Low Mile Creampuff: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Convertible
The second generation Mazda RX-7 was known as the FC and over 270,000 examples were built in Japan from 1985-1991 for worldwide consumption. The FC was, of course, powered by a Wankel rotary engine and featured the athletic reflexes matched by few cars in the 1980s. If you can live the eccentricities of the odd spinning thing under the hood, these cars are sublime to drive. Find this 1988 Mazda RX-7 Convertible offered for $7,500 in Findlay, OH. Tip from Jeff.
The FC generation RX-7 is in the no-mans-land between appreciating classics and depreciating junk, and if you are going to get one for an investment, I can’t imagine a better way to go than one with only 37k miles on the odometer. Most are somewhere north of 100k miles and on their 4th rotary rebuild by now, but with this one, you could be the first guy to rebuild those apex seals…first is winning, right?
The FC is powered by Mazda’s 13B rotary, arguably the best of the breed when it comes to spinning rotors and this one is a non-turbo 1.3 liter example good for 146 horsepower and 138 ft-lbs of torque. 1988 was the first year for the convertible. If the RX-7 was good enough for James Garner, you should be more than happy with it.
See a nicer FC for sale? tips@dailyturismo.com
It is funny, I really like the later 1st Gen RX-7, but I never gave these a second look. I equated them to the "280ZX vs 240Z" sort of evolution. Interesting to read your effusive praise. I guess I need to poke around and find one to drive.
These things are so neat, the history behind the design is pretty interesting if you ever get a chance to read up on it. I believe that the hood on the convertibles is aluminum, which was a nice swap if you didn't have a convertible. The screw jack for the spare is aluminum too, which I would grab out of junk yards and use in similarly weighted cars. Mazda likes to do this thing where every department in development of a new chassis takes a few ounces off the weight of what they're working on. Then you end up with stuff like miatas and FC's/FD's (First N/A FC was right around 2600lbs- this vert is probably closer to 3000lbs).
My friend had a coupe and I thoroughly enjoyed my brief drive in it.
Always thought these were a better choice than a Miata. Same price too.
Sigh. Had an offer to buy one at the same price when they were a couple of years old. I still can't afford it!
Nice always liked these i would buy this over the 59 Healey and have plenty of money left over !
This is a Dealer price i have found cars in the 2500-4k mark yes more miles but worth the hunt.