The first-generation Mazda RX-7 remains one of the best values out there in vintage Japanese sports cars, with great looks and a memorable powerplant under the hood. They don’t often fall into the pile of modified cars that get cheap and accessible to younger drivers; more often, I simply see them neglected once rust or repairs become too much. This preserved 1982 example here on eBay remains in excellent condition with the desirable manual transmission inside. It’s a classified listing with a $16,500 Buy-It-Now.
The front end sports some awesome period-correct amber fog lights, and they’re likely an original Mazda accessory. Given how well the interior has held up, there’s little reason to doubt the seller’s claim of just 30,069 mile being on the clock. No cracks in the dash and the bucket seats show no damage, either. The brown interior isn’t the most exciting, and I’d prefer black with the mustard-brown exterior.
The engine bay presents as it should, and the painted air cleaner housing is one of the best I’ve seen among our last several RX-7 posts. The compact Wankel engine was novel both in helping Japanese customers avoid a road tax penalty on larger displacement motors and for its rotary design, which was (and is) quite uncommon in the U.S. The seller doesn’t provide any specific details on the health of the motor, but given its low miles and cosmetic condition, it’s a safe bet to say it’s been maintained.
Its modern successor, the RX-8, has a litany of engine faults that have driven owners to seek rebuilds of relatively young motors. Rotaries in general have been a gift and a curse for Mazda, as their performance capabilities are undeniable, but its somewhat inconsistent reliability has kept it from becoming a mass-market hit. The earlier cars seem to be less prone to trouble, and buying a rotary-powered first generation RX-7 could be both a solid investment and a car you won’t feel bad wringing out.
My mom had one of these in the 80’s. The GSL version loaded with joystick control of speakers etc. It sat outside in the Chicago winters and I recall it starting right away with a pull of the choke. A great car. Kind of exciting on icy and snow though. ;)
A buddy has an ’82 like this but black on black. It’s a real cool car, much more a driver car though. It has a bunch of miles on it and still runs OK w/ some issues. He has been considering an engine rebuild but, anyone familiar w/ the old rotaries are getting fewer and far between.
Had two back in the day. I remember them being a blast to drive, but with lousy gas mileage. Never had any trouble with either, but I never owned anything for more than two or three years.
When these were new, I thought $3995 was attainable as a high school kid. The car is perfect, and $16,500 is attainable now that I’m almost 40 years older, but I’m just older and cheap.
Bought first GS in Columbus OH. Not $3,995. August 1978. They were $6,995 for the S and $7,250 for the GS with 5-spd and sunroof. Had it six years, sold it for $6k.
I had a ’79 that had been hit pretty hard and had a bent rear axle that needed to be replaced. But after we got it fixed and had it repainted lipstick red it became one of my 5 favorite cars.
It was a blast to drive in the twisties and ergonomically perfect. The rotary engine is linear power and really smooth.
I’d have another if I had any room, or money, or permission from my wife.
Looks identical to the ’83 I bought new. The color is called “Aztec Gold” and it’s metallic. Mine had the exact same cloth and vinyl trimmed interior. Comfortable and actually nice and warm in these harsh Chicago winters. AND grateful they had an actual choke too (WINTER) ! When warmed enough, choke pull would “snap” back to the dash. Also learned from a top-notch mechanic that in sub-zero weather OIL is gently poured down the carb to assist starting, not gasoline nor starting fluid. After owning it about 12 years had the engine “worked” on and new racing type trans/clutch/flywheel installed. The one here is gorgeous, and if I only had room….
I have filled many RX-7 Carbs with ATF in the winter to get them going.
From the factory my 1982 has a reservoir for “cold weather starting fluid” essentially anti-freeze. Under a certain temperature it sprays some in the intake to help the seals work better for a little more compression when cranking. Never had a problem even below zero a few times. I’m pretty sure that all of the first gen models had this feature.
I have had mine for about 30 years. I so want to have it restored, but ….money of course!
I had a 1981. Very good car in a few inches of snow due to front/rear balance. Easy to drift and recover. Low front air dam limited it to a few inches. Very nice highwy cruiser.
Ben – a “little” snow was fine…but I found my ’83 a bit too “nervous” when there was heavy snowfall mixed with road salting, slush, and packing down by trucks on my highway route home. Worst night took 3 1/2 hours to go my 33 mile commute. White knuckles. It would “crab” sideways on more crowned portions of the road which made it “oh, so much fun” ! NOT. And indeed, in Chicago Winters, I did have to re-form the spoiler on occasion due to deep snow. Rest of year, I absolutely loved it, which is why I kept it 16 years and put some mods in it during it’s later years. (P.S. I did buy a Corolla as a Winter car)
My brother had a ’80 in the same color. I absolutely loved driving it, because it handled brilliantly. I’d love to have this one.
Had an ’83 I bought new. It was black with the mustard brown interior. Great little car. Unfortunately, I bought an ’86 black/black 951 with the idea that the RX would be my winter driver. I just couldn’t stay out of the Porsche so I finally decided to sell it after the first year with the Porsche. Oddly enough, I should have kept as I first intended because shortly after that I traded the Porsche 951 or a new Porsche 911.
My Mom had a loaded silver GSL version in the 80’s. As a 12 year old, I was pretty infatuated with the joystick controller for the speakers. I loved the looks though and recall it starting right up in the Chicago winters with the choke. I could n’t imagine driving it on those icy roads though!
Actually with the 50/50 weight balance they do OK in the snow (better than you might think). But you do need to drive it. There was a period where I had to drive mine occasionally in the snow. As always, I worry more about the other cars out there on the road with me when there is ice or snow.
I wish I had enough money to buy it. Probably the nicest survivor outside the Mazda museum. I totaled my 79 on a snowy road in Germany. Broke my heart, almost killed me.
I still have a 1982, was the same color as this one, but was repainted a non-factory version of the same color (more gold & metal flake). Still in very good shape, but some rocker, and right rear fender arch rust. need to take care of that soon. I drive it weekly and has been very low maintenance. Just turned about 120k miles. Has been in the family since the mid-late ’80s. Great handling, and love the steady power delivery of the rotary. One has to be humored by all of the misconceptions and false folklore regarding the rotary. Someday I would like to add a Mazda Rotary Powered Pick-up to my collection.