The Mazda RX-7 is one of the best Japanese sports cars ever created. The rotary powered classic was of course produced by Mazda from 1978 and right up to 2002 in Japan, and it has also become a hugely popular car in the JDM modding scene. The FD RX-7 might be the ultimate iteration, made from 1993 to 1995. There might have been better or faster Japanese cars around at the time, but the FD RX-7 still holds a special place in the heart of many. Including our favorite quirks and features man, Doug DeMuro.
DeMuro is of course one of the most prolific automotive YouTubers with over four million subscribers and with one of the best eyes for checking out the quirks and features on various cars be they modern supercars or small Japanese Kei cars. In one of his latest videos, DeMuro has checked out some of the fun cars that he would buy on a budget of $50,000. And one of the cars that he features in this video is the FD Mazda RX-7, a car that DeMuro loves and has plenty of reasons for doing so, and we happen to agree with him too.
Why DeMuro Loves The Mazda RX-7
There are ten cars on this list of DeMuros, and the FD RX-7 comes in around halfway through DeMuros list. DeMuro himself thinks it is the most beautiful Japanese car ever made, and cringes when he sees one modified. We have to agree here. The FD RX-7 is a stunning car, with some truly sleek lines and gracious curves so, even if you think there are more beautiful Japanese cars out there, we can probably all agree that they are one of the most beautiful JDM cars ever made.
One issue though as DeMuro touches on is the engine in the FD RX-7. While the rotary is fantastic to listen too and feel when driving, it is a bit laughable in the reliability department. Eating a lot of oil was one such issue. You can actually find these for a lot less than $50,000 even in good condition, although you might need some $20,000 to maintain the car as DeMuro also touches on. It's just the reputation that the RX-7 has when it comes to the reliability. Away from that though, the RX-7 is a very well-balanced car, and is great to throw around.
One Of The Best JDM Cars Anyone Can Drive
That lightweight nature of the RX-7 means they are one of the best JDM cars you can drive, as well as being very well-balanced thanks to their lightweight nature. The chassis and transmission is superb, meshing together beautifully, and it’s a car that gearheads absolutely love. It really is just that reliability that lets it down, making it a real challenge to own and maintain despite that potential low price tag. The challenge of maintaining one of these though might be something that appeals to a lot of people.
As DeMuro himself says, there are a plenty of upsides to owning such a car. Mazda hands down nailed the styling of the FD RX-7, meaning you really don’t need to modify them to make them look any better. The FD featured pop up headlights of course, a staple feature back in the 1990s which helped keep the front of the RX-7 exceptionally clean and streamlined. That streamlining was also transferred across the rest of the car and while there was a rear spoiler, it was quite subtle and blended in nicely with the car.
Why You Might Be Hesitant To Buy One
While they are great cars, there are reasons to be a touch cautious when buying one. As well as general reliability issues, the biggest issue is perhaps the Apex seals on the car. These are perhaps the weakest link on the otherwise superb rotary engine that the RX-7 has. Plenty of RX-7 owners have come across this issue over the years, and sometimes it has resulted in an engine rebuild. The condition of the RX-7 will no doubt dictate how soon you have to have a look at your Apex seals!
Still Without A Doubt A Great JDM Car
Despite these problems, the FD RX-7 is still, without a doubt, a truly brilliant car. The rotary engine performs superbly when it is properly maintained, and you will be happy in the knowledge that you are driving one of the prettiest looking Japanese cars that anyone will ever come across. If you see a reflection of yourself in a building, you won’t be able to stop smiling. Sure, there are reliability issues. But if you can keep on top of them, for less than $50,000, you really can’t go wrong with an FD RX-7.
Source: Doug DeMuro YouTube Channel