1975 Mazda RX4 Coupe 2.3 rotary

Summary:

The Mazda RX4 rotary was in a word - sensational

Faults:

Rear brake cylinder seals leaked after 50,000 miles.

Seat coverings were made of PVC and got very hot in the summer, and eventually the material split in places.

Spark plugs rusted into the engine and during removal snapped causing severe damage to the rotary engine, a new engine was going to be very expensive and a rebuilt one was nearly as much, this caused me to have to scrap the car.

General Comments:

This marvellous car, the RX4 Rotary Coupe (M reg) that served me so well, is to this day the best car I have owned or driven, it was far ahead of its time and looked great in Mercury Blue, wide Bridestone tyres and stainless steel wheel trims and bumpers.

I have never seen another RX4 since I parted with mine in 1987 and it will always leave me with some wonderful memories.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th October, 2001

1st Oct 2002, 08:52

I was interested to hear about a Mazda RX4, I owned one as my second car in the early 'eighties, but unfortunately wrote it off after sliding off the road in snow. I'd really love to buy another one, if anyone is selling an RX4, please contact me at... wearetheicekids@aol.com.

4th Sep 2006, 23:42

The RX4 had 1 major flaw, its rotary engine! Once I replaced that with a 302w v8 I never looked back. If I did, it was only to admire the tyre smoke.

9th Oct 2006, 08:20

Mate you don't buy a Mazda RX4 (Rotary Engine) and put a V8 in it.. buy a Holden Gemini for that... these cars are unique.

25th Jul 2007, 13:22

I had an RX-4 in the early 80's when I was a teenager and what a sweet, sweet car is was. Loved that rotary engine. Took it out on a country road once to see if the speedometer was optimistic showing 140 mph as top speed. At 135 mph I was convinced and let off the gas. Of all the cars I have had over time (and there have been many), I miss my little dark green RX-4 the most!

21st Sep 2007, 14:20

I owned a 78 Mazda rotary wagon. A very unassuming car, a basic brown box with a kick butt rotary wagon married to a 5 speed manual transmission. Most fun ever was to pull up to a stop light next to some teenager in a souped up Camaro and blow them off the line. The car started to stall at the strangest times causing me to wait 20 minutes to restart and off we go. Could never find a mechanic to figure that one out. Changing oil was easy as the filter sat upright on the top of the engine. Had to poke a hole in it before removing. Mufflers were always an adventure, expensive and heavy to silence the backfiring. Finally had to give it up when the rust and plastic cracking got the better of it. A unique ride to say the least.