The Mazda RX-7 / RX-8 Story

When you think of sporty Mazdas, you inevitably think of the MX-5, their runaway hit open-top. But 11 years before the MX-5, Mazda introduced their unique take on the classic 2-door sports car, the RX-7. It had a weird rotary engine that got terrible fuel economy, worse emissions and a reputation for poor reliability. So why did this “unreliable” car sell like hot cakes, and win just about every major endurance race out there, beating more expensive rivals in just about every respect?
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[@eurogryphon]

I got to ride shotgun in an old FB at an autocross meet. It still had the buzzer in it, and while we were on the track the driver told me, "yeah, it's to let you know when you hit redline. When it stops buzzing, you downshift until it starts buzzing again."

[@christopherconard2831]

Headlights go up Headlights go down I miss pop-up headlights.

[@francislea4700]

I don't. Pain in the ass on a TR7 but then what wasn't come to think of it ?

[@eurogryphon]

It's a shame the RX-7 Spirit R was never sold in the US. I think it's the most beautiful car ever made.

[@johncitizen306]

America doesn't deserve nice cars

[@highlypolishedturd7947]

In Canada, a friend had a Mazda rotary many years ago. When he needed a repair, the shop had to remove the exhaust for access. While the exhaust was laying on the floor, the apprentice cleaned up, and chucked it in the scrap metal bin, which was emptied before anyone realized what happened. After a bit "Oh, Shit!" moment, they found out it was around $5000 dollars to replace, leading to an even bigger "Oh, Shit!" moment. The apprentice was sent to the scrap yard to try and find it, with no luck. The lucky owner, in addition to the repair, got a shiny new exhaust!

[@nateb7793]

okay that could have been 1 paragraph and a lot shorter but ok boomer

[@alfexsinosystems9205]

@@nateb7793 you are so miserable

[@parvezahmedjalil7310]

Hollywood should make a movie out of that story 😦

[@nateb7793]

Alfex Sinosystems ok “alfex “

[@dandingerat]

@@nateb7793 Jesus Christ do you have friends?

[@ircorva67]

Thank you so much for this video, and I love that you didn’t fall into the typical bashing of the RX-8 as many do. I have an ‘04 Rx-8 6-speed that I bought new in the autumn of 2003. She’s about to cross the 60,000 mile threshold, and runs like the day I bought it... an absolute joy to drive. For those few naysayers who posted some comments about the RX-8 engine being problematic, I have some comments of my own. The early 8s had a few issues, but Mazda handled them all beautifully for me. I have kept my car maintained religiously, and granted, I put it away each winter. Still, I’ve had NO problems with the rotary, and I’m sorry, but 24 mpg on the highway has been just fine for me, and has never changed in 16 years of ownership. Ok- around town I get about 17-18 mpg, but I didn’t buy it to be an econobox. My dealership has a rotary specialist who’s brilliant, and he tells me that my engine stays in fine shape because I REV it like rotaries prefer. I add a little premix to every tankful, and clean out carbon with some Sea Foam every so often. According to my mechanic, the RX-8 engines that fail happen for a few common reasons: the worst were people who drove them like grannies trying to eke out every last possible mile per gallon. Those engines needs revved! Lack of proper, informed maintenance is another common problem: rotaries require their own care and feeding, but Americans don’t read owner’s manuals. Finally, he says that the automatic trans models seem to have more engine problems- they probably don’t get into the higher RPM ranges as often as the manuals, and I believe they lack the degree of oil cooling found in the higher- performance 6-speed models. These days, there aren’t many RX-8s around that haven’t been modified and beaten to death by dumb kids. The thrill I still get from my 8 when it hits 8500 rpm on a clear freeway ramp is reason enough to spend what it takes to maintain this car in top condition, and if the engine needs a rebuild some day, I am keeping a savings account ready. If my choice is to put $10K into the 8 or spend $50-80K for a new car, it’s a no-brainer. I have yet to see anything at any yearly auto show that does for me what my RX-8 does.

