We've come a long way since then, but in all fairness, this was still the Malaise Era, almost finished but not quite, so those were very respectable numbers for 1982. I remember the Motorweek Retro Review of the Chevy Chevette or Pontiac T1000... they actually ran out of space before it got to 60 MPH, and the quarter mile time, whatever it was, left them speechless.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 probably the chevette but might have been something else too, I believe in the Pontiac review they clocked it at 30 seconds for 0-60
yeah, and in the day it produced slightly less HP than the 5 liter Camaro.🤣 Now my Tesla has about 500 HP. (0 to 60 in 3.2 sec) great on back roads... and cliffs too😁
My favorite generation of RX7. I personally had a 1st Gen series 2, a 1982 GSL I bought when I was 16. It had a bridgeported 12A, Webber 48 carb, full Racing Beat exhaust with Brospeed silencer and had a set of vintage SSR Super Star wheels....god I miss that thing.
@@johnnygeorgopoulos4072 Exactly, I had 3 of them in the early 90s. 400 to 1000 bucks depending on condition. Back then, Bridgeport, dual side webers, and racing beat exhaust was all you needed to smoke everybody lol good times!
A Japanese 944 (right as the 944 came to the US). Compared to that car’s pricing, this looks like a good value. - I like the looks of this more loaded example. The front air dam, rear spoiler and even the 80s style louvers all work for me - pushes the right buttons!
The 944's engine was much more reliable than these rotary's, even in Turbo form. Most of the rotary's have long since died, and the remaining RX7's rusted to hell long ago. lol
I love watching the reviews they did back in 1982-84. They were filmed at the very end of the I-70 extension (which is now a Park & Ride). I grew up in Edmondson Heights, the neighborhood right behind there.
The first time I saw that on a map, I was confused. To see a highway dead stop like that. But I guess Baltimore city didn't want 70 to extend beyond the Park and Ride.
My first RX-7 was a red 1980 GS with the same factory rear spoiler. I still have it plus 6 others (4 GSL SE and GXL) including a race car... Yeah, they hooked me!
My Dad had one in the 80s and my 16 year old self would nervously ask to take my date out to dinner. I was on top of the world 😄. Fun car 🚗 to drive. I still remember the pull choke to start when cold and no power steering. If they had gotten better gas mileage they would probably still be around.
@@TheMrPeteChannel well being a Dad now I agree 😆. It was a red 83 with the 5 speed manual. I didn’t drive to crazy but really enjoyed catching 2nd gear ⚙️👍🏼
I saw one for the first time back in 1980 (I was 10 y/o back then), being a 2-door sports car lover, I stood infront of my anonymous neighbour's gate, gazed at the car until he rushed me off .... Well, now I only get to own a 2001 MRS, and keeping it just for the sheer fun of driving it
See........THIS is why I LOVE these Retro Reviews so much!!!!! 1:37..........I grew up seeing those rear-window louvers on MANY sports cars. & I ALWAYS HATED them, myself.
They do help keep the interior cool, though. Especially with no AC like this car! They look ok on a few models, but I agree, usually junky looking, like here.
Nice. I bought a 85 GS for usd$200 in 2013. Had to add my own engine, transmission, interior, brakes, exhaust, radiator, and carburetor. It's a really fun car to drive and work on
One of my two favorite Mazdas. I like removable sunroof. However I would remove forever the louvers on the rear glass. It's a good looking car from the 80's
I was a teen during the 80's and it wasn't about 0 to 60 or quarter mile. it was about small, sporty, good gas mileage and a slick body style. the rx7 embodied everythihg a 150 lb teenager could want and more. a nice stereo, airconditioning. it was super nice.. cheap to keep too.
I was lucky enough to ride a brown early 80s RX-7 when I was in high school. The acceleration was smooth and quick and screams to the 7000 rpm redline. He also showed us the rotor and the “crankshaft” for the rotor. It felt heavy and looked kinda like a giant camshaft.
