Faults:

The transmission went 1 month after I got the car, which cost about 700.00 to have rebuilt. The brakes needed to be replaced, as well as the lines. The oil needed to be changed. The a/c only works on the bottom vents, the top has hot air, which means something inside needs to be soldered. The speedometer is busted so you have no idea how fast you're going unless you go by RPM speed, which I do. Replaced the water pump at 120,000 miles because the car had been overheated before I got it. The engine needed to be rebuilt, but I was able to keep the car running an extra 1,000 miles by topping the radiator with 50/50 until it finally gave up the ghost. The car also needs a tune up and a new catalytic converter.

General Comments:

I knew when I bought my Mazda that the car needed some work, but I didn't expect it to be so much, in such a short period of time. The owner who had the car before me had let the car overheat, which kills the seals - the worst thing you can do to a rotary engine. I knew the car was on borrowed time. When it ran, it was fast and fun. It burns oil due to the rotary engine itself so you have to keep that in mind. I'm in the process of getting the engine rebuilt because I simply love the car. There is no rust on the body. The original paint is in very good condition. Even though the car is an automatic, it's extremely fast and gets tons of looks because it's cute and not a lot of people have them. If the car had been taken care of in the first place the grades would be higher. I'll probably revise this review once all the kinks have been taken out. The rotary engine is great - if you know how to take care of it!

Faults:

The FC3S RX-7 is notorious for flooding, but I had this happen only 3 times in the years I owned it.

Most of the time I had little or no problems except for overheating in warmer weather.

General Comments:

This is a car that is loved by those who own it, feared by those who can't afford it and seen often overtaking by those in similar priced sports cars. Hatchback drivers, I'm looking at you.

I'd love to get one of these again. I sold it for a Honda Integra VTEC, but have regretted it ever since. Not even the famous VTEC engine is as smooth or powerful as the 13B Turbo and has cost me more to maintain even if it uses less gas. Even the automatic gearbox couldn't put me off it which says something for it. Next time I'd definitely stump up the cash for a manual conversion.

I kept it well maintained and it rewarded me. Warm it up, cool it down and change the oil often. Change the apex seals, and if you can afford it, have the engine rebuilt by a specialist. You'll be laughing at everyone who can't believe your car costs as much as their chrome wheels but whips it on the road every time.

Faults:

I purchased this car from my husband's boss. Three months before I bought it, he replaced the clutch. Two days after the car was delivered to my home, the slave cylinder gave out, pushing the piston out the back of the cylinder, breaking the clutch fork and bending the throw out bearing. We think that when the clutch was redone, the guy bought a bad part to begin with.

The car needs new struts and suspension.

General Comments:

By far the best car I have ever owned. Draws a bunch of stares as I drive down the street.