[@fastinradfordable]

AkronDave Spending 50k on a car is not needed dude. Neither is $10k. ... I haven’t spent 10k on all my cars over 16 years of driving.

[@eriksiddons4730]

@@fastinradfordable not all of us like to drive absolute garbage

[@christwist8455]

Awesome comment. I hope to have my 8 in top condition like yours. Its recently been rebuilt, wish me luck!

[@noaht2005]

Yeah some rx-8s were reliable, it was a lucky dip

[@arrivendrive6831]

I own a fd since 1998 and my brother in law bought an rx8 new in 2005. I have driven his car plenty and it is a great car. His engine lasted 80k and he did a terrible job maintaining it. Often I would get in the car and the add oil light was on. A good owner and a little premix will get you a lot more miles out of the engine. Having a great rotary engine builder is key for when you need to refresh the engine. Brap on

[@karlgeronimo5349]

As someone who played Auto Modellista and Gran Turismo several times during his childhood, I kept dreaming of driving and owning an RX-7 FD3S. I even owned a small model of the famous yellow RX-7 driven by Keisuke Takahashi from Initial D. It's still one of the greatest cars ever produced.

[@HigeYatsu]

I owned a '94 R2 with 28k on the clock when I bought it for only $19k in 2007. It was my dream car, yet it managed to meet every expectation I could throw at it. It was sharp, lightweight, attention-demanding, had buckets of personality, and it put down plenty of power for a street car. I had to sell it when moving out of the US back in 2012, and in the 5 years that I was gone, cars in the trim and condition I sold mine in tripled in value; it now is in a price bracket that I just can't afford. To this day it's the car that occupies my heart, haha, I genuinely feel a physical longing to drive it again. Maybe one day if work and luck meet I'll get the opportunity to pull the trigger on another one. Truly a fantastic car.

[@SaidHead2]

I was fortunate to see the RX8 race twice. It ran with Speedsource, Sahlen and Dempsey Racing in the Grand-Am series from 2006-2012. The races I saw them at? Montreal in 2007 and 2008. And those things were loud and shot flames out of the exhaust on deceleration. It was really a joy to watch.

[@simplywonderful449]

RX7s DOMINATED IMSA GTU racing in their day, starting from 1978-79 on for 6-7 years. They raced in the GTU class, but after that, some teams campaigned in the GTO class. With a displacement of just 1.3 liters, and not turbocharged, they were excellent in the longer races as well. We used to go to Road America regulary for the June Sprints and their later sponsored endurance racing of typically 300-500 miles. I still have our 1981 RX-7 GSL with 17,000 miles on it, as well as a few 323GTXs.

[@rafalwietrzynski9144]

Rx8 was my daily car for 6 wonderful years. I loved those days.

[@atoner8771]

Great episode. The FD's styling is absolutely timeless, looks stunning to this very day. And the FC isn't far off either, it embodies the late 80s smoothed out box aesthetic. Either one would be my dream car. The FD/FC and all the other 90s Japanese sports cars are the stuff of legend.

[@burghiu9801]

I can't like because it's 69 sorry

[@sixstringedthing]

A worked FC Series V RX-7 was my dream car all through my teen years, I had a real thing for Japanese turbo cars before my tastes broadened to include many other kinds of desirable metal. Had all sorts of plans for what I was going to do with it, starting with an FD 13B engine transplant, chuck the staged-sequential setup in the bin and replace it with a big single turbo, front mount intercooler with shiny pipework and water spray, custom air intake that used the existing top-mount intercooler bonnet vent, upgraded injectors, brake and suspension upgrade, strut tower braces of course, maybe a roll cage and water-air intercooling later on... Of course, I had absolutely no way to pay for the car, the upgrades, or the insurance and running costs. But that wasn't the point, it was my dream car. In my early twenties I got a bit more sensible, bought a 1995 MX-5 instead. :)

[@taylorc2542]

The FD is the best looking Japanese car ever. This is why you don't rice them with wings and wide body kits; it's like tagging a gang sign on the Mona Lisa.