I had an 85 GS with a/c but without a sunroof or body add ons- back around 2002- 190k miles all original and still ran great. This was Mazda's premium vehicle then and it was very well built even if they used some existing parts to make it (like the truck's steering box).
WOW. There were 3 cool cars I loved growing up in the early 80s . I bought , borrowed, or ( allegedly) stole several. The 82 RX7 , 82 Pontiac Firebird SE V8, and 84 Chevy Camaro Z28 , strange as it sounds , I liked em all equally , BUT the Firebird got more female attention, so, needless to say that's the one I miss the most , but looking back , maybe the RX7 may have been the better car overall . Thanks.
Such a sweet little sports car. Back in 1982, a 17 second quarter mile was quick enough to actually be fun…I’m starting to think they may have had it better than we do 40 years later where anything slower than the high 12s is yawn inducing.
i think its becuz while the numbers are faster, the cars are also so more capable and do it so effortlessly, that theres no drama at all where as an rx7 turbo from 86 doing a 6 sec 0-60 felt very fast.
Yeah, these were pretty sweet cars for their time. The style, performance and handling of a Porsche, but more reliable, and cheaper to buy and service. And that sweet sounding rotary engine!
That listing price is affordable compared to the listing prices of cars these days. And I love RX7s, but finding parts for those and any classic sports car is like finding a needle in a haystack because they're not made anymore.
Tell me about it. Even for non sports cars from the 80s/90s it's still hard to find good replacement parts. Can't find anything cheap and in great condition for my 91 Corolla unless I purchase a completely clean car.
@@rrt08 really? Because I have guys who work at dealers come visit my job, and they say that when cars get old the warehouses get rid of parts for old cars because they want to make room for car parts available for newer cars which is how they get you to buy newer cars.
They're wonderful, sadly they cost today what they were brand new if you can find one in good condition. I had an 82 GSL when I was 16, I should've never sold it. Surprised quite a few people with that little thing (it wasn't stock, bridgeported 12A, Webber's, exhaust ECT), my fondest was when I smoked my best friend's new(to him) 88 Chrysler Conquest TSI (Mitsubishi Starion).
@@johnnygeorgopoulos4072 my 1st car ever was a base 82' in 1989. My best friend later bought a Conquest/Starion we never raced each other but i always had a crush on those widebody tri-stars. Incidentally I was on the phone with him this morning and saw a Conquest on the road. I could almost see his smile through the phone 😁
I had an '83, the only "sportscar" that I ever owned. I liked it, was a very cool car for it's day, but it had a tendency to "fishtail". I remember basically just sliding off the road one time when there was a slight coating of snow. It ended up getting stolen from the parking lot at my condo(it was recovered, without the car stereo), the insurance went up to 2500/year and after 4 years I decided to get rid of it.
My dad purchased his brand new 1980 solar gold S 4-spd for just a shade over 8k. He sold it in 1984 with 14k miles for 8k dollars lol. I was 5 when he bought that car and I raced a 1st and 2nd gen in SCCA improved touring class.
LOL I used to have an 83 GS in gold. It was a fun car. But I worried about it being ripped off all the time. Glad I sold it but it was a really enjoyable car otherwise. And I sold my 90 Convertible this year.
I had a few of this generation models and the 85 with the 13b as well as the 86 rx7 turbo.. they are so analog and packed full of driver experience and road feel compared to Anything you would see today..you Always felt like you were in a proper ,no nonsense sports car when you sat behind the wheel and rowed thru the gears...stopping distance on this one here is shockingly bad at 140 ft from 55mph...I couldnt say the brakes were good on any that I had..the 86 turbo had Way more power than brakes.
Bought one of these used about 20 years ago. Had it a year or two then sold it for a 90s Celica. No power steering. Yikes. Though this was also the car that taught me how to drive stick!
