Mazda Inside: 1967 Jaguar XKE E-Type Kit

Every time I make a blanket statement, I get in trouble.  Arrgg...I just did it again.  The statement I made the other day was something about kit cars being mostly replica Cobras and things based on Volkswagen Beetle chassis and that the Jag kit was interesting and unique...and then we got a tip for another Jag kit car, this one based on an RX-7, complete with 13B rotary power?  Whaaa??  Why didn't I know about this?  Who wouldn't want the nimble reflexes of an FB RX-7 mated with the gorgeous looks of an E-Type convertible...even if it is a "gasp" kit car.  Find this 1967 Jaguar XKE E-Type Kit offered for $22500 in West Babylon, NY via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

High Watermark or Just High? 1985 Mazda RX-7

A few years ago I would have said that ten large is a stupid sum of money to pay for a first generation RX-7...but I don't know these days.  Classic cars are getting gobbled up my well heeled millennials, grubby fingered gen-Xers, and greedy boomers...but the RX-7 has been cheap for years.  Maybe it's time the spinning apex seal clubber gets its time in the sun?  Or you could at least own this low (53k) mile example and drive it till the miles put it in line with the rest of the market. Find this 1985 Mazda RX-7 offered for $9800 in Arcadia, CA via hemmings. Tip from BP.

Kardashian Wide Body: 1981 Mazda RX-7

The typical modified Mazda RX-7 you'll find on these pages has some sort of carburetor fed domestic V8 shoved under the hood...but not today. Today we've got a first gen RX-7 that still sports Wankel power, which is odd because it has GT-R emblem on the back and some of the widest Kardashian fender flares I've ever seen. Find this 1981 Mazda RX-7 offered for $6900 in Omaha, NE via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Chevy V8 Swapped: 1985 Mazda RX-7

The first generation RX-7 (SA/FB built in Japan from 1978 to 1985) was a beautiful ballerina in the sports car world.  The RX-7's lithe frame was propelled by an equally dainty engine - the Mazda rotary...which was known for revvving high, consuming fuel, and sounding like angry bees when uncorked.  However, they are expensive to repair and many have (for better or worse) been swapped with another powertrain...and this next one is the most basic of swaps...Chebby V8 and 700R4 slushbox.  Find this 1985 Mazda RX-7 offered for $5900 in Caldwell, ID via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Rotary In The Sidecar: 2001 BMW Motorcycle with Sidecar

Motorcycles aren't exactly the safest mode of transportation...even small contact can have huge consequences (which is why people in 4 wheel vehicles should always give them plenty of room), but at least the motorcycle is small and maneuverable.  However, if you add a sidecar to a motorcycle, you still have the same crash exposure, but now lack maneuverability and agility of a normal bike, so its probably more dangerous...BUT...if you feel the thrill of danger beckoning you like a winged siren, you might want to consider upgrading to a turbo rotary powered motorcycle where the engine is in the back of the sidecar.  Find this 2001 BMW Motorcycle with Sidecar offered for $14,900 in Half Moon Bay, CA via craigslist. Tip from Kevin who found it on Bike-urious.

Join The Rotary Club: 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 offered for $2,500 in Burien, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Grey Zombie: 1979 Mazda RX-7 GS

I'm all about rooting for the underdog, because who doesn't love a good underdog.  But when does a dog go from underdog to total basket case?  And when does a total wreck become a project car? Find this 1979 Mazda RX-7 GS offered for $1500 in San Jose, CA.

LS V8 6-Speed Swap: 1988 Mazda RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 is a fantastic car.  The chassis is capable, the steering communicative, the brakes are plenty powerful, and the wankel rotary engine is fun to revv...but is known for blowing up on occasion.  The right thing to do is to rebuild your wankel and run it for another 50k miles before the apex seals start to go...but, many owners chose to replace the dainty spinny thing with a big lumpy V8 from Detroit.  Find this 1988 Mazda RX-7 here on eBay offered for $13,000 buy-it-now located in Longmont, CO with 3 days to go.