[@Nbomber]

It took me till I got older before I appreciated the FD styling. When I was younger, I just wasnt feeling it tbh. Also, I know people rate the rx8 as ugly, but ive always considered them to be very good looking. Shame about its lacklustre engine though.

[@uhmwhat2895]

Oh man the rx7 fd makes pop ups look modern even though it's as old as it is.

[@RustyPetterson]

Former RX-8 owner here, and I approve of this video! Mine was a victim of the hot starting issue. Caused by low compression, caused by worn rotor tip seals, caused by lack of lubrication, caused by by own neglect. :-( Ah well, it was a fun 5 years while it lasted. I really miss that car.

[@MrPhiliplock]

Had a RX8 as well. The worst car I ever had, bottomless money pit. Three catalytic converters after just 40,000 miles. Then the compression failed. Now replaced with a BMW 330i, much better car.

[@brembobrakes9656]

@@MrPhiliplock u sure it was the car?

[@roddydykes7053]

Rusty Petterson 5 years owning a rotary is pretty impressive on its own

[@williambanzhof9739]

Guess I'm lucky. 174,000 miles on my 2010 RX-8. No mechanical issues other than the normal plugs and ignition wires. BUT- I only use premium gas, change the oil every 4,000 miles and a "red line a day keeps the carbon away". I only use non-synthetic oil as specified in the owner's manual. Great car.

[@RustyPetterson]

@@williambanzhof9739 Nothing lucky about it, you're a responsible owner who looks after it properly! (Unlike me.) That's a hell of a mileage on an RX-8, keep up the good work. :-)

[@GitGoodGaming]

I own an RX8 and I FREAKING LOVE THIS CAR

[@TexasVexes]

Can confirm. Very fun. Not a straight line car, but i love beating civics with it. Makes them so mad lol

[@avdcrx5441]

how many times did the engine blow.

[@GitGoodGaming]

@@avdcrx5441 none

[@avdcrx5441]

@@GitGoodGaming so you have swapped the engine?

[@GitGoodGaming]

@@avdcrx5441 nope, still the 13B, its original with 100k miles on it and still has good compression. Its because I know how to take care of my rotary. I did my research.

[@Snootyboss]

I remember the buzzer in the third model in the late 80's, when my boss took me out in his wife's newly acquired RX7. He thought the police were behind him at that point, which still puzzles me. I remember the car clearly as I used to borrow it on my nights off to take my girlfriend out from the Mendips to Bristol. Great roads and I loved this power, after her previous car, the Fiat X19.

[@kaitospence18]

12:34 whoa slow down with that.... To clarify this confusion, the Spirit R LAUNCHED IN 2002 AND NOT 1999...

[@nabilm2941]

Easily becoming my favourite car channel. Keep it up!

[@danbarnes4069]

I purchased an Rx8 R3 a couple of weeks ago, its bloody amazing!

[@zx921]

How's the car so far?

[@x2amazing]

Update?

[@fleuger99]

Growing up in South Africa, in 1982 my best friend's father bought a red RX7. We used to sit in it dreaming of driving it. Beautiful car.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I remember the RX-7. I was too young to drive when the first gen was on the market. I find both the first two generation the most attractive looking cars.

[@gerkav1008]

I bought a new RX8 in 2006. Still running perfectly after 185.000 km with regular maintenance (1st engine, no rebuild). This car needs your attention (check the oil level, drive it in high revs sometimes to remove the carbon from the housings etc.) Perfect brakes (better than Porsche's 911), absolute fun drive, it never fights back when you push it to the limit. Each time I drive it, after almost 14 years, it's like the first day I got it. Splendid car indeed. Problems? Some interior plastics lack quality and it's expensive to replace them. Damages? In 14 years a broken radiator some months ago, 150 euros cost. Annual service cost is around 300 euros for 10.000-12.000 km run. Fuel consumption is more than average, but horses need food in order to run well. In case someone wants an RX8 don't be afraid to approach it. Check the compression and go for it! Prices are extremely low!!!