I had a friend who we will call "Jill". She had a drop dead red '81 RX7 and big blonde hair. Every time that thing would break, she would start dating a mechanic. 😉 I really miss the 80's.🤣🤣🤣
Back in 1989, I had 84GS that averaged about 20 miles to the gallon. But when I got headers, it went down to 16. This thing was thirsty but it was only a dollar a gallon so didn't really care
I have an 83 GS, and I find it curious that the sticker price for their 82 was $14k. My window sticker says $11k. I don't have any of the appearance packages though, so maybe that's where the cost comes from. My car does have AC, and has rear drum brakes. To my knowledge, only the GSL had rear disc brakes, but perhaps it was optional on GS trims somehow? I have sales brochures and don't see mention of this, however, so I'm really not sure.
GS didn't have rear discs IDK how they came up with that. The glass roof panel was aftermarket optional and it was expensive. The other add-ons would have been about a grand at that time.
They might correct the mistake they made with the RX8 with another RX model...but I don't expect it to have a rotary engine, except they use the one that was planned as a range extender for the new MX-30. It would probably have their upcoming inline six engine.
@@damilolaakanni anything that resembles this or the third gen I’m down, doesn’t matter what power plant. Though it would lose some of the allure not having the wankel rotary engine
@@myes344 yeah. It was ugly. Though it was quite fun to drive. But if they could incorporate the old RX7s styling into a new design, I’d choose it over the Z, or Supra.
I had a 1980 RX7 GS 5 speed I bought it new. I found it had twitchy rear end handling (Mazda made some suspension changes in 81 to calm the rear a bit) Backfires from the thermal reactor (replaced by a cat for 81) you'd be lucky to get 100K miles out of the engine before it blew the apex seals and needed a rebuild. I sold it when it started to rust out. It was not the greatest car.
My first car was a 81 RX7 GS . Paid 1500 dollars for it in 1993 , apex seals blew the week I got it . Had to get a loan from my credit union to put a used engine in it for another 1500 dollars . Drove from Florida to North Carolina , it didn’t make it back to Florida.
bro, I feel ur pain with those apex seals! my beloved 86 rx7 turbo blew them after I turned the variable boost I added, just alittle too high.. you crank it and get that dredded no compression sound! also replaced the engine like you did, but went with a factory new block.. broke That one in and the throttle stuck wide open, rolled the car, I survived but it was totalled and sold for scrap with that new engine... tears
Its crazy to think that back then these guys didnt like any wings, under skirts, air dams or hood vents..i notice they always comment about that on all the reviews.
My neighbor had an 83 RX7 sitting in his garage for the longest time. It seemed like such an odd choice for an older man from Texas who in all respects fit the stereotypical Texan description.
$14,000 in 1982 is about $39,700 in 2021 dollars. This, for 100HP, no air conditioning, and no traction or stability control. This car was incredibly overpriced for it's day and the equivalent would be paying $40k for a BRZ or GR86 now. You can't option either of those to 40k.
You can import dream cars like this from japan. At 5k to 50k plus shipping. In like new condition goggle it. But shipping price have 3x in the last year. There is drift car tax. Cars popular like skyline or something rare will cost alot more.
Interesting that the braking tests were done with the airbrakes up. That's the headlights, of course. They hurt top speed by around 5mph, too. And who let the tweaker do the underhood antics? I'll bet he forgot to put the oil cap back on.
The real 0-60 time was 10.2 seconds. I know because I owned one, and I timed it with an accelerometer. ( A G-tech ). Although the gsl - se model did 0 - 60 in 8 seconds flat according to Car And Drivers official road test
The body kit is nice but the louvers they got to go. Maybe my 80’s self liked them lol. I adored these FBs when they came out. I remember when I was buying my first car, a CRX, this was number two on my list.
Remember when car makers made cars? Instead of the same two generic "it's a formless lump of SUV" and "It's a formless lump of sedan"?
remember when cars had Road Feel? hop in most of todays cars and try to find that
@@skip741x3 my 18 Mazda 3 is pretty great
@@bvedantmy friend's '81 Mazda GLC was better.
