1985 Mazda RX7 GSLSE 1.3 rotary from North America
Faults:
Everything that could go wrong did.
Had to replace the oil cooler and lines - $500.
Exhaust flanges broke.
Numerous emissions problems, some of which still are not fixed.
Constant alignment problems (due to a collision with a pole).
Car eats plugs and wires (at least two sets per season).
Plugs, cap, rotor, wires and air filter, total bill.... about $300.
General Comments:
Customer service from Mazda sucks. They don't seem to want to admit that the RX-7 was their car. That's too bad because it was one of the greatest cars ever created.
I gave my dealer about $3000 over the last two years. The best they could do is shrug their shoulders. The mechanic who worked on my car claims to have 20 years rotary experience. I have owned two of them and read the manual from cover to cover. I know more about that engine than this so-called rotary expert. Mazda, bring back the seven. Not the eight. The seven.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th November, 2000
6th Aug 2002, 19:05
My friends car is having the same problems, so how can it be the best? Maybe I'm not wrapped in this Fast And The Furious fad, but I have seen much better cars then a early model RX-7. But as for the RX-7, Yes I have noticed a great amount of problems with my friend's engine, such as an unusual about of gas sucking around town (4-7 mpg)
26th Aug 2003, 14:29
I've had my '85 GSL-SE since May of '96 (with 102,000 miles) and it has been the best car I've owned. Sure there are little problems typical of an 18 year old car, but now at 209,000 miles it runs like a dream! I've replaced 2 of the catalytic converters, the muffler & pipe; Tires & brakes (obviously) ; battery; spark plugs (every 30,000 miles) ; I've upgraded the plug wires to "Magnecor"; I use Mobile synthetic oil (15w 50 in summer, 10w 30 in winter) and either Fram doubleguard, Pure One, or Mazda oil filters; I only use gasoline 92 octane or higher; and I keep up on checking fluids. The car starts on the first try every time! Gas mileage varies quite a bit depending on how I drive, but averages around 16 or 17 mpg. I need to replace/rebuild the AC compressor and fix the cruise control, but otherwise the car is mechanically sound.
26th Aug 2003, 18:33
I heard you should only use mineral oil in rotary engines?
26th Mar 2004, 14:34
You do not need to use special oil. In fact, do not use synthetic oil for the first few thousand miles when braking in a new engine. The rotary engine injects oil into the combustion chamber for lubrication of the apex seals. This is why rotaries burn a quart of oil or so every 3K miles (check your oil regularly).
Also, there is no need to use hi octane gas in a rotary, unless it is a turbo. A good 87 octane with a clean burning additive is fine. Check out these websites for very good RX-7 related information.
http://www.nellump.net/peri/rotaryrckt/default.html
Hope this helps.
Andy Anderson '84 GSL-SE.
8th Sep 2010, 17:39
New battery, new starter and coil pack but the car won't start.
18th May 2001, 23:30
The Mazda RX-7 is the best car I had ever seen. Forget the eight, we want the seven.