Is the Mazda RX-7 FB generation a car that we’ve all been sleeping on? It sure seems that way, as you can still buy one of these rotary-powered wonders for relatively short money. The wedge-shaped design is still iconic and borderline instantly recognizable as an RX-7, a character trait that few sports cars outside of the big boys like the 911 and Corvette can claim. Through the years, the RX-7 has been a mainstay of Japanese sports car culture, but it still seems to be sitting on the sidelines – for now. This 1983 example listed here on eBay is said to be fresh out of an estate sale and is listed with a Buy-It-Now of $9,000.
When Porsche 911s from the same era start at $40,000 for a project, it’s rather remarkable the RX-7 remains as affordable as it does. From a styling exercise alone, it captures the 80s personal almost perfectly: rear window louvers, strakes across the taillights, uniquely styled (and chunky) alloy wheels, and a driver-focused cockpit. There’s a little bit of DeLorean, and a little bit of Corvette in the design, if you ask me, even though the Mazda was well ahead of the former in time to market. The rotary powerplant made the pretty coupe a bit of an oddball from the start, especially when it wasn’t exactly going head-t0-head with the MK1 VW GTI but was far from a Corvette killer.
What’s slightly crazy to me is how a clean VW GTI of the same era would easily clear $10,000 in terms of a selling price but I doubt this Mazda will reach $9K (though, that is a fair ask.) The seller notes that this RX-7 was with the second owner from 1988 until recently, when he purchased it from that individual’s estate. It apparently sat for 25 years before he got his hands on it and performed a fair amount of deferred maintenance; he notes that it still smokes a little and the exhaust system may need replacing, but by and large, it sounds and looks like a survivor-grade FB.
The 12A “Wankel” engine produced around 100 horsepower when new, but the real claim to fame was the lofty 7,000 RPM redline. Few cars were known for revving like this, especially in the 1980s when the malaise era hangover was still burning off. Yes, the rotary engine came with some additional maintenance requirements that would give it a bit of a black eye when in the hands of someone who didn’t understand this, but this hasn’t kept the introductory RX-7 from being appreciated by Mazda loyalists. Today, this stands as one of the better buys in the sports car world, especially if you find one of the limited editions that came with a healthy horsepower bump.
Had one of these, was a GSL the deluxe version lol. Found it on a car lot, anybody ever go to one of those sales where you get in the car at opening time and then they come along and they come along and mark the price on the windshield? Anyway I think it was 700 dollars. Yes I bought it. Needed a little TLC the hardest part was getting it to pass an emissions test. Ohio in the early 90’s? That little rotary with a carburetor the hydrocarbons were on the verge, didn’t help the operators couldn’t drive a stick. Finally complained to the supervisor and it barely failed the third time. I had been though the carburetor twice timing was spot on plugs new and gaped. He got in it and shifted though the gears and it passed. Was a fun car, was the.start of my Mazda Rx 7 adventure. Have owned all three generations and the first ones will take licking. They just luv to rev. Just a note there is a lot of fresh coverage on the bottom side. Next owner needs to inspect closely.
I bought one of these a few years ago, purchased from the original owner with 200k miles and a blown engine. Turned it into a rewarding father-son project—rebuilding the engine, refreshing the upholstery, repaint, and suspension.
Now, I drive it regularly to cars & coffee events and to work.
This example looks fantastic—especially the paint, which appears freshly resprayed. The pinstripes are a **ubiquitous** dealer addition from the era, and while they evoke classic 1983 styling, the four-stripe pattern and cut above the key cylinder suggest a modern redo. Still a cool touch.
Seat covers, door seals, and tailpipe tips are still available, and the next owner would benefit from replacing them for a more authentic, clean finish.
This is a slicktop model equipped with the cold-start injection system—a helpful feature for rotary engines in cooler climates. The wheels look great but have been refinished in a non-OEM color.
At 150k miles, a **rotary-specific compression test** is essential. New rotor housings are no longer available, and good used units command a premium. Also, the AC compressor belt is missing—despite the seller’s optimism, assume the AC system will need a full rebuild with new hoses.
Lovely looking car. I remember when I first saw the Mazda RX-7 back in 1982-83. Although hardly the first Mazda I’ve seen, it was the first Mazda I’ve seen with the Rotary engine powering it. People talk about how complicated to maintain the rotary wanker engine is. If you want people to buy your car, you need to provide a service network to maintain the rotary wanker engine.
We had a ’79 copper color black inside 4 spd it was so fun but so low next to trucks at the stop light . Bought it for 3500 in ’92ish she drove it about 4 years and sold it off the same it had around 40k on it we had put some of those superior chrome wire mags on it it was sharp.
This one makes me tingle!
A while back, picked up an ’89 RX7 convertible. It needed the engine rebuilt, found a guy about 20m away that did it.
Got it repainted and drove the cr*p out of it!
Missed it ever since I sold it….