Hell sedans are now interesting to see just because almost everyone drives a crossover SUV
You can sell anything if you call it an SUV - sad.
“Few cars can achieve this high speed of 17.1 second quarter mile at 80mph”
We are living in a privileged era of performance
amen brother!
Today Civic and other economy cars can beat that number.
We've come a long way since then, but in all fairness, this was still the Malaise Era, almost finished but not quite, so those were very respectable numbers for 1982. I remember the Motorweek Retro Review of the Chevy Chevette or Pontiac T1000... they actually ran out of space before it got to 60 MPH, and the quarter mile time, whatever it was, left them speechless.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 probably the chevette but might have been something else too, I believe in the Pontiac review they clocked it at 30 seconds for 0-60
yeah, and in the day it produced slightly less HP than the 5 liter Camaro.🤣
Now my Tesla has about 500 HP. (0 to 60 in 3.2 sec) great on back roads... and cliffs too😁
I bought a used 82 GS RX-7 for 500 dollars back in 2004 and I still miss that little car. I also was lucky enough to own a 87 Turbo II for 8 years.
You should kept the rx7
Im was a proud owner of three rx7 turbo2's and two rx7 gxl's 1987s..LEGENDARY CARS!!!
@@ralphpolo8612 You lucky 🐶 👍👍👍
@@j.m.5995 Your right LUCKY!!! my first 87 t2 i paid 1500 in 1996 ..my brother had the 10th anniversary that was his first car..he totaled it.
nice fart can
My favorite generation of RX7. I personally had a 1st Gen series 2, a 1982 GSL I bought when I was 16. It had a bridgeported 12A, Webber 48 carb, full Racing Beat exhaust with Brospeed silencer and had a set of vintage SSR Super Star wheels....god I miss that thing.
Really? You must have been a baller to purchase that car when you were 16 years old.
@@johnjuarez8005 they were cheap back then, I'm 40 now.
@@johnnygeorgopoulos4072 Exactly, I had 3 of them in the early 90s. 400 to 1000 bucks depending on condition. Back then, Bridgeport, dual side webers, and racing beat exhaust was all you needed to smoke everybody lol good times!
@@johnnygeorgopoulos4072 This generation of Mazda RX7 is my favorites, specially 85-88
A Japanese 944 (right as the 944 came to the US). Compared to that car’s pricing, this looks like a good value.
-
I like the looks of this more loaded example. The front air dam, rear spoiler and even the 80s style louvers all work for me - pushes the right buttons!
Rx7 is more fun because cheap and high rev. U have to drive it in high rev
Lol and according to this video the porsche was slower... these numbers were just not true!
By the end of its run (at least in the UK) the RX7 was as expensive as a Porsche.
The 944's engine was much more reliable than these rotary's, even in Turbo form. Most of the rotary's have long since died, and the remaining RX7's rusted to hell long ago. lol
@@1vw4me You mean the gutless audi 4 banger that couldn't rev to save its life and sounded like a washing machine? Yes, how exciting it was...
I love watching the reviews they did back in 1982-84. They were filmed at the very end of the I-70 extension (which is now a Park & Ride). I grew up in Edmondson Heights, the neighborhood right behind there.
The first time I saw that on a map, I was confused. To see a highway dead stop like that. But I guess Baltimore city didn't want 70 to extend beyond the Park and Ride.
Wow...it has all the gauges John wants!
My first RX-7 was a red 1980 GS with the same factory rear spoiler. I still have it plus 6 others (4 GSL SE and GXL) including a race car... Yeah, they hooked me!
Me too. Still have GSL-SE and even RX-8
@@RCnAZ-y3z Enjoy!
Since the age of 14, I've always loved and wanted a RX7
Classic😎and with this being the most popular rotary vehicle in the US it has always been very desirable👌
Since during the time it was sold it was the only rotary engined vehicle sold it couldn't help but be the most popular.
@@williamegler8771 hahahaha. true. 😂
Yup😉
@@williamegler87711:58
That front bumper looks so good!
