Throwback Thursday 1993 Mazda RX-7 Review

Throwback Thursday: 1993 Mazda RX-7 Review

The product of a unique moment in Japanese history, almost the exact minute the Japanese economic miracle of the 1980s came to a screeching halt, the 1993 Mazda RX-7 is one of the truest outliers in the history of automobiles. Intended for a Japanese market that was flush with cash and looking for sports cars, the FD-generation Mazda coupe found its way to America when the island nation's economy went bust and the manufacturer needed an outlet for surplus units that couldn't be sold. What followed were three model years, from 1993 to 1995, of one of the most genuinely special sports cars you'll find on the road.

The Rotary Engine

From an engineering standpoint, the fact that the RX-7 during the FD generation sported a 1.3L twin-turbo rotary engine -- something normally only seen by consumers in the light-aircraft sector -- is the most obvious thing that amateur mechanics will want to talk about. Notorious for blowing seals and being high maintenance, the rotary engine delivered:

255 horsepower

18 mpg city

24 mpg highway

215 foot-pounds of torque at 5,000 RPM

A 0-to-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds

A top driving range of 460 miles

Sports car enthusiasts could burn out using its 5-speed manual transmission, and more mundane drivers would still have lots of fun with the 4-speed automatic version. If you can lay your hands on a version with a twin turbocharger, do so. While the 1993 has excellent horsepower, the standard version can be a bit lacking for low-RPM torque, making it more sleepy than sleeper as a drag racer.

Smooth Lines

Mazda was also ahead of its time in producing a sports car with very smooth lines. While many car manufacturers were still lingering in the 1980s era of sharp edges, the RX had rounded lines that looked more like the generation of cars that were yet to come in the late 1990s and early 2000s, such as Detroit's reborn Ford Thunderbird. This made it an instant standout on the road.

The interior trim spared no expenses for the time. Bucket-style seats provided an instant racing feel, and a robust instrument panel made the FD generation a favorite among lovers of snappy dials. It's also an unapologetic two-seater, winning points with drivers who want nothing less than a proper roadster.

On the downside, the aftermarket for the RX is tilted heavily toward people who want the non-modified version. For those who want to trick out one 25 years after its anniversary, they should be aware that they're likely to adversely impact its resale value.

Handling

The first thing you should know about the 1993 Mazda RX-7 is that it had a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution. It also was feather light at 2,800 pounds, and it came with ABS brakes, far from standard for the time period. A rock-solid rear differential allowed the Mazda to maintain excellent control in a wide range of conditions. For those who want to get adventurous, aftermarket kits for adjustable lower control and trailing arms can still be had.

The stock model is considered a vehicle that drives incredibly close to true, making it appealing if you're looking for a car that corners aggressively without a lot of tinkering. Even a quarter-century on, this version of the RX is still widely considered one of the best handling in the series and among the best ever put on the road.

If there's a downside to the FD generation, though, it's the suspension. The arm bushings have a reputation for getting noisy, and the stock suspension has a reputation as being more for folks who want the look of a sports car rather than the road feel of one.

Maintenance

Like many sports cars, this version of the RX requires near-constant attention. There weren't a ton ever put into production, so you can expect to have to order a lot of parts rather than just finding one at the nearest U-pull-it salvage yard. The rotary engine design also means you'd better be ready to learn to work on a type of engine you may literally have never put your hands on before. That also makes it an expensive vehicle to take to the garage.

You should also be prepared to do plenty of routine maintenance. This RX needs fresh oil every 1,000 miles, and you can expect to swap out wires, plugs and the fuel filter on an annual basis. The vacuum line system in this edition of the RX has been described by many technicians as a downright bird's nest of a mess, too.

Conclusion

The 1993 model released in North America is rare enough to instantly get attention. If you're looking for something that is powerful and handles well, you'll definitely want to give the RX a drive.