Faults:

Turbo exhaust gasket is blowing.

External waste gate stuck shut.

Fuel map is obscenely rich on full boost, due to sticking waste gate when last mapped.

General Comments:

GT35R single turbo conversion, with associated reliability mods (fuel pump, cooling, ignition, etc.). Needs bigger injectors to get the best out of it, and the previous mapping session was blighted by a sticking waste gate, so it's currently putting out a safe 350bhp at 0.7 bar. Injectors and a remap should see 450bhp+; more if I up the boost a bit.

Coming from a Toyota MR2 Turbo and a Mitsubishi Legnum VR4, both around the 300bhp mark and neither of them slow cars, it is mind-boggling how quick the RX7 is. It revs very freely, and the speed just keeps adding on, regardless of which gear you're in. I'm guessing 0-60mph is done in just about 4 seconds dead, maybe a bit over.

Cornering is a revelation. It feels like there's no car there, just me and a steering wheel. Surreal at first, but it very quickly becomes clear how awesome a package this car is.

Fuel consumption can be OK, can be dire. Managed 27 mpg (UK) on a motorway run, but it's in the low teens running about town, and single figures when having a play.

Cabin is a tad cosy, but not uncomfortable.

All in all, the most awesome, insane car I think I'll ever own. I love it.

Faults:

My engine lost compression. Had to replace engine, but this is normal for this vehicle. Replaced it with a JDM engine and boy does it go! Other than that, nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

Buy one if you can find one. Make sure you can find a competent mechanic for the car first. Once you drive one of these beasts, your hooked for life!

Faults:

The A/C unit had a problem about four years back. It just stopped putting out cold air. The dealer replaced the compressor and within two days, the freon was gone. I was not able to have it fixed again right away and it probably helped cause some more problems. Bottom line, the dealer worked with Mazda and replaced a couple of hoses (expensive) and the evaporator for an additional $100. Effectively got a new system for not too much money.

The Bose radio and CD player stopped performing well and it could be for lack of use. Replaced unit with Panasonic and kept Bose speaker system. Works great.

The auto antenna had broken the plastic lead and will have to be replaced. Wish there was some way to retrieve the part of the plastic tail that is still in the antenna tube. Mazda sells the mast separately.

The rear lifts do not help raise the trunk anymore. They will hold it up fine, but you have to lift. Purchased the new hydraulic lifts, but have not yet installed.

Change oil religiously based on time, not miles as I don't drive it everyday. Use Mobile One synthetic and it seems to work great.

Mileage is about 18 mpg overall now that we live in NC (less traffic) but it was around 15 mpg when we lived in Baton Rouge.

Car has always been garaged and only driven in rain about five times. Paint and interior have held up extremely well. No signs of aging.

General Comments:

Car is comfortable on interstates as long as they are smooth. Suspension is hard which contributes to the great handling.