1994 MAZDA FD3S Montego Blue Touring/PEG
I am the third owner of this RX-7. I looked all over California for months before finally locating this one over 330 miles from my home. Needless to say, the road trip to get the car was WELL worth it. Anyway, I'll be using this space to keep an online journal of my ownership of the car. Feel free to drop me a line with comments!
There are a couple nicks and dings here and there... nothing more than what you might expect with a 13-year-old car. In fact, given how well-maintained the car is, it's hard to believe it's that old. The FD3S RX-7 really benefits from a timeless chassis design. I believe that among early-to-mid-nineties sports cars, the RX-7 is above the rest in terms of styling. 
It's light weight and power output make it very competitive, even considering that both the Nissan 300ZX and Toyota Supra came equipped with 3.0L twin turbo engines. Also, due to its weight and superior suspension geometry, it out-handles most other cars, even the vaunted Nissan 240SX.
This particular FD is a Touring model, meaning it was outfitted from the factory with a lot of creature comforts that hardcore enthusiasts probably could live without. Among them are leather seating, a power sunroof, cruise control, and a Bose sound system.
A few people have expressed disdain for the Bose Acoustic Wave system that occupies about 15% of the hatch space. Frankly, I don't understand this. The FD's hatch is laughably small already. One might be able to cram another carton of eggs or head of lettuce back there without the Bose tubing snaking around, but who cares? A great audio system right out of the box makes even regular driving a personal and rewarding experience. The trade off is definitely worth it.
The FD has a very small cabin, which is too bad for a lot of taller people. They miss out on an incredible driving experience. The premium sound package included on the Touring models is too much for the casual listener, and more then enough for the average audio fan. The small space in the car means that you don't need huge drivers to really feel the music.
For all that's right with the car, however, it definitely has its short-comings. First of all, most enthusiasts actually AVOID the FD, or all RX-7s for that matter, because of the perceived unreliability of the 13B rotary engines. There is some truth in this perception: without proper care, the engine and all its components fall to crap. This is true with all engines, but the problem with the rotary is that it presents very different challenges for tuners than say, piston engines, and it also demands a different level of attention. Most local mechanic's shops have no clue about how to work on these things, which means its up to the deep-pocketed owner - who can afford to tow the car to a specialist - or the knowledge-hungry enthusiast - who has the patience and perhaps bravery to learn about and work on the car himself - to keep these cars on the road.
That said, the following pages will be dedicated to chronicling my experiences with this car. First thing to address will be the reliability issues these cars are so often associated with. After that, we'll see! Enjoy.
ABBREVIATED MODS LIST
Cost Perspective: For each of the following mods, I have indicated what I COULD have bought my lady. She hates that I include this, but it's important to think about. :(
$ - A nice dinner including wine and dessert.
$$ - Two nights in Vegas, off the strip.
$$$ - Three nights in Vegas, on the strip.
$$$$ - A 14-day European vacation.
Engine:
Efini Y-pipe - $$
Aftermarket 3" SS Downpipe - $
Mazdatrix-Rebuilt Stock Port 13B-REW - $$$$
Electronics/Tuning:
Apexi Power FC - $$$
Knight Sports EBS III - $$
Brakes:
(Front) Slotted Brembo Rotors, EBC Green Stuff Pads - $
(Rear) OEM Rotors, OEM Pads - $
Suspension:
R2 Springs and Shocks - $
Rear Control Arm Bushings - $$
Contents
Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - Performance Mods
Page 3 - Interior and Audio
Page 4 - Friends' Rides
My Other Cars
1977 Datsun 280Z - The Project
1991 Nissan 240SX - The Old Daily
