1986 Mazda RX7 1.3 liter from North America

Summary:

Car lover's heaven

Faults:

The car has not had many problems, currently the wiper module is slowly going bad, but just a few flicks of the switch will usually fix the problem.

General Comments:

The seats are perfect for back road driving, you feel like you're being hugged.

However the suspension is not quite the back road type because you can feel all of the bumps.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th September, 2003

1986 Mazda RX7 GX 1.3 Rotary from North America

Summary:

Rotary rocket

Faults:

Lots of electrical problems... horn didn't work, wiper switch failed, mister is busted. But everything has been easy to fix and has cost me almost 0 dollars.

Seats are worn out, but that's normal in these cars... just put some seat covers on and it looks like new.

General Comments:

Great car! lots of power, handles great, comfortable to sit in, but it is kind of small. Looks awesome! like a true sports car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th August, 2002

1986 Mazda RX7 Base 1.3 L 13B rotary engine from North America

Summary:

A fun little sports car

Faults:

The alternator belt blew the second day I owned it. As a result, all of the warning lights came on.

The horn, seat belt timer buzzer, and the little buzzer that reminds you to turn off your lights failed to operate all at once. Either all three of these functions worked at once or ceased to work at all. My Haynes automotive repair manual listed a part of the CPU as controlling these specific functions. My mechanic checked the CPU and found nothing wrong with it. I was about to take the car to a dealer when the problem went away. I have not had a problem since.

Automatic transmission leaks occasionally, although no substantial amount of fluid is lost.

A/C works for about 5 minutes then stops. Unless the recycled air button is pushed in VERY hot air blows through the ducts, even if the blower is off and the temperature select is all the way on cold. The previous owner told me that the A/C has two line leaks, plus it needs a new expansion and compression valve. I have yet to fix the problem.

Refuses to restart if car is shut off cold.

Gas mileage: 13 Miles Per Gallon city/19 Miles Per Gallon highway = ouch!

General Comments:

Very comfortable driving position for short people.

Wonderful acceleration, excellent handling.

Manual steering is a bit rough however, plus it rides like a tank.

The perfect car for a hormone-driven 18 year old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 2001

12th Dec 2008, 09:35

I own a '86 RX7 and would like to know if anyone has the answer as to exactly why this model car refuses to restart when shut off cold? It has happened to me on a couple of occasions and the garage said they had to inject oil directly into the spark plug holes to quote "unflood the engine". Not really sure if the engine floods if cut off cold... but the engine would not even turn over on one occasion and just made a whirring sound when the key was turned on to start it. On another occasion, the car would crank but not start. Any clues out there? Thanks for your responses, if any...

1986 Mazda RX7 GSX 1.6 rotary from North America

Summary:

Cheap, fun little sports car

Faults:

Clutch kept on going (no fault of mine).

Catalytic converter & exhaust replaced.

Seats worn a bit.

General Comments:

Very fun 1st car! It wasn't the most reliable car (it DID push over 200 000 k's before I sold it).

Handles awesome! Speed and acceleration are similar to other cars of its year/class (ex: Supra, Fiero, 240SX etc..).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th February, 2001

1986 Mazda RX7 Base 1.3L rotary from North America

Summary:

Beautiful car, but you have to know how to work on a car to own one --> LOTS of maintenance

Faults:

First off, the radiator cracked.

Secondly, the brakes hadn't been checked, the brake pads were completely worn down, and started grinding against the front right brake rotor.

Other than that, it's running perfectly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2000

22nd Dec 2000, 16:16

I too have a base model RX7. It is a great car, and I get a lot of compliments on it. I don't have the 1.3, I own the 1.1 which still has some good performance.

At 100mph the car handles well, not even pushing the engine. I haven't gone past 100mph and probably won't (too many Police cars where I live).

I keep the engine clean, and do more maintenance then necessary, but I haven't had any problems.

1986 Mazda RX7 Base 1.3 Rotary Automatic from North America

Faults:

Heater computer, windshield wiper blades stripped, numerous electrical maladies, engine ECU, exhaust system.

General Comments:

Much of this car's unreliability was due to the fact that it was "clipped" - one good car made from the good ends of two crashed cars - one that was hit at the rear, one that was hit at the front.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th November, 1999

30th Jun 2007, 01:09

How can you blame ANY problems on the make/model/year of the car when you build it from the halves of two cars? Is that even legal?