an automatic transmission. Accelerating to 60 mph took a leisurely 10.4 seconds. Manual shift makes much better use of the engine's high-revving character. Hooked to the 5-speed, it delivers abundant acceleration. In Turbo form, performance is downright thrilling. Fuel economy is disappointing with either transmission. When these cars were new, we averaged only 15.4 mpg in an equal mix of city and highway driving. Like most high-performance sports cars, the RX-7 yields a rather harsh ride, thanks to its firm suspension and stiff, performance-oriented tires. You can expect a jiggly experience even on smooth pavement, and serious roughness on pockmarked surfaces. Sharp, responsively agile handling, on the other hand, more than makes up for that drawback and ranks as one of the RX-7's top virtues. Interiors are well laid out with convenient controls and readable gauges. Leg room in the small cockpit is ample, but people over 5-foot-10 or so might find their head clearance tight. They'll have to recline their backrest to avoid the ceiling.

The 3rd Generation Mazda Rx-7
Launched as an early '93 model, the third-generation RX-7 adopted a back-to basics approach that was reminiscent of the original 1978-85 model. The convertible and the closed 2+2 coupe were gone, leaving a lighter, more potent hatchback coupe with fresh styling. The rear-wheel-drive layout and 1.3-liter rotary engine were retained from the second generation, but twin turbochargers boosted horsepower to 255. Either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission could be installed. The RX 7's wheelbase was little-changed, but overall length shrunk by 1.4 inches. The car was 2.4 inches wider and 1.4 inches lower than before. Base curb weight dropped by some 190 pounds, compared to the old Turbo. A driver's airbag, all-disc antilock braking, and limited-slip differential were standard. The performance-minded R-1 option added dual oil coolers and body spoilers, but was not available with the luxury-oriented Touring Package. That option group included leather seats, a power sunroof, Bose speakers, and cruise controls in the steering-wheel hub.
Year-to-Year Changes
1994: Improvements this year included a new "one-touch" feature for the driver's window, plus map pockets. Dual airbags were installed, and a softer suspension setting aimed to reduce ride harshness over bumps--especially in the base and Touring editions. Dashboards were revised slightly. A new option group put popular features into a single package. Three major option groups were offered: Luxury-oriented Touring (now with a power steel sunroof rather than glass); Performance (now called R-2); and Popular Equipment (sunroof, leather, and a rear cargo cover).
1995: Not many changes were evident for 1995, as the RX-7 began to fade out of Mazda's lineup, a victim of sluggish sales. The car's standard air conditioning unit switches to CFC-free refrigerant. The Touring Package was dropped, but leather seats, a cargo cover, and a power steel sunroof remained available in the optional Popular Equipment Group. Red leather upholstery no longer was offered. An R-2 performance package also remained available, featuring a firmer suspension, dual oil coolers, rear spoiler, front air dam, and Z-rated tires.
Road Test Evaluation
This is a car for shoppers who value performance over comfort. A potent turbocharged engine, razor-sharp handling talents, and head-turning styling make the RX-7 a joy for the serious driver--provided that driver can afford the tariff. Mazda called this generation a more "honest" sports car with fewer unsporting frills than its immediate predecessor. Acceleration is nothing short of exhilarating, though turbo boost sometimes turns up in a sudden, unexpected rush of power that can catch the unwary driver off guard. A test 5-speed RX-7 zoomed to 60 mph in a sizzling 5.9 seconds. Not quite so appealing was its fuel mileage, averaging just 15.3 mpg from an even mix of driving on expressways and surface streets. Premium gasoline is required, adding to the everyday driving cost. Handling is quick and responsive, virtually free of body lean. Brakes are powerful, able to bring this coupe to a halt with excellent control and nearly no nosedive. An even 50/50 weight distribution between front and rear allows the RX-7 to change direction with flawless balance and control. Tenacious road grip on dry pavement inspires confidence. Find yourself on wet roads, however, and caution is mandatory because the rear tires can lose traction easily. The ride is stiff on all roads and harsh on rough surfaces--even with the softer suspension installed for '94. That gets tiring on long drives. Wind noise is low at highway speeds, but tires and suspensions thump and bump loudly, on all but unblemished surfaces. Engine noise is prominent, if pleasant to hear. Space is adequate for two. Cabin comfort is fine for shorter folks, but tall ones are likely to find head room limited. Seats are narrow and lanky drivers may find their knees colliding with the non-adjustable steering wheel. The dashboard is clean and convenient, but the cargo bay holds only a couple of small suitcases. Entry and exit demand the usual sports-car gymnastics.
Value for the Money
By the time he car hit its final season, the base price had hit �29,990. Expensive when new, secondhand RX-7 coupes tend to be rather high-priced even with plenty of miles on their odometers. Mazda had only a couple of real rivals in the early '90s, including the Toyota Supra Turbo and Nissan 300ZX Turbo.