My Dad had one in the 80s and my 16 year old self would nervously ask to take my date out to dinner. I was on top of the world 😄. Fun car 🚗 to drive. I still remember the pull choke to start when cold and no power steering. If they had gotten better gas mileage they would probably still be around.
If I was your dad then no way I'd let you drive it!
@@TheMrPeteChannel well being a Dad now I agree 😆. It was a red 83 with the 5 speed manual. I didn’t drive to crazy but really enjoyed catching 2nd gear ⚙️👍🏼
Had a red 86 and after so many years I still miss it.
@2:20 “Watcha doin’ Ron?”
“Ahhh, just cleanin’ the oil off the dipstick, Tim.”
Truly one of the best cars ever, flaws and all! My mom had one just like this, loved it!
Wow, does this bring back some memories. My first car was an '85 base model RX7, and I still miss that thing.
I miss you RX-7. Thank you for reminding me how much I loved my Mazda. Good video
I remember the original 79's on the showroom floor. Was hooked first time I saw one. Always thought this generation was an all time classic design.
I saw one for the first time back in 1980 (I was 10 y/o back then), being a 2-door sports car lover, I stood infront of my anonymous neighbour's gate, gazed at the car until he rushed me off .... Well, now I only get to own a 2001 MRS, and keeping it just for the sheer fun of driving it
See........THIS is why I LOVE these Retro Reviews so much!!!!! 1:37..........I grew up seeing those rear-window louvers on MANY sports cars. & I ALWAYS HATED them, myself.
They do help keep the interior cool, though. Especially with no AC like this car! They look ok on a few models, but I agree, usually junky looking, like here.
I have them on my 83 supra and I love them!
Had an ‘84 GSL-SE, first of the model with fuel injection. What a fun car.
👍
Low key review style by John, compared to the rather enthusiastic style of the late 80s and 90s.
The replaceable roof is pretty cool. And I love the louvers!
Nice. I bought a 85 GS for usd$200 in 2013. Had to add my own engine, transmission, interior, brakes, exhaust, radiator, and carburetor. It's a really fun car to drive and work on
Just say you bought an 82' roller
@@RichRotorhead but it's a 85
What a job !
Beautiful sport car.
Oh yeah..Love this ride!
One of my two favorite Mazdas. I like removable sunroof. However I would remove forever the louvers on the rear glass. It's a good looking car from the 80's
...it keeps it shaded though, important with that huuuge bubbled rear window, especially w/o A/C😉
@@klasseact6663 it makes sense. I didn't see it that way. Ok, louvers can stay
@@Jorge-Tamacas my buddy has a 79' and added them a couple years ago and he said really helped😉
The louver was worth it especially on long trips for my dog even with a/c the louvers and tinted side windows helped keep the car cool.
I said I would not want them because block in part your rear view. Reading your comments now I realize it makes sense to have it
I have 3 of this cars❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️love them
this is a very good looking car
I was a teen during the 80's and it wasn't about 0 to 60 or quarter mile. it was about small, sporty, good gas mileage and a slick body style. the rx7 embodied everythihg a 150 lb teenager could want and more. a nice stereo, airconditioning. it was super nice.. cheap to keep too.
love thes retro reviews. thanks!
I remember watching these grown up awesome show
I was lucky enough to ride a brown early 80s RX-7 when I was in high school. The acceleration was smooth and quick and screams to the 7000 rpm redline. He also showed us the rotor and the “crankshaft” for the rotor. It felt heavy and looked kinda like a giant camshaft.
Man I used to own one of those! Mine was a black 85 gsl-se! God I wish I have that car again now!
I had a blue one . 160 HP
@@gcrain464Crain-rd6hfthey were Awesome! That 13b was impressive for its time!
I remember being a bartender with a regular with a white rx-7 who liked white wine as well. That car hit a lot of curbs
I had several RX-7 posters on my wall as a kid. Never got the chance to buy one new or used but did test drive a couple new RX-7's off the lot.
