Faults:

Engine seals deteriorated, water in engine, at 110,000 miles. I put in a rebuilt rotary for about $4000, installed at the dealership. It's been running after that now for about 4 years.

AC issues, but I have been able to get after market parts and keep the cost down.

Minor repairs, such as brakes and plugs.

This car has a remarkable repair record. I have had it for almost 20 years, and it still runs perfectly, and gives me an amazing amount of power still when I need it out on the highway. I have had it up to 140+ out in the California desert on the way to Vegas, and it never broke a sweat, and it was 11 years old at the time.

General Comments:

This car is my baby. I have had it for 20 years in October, and I will never let it go. I have been driving RX-7's since 1982, and this one is the one that is heaviest and well engineered enough to last.

The interior is small, but it feels like a second skin, I know it so well. It does everything I ask of it, and there are times when I need to have some serious acceleration. It is a screamer, even today, in 3rd or 4th. From 60 to 80 or 90 in about 4 seconds, and smooth as silk.

Faults:

The battery was draining overnight, but this was easily fixed. Due to a short in a wire.

Exhaust smell when under heavy acceleration.

Passenger side door will not open from the inside of the car.

Noisy ride with the exhaust, and there are a few rattles here and there that are somewhat annoying.

General Comments:

This car is actually pretty quick for a N/A 1.3L rotary. I had thought you pretty much needed the turbo to have any speed, but this car runs strong. It had an engine rebuild, but unfortunately I know nothing of what was replaced. It runs well and I guess that's what counts.

I've owned many modified cars with lots of suspension work and tuning, but this car may out-handle any of my previously owned vehicles. It seriously handles as if it were on rails.

Faults:

Mint!!!

General Comments:

This car rips off the line excellent for an NA. An Apexi power air intake and N1 Apexi exhaust lets it breath and run smooth. With just after-market rubber "stock susp" it improves handling greatly.

Faults:

The rear struts have gone out twice. all vacuum hoses needed to be replaced at 75,000.

General Comments:

Well it's a very reliable car if you pay attention to it, its also very fast and you can just beat up on it all day long and it will still give the same performance every time.

Faults:

Driveshaft grinded @ 145400 miles.

Thermostat housing cover leaked, needed replacement.

Rusted exhaust pipe.

The idle has been a problem ever since the air conditioning system was replaced, car dies at every other stop, especially after freeway driving.

Taillight cracked.

Hatch cover (basically generic corrugated cardboard) split in the middle.

General Comments:

This RX-7 GXL has been fortunate enough to be as pampered as it has been, I've purchased a new air conditioning system, driveshaft, exhaust system, and countless replacement parts.

Owned it for over a year in which over $4000 was spent just on parts/service.

First of all, I purchased the automatic because the engine was recently rebuilt, I didn't realize the mistake I had just made.

The automatic transmission doesn't do the rotary engine any justice, the acceleration is just horrendous, 0-60 MPH in just 10.1 seconds, compared to 7.2 on the standard transmission.

Fuel economy is a miserable 12.3 miles per gallon, mostly city driving.

Air conditioning is not impressive, then again the RX-7 was never meant to have air conditioning (but try owning a daily driver in Texas without air conditioning, you probably won't want to).

The suspension is as hard as a rock, although you can feel the slightest road imperfection, it is very stable and firm footed.

The cargo space is very limited (6 cubic feet), you can't go to the store for mostly anything. in this car.

The power sliding sun roof is a nice touch, in addition to the suspension adjuster.

Mazda of North America should be shunned for their discontinuation of various vital 89-91 RX-7 parts including the notorious cargo hatch cover ($310, if you could find one) and the tail light assembly ($375 each).

If you're in the market for a 2nd generation RX-7, make sure it's a 5 speed, and make sure you have enough money to keep up with it (hey, it's a sports car) and be aware that you will have a very difficult time selling one if you ever decide to.