BUYER GUIDE
RETRO RX-7
Mazda’s original RX-7 changed the rules governing Japanese sports car design, then in 1986 took its challenge to the depths of Europe. It was aimed in particular at Porsche, whose 944 bore a remarkable resemblance to Mazda’s second-generation RX-7. The 944 had appeared in 1982, just as Mazda’s stylists would have been inking the outline for an RX-7 to replace the one that had been doing outstanding business since 1978. And anyway what would be wrong with making your Gen. 2 RX-7 look just like the classy, front-engined Porsche?
The new car’s wheelbase and overall dimensions were closen to match those of the S3 RX-7 but the shape of the new car was totally different. Despite looking more substantial the Series 4 actually dropped 10kg while replacing the earlier model’s live axle with an independent rear end and DTSS (Dynamic Tracking Suspension System).
All-disc brakes were standard, the alloy wheels expanded from 14 to 15 inches and VR-rated tyres were fitted.
Switching to Mazda’s 13B rotary engine delivered a 22 percent torque boost, with 182Nm arriving at 3000rpm. The new car also ran cooler and offered better economy. Fuel injection became standard and incorporated two-stage fuel delivery with a microprocessor. The vibration and resonance issues that plagued early rotaries were reduced by introduction of revised engine mounts.
Power from the basic engine climbed to a respectable 110kW but to challenge that pesky Porsche and rivals like
Mitsubishi’s Starion, the RX-7 needed turbo intervention.
June 1986 saw a turbocharged RX-7 arrive in Australia, with a 32 percent power boost to 146kW and a huge jump in peak torque. Acceleration was noticeably improved, with the 0-100km/h dropping below 8 seconds.
Four-speed automatic cars came with a slightly lower (4.1:1) final-drive ratio than the five-speed manual but low-speed acceleration was still sluggish.
Australian-market Series 4s came in the equivalent of Limited trim, meaning air-conditioning as standard, central locking, power windows and an electric sliding sunroof.
Those features were retained into 1989 when the Series 5 RX-7 appeared. Despite slow sales of non-turbo cars, Mazda still didn’t drop the basic model. However the majority of Series 5s in the used market will be turbocharged.
The most contentious issue when discussing rotary-engined cars is fuel consumption. In contemporary tests, S4s with all their factory-fresh components recorded 15-16L/100km and that will still be typical for a suburban-driven Turbo.
History counts for plenty when deciding which turbo-engined RX-7 to buy and prices have climbed steeply during recent years. Quality Series 4s have hit $20,000 but newer S5s remain inexplicably cheaper. From Japan as low volume imports come a few open-top cars priced at similar money to coupe equivalents. Buying a quality car with lots of history and scrupulous service records will prove worthy in the long term.