Mazda’s RX-7 is an iconic Japanese sports car, but the FD chassis models stand apart from every other era. This generation represents the peak of the company’s heavy-weight performance model, even if it still fell short of competing models on a pure numbers basis. Known for a variety of faults and quirks that make owning one a true commitment, the FD RX-7 is nonetheless enjoying a steady climb price-wise, and I don’t think these cars are done in terms of rising values. The example shown here on eBay is supposedly a woman-owned car that hasn’t seen much use in recent years; bidding sits at almost $40K with the reserve unmet.
There are a few tell-tale signs that you’re buying a car in condition that is not often seen. The RX-7 is known for being a tuner-friendly chassis, and combined with the rotary powerplant’s relatively humble stock output, it’s almost a guarantee any car you’re looking at will be modified. So, when you find one that’s been slumbering in a garage in Missouri with under 30,000 original miles, it stands to reason you’re going to bid hard and bid often. The RX-7 is delightfully unmolested, even down to sitting on stock suspension with an OEM muffler still attached. If nothing else, you would be thrilled to find one with only exhaust and suspension modifications.
The interior confirms the low mileage status, with nary a stain on the beige carpets and leather. The steering wheel, shift knob, and plastic surfaces show virtually no wear and tear. The creases on the leather are just barely beginning to set in. Put simply, you don’t mind museum-quality FD RX-7 s every day, and this one looks pretty close. Now, I’m sure you’re going to find numerous mechanical faults to address as these engines are notoriously maintenance-hungry, but starting with a clean slate like this example is such a significant leg up over most of the RX-7 s littering Facebook Marketplace.
Of course, what you truly hope is that the next owner keeps this car exactly as you see it here, with the exception of replacing the likely leaky apex seals. The engine in stock form was not a powerhouse but it was more about the ridiculously high RPMs you could wind this engine out to. In stock form, the 13B made 255 horsepower and 217 pound-feet of torque, and while that sounds pretty meaty, keep in mind you had to beat the stuffing out of it to experience that number in full song. Regardless, clean FDs are a shockingly scarce product these days, and finding another one as clean as this will likely take some time to find.
Wow, there’s a lot of stuff in that engine compartment!
When these were at the bottom of the depreciation curve LS engines were a very popular swap. Not so today.
Steve R
255 HP may not sound like much, but it’s enough for 0-60 time of 5 seconds in a 2,800 pound car. And the turbos can be upgraded.
@Jeff Lavery ad says it was in Mississppi.
I’m always amazed by that crazy space consuming speaker system in the back. These cars look great in person.
Are you referring to the storage bins?
Nope, as shown in pic 8 of the eBay gallery, that Bose Acoustic Wave system took up a good deal of the already-skimpy rear cargo area with bass waveguide ducting.
For the true collector, the price is right and the time is now. Nice RX7
Curious why you say it falls short of competing models. By most sources, it was faster 0-60 than the Acura NSX and the Mitsubishi 3000GT, and only 0.3 to 0.4 seconds slower than the Toyota Supra turbo.
Low mile RX7s like this one are the ones to get. Those engines, as awesome as they are, were worn out after 100k.
With all due respect to the author. Why would the Apex seals be “leaky” if it only has 25k miles? This is a very nice FD and a very rare find in stock trim with very low miles. I recently purchased a specific Electronic Rotary Engine Compression tester out of Australia. It is smart enough to distinguish the three separate rotor faces so that you can determine deviation of Apex and Tip Seal condition.
I doubt that there would be an issue with Apex Seals if it only has 25k on the odometer. Rotary engine compression testers distinguish between the 3 faces and help determine the condition of Apex and Tip Seals. This is a very clean original FD with low miles. There is a video of it starting on the ebay listing. (hopefully this is not a duplicate posting, but the first time it failed to appear).
This is the fastest car I’ve ever owned. I miss that one dearly. Someone is going to have a great car, hopefully it stays stock.
Jmb you also have to take in account for how long the car has been sitting also.
This is true. True with any type of engine. Properly stored, no problem. Just shut off and parked indoors, still probably no problem. Parked with other problems (leaking o-rings or gaskets), there is a good chance it is a problem.
SOLD for $48,100.