1985 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE 1.3 fuel injected rotary from North America

Summary:

Best bang for buck on four wheels. Get one and hold on

Faults:

Fuel leak.

Oil control lever came loose.

Oil cooler cracked.

Drive line broke (my fault).

Transmission cracked in half from drive line failure.

General Comments:

This is the most fun car to drive I have ever driven, period.

It had manual steering and was described as a go-kart by my brother. When he and I were in it, the load rating of the car was exceeded. A very serious sport edition vehicle.

When first purchased, it had a bad oil leak from the oil cooler, which the dealer replaced. It had fuel leak under the intake manifold, which I repaired. It was a bad rubber hose.

I tried rebuilding the drive line, and it came apart at 100 mph. This caused eccentric vibration, which cracked the transmission. My fault.

On a cross country trip, the oil metering lever from the throttle to the oil pump became disconnected. It stopped using oil and I poured oil into the gas tank to get her home.

It chewed up the Tail of the Dragon in NC/TN one night. Spun her out in one corner, but no damage. A little tail happy, but you just pump up the rear tires a little to get her balanced. It liked to be driven hard. It would get faster the harder it was driven.

This car is an absolute gem and I wish I had kept it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2014

1985 Mazda RX7 GS 1.1 from North America

Summary:

A very fun car to own and drive

Faults:

There is oil in the radiator, and I was wondering if the problem could be the oil cooler going bad, and if so, is the oil cooler located in front of the radiator?

I was underneath it the other day, and noticed that there were two arms, one on each side underneath the shock area, and they look like control arms, but when I drive it, it sounds like I am hitting the road when I go over a bump. Any suggestions?

General Comments:

This is going to be a very fun car to drive, and I plan on keeping it for a very long time, if not forever, since it is the last year of the first generation rotary motors.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2012

10th Sep 2012, 09:28

Go to http://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/ to post your questions. Also get Haynes manual to learn about the parts you are unsure of.

Great car; it's on my shortlist for a fun car to have around.

1985 Mazda RX7 GS 1.1 litre modded nikki 4 barrel from North America

Summary:

Different, fun, and an exciting piece of machinery

Faults:

Nothing major has gone wrong with the car other than restoring it mechanically and bringing up to snuff.

General Comments:

This car is pretty sweet. None like it on the road in my area in New England. I bought it in the fall of 09. The kid who sold it to me thought it was too slow. It turned out the carb needed to be rebuilt as the secondaries weren't kicking in.

I have done a lot of work since. I rebuilt the carb, jetting the main jets, and making the secondaries mechanical. New exhaust with header and turbo muffler.

New rear suspension, springs and shocks, front brakes, front wheel bearings, idler arm, battery, replaced the lines from the battery to starter, new tires, and complete tune up.

My buddy knows rotaries and helped me with the work, so I saved big on labor.

Finally got to drive it this week and it purrs. Compression is great and oil pressure is perfect. No rust underneath or anywhere on the car. Once I get her painted she will look mint.

It handles really well and accelerates decently too. Love the loud high revving sound, and people stare when I hit on it. I also get lots of compliments and a few offers already too. I love this little beast, and with TLC and regular driving, it will be good to me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd May, 2010