1988 Mazda RX7 Base review from North America

Engine is easily fludded if it doesn't have time to heat up before it is shut down.

I have 2 engines that blew up, but I have to tell you that both engines, same as my present engine, were modified to the max so it's normal that they blew up considering the pressure the apex seals were getting.

Great car. Agile, and fast around corners, it acts like a go cart imo. I had the car for 6 years now and still can't get enough of it. It's easily modified, very easy and fairly cheap to add power (up to 190hp). Over 190hp you need a turbine or nitrous.

Rotary engines are small, light and love high RPMs. Lighten the flywheel, remove the 3 catalytic converters and replace by a straight pipe, add-on an intake and street port exhaust and intake and finaly put in lighter springs for the 6 port so that you get your boost at 3300 rpm and not at 4500 and you get the 1/4 mile in 14.9 and 0-60 in 6.874sec. All these mods can cost as little as 2500$ Add that on the price of the car and you got yourself an awsome, but relatively cheap pure sports car which is good in drags, but outstanding in laping and drifting events.

The only downside I can see about the sweet 7 is its outrageous fuel consumption and its lack of power at low RPMs. Below 3500 it's insane. A 3 cylinder firefly can beat you in a straight if you always short shift below 3500rpms. But when you hit 6000 to 8500rpms, WOOHOO! With my 7 right now, if I power shift from second to third at 8000rpm, the rear slips a bit. Not bad for an 8000$ car, mods included.

There is nothing in my book that equals that car simply because its one of a kind. This car is truly an icon and a force to be reconned with.

The fun starts at 6000rpms.