[@marcokanthak8801]

I bought my 1995 FD in 2008 (directly from Tokyo) and I love it! It's a Type R special edition with 1 previous owner (I still have contact with him) and since 2014 I hit 480hp on the wheels with 80% locking diff! On the day I picked up the car and drove it home it was a rainy night (on the way back home) and I enjoyed it cruising with maximum 3500rpm! But after a few days I pushed the engine more and more and then I heard a buzzer! First I was confused (something wrong with my new car?) but not long time later I liked the buzzer and now I love it! Also the rear axle steering: lovely!!! I still own the FD and I will never sell it! I also own an NB 1.8S and NC 2.0 RS! Very good cars! But the FD is another level!

[@filthyswit]

I feel sadness and regret at selling all of the 4 RX7s I owned. 82, 85, 87, 89. Now I have an RX8 which I love. But it's not the same. I love and hate watching these vids.

[@keislerautomation184]

If you end up with an engine failure please consider us! We take great pride in resurrecting the Rx8- www.keislerautomation.com/lfx-rx8-totality-swap-2

[@karlosh9286]

Yeah, I know the feeling. I had an RX-7 for just 1 year, but I still miss it, along with my youth !

[@markallen2984]

I had a yellow 2004 RX8... what a special car that was. The handling was so good and the engine was so smooth that I really felt like I was driving something unique and amazing. The rear suicide doors were perfect for letting my two young sons access the rear seats were they were perfectly comfortable. I've owned quite a few cars over the years ( including a Civic Si, 2 Miatas, 2 del Sols and a FIAT X1/9) but the RX8 was my favorite in many ways, and the one I miss the most

[@dxutube]

Love the animation of the different versions near the end

[@spishco]

My 1984 GSL has 130,000km on it, and still starts right up in sub zero weather. She's a garage queen now, but still gets a healthy dose of redline every drive!

[@sarjim4381]

Excellent coverage a long running group. I had an MX-5 and an RX-7. The MX was the closest replacement car to my MGB. It had great road holding and you could slog it around all day. The RX was a much more sophisticated car, and fast as a bullet for 1984, but it just didn't have the same fun aspect as the MX-5, and I was still a sucker for a two seater roadster. Both were pretty reliable cars, especially considering the bad rep of the rotary in the RX. OTOH, my son had a 1982 P-Type Supra. Also fast as a bullet for the time, but the MGB put the Supra to shame for reliability and long life. The whole car started falling apart after 80,000 miles, and it spent more time broken down than it did on the road. It had the absolute worst leather seats in any car I or the family owned, cracking and stitching coming loose after just a couple years. It was a fun ride, when you could get it to go.

[@mushutak]

MGB more reliable than MA50 Supra? don't know what you did to the Supra but that is very hard to believe. I'm still driving a '85 Celica RA65 (essentially the same car, and the most reliable car I have ever owned twice, I crashed the first one)

[@sarjim4381]

@@mushutak That's nice but, as I said, it was my son's car, and I had the repair bills to prove the problems. Maybe, just maybe, he got a lemon. Don't know and, at this late date, I don't really care.

[@mushutak]

@@sarjim4381 I was just saying that I've had the reverse experience and between that and the experience of people I have known your experience might be unusual, but nowhere near impossible. Manufacturing is never 100%, there will always be cars that live a longer or shorter life than you might expect them to. I don't think the MGB is in any way an unreliable car, (the MGF might have given me a bias against the brand) but the reliability of well maintaned Toyotas from the 80s is legendary.

[@sarjim4381]

@@mushutak Starting out your post to me with "don't know what you did to the Supra but that is very hard to believe." was a bit more than just saying you had the reverse experience. Implying I was lying or "did something" to the Supra is a good way to get started out on the wrong foot.

[@mushutak]

@@sarjim4381 Fair enough, I guess I tend to use more confrontational language on the internet. You can probably blame reddit for that.

