Mazda RX-7 FD Buyer's Guide--Watch Before Buying!

[@gav240z]

Ive had mine since 2010. They are great stock. Shame so many have been messed with. I'm trying to keep my twins on it

[@DriversTherapy]

I love mine stock too. It is a lot of fun to drive stock, that is not the same thing with a lot of cars. These are a blast the way it is.

[@ChErRyaVe20pK]

I have one that is also stock. I'd say after about 10 minutes of doing some fun highway pulls, im already down to half the power because of heatsoak. Do you guys not have those problems as well? Stock is fun, but upgrading to single turbo has all the advantages with none of the drawbacks.

[@worldofthunder]

Stock is terrible and slow. However with a few bolt-ons the car will be much faster and more reliable.

[@rotaryenforcer]

@@ChErRyaVe20pK Stock is all dandy until you experience a single turbo with appropriate cooling & exhaust. I don't yearn to go back to a stock FD. Not just slower, but arguably less reliable even with lower boost pressures and smaller turbos. Standalone ECU, free breathing exhaust and rats nest cleanup would be my bare minimum. Purely stock cars are collector pieces but not great ownership experiences.

[@ChErRyaVe20pK]

@rotaryenforcer I agree with you. That comment was 7 months ago. Since then, I took a ride in a friend's single turbo 500whp rx7 and my goodness the experience is another level. Im already upgrading injectors, fuel pump, fmic, etc to get ready for a single haha

[@rotaryenforcer]

Totally spot on about compression tests. A lot of people use it as a holy grail, and it really isn't. Bad battery, too much premix, there are all sorts of outside factors besides just being tested incorrectly. If the car starts cold and hot no problem, no stumbles, and pulls hard, I wouldn't worry about it as a buyer.

[@DriversTherapy]

You’re right, a compression test isn’t the end-all be-all. Thanks for watching!

[@xXellaScopesXx]

A damn spot on guide for the car. Kudos to you, I would say upgrading the cooling is the first mod you should do just for reliability or planning to increase power in the future. And the engine is surprisingly easy to work with. Recently had a O-ring faliure on mine, renovated that engine by myself in a few days of work with a car manual and zero knowledge.

[@DriversTherapy]

That is awesome man that you fix it on your own. That is what I am talking about!!! I know that feeling and it is great. Thanks for the cooling system tip. Especially with these temps we have been seeing here lately all over the place.

[@kharijoyner1474]

Very detailed and good video! When I was in the market for an fd it was so annoying to always find some that were so far gone with modding that you miss what makes these so much fun, namely the sequential twin turbos! Nice example you have there too!

[@DriversTherapy]

Thank you! I am surprised how fast it is in stock form. It is definitely quick and fun. I really enjoy learning about the rotary engines. They are so unique. And I am with you, it’s always hard to find one that hasn’t been modded and messed with.

[@daviddejesus9205]

I have been seriously thinking about the fd, My first car was a fc gtu s4. Its just kind of a turn off that people want 30-40,000$ and the car is basically stock with the twins or a power fc. Basically your buying a car that you will most likley need to rebuild if you wanna safely make more power which is kinda crazy from the old prices. You can still do a big turbo fc for like 15 where I am at. Does not help that crate 13b are now double the price from mazda (i.e 10,000)

[@DriversTherapy]

You are spot on, buy smart, learn what you need to do to an 13B in a FD and buy one that has that work done. Will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

[@threadworm437]

Currently owning a 2009 Series 2 RX8 GT, love it with all my heart but im making way better money now and i really think im gonna get an fd soon. Nothing else on my mind

[@DriversTherapy]

Congrats on looking for your new FD. Let me know if I can help with questions.

[@worldofthunder]

The only people that think R trim Rx-7's are anything truly special are those with an agenda or those than dont really know these cars. The main difference with the R cars is that they come with a strut bar, have two oil coolers instead of one (I will say dual oilcoolers is not doing much on the street), stiffer struts (which no longer matter as after 30 years they should be replaced), and have alcantara seats. Yes they did come with a spoiler and a different lip, however many dealerships out there added those to other trims so technically are not special to the R cars.

[@DriversTherapy]

I hear ya, the R trim is definitely a bit overpriced, but I still like the extra stuff.

[@johnnny5veeoxx]

Shit makes me chuckle cause my Fd is clean af. Not that I would ever sell it in my lifetime, it’s just nice to know.

[@DriversTherapy]

Happy to hear you have a nice one.

[@michaelsawicki5080]

R1 and R2 package did not include Bose wave system. Based system was offered with touring package. I also feel sorry for you if replacing the air temp sensor was a big job.

[@DriversTherapy]

Thanks, and yes, that was a pain in the butt. FOR REAL. lol.

[@johnnny5veeoxx]

Say there is no compression test, what is the second best test to evaluating a healthy engine in an rx7?

[@DriversTherapy]

There is a compression test for rotary engines. You need a tester, a common one is a tester with a digital readout that tests the compression of the rotor faces. 100 is Mazdas recommended. But many 13Bs have 80-90 psi and they are perfect. It just depends.

[@DriversTherapy]

www.rotarycompressiontester.com

[@durtymisfit9454]

I can’t wait. I’m buying mine next year. What’s the best years?

[@DriversTherapy]

Buy one local. Importing a car is super risky. Companies like Top Rank are good, but you still do not know what you are getting till it arrives. The only exception is if it's a really good deal and you want to take that risk.

[@durtymisfit9454]

@@DriversTherapy awesome thanks man!!

[@DriversTherapy]

of course and make sure to follow us on Insta.

[@DuckWhenIBust]

Do you recommend any specific pinch weld adaptors?

[@DriversTherapy]

Yes, I have a link for a set on my video description.

[@DuckWhenIBust]

@@DriversTherapy It might just be a youtube glitch or im missing it because I can't see any links in the description

[@DriversTherapy]

Here is the link, sorry it took me a bit: amzn.to/3QgLgfw

[@DuckWhenIBust]

@DriversTherapy thanks man 👍

[@BLUESPAART]

Ive always wanted one but the market is so bad right now and its just getting worse im scared i wont ever get behind one unless im droppinf 30-50k on a stock rx7

[@DriversTherapy]

True. Unless we have a major recession, they are only going to go up so get it one while you can.

[@blahblahgdp]

Hmm RX-7 FD or homeless... RX-7 all the way baby

[@DriversTherapy]

lol

[@Smokinondeadpalms]

can u do Honda civic coupe EK

[@DriversTherapy]

I don’t know much about those but if I ever do I will. Thanks for watching.

[@tonyd5623]

Hahahaha, service records I wouldn't trust mine at a Mazda dealership much less a freaking jiffy lube. If the owner can't answer detailed questions about the car wave off 😅

[@DriversTherapy]

I feel you!

[@drakebonnellbonnell9045]

🏎🏊🏼‍♂️🚲

[@DriversTherapy]

You are the best! We are going to make you some brownies here soon. :)

[@drakebonnellbonnell9045]

@@DriversTherapy hey just finished off the brownie and have now settled on the couch to wait patiently for your next upload. Thanks team D/E. Next week🏎🚲🏊🏼‍♂️oh notice my skin tone 😂😂

[@l8tapex]

I would never own one. :)

[@DriversTherapy]

Why is that?

[@johnnny5veeoxx]

And therefor you will never know, I applaud you on your decision in order to line up a better human.

[@cristiandemirel1918]

Beware guide

[@DriversTherapy]

@@cristiandemirel1918 pretty much. 🙂