About Used Mazda RX-7 Cars in Utah
The Mazda RX-7 was one of the
few classic sports cars to come from Japan.
Known for its sleek styling, unique rotary
engine and affordable price, the two-door
coupe was an instant hit from the moment it
was introduced for the 1979 model year.
Mazda's devotion to the Wankel rotary engine
is one of the more well-known quirks of the
auto industry. Through three generations,
Mazda made sure that the RX-7 stayed on the
cutting edge of design and performance,
completely overhauling the car for each
model change. Unfortunately, Mazda probably
went too far with the final RX-7. Sagging
sales forced Mazda to stop importing the
RX-7 to the North American market just three
years into its product cycle. Though Mazda
is currently producing a rotary-powered
successor, the four-seat RX-8, many
enthusiasts are still hoping the company
will bring out an all-new RX-7. Mazda's
singular goal for the third and
final-generation RX-7 was to create a pure
sports car. Launched in 1993, this Mazda
RX-7 was still a rear-wheel-drive two-door
coupe. The 1993-'95 RX-7 proved to be an
impressive all-around performer. The
suspension was tuned for the track, and the
RX-7 came with many high-performance
features, including a limited-slip
differential, four-wheel antilock disc
brakes and a five-speed manual transmission.
A four-speed automatic can be found as an
option. The suspension on this used car was
tight, but also too harsh for everyday
driving. Sales lagged, and Mazda dropped the
coupe from the U.S. market in 1995. More
than a decade later, the last-generation
Mazda RX-7 still holds up quite well when
compared to more modern sports cars thanks
to its exhilarating performance and
beautiful styling. The twin-turbo rotary's
reputation for durability is less than ideal
and many RX-7s of this vintage have been
driven hard or modified with aftermarket
performance parts. Mazda's intentions with
the RX-7 were clear from the very first
generation. Sold from 1979-'85, the original
RX-7 established the car's DNA as a small,
light and fun-to-drive sports coupe. Its
100-hp, 1146cc (1.1-liter) Wankel rotary
engine wasn't the most impressive power
plant on the market. But a rigid chassis,
light curb weight and optimum 50/50 weight
distribution gave the RX-7 great handling
characteristics. A five-speed manual
transmission was standard. A well-equipped
GSL trim was added in 1981, but the first
major changes didn't come until the
introduction of the GSL-SE trim in 1984.
That version replaced the 100-hp engine with
a 1.3-liter rotary equipped with fuel
injection, producing 135 hp and dropping the
coupe's 0-60 time into the high 7s. Released
in 1986, the second-generation Mazda RX-7
was a complete overhaul of the previous
model. This used car has a longer wheelbase
and a wider track. And for the first time,
it was equipped with an independent rear
suspension. Mazda also offered an optional
2+2 seat layout, but the rear seats were
more useful for carrying small cargo than
people. Later that year, Mazda introduced
the first RX-7 Turbo, which featured a
turbocharged 1.3-liter rotary that made 182
hp. With 0-60-mph time in the low 6-second
range, the RX-7 Turbo finally gave the model
lineup superior engine performance to go
with the car's impressive handling ability.
Capitalizing on the car's popularity, Mazda
also released a convertible two-seater in
1988. It was available exclusively with the
non-turbo 146-hp engine and a five-speed
manual transmission. A year later, Mazda
tweaked the rotary engine and bumped the
naturally aspirated models up to 160 hp and
the Turbo to 200 hp. This used car can be
found in many different ‘generations’, each
one improving on the next. It is a fun
sports car to drive, at a great used car
price.
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