[@jamied1579]

Great video/s, very interesting and informative, but as an Aussie I have to make a correction - Bathurst is pronounced Bath-erst, not Bat-herst.. Sorry, had to get that one out....lol

[@XmarkedSpot]

Yay, the first new release while already being a subscriber, this feeling never gets old ^^

[@willswheels283]

What great cars the RX’s were, shame they could never shake off the emissions issues, for me the RX8 was my favourite, mainly for its looks and that engine of course, it’s down to the cars thirst though that I’vs never owned one, but maybe one day. Once again a great informative vid 👍

[@rayguzman1429]

William Cherrington I’ll tell you this much I have an rx8 and it’s great man. Every time I drive it I say I love this car, yeah it’s like owning a truck gas-wise but I enjoy every second of it.

[@roddydykes7053]

William Cherrington if only the RX-7 body style could’ve gone a few more years, with maybe a RX-8 engine, for reliability purposes. Now I only ever see RX-7s parked in driveways, never actually on the road. Which is a shame because it’s a beautiful car, and leagues better looking than the chubby 8

[@willswheels283]

Roddy Dykes yeah the RX7 is a good looking car admittedly, however for me personally I prefer the RX8, the RX7 has the looks of a Ferrari which for most is a winner, just doesn’t grab me unfortunately.

[@koloth5139]

I loved driving my RX-8. I hated fixing her. I had at least one shop turn me away without even looking at it. And I never got out for less then $400. That being said I would still have her today if the radiator hadn't cracked. Big rock somehow got in and smacked it. I just wasn't willing to spend the $1000 to replace it on a 14 year old car. I hope where ever it is now it is loved though.

[@GitGoodGaming]

As an owner of an RX8 I can attest that it is an absolute blast to own

[@jamieshields9521]

Awesome vid👍it’s funny the last bit of vid showing evolution of Mazda rotary didn’t show Holden HJ-HX rebadged as Mazda Roadpacer AP that was produced from 77 - 79. It sad shame to see emissions kill off rotary engine, it not like new Ford 7.0lt V8 gas engine is more efficient then rotary.

[@grahamt33]

Dear Big Car, I am trying to catch up on your library and it is such great fun - every episode never fails to make me happy and leave me informed - Thank you so much for your hard work !

[@SHARP2026]

Great work on the videos. High quality and always interesting.

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Very interesting and well presented. Thanks from Orlando.

[@klx100]

Gotta love the RX7 such a legendary car such as the NSX and Supra :)! Awesome review as always dude :) Greetings from Malta x

[@blurryyu]

dont forget the skyline series

[@johan3561]

Thanks for these videos mate! Fantastic in-depth information as always.

[@rafflesnh]

Like you BC, I also lingered drooling over the glossy brochures for the Supra, but when the RX8 came along, my allegiances shifted in an instant. I still reckon it looks every bit as orgasmic now as it did then, and still hanker after owning one if only my heart ruled my head. Many, many thanks BC for yet more quality nostalgic memories. 8-)

[@ChristianRX7]

Still today the RX-7s are great cars to drive and I and my brother love to take one of them for a spin. The only problem is the poor parts availability and the enormous parts costs.

[@glennpowell3444]

Brilliant idea the rotary. Always struck me as kind of 4 stroke/2 stroke hybrid engine. Another very interesting video,cheers!

[@ChristopherCobra]

Having owned a tuned one (1979 North American - First year - not 1980), I can tell you, the MPG was 9-25 depending on how you drove it. I could get 18 in town. The red-line was not for the engine - but the transmission. The engine red line was actually closer to 12,000 rpm because of the design - and I used it because of the very flat torque curve. In 1980 they introduced an electronic ignition - mine was not originally. The car was actually very reliable, but the 12A needed a rebuild every 85,000 miles or so because it would blow the rear seal and dump extra oil into the combustion chamber. The 13B was supposedly better. The handling was actually amazing. This was a car build for cornering. The nearly even 4 wheel weight distribution meant that a good driver could put the weight on any of the 4 corners - it was VERY predictable to drive. The engine was also easy to modify and pull up to 300 HP. Road and track showed that a bit of porting and headers could could pull 310 hp. Mine had headers and an expansion chamber (the rotary is basically a 2-cycle engine - it required burning oil) and I could keep up with a 5.0 Mustang GT with no issue - and handle better. It was a great car.

