1983 Mazda RX7 GSL review from North America

When I got the car, it started to shake when it got up around 40 MPH. At first I though the tires just needed to be balanced; turns out the drive shaft was bent, which was almost $700 to fix (the car cost me $900).

Rear main seal leaked oil, another almost $700.

Oil pan leaks.

Transmission pan leaks.

Power windows didn't work, but work fine now that I cleaned them out. The first owner (I am the second) smoked, and there were literally handfuls of cigarette ash in the door panels and the regulators were so dirty that they could hardly move.

Air Conditioning compressor has no belt, I have yet to see if it works or not.

Interior is pretty torn up, but that can be expected after 21 years.

Minor body rust.

Hesitates on acceleration, I believe it needs a carburetor rebuild.

Cruise control doesn't work, but it's not like I would use it anyways.

Although this car is small, I have plenty of room in the driver seat, especially with the roof up or off.

This car doesn't have quite as much power as I was hoping, but I think this is largely in part to the 3-speed automatic transmission. I am currently looking into putting a 5-speed manual in.

When I bought this car, the engine had been rebuilt with about 20,000 miles on it and it runs great. The biggest problem I have had with my engine is that it tends to flood a lot, which is easy to get around, but still embarrassing when you have to crank your car for more than 5 seconds before it starts.

All in all, I love this car. It does need a paint job and some other work, but there is no rust on the frame, and the tires and brakes were brand new when I bought it. For the age of this car it is in great condition, and as far as the engine... Lets just say Wankel was a genius!