$14,000 for a car without A/C in 1982???? WOW!!!! That was crazy expensive.
No, previous model years were in the $7K range. In 82' were in the $9k-$14K range, with the base models having no AC
I had an 85 GS with a/c but without a sunroof or body add ons- back around 2002- 190k miles all original and still ran great. This was Mazda's premium vehicle then and it was very well built even if they used some existing parts to make it (like the truck's steering box).
WOW. There were 3 cool cars I loved growing up in the early 80s . I bought , borrowed, or ( allegedly) stole several. The 82 RX7 , 82 Pontiac Firebird SE V8, and 84 Chevy Camaro Z28 , strange as it sounds , I liked em all equally , BUT the Firebird got more female attention, so, needless to say that's the one I miss the most , but looking back , maybe the RX7 may have been the better car overall . Thanks.
I got my 85 gs and absolutely love it
Sensacional amigo 👍😁 valeu pela postagem 👏👏👏
Da hora 👍
Such a sweet little sports car. Back in 1982, a 17 second quarter mile was quick enough to actually be fun…I’m starting to think they may have had it better than we do 40 years later where anything slower than the high 12s is yawn inducing.
i think its becuz while the numbers are faster, the cars are also so more capable and do it so effortlessly, that theres no drama at all where as an rx7 turbo from 86 doing a 6 sec 0-60 felt very fast.
I loved mine and miss it. I remember $20 filled up the tank and lasted 2 weeks of daily driving 😃
Yeah, these were pretty sweet cars for their time. The style, performance and handling of a Porsche, but more reliable, and cheaper to buy and service. And that sweet sounding rotary engine!
I had a 1982 Datsun 280ZX. I almost sold it to buy a 1983 RX-7. Later the GSL-SE came out. I definitely should have bought that one.
I have a 1985 Mazda rx7 gslse awesome to see what people thought of it back in the day
I loved mine .
We’re working on restoring a 1981 rx7 and I can’t wait too get it on the road
My dad had a 85 RX7 GS. It was a great car
My 85 still beats the streets to this day.
That listing price is affordable compared to the listing prices of cars these days. And I love RX7s, but finding parts for those and any classic sports car is like finding a needle in a haystack because they're not made anymore.
Tell me about it. Even for non sports cars from the 80s/90s it's still hard to find good replacement parts. Can't find anything cheap and in great condition for my 91 Corolla unless I purchase a completely clean car.
Actually Mazda Dealers still have parts in their warehouses for the RX7.
@@Angrynood you're gonna have to order parts from Japan for old cars like that since they're still used in Japan.
@@rrt08 really? Because I have guys who work at dealers come visit my job, and they say that when cars get old the warehouses get rid of parts for old cars because they want to make room for car parts available for newer cars which is how they get you to buy newer cars.
@@SamiUddin13 I heard the Philippines actually mods a lot of Ae92s, so I'll have to see if there is a way to order from there.
Thank you so much.
I've always wanted to drive one. They look awesome
They're wonderful, sadly they cost today what they were brand new if you can find one in good condition. I had an 82 GSL when I was 16, I should've never sold it. Surprised quite a few people with that little thing (it wasn't stock, bridgeported 12A, Webber's, exhaust ECT), my fondest was when I smoked my best friend's new(to him) 88 Chrysler Conquest TSI (Mitsubishi Starion).
@@johnnygeorgopoulos4072 my 1st car ever was a base 82' in 1989. My best friend later bought a Conquest/Starion we never raced each other but i always had a crush on those widebody tri-stars.
Incidentally I was on the phone with him this morning and saw a Conquest on the road. I could almost see his smile through the phone 😁
Were they running a curved 1/4 mile ? 2:50?
I have a 84 gslse...a clean sa/fb will bring around 10k now...better get one before they go supra crazy!!!
Brings back some good old memories... At a time when gas in California was less than $2.
A true classic beauty
Cool factors is off the charts on this whip.