[@runoflife87]

There's one interesting fact about Mazda RX: two or three of them were bought by soviet officials to research the abilities of rotary engine. The engine was reworked and installed into Lada Riva (later Samara too). The soviet version was modernized two or three times, production stopped in the mid-00's because of ecological reasons.

[@rafflesnh]

I never knew that. Thanks.

[@rodoherty1]

Another wonderful video! Thank you!!

[@rimjobledouche5201]

Utter class. Great video. I hope to own a Turbo II FC someday.

[@mauritsvw]

In South Africa the Mazda RX2 was somewhat of a legend in the early 70's. It was a rotary engined version of the 616, also available at the same time.

[@BryanSteacy]

Whayhey another one! What a wonderful surprise as usual.

[@Xehanortlw]

Mazda keeps teasing us with that rx9 concept

[@Mr73Baja]

Don't know how I haven't seen this video yet but it is very well done! Thank you!

[@smaxwell4062]

My first car was an RX5. The rotor seals failed on the first day. Luckily I had a brand new 13B rotary replacement under warranty...it was very reliable after that.

[@Kirktalon]

I lusted after the 1st & 2nd Generation RX-7. I did have a 1995 Ford Probe SE which bears a family resemblance to the RX-7 in my opinion. It was mostly Mazda with a normal piston engine. It was a fun car to drive.

[@paulgruffudd5531]

Loved this video. My first car was an NSU Ro80 and briefly owned an RX7. Would love it if you did a video about the Wankel Rotary engine and the cars that used it.

[@boblaker8676]

I just like the way you talk and get your story down, also I like the cars you chose...and you're pleasant to look at. Thank you!

[@gabrielrogers5271]

You’re doing great with these videos! I love them!

[@BigCar2]

You’re doing great with those comments! I love them! 😉

[@JamieBainbridge]

Wonderful cars. As a late teen I regularly worked on RX7s with a friend's dad who owned a few. I was later lucky enough to own an absolutely beautiful mint FC Turbo which later ended up in a rich collector's shed of rare cars. I love rotaries and will always have a soft spot for them. The FD is a strong contender for the best looking car ever made, it's just perfect 👌

[@CarlosOliveira-cj3iz]

Your videos are very good! Keep up the good work.

[@johnennis4586]

What a fantastic episode! You really do knock it outta the park. Would you consider perhaps doing a video on kei cars like the honda beat or Suzuki cappuccino. But much like the Skoda your videos are superb haha.

[@BigCar2]

Maybe in the future. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@Danger_mouse]

17:26 The Group B RX-7 rally car was the most powerful naturally aspirated rally car in the world during the Group B years. It sounded amazing! (Oh, and 'Bat-Hurst' is pronounced 'Bath-uh-st' by local Aussies) 👍 Loved my time working on RX-7s at the local Mazda dealership where I got to test drive every car from the workshop as the workshop foreman 👌

[@SMX815]

Very good video & Mazda have always delivered sleek looking cars! I admire your research & keep up the good work!

[@darrensmith6999]

Thank you Great Video as always!

[@michaelthom5864]

The rev buzzer remained on all Rx7's sold in Australia

[@JTA1961]

Same in Japan

[@TooLooze]

I bought a new 1985 GSL-SE. The service manager told me to "run the crap out of it" and I obliged. I pegged it a few times at 140. I had a Japanese back seat installed; it matched perfectly; it was large enough to hold an infants seat. Seventeen years later, I had it repainted and gave it to the infant. Yes, of course, he wrecked it in a month.

[@JohnnoDordrecht]

Well done and very informative

[@chrispekel5709]

Both my Series 2 (1982) and Series 3 (1984) cars had a rev limiter buzzer. Australian delivered cars.

[@dougbergren8035]

In spite of what the commentator said, my RX-7s were incredibly reliable. They both had manual chokes and started every time, no matter the weather. They were great cars.