This is certainly a nice one, especially in this part of the country. I expect it to sell for over $7k. Interest in these seems to be increasing. Regarding the 7k redline, that refers to the red markings on the tachometer and the buzzer if it is still connected. With stock intake & exhaust the 12A will pull nicely up to 8k before hitting the next gear. Don’t run it continuously above 7k. I recommend testing the compression warm with a specific Rotary Engine Compression Tester. But if it starts quickly, runs and idles smoothly, then the compression is good enough for now. It is very important to verify that the Oil Metering Pump “OMP” is functioning. If not, then either repair it or run 1/2 ounce per gallon of 2-stroke oil in the gas. I wish my 1982 was as rust free as this one. But I am working on that now.
I became a Mazda fan when we had taken an RX3 on trade for a Honda Civic. (1974?) The dealership owner (the guy partly responsible for my racing habit) tossed me the keys and said shift when it beeps! I was instantly hooked on the rotary. Years later working at a Toyota dealer. (1984) We bought out a BMW/Mazda dealer. When the day came to drive all the cars down the mountain to our dealer. I was there first and made note of the stock numbers of the RX7s. Snagged the keys and spent half the day “wringing each one out” down the mountain side. Sadly, many people don’t understand the rotary and engine parts are expensive these days. In 1984 Mazda had a rotary exchange program for less than $500. And in many cases the “rebuilt” engines were actually new. Most RX7s I see out here in Nevada have had 5.0 Ford V8s swapped in. (It’s a nice fit which also puts the shifter in the original hole) I have always liked this body style. So clean and simple. I believe it was spring 1985 when my Mazda rep came to visit me at the dealership. He was driving (I believe) a GSLSE. We concluded our needed business in an hour. Which left him the whole rest of the day. He knew that I had been a former pro-rally driver and had been on the organizing/set-up of the Carson City Intl. Pro-Rally and wanted to see some of stage roads. I said fine, but they might be detrimental to the exhaust shields. He said, no problem, I turn in the car next week. So I took him out at about 8/10 speed on some stages that I knew well. I (we had to stop at least once a stage for him to pee) We were not far from Virginia City so we did the Ferrari Hill Climb up there. We had lunch and came back down the truck route side. He asked about the pink buildings off to the right and I explained that it was The Bunny Ranch. He looked confused, so I had to explain that it was a brothel. He wanted to drive by, so I did. It was the first very warm spring day and some of the ladies were inside the fence sunbathing in the nude. We pulled up along side and he was talking to them while they were trying to convince him to join them inside. I drove back to the dealership and he thanked me for the best dealership visit he ever had.
I was a service advisor at a BMW dealer in MA years ago when we used to service the program cars for the press writers. They used to come in with every car conceivable as a chase car. One of those cars was the third gen RX with the twin turbos. They used to let me take out anything that was interesting for a quick death ride. i took out that twin turbo car and had the engine singing going well over the posted speed when I saw a cop on the side of the road. Luckily, he was on a detail and not sitting with a radar gun. I downshifted two gears. That engine sang like a banshee and he gave me the dirtiest look while going by. Luckily, I wasn’t driving a BMW or I would have been caught for sure. I’ve always wanted one since. I love all the RX7s
Who do I get ahold of to buy this
All the info is in the write-up above.
Sold.
Bought a new 84 GSL SE with the 13B, drove it for 2yrs, traded it for an 86 IROC, wish I wouldn’t have, IROC was a massive lemon, oh well!
Sold at 9k
This looks like a nice example… Fun and interesting cars. I have an ’84 GSL in my fleet… Bought it about 15 years ago from a guy that had it in storage for a decade… was pretty nervous cranking it up the first time. Had “experts” tell me rotaries don’t store well. Did a lot of prep before the first key turn and thankfully everything turned out all right. Although having decent performance for their day, compared to anything remotely current, in stock form one would have to classify them as a “slow car fun to drive fast”… Honda Fits can and will beat you to the next stop light. However, the light chassis is a delight and the thin A-pillars give the interior an airy feeling. Steering feels better than its “recirculating ball” system would suggest. MPG is laughably poor for something of its displacement and weight. Unfortunately, many parts for it’s 12A have become unobtanium, which could make ownership problematic. I know if the engine ever destroys itself in mine, I’ll probably just push the car off a cliff. But again, this looks to be a nice example… GLWS.
I don’t think there’s a soul left on the planet that knows how to properly align that air cleaner lid the way Mazda intended. At least the 79-80s had the charcoal insert in the lid & vapor recovery hose that made it impossible to put on wrong.
From my early teens to late 20s RX7s is all my mom would drive, some of the first cars I ever learned to work on. Relatively easy but doesn’t tolerate half-assery. Timeless design, still one of my all-time favorite dash/interior designs. I liked the 4-spoke steering wheel design/feel so much, I was removing them from junkers & machining the hub to fit other cars I owned. My only complaint about the handling was snap-oversteer that would sneak up & bite if you weren’t ready.