I’d like to see a rotary powered Miata.
After getting axed in 2013, I don’t think we’ll get another one. Emissions and mileage
I had an '83, the only "sportscar" that I ever owned. I liked it, was a very cool car for it's day, but it had a tendency to "fishtail". I remember basically just sliding off the road one time when there was a slight coating of snow. It ended up getting stolen from the parking lot at my condo(it was recovered, without the car stereo), the insurance went up to 2500/year and after 4 years I decided to get rid of it.
My dad purchased his brand new 1980 solar gold S 4-spd for just a shade over 8k. He sold it in 1984 with 14k miles for 8k dollars lol. I was 5 when he bought that car and I raced a 1st and 2nd gen in SCCA improved touring class.
LOL I used to have an 83 GS in gold. It was a fun car. But I worried about it being ripped off all the time. Glad I sold it but it was a really enjoyable car otherwise. And I sold my 90 Convertible this year.
I sold my ‘90 ‘vert last year .
@@gcrain464Crain-rd6hf such great memories 👍
Have an ‘85 GSL SE with 160,000 miles never any problems.
Best 1st gen RX-7.
Turn signals are mounted by 2 screws, going into the body. That's some rare sight nowadays...
Man, what a neat ride. Kinda sucks that rx7's are just for flexing on social media now.
I purchased a 1982 S2 RX7 in stardust blue about 3 years ago! I'm still yet to restore it and keep it all original except for the exhaust.
I like that front airdam in the thumbnail. Why are they opening that hood outdoors in the rain?
I have a 12a swapped miata, I love it.
I had a few of this generation models and the 85 with the 13b as well as the 86 rx7 turbo.. they are
so analog and packed full of driver experience and road feel compared to Anything you would see today..you Always felt like you were in a proper ,no nonsense sports car when you sat behind the wheel and rowed thru the gears...stopping distance on this one here is shockingly bad at 140 ft from 55mph...I couldnt say the brakes were good on any that I had..the 86 turbo had Way more power than brakes.
Back when a quarter mile of 17.0 @ 80mph was impressive. Still a good car for it’s day though.
1982 Mazda RX-7 GS | Retro Review
Bought one of these used about 20 years ago. Had it a year or two then sold it for a 90s Celica. No power steering. Yikes. Though this was also the car that taught me how to drive stick!
why are the lights not in the light holsters ? maybe air for the brakes
I had a friend who we will call "Jill". She had a drop dead red '81 RX7 and big blonde hair. Every time that thing would break, she would start dating a mechanic. 😉
I really miss the 80's.🤣🤣🤣
The release of this gem of a review inspired by the new mighty car mods project car?
Nope
@@Some_Person6 a happy coincidence. It looks to be the same spec!
Back in 1989, I had 84GS that averaged about 20 miles to the gallon. But when I got headers, it went down to 16. This thing was thirsty but it was only a dollar a gallon so didn't really care
I had the same color, front spoiler, rear spoiler, and mine had the targa 7 stainless steel B pillar piece....
I would swear that half of all first and second gen RX7s came in that orange paint. My old 1987 model did.
I have an 83 GS, and I find it curious that the sticker price for their 82 was $14k. My window sticker says $11k. I don't have any of the appearance packages though, so maybe that's where the cost comes from. My car does have AC, and has rear drum brakes. To my knowledge, only the GSL had rear disc brakes, but perhaps it was optional on GS trims somehow? I have sales brochures and don't see mention of this, however, so I'm really not sure.
GS didn't have rear discs IDK how they came up with that. The glass roof panel was aftermarket optional and it was expensive. The other add-ons would have been about a grand at that time.
Such a pretty car. Hope Mazda brings the rx-7 back like how the other Japanese manufacturers are bring their respective sports cars back.
They brought back it as the rx8. Not as good
They might correct the mistake they made with the RX8 with another RX model...but I don't expect it to have a rotary engine, except they use the one that was planned as a range extender for the new MX-30. It would probably have their upcoming inline six engine.