Apple Pie: 1988 Mazda RX-7

It is Pi-day today, time to enjoy a slice of apple pie, because what is more 'murican than a small block chevy shoved into a Japanese chassis?  The Mazda RX-7 is a regular recipient of domestic V8 power infusion -- certainly not because the Wankel is an inherently unreliable spinning piece of machinery, but potentially because the second generation RX-7 has a decent engine bay size and a chassis that can handle the torques and acceleration that comes with moooooooore displacement.  Find this 1988 Mazda RX7 offered for $6,500 in Mt Vernon, WA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Racecar Backwards Is Still racecaR: 1983 Mazda RX-7

I love racing as much as the next guy, but it gets really expensive...quickly.  Even if you race something simple and non-vintage/non-collectible, it starts with a basic used car that you'll need to replace every wear component before you start with safety, and then get to "performance/racing" parts...and I get exhausted just thinking about how much work it is going to be...however, you can save yourself time and money by buying someone elses money pit.  Like this 1983 Mazda RX-7 here on eBay with a buy-it-now of $5900 located in San Diego, CA.

Restomod In Reverse: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Turbo

The Mazda FD generation RX-7 was one of the best looking cars of the 1990's.  Its twin turbo rotary engine made good power at 250hp, but had reliability issues related to the mess of vacuum lines on the engine.  The replacement RX-8 car was neither as good looking or as powerful as its predecessor.  The RX-8 Renesis engines were prone to flooding, did not run many miles before rebuilds, and were thirsty for the power output.  The RX-8's were known to handle amazingly well and had a set of funky rear jump doors that opened so that full size humans could fit in the back seats.  Today's car features a a single turbo JDM FD engine and totally custom gauge cluster installed into the newer RX-8.  Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 for sale in Philadelphia, PA for $14,500 via craigslist.

Copper Magic: 1980 Mazda RX-7

The original (SA or FB) generation Mazda RX-7 is a delicious modern classic for the budget car shopper who doesn't mind a 4-speed gearbox or a copper/goal paint job..  Prices are about as low as they will ever go and should be on the way up.  If you find a nice one, own/drive it for a few years, you might not lose a dime on it, even if you budget for a minor engine rebuild every 75k miles. Find this 1980 Mazda RX-7 offered for $3200 in North Dallas, TX via craigslist.  Tip from Sam.

Seller Submission: 1987 Mazda RX-7 LT1 V8

(Update 5/30/2018, the beast is still for sale with new lower price of $5900). The second (technically third) generation (FC) Mazda RX-7 debuted in 1986 with new streamlined styling and more power from the available Wankel rotary engines.  For the first time in the US market, a turbocharged version was available, but the chassis featured the same fantastic reflexes and sporty seating....but power/torque from the Wankel isn't going to excite anyone in the 21st century...but a turbocharged V8 version with 500 whp might make an impression.  Find this 1987 Mazda RX-7 LT1 V8 offered for $8,000 here on DailyTurismo from seller Ahmad (see final paragraph of listing for seller contact info).

V8 Powered: 1989 Mazda RX-7 Convertible

The Mazda RX-7 is a regular recipient of small block chevy power infusion -- certainly not because the wankel is an inherently unreliable piece of machinery, but probably because it has a decent engine bay size and a chassis that can handle.  Find this 1989 Mazda RX-7 offered for $4999 near Tucson, AZ via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Trifecta of Weird: 1973 Mazda RX-2

You know what is my favorite combination of attributes for a classic car?  Fast, loud, & rusty?  Nope.  Close, but no.  My favorite is rarely scene (rare and rarely scene aren't the same thing...), common parts, and reasonable price.  This next car hits those points because -- when was the last time you saw an RX-2 on the road, 13B rotaries are scattered around like pieces of an exploded flywheel, and the asking price, albeit high, isn't classic 911 high.  Find this 1973 Mazda RX-2 offered for $13,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Middling: 1987 Mazda RX-7

The middle child syndrome is a pop psychology construct where the middle child of a family of three siblings feels excluded by virtue of their birth order.  The older sibling gets all the responsibility and the younger sibling is treated as the baby.  Thus it is the same for cars, where the first and third generation RX-7 is lauded and the middle RX-7 is forgotten.  Find this 1987 Mazda RX-7 for sale in Albany, OR for $4,895 via craigslist.
Tip from Rock On!.

You Spin Me Right Round: 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE

The first generation RX-7 (SA/FB built in Japan from 1978 to 1985) was a interesting highlight in the sports car world of the early 80s.  The RX-7's light weight frame was propelled by a unique engine - the Mazda rotary.   Find this 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE offered for $3,500 in Sahuarita, AZ via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.