[@sbomorse]

Nice one! Wasn't expecting an RX-7! I still want to request a Fiat Panda video 🐼

[@richbrown5852]

Great informative video, thank you

[@maxbruce4220]

I love my 93 rx7 more than anything ❤

[@fastinradfordable]

rotorhead 88 one of the best looking cars imo

[@maxbruce4220]

@@fastinradfordable agree 1000%

ok

[@damienhunt4264]

Congratulations on your interesting and informative uploads.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks Damien

[@user-wq3sd6dz3n]

かっこ良い‼️🎵 広島生の最高の車❗️ 素晴らしい動画ありがとう‼️👍️ from Hiroshima Japan

[@jameslatimer1432]

Becoming the best car channel on you tube

[@autoazure]

Great video and Music!

[@karlosh9286]

I had a 1988 Second Gen (Porsche 924 look alike) normally aspirated Mazda RX-7 in about 1993 for just 1 year. I loved it. Coming from a Ford Sierra it was quite different. As I recall the RX-7 at the time had the most expensive exhaust to replace on any car in the UK. Something like £1500 for the complete system ! This was mainly due to the "after burner" that introduced air into the exhaust manifold to burn off all the unburnt fuel for emissions . At the time it was possible to throw all the "after burner" emissions equipment away and get a Janspeed exhaust for about £700 that released a fair few more BHP from the engine. As said in the video, it was the fuel consumption that was a killer. I found if I hammered it, I could get it as low as 16 MPG, drive really easy on a long run and it could do 23 MPG. Usually it averaged around 19 MPG. At the time I had it, UK petrol was around £0.50 / litre, but it was still too expensive to run. So I sold it after 1 year, and got another fricking Sierra that could do around 30 MPG ! I miss my Mazda RX-7 , plus I was young at the time :)

[@Iskelderon]

FD RX-7 and the Z32 300ZX, Japanese sports cars that will always have a special place in my heart!

[@vassa1972]

Great video I also loved these cars back in the day

[@chawenhalo0089]

Really good video thank you. One of my favourite cars ever. One day...

[@xdafactor7684]

NICE VIDEO, GREAT MEMORIES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO RX8/ROTARY COME BACK.

[@christopherpearce7368]

My 2001 type R Bathurst R was a lot of fun to drive and fantastic to look at. Even with the advances that the series 8 had, the turbos did not always sequence properly and the power delivery could be unpredictable.

[@jamesengland7461]

Great video as always! RX-7s look so fun, but at times they got worse gas mileage than their contemporary Corvette competitors.

[@cristianionita2147]

the RX-8 is just amazing, I am still waiting for a rotary engine car like this, maybe an RX-9 with the SkyActive Technology? :P who knows!

[@ameasureofpipps]

Great video, thanks 👍🏻

[@BOABModels]

Really interesting - I learnt about cars like the Rx-7 from Gran Turismo like many others did in Europe. Now I'm making a Tamiya scale model 1992 RX-7 replica.

[@sipope70]

Love the channel. I wondered if you would consider doing a video one day on the Datsun 160JSSS. It was a car my Grandad owned for many years but as i was so young i never researched this now rare car further. Can't wait for the next video thank you so much for your hard work time and effort.

[@BigCar2]

Maybe, but not soon. I have a lot of other cars on the list! Glad you like my videos!

[@sipope70]

@@BigCar2 i can't wait to see what you have in store

[@MichaelAusserbauer]

Brillant. As in fact all your other vids are.

[@T.E.S.S.]

the RX-8 is one of my all-time favourites. so good.

[@jayartz8562]

In the early 90's had an RX2 with mild port 12a RX7 motor, custom exhaust and E1600 van diff. It handled and braked badly but not much would touch it in a straight line, the front wheels would leave the ground on a hard take off. The way the rotary power comes on is addictive, like a 2 stroke sportbike, no other car engine like it. It used V8 levels of petrol but was reliable for me. Early rotaries worth a small fortune these days.

