1990 Mazda RX7 Convertable from North America - Comments

Apparently when I bought the car, the engine had been replaced 20K before I bought the car, but that was a used car dealer talking and from close inspection, I don't believe it.

The oil injectors stopped working (the one way valves clogged), leading me to start mixing 2-stroke premix in with my gas (people look at me funny at the gas station). It's an easy fix.

The seals around the top of the windows that close by the convertible top have managed to start leaking. They cost $50 a side to replace.

Intermittent windshield wipers stop working every so often, so I have to turn it one speed higher. Just a minor annoyance.

This car is loud.

The gas mileage is almost garbage (18 average for me, 17 city 24 highway) Not really THAT bad for a sports car, but still not great.

This car puts up with my abuse and loves it. It doesn't care if you rev it to 8100RPM before shifting.

With the sport breaking package, it stops quickly. The front end doesn't dive like most cars, it just stops.

It hugs turns like you would never belive, and the torque curve is amazing. Just an endless rush of power.

The car doesn't have much low end torque to speak of.

It's a great conversation piece when you can tell people your car has no pistons. I ask them to guess how big the engine is.

Its nice being able to put the top down in the winter, with the amount of heat that the heater core can put off.

The seats are uncomfortable, and the cabin is somewhat small and cramped. It gets kid of annoying for me (6 feet) on long trips when the top is up.

Its nice having speakers in the headrests. They are rather low quality though.

This car has no storage space. The trunk is big enough to fit a golf-bag in.

Hello, I originally posted the above in 2003. I still have the car and it is March of 2005.

Problems that developed:

1) A heater hose exploded, causing half the coolant to exit the engine. It is the hose directly under the oil filter, and this is a common RX-7 problem (as oil gets on the hose and bloats it). The hose cost $12 to replace.

2) The master brake cylinder is dying, it leaks when the car is left cold for more than a day, completely draining itself in about a week if the car is left sitting.

3) The mufflers rusted out.

4) The clutch wore out, (that is to be expected, it had 110miles or so on it)

I have also modified the car, there is a huge aftermarket for this car, so quality parts are very easy to find. I now get around 22MPG to 26MPG.

This car is very, very easy to work on.

It would be wonderful if you could post a list of your modifications so we here in cyberspace could gain the gas mileage as well. t.i.a.

I own a 1990 RX7 convertible. I have had to replace almost everything in the car including auto tranny which I switched to 5 speed, then the engine went so I street ported it for more power. The leather seats crack horribly; it is going to cost 2000 to redo. I had to replace the whole braking system, master cylinder went and my e brake was stuck on for a month. I replaced the window seals. The paint bubbles a bit and I dunno other than that, I love the car, love the look 17 years old and ppl still think it's a newer car, fast, but no were near the turbo version.. awesome handling! I've taken corners I thought I would spin out on for sure and she pulled through.. and that's about it. If you plan on buying any rotary powered car be prepared to replace the engine. (carbon build up is a b**ch.)

No valves, no pistons, no problems.

My '90 Convertible is the second RX-7 for me. My first was a base '83 model. I love these cars. Installing a good stereo is a chore, forget the head-rest speakers, I blew my Boston Acoustics in a week. My solution was to make the center arm rest into a sub woofer box. I get good bass even with the top down, from a small woofer. I had huge problems with the 5 speed tranny. Ended up re-building it for $1500. The car has 155,000 mile on it now, drives great, but has an annoying coolant leak I can't find. The engine is smoking pretty bad at start-up too, worn apex seals I fear. I just bought a 1988 Porsche 930 Turbo, but I'm keeping the Rex, it's worth fixing to me. Turbo swap for the Rex would make it a pretty great Convertible! And yes, the Porsche is frigging amazing hehe!

I just bought a 90 RX7 convertible. The guy said he had a new engine put in that had 30000 miles already on it, and ever since the engine swap the car hasn't had its full power potential. I can't even get the tires spinning in first gear. I replaced the Throttle Positioning Sensor. No change. Any ideas why the car is not running correctly?

Hey did I read in one of these comments that it's 2000 to repair the seats??? Who would believe that, even if it is leather???

Also any one complexed by the fact there is money involved in repairs for these engines must realize I've owned three cars:

1) 1993 Olds 88, repairs were identically costly to that of my RX7..

2) 1990 Olds Cutlass Supreme, costs were ridiculously expensive; GM priced Olds and Caddy repairs and parts like euro cars... just look at the 32 valve northstar... ungodly prices for parts.

3) 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota... spent 4700 roughly trying to restore everything... still a hunka junk... bottom line?? Go buy a 1996 Z28 with a LT1 V8... you'd be so sorry...