@@damilolaakanni anything that resembles this or the third gen I’m down, doesn’t matter what power plant. Though it would lose some of the allure not having the wankel rotary engine
@@myes344 yeah. It was ugly. Though it was quite fun to drive. But if they could incorporate the old RX7s styling into a new design, I’d choose it over the Z, or Supra.
Still looking for a clean Gsl-Se
If it’s nice it will be expensive.
@@gcrain464Crain-rd6hf yeah I’ve been liking since the 90’s lmao
I had a 1980 RX7 GS 5 speed I bought it new. I found it had twitchy rear end handling (Mazda made some suspension changes in 81 to calm the rear a bit) Backfires from the thermal reactor (replaced by a cat for 81) you'd be lucky to get 100K miles out of the engine before it blew the apex seals and needed a rebuild. I sold it when it started to rust out. It was not the greatest car.
My first car was a 81 RX7 GS . Paid 1500 dollars for it in 1993 , apex seals blew the week I got it . Had to get a loan from my credit union to put a used engine in it for another 1500 dollars . Drove from Florida to North Carolina , it didn’t make it back to Florida.
bro, I feel ur pain with those apex seals! my beloved 86 rx7 turbo blew them after I turned the variable boost I added, just alittle too high.. you crank it and get that dredded no compression sound! also replaced the engine like you did, but went with a factory new block.. broke That one in and the throttle stuck wide open, rolled the car, I survived but it was totalled and sold for scrap with that new engine... tears
Its crazy to think that back then these guys didnt like any wings, under skirts, air dams or hood vents..i notice they always comment about that on all the reviews.
Main theme of the 80's. High sill.
My neighbor had an 83 RX7 sitting in his garage for the longest time. It seemed like such an odd choice for an older man from Texas who in all respects fit the stereotypical Texan description.
Back when John did all the work!! 😂 😂 😂
Didn't these has a coolant injection system to help cold starting?
Not sure if 82 did in particular but some years did. Worked fine without it.
@@evorider3689 well, yeah, all the carbureted ones had a choke. The coolant injection is an additional system these things had
Can we talk about inflation from 1978-1982? 7k to 9.2k. Thats a HUGE increase
$14,000 in 1982 is about $39,700 in 2021 dollars. This, for 100HP, no air conditioning, and no traction or stability control. This car was incredibly overpriced for it's day and the equivalent would be paying $40k for a BRZ or GR86 now. You can't option either of those to 40k.
You can import dream cars like this from japan. At 5k to 50k plus shipping. In like new condition goggle it. But shipping price have 3x in the last year. There is drift car tax. Cars popular like skyline or something rare will cost alot more.
Back when cars were fun! RX-7, 944, MR-2, CRX si, ……..too bad today most people drive mindless SUV blobs full of all their junk!
9k base model 🤣
Too much or too less?
That would be $25k today.
Yea but things cost less before a burger is like 50cent.
Perfect car 🚗
when it has oil in it lol
I like this car
@Motorweek can We see The 1998 Mazda 626 Please?!🙏🏽
Timed with Mighty Car Mods new purchase !
Interesting that the braking tests were done with the airbrakes up.
That's the headlights, of course. They hurt top speed by around 5mph, too.
And who let the tweaker do the underhood antics? I'll bet he forgot to put the oil cap back on.
I would have to question that 0-60 in 4.2 seconds 🤔
that was the 40-55 test not the 0-60
The real 0-60 time was 10.2 seconds. I know because I owned one, and I timed it with an accelerometer. ( A G-tech ). Although the gsl - se model did 0 - 60 in 8 seconds flat according to Car And Drivers official road test
'minus the trick bodywork' :D
The body kit is nice but the louvers they got to go. Maybe my 80’s self liked them lol. I adored these FBs when they came out. I remember when I was buying my first car, a CRX, this was number two on my list.
It's too bad these cars had such an appetite for oil. Great looking car!