Rotary Pimp: 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5

Mazda has a tendency to use the RX prefix in its rotary powered  cars, so when the replacement to the limited edition (and extremely collectible) first generation Mazda Cosmo was introduced in 1972, it was called the RX-5 for the US market. It was Mazda's entry into the personal luxury coupe market, and slightly missed the target for what buyers were expecting.  The result were poor sales when new and now you hardly ever see one on the road, but the few that have survived will make for an interesting conversation piece with anyone you might meet at a gas station or Japanese auto repair shop. Find this 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 offered for $3900 in Dublin, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

I Said Eunos, Not Eunuch: 1991 Mazda Eunos Cosmo

Over here on "this" side of the Pacific Ocean, it is easy to associate the Wankel rotary engine with Mazda's sweet RX-7 sports coupe...but over in the land of the rising sun, there were a few other cars that got the spinning apex seal roaster, like the Eunos. Find this 1991 Mazda Eunos Cosmo offered for $11,000 in Bonney Lake, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025. 

Someone Explain This To Me: '67 Mazda Cosmo versus '79 Cadillac Spirit of Nemo

De gustibus non est disputandum is the Latin saying that roughly translates to in matters of taste, there can be no disputes.  That's all good and well if you are some kind of Roman theologian, but when the rubber hits the road at an auction, I prefer the maxim -- si carpentum abominationum, non occurrit reservare.  However, these next two auctions on eBay have me totally confounded.  Checkout this 1967 Mazda Cosmo here on eBay bidding for $36,501 with 1 day to go, and this 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood based "Spirit of Nemo" here on eBay bidding for $48,100 with 1 day to go (both cars have not met reserve).

Relatively eXpensive: 1976 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo

The Mazda RX-5 Cosmo was a Wankel powered competitor in the luxury coupe market, available in North America from 1976 through 1978.  It was available in a funky opera window equipped notchback (blech) but today's example is the sexy fastback version equipped with minilite style wheels.  Find this 1976 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo offered for $10,500 near Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

5k: Fuel Injected: 1976 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo

 Mazda has a tendency to use the RX prefix in its rotary powered  cars, so when the replacement to the limited edition (and extremely collectible) Mazda Cosmo was introduced in 1972, it was called the RX-5 for the US market. It was Mazda's entry into the personal luxury coupe market, and slightly missed the target for what buyers were expecting.  The result were poor sales when new and now you hardly ever see one on the road, but you could fix that and buy this one for your commute!  Find this 1976 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo offered for $7,900 buy-it-now on ebay with 4 days to go, located in Pataskala, OH. Tip from Tanj!

2k: Maligned Stars: 1972 Mazda Cosmo

The Mazda Cosmo was first released in 1967 as a halo car for Mazda and looks like a million bucks probably would cost that much too if one every came for sale, but Jay Leno probably isn't going to sell the only 1G Cosmo known to survive in the USA..  Unfortunately the 2nd generation Cosmo (known as the RX-5 and released in 1975) wasn't quite such a looker and could easily be mistaken for a number of Japanese coupes from the same era, but that doesn't mean it isn't rare or worth a second look.  Find this 1976 Mazda Cosmo offered for $2250 in Surrey, NV via craigslist.  Tip from John.