[@jameslatimer1432]

I used to work for AJM MAZDA in chadwellheath IN THE LATE 80S AND LOVED DRIVING THESE CARS ON ROAD TEST VERY FAST CAR FOR THERE DAY , I actually got banned from driving them by the governor George for driving them too FAST ,, ,!!

[@JaredWalsh]

Daily drove a 1987 rx7 for 6 years and daily drove an 04 rx8 for almost 7 years. Reliable cars IF you do proper maintenance. Which is not normal. Rx8 has a comfortable backseat compared to any other coupe/2+2 I’ve ever been in.

[@wrighty338]

good video, too many people forget the earlier rx cars

[@poncho828]

My fc rx7 had over 210000 miles without any issues before I sold it. I would say it was very reliable.

[@maxpower001]

Gotta be a Guinness world record if that was the original engine with original Apex seals.. Mazda themselves said they were only good for 80k👍

[@weasle2904]

yeah okay boomer. My 1914 Model T has one hundred GAZILLION miles without any issues before I sold it

[@7sins979]

fun video but a couple of things wrong here. 1: the series 6 rx7 had 255 hp in factory form 2: the rx7 ended production with the 2002 model year in japan

[@hazzah2276]

The first RX-7 was a well proportioned, clean design, and in the context of the time, it was a good looking car. I'd say it was a classic. I've driven an RX8 on narrow country roads, and it was a great drive, especially if you enjoy a buzzy engine with lots of gears available. The RX8 died in large part because of the word of mouth/internet forums highlighting the problem that if you stalled (or switched engine off to close the garage) just after starting, in some cases it just wouldn't restart and needed a dealer's truck to take it away - its reputation never recovered. In the UK second hand ones are usually broken, the seats especially are fantastic to transpose to other cars. Even though Mazda did the wankel engine well, it was always fighting the market "wankel" negativity (NSU was brought to its knees by their engine). Also finding post warranty mechanics who understood it and were willing to work on it, was also a challenge.

[@MechanicalMentor]

Really enjoyed this video. Thanks man!

[@BigCar2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sqd8r]

Had a 1st and 2nd gen, loved them. Unfortunately the 3rd gen and RX8 were out of my price range and the rotary engine issues, so I went MX5 and never looked back. Loved them all.

[@raulcontes5533]

VERY GOOD INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ima rotary engine addict!!! from PUERTO RICO!!

[@havoc3742]

There's a Reason why the FC and FD are both the cars of choice of the Takehashi Twins in Initial D.

[@iEnofadov]

Fun Fact: Ever heard of the Mazda Roadpacer AP? Hmm, probably not! It was a rebadged HJ/HX Holden Premier sedan and was exported from Australia to Japan in 1975 to 1977 without engines and upon reaching Japan, they would be fitted with the 1.3L Wankel engine! It's believed to be the only GM product ever to be fitted with a rotary engine. You're welcome! :)

[@shebbs1]

Yeah, had the power of the 4.2 Holden V8, but bugger all torque. The weight advantage of the rotary was not enough to offset the crude dynamics and weight of the Holden.

[@donp2166]

Great video!

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks. Another in a great series. It is weird to here the MX-5 called that as in North America it was the Miata.

[@BigCar2]

And now it's the MX-5!

[@shebbs1]

Funny how the many products have a special US-only name. Strange.

[@SaturnCanuck]

@@shebbs1 No not really. It's called Grey Market. Look it up

[@95blahblahhaha]

Great vid like the rest 👍👍🤘🚘

[@miata889]

You are doing a great job.... u deserve 1 million subscribers 😀😀

[@BigCar2]

Just go and tell 972,000 of your closest friends!

[@JB-sv5pr]

Love em all owned all three rx7z an a rx8 mazda is in my blood! Dad has a rx3 and sa22 cheers !

[@ultr4fly60]

The RX-Vision concept car looks awsome.

[@ck-mriya6457]

love your videos!! please do an MR2 video soon :)

[@BigCar2]

I'll do it at some point!