| For some people a great car under $1000 dollars is a | | | | powerful models all the way up to 1995 in the US. So |
| vehicle that can be fun to drive and serve an | | | | these cars can be had all day for less than $1000 |
| economical purpose. Being a great daily commuter or | | | | dollars and most parts are still easy to find and cheap. |
| a winter beater is typically a task that is sought after | | | | What makes these cars so much fun is that although |
| in a cheap used car. However for some its all about | | | | the early models didn't have a very technologically |
| the drive and the fun factor thats why I'll go ahead | | | | advanced design (no rack and pinion steering and a |
| and say that the vehicle featured in this profile is for | | | | live axle rear end), but they provide everything that |
| those who are looking for a pure sports car. | | | | a sports car should have. When you sit in one the |
| Profile: (79-85) Mazda RX-7 | | | | controls fall to your hands perfectly and even for a 6 |
| In 1979 few people in America had ever driven | | | | + footer like myself the car fits like a glove. Staring |
| Mazdas or even knew what the heck a "Rotary" | | | | at you is a big center mounted tach that the rotary |
| engine was, but that all changed with the debut of | | | | engines just love to push to the limit. For those that |
| the RX-7. Mazda set out to build a flagship sports car | | | | are looking for the pure sports car experience that is |
| to compete against the Datsun Z series, and the | | | | offered by makes like MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, and |
| RX-7 is the product of that effort. What instantly | | | | Porsche this is a car that can fit the bill. The cars |
| sets the RX-7 apart is the fact that it uses a very | | | | balance is perfect, but it is prone to a little snap over |
| unconventional engine known as a "rotary engine". I | | | | steer and the 5.5 inch stock wheels don't provide |
| won't go into great detail about these engines as | | | | insane amounts of grip, but none of the other great |
| that is an article in itself, but to give those not in the | | | | sports cars of the past really did either. Even the |
| know an idea; the rotary is basically an engine that | | | | manual steering is a pleasure in these cars as you can |
| does not use pistons like a conventional engine. It | | | | really feel the road and the available power is just |
| uses rotors that "rotate" in a housing in a clock like | | | | enough to get you in trouble. |
| motion.( remember that spirograph when you were a | | | | The rotary gets a real bad wrap from a lot of |
| kid? Now you get the idea). What this allows is a | | | | people, but there is a reason it has such a dedicated |
| very small and compact design that can provide | | | | and enthusiastic following. The 12A engine that came |
| smooth and high revving power. | | | | in the early models is a very under stressed engine |
| The first generation of RX-7 is composed of the | | | | that in my opinion can hold up to the abuse just as |
| parts one would expect in a sports car. A small light | | | | good as anything else. ( if you want some serious |
| weight chassis, high revving engine, rear-wheel drive, | | | | horsepower there are several V-8 swap kits available |
| and in this case a "front-mid engine" placement. Stock | | | | that this chassis can handle with ease) Now after |
| power levels were at about 100hp which provided | | | | driving and owning a few of these vehicles I can go |
| very respectable speed compared to competition of | | | | ahead and say that if you decide to venture out in |
| the time. There were also 3 models the GS, GSL, and | | | | the snow in an RX-7 do so at your own risk, and as |
| GSL-SE each having better features than the next. | | | | far as fuel mileage goes the rotary is a little thirsty |
| The GSL-SE models can be highly sought after for | | | | (expect 20 mpg avg. even from this small engine) |
| their fuel injection and 5 lug hubs making aftermarket | | | | However gas mileage and winter drive-ability is NOT |
| wheel choices much better than the other models. | | | | what this car is all about. These cars are what gave |
| Now on to what makes this car an All-Star. This car | | | | Mazda the right to preach "zoom-zoom" as they |
| was a smash hit for Mazda in the early 80's and | | | | provide a true experience for the driver not just |
| although we are only covering the first generation in | | | | another drive. Thats why to this day this author still |
| this profile Mazda produced more advanced and more | | | | owns one. |