1993 - 1995 Mazda RX-7 Pre-Owned

The RX-7 isn't for posers, as its ride is too rigid, turn-in too direct and peaky horsepower too abrupt for wannabe racers.

The RX-7 isn't for everybody, its ride is too rigid, turn-in too direct and peaky horsepower too abrupt, but that also makes it a purist's delight. (Photo: Mazda Canada)

No, it's a purist's sports car. As wonderful as the 300ZX was that vied for the same market, it is a boulevardier in comparison. The same goes for the Supra Turbo, at least in stock trim. Nothing of its era, this side of a Lamborghini, requires as much concentration when at the limit, yet few cars are as rewarding. Mazda's RX is a jewel.

From a technical standpoint Mazda focused on the car's power-to-weight ratio, reducing mass by extensive use of aluminum and increasing power by adding two small sequential turbos. It was a match made in heaven, a purist's delight that unfortunately few people could afford when new. This makes it somewhat exclusive on the used market, and sought after. For this reason

Mazda focused on the RX-7's power-to-weight ratio, reducing mass by extensive use of aluminum and increasing power by adding two small sequential turbos. (Photo: Mazda Canada)

prices remain high, after all, with only a few hundred per year leaving Canadian showrooms it is relatively scarce compared to the thousands of Camaros and Mustangs of the same era.

Compared to the Big 3 muscle cars it was lightweight. Forget about the Yanks, it was also lighter than just about anything else including the Acura NSX, Chevy Corvette, Dodge Stealth, Mitsubishi 3000GT, Nissan 300ZX, Porsche 968, Toyota Supra, and even Toyota's smaller MR2. What's more, the new RX was 3.6 centimeters (1.4 inches) shorter, 6.1 centimeters (2.4 inches) wider and 3.6 centimeters (1.4 inches) lower than before, while the 1,265 kg (2,789 lbs) 1993 RX-7 was lighter than the car it replaced, by about 86 kilos (190 pounds).