What should I look for when buying a third generation Mazda RX-7 FD?

When shopping for a third-generation (FD) Mazda RX-7, finding the right starting point is critical. These cars are aging, and replacement parts can be scarce. Here is what you should look out for:

1. Overall Condition, Paint, and Interior

The best approach is to buy the cleanest chassis you can afford. Condition of the body, paint, and interior should be your top priority.

• Cars that have not been garage-kept can suffer from cracked plastics and degraded dashboard electronics ¹².
• Restoration of an abused interior or exterior will easily cost thousands, as many LHD (US Market) specific trim pieces are no longer in production and have been unavailable for over a decade ¹³.

2. Engine Health and Wear Items

Always request a rotary-specific compression test before buying, but it is wise to assume you will need to pay for an engine rebuild at some point ⁸.

• Avoid cars with completely unknown engine or service histories, as undoing previous owners' poor modifications can be extremely expensive ⁸.
• Be cautious with "bone stock" vehicles with over 40,000 miles. At that mileage and age, expensive wear items like the original twin turbos may be on their way out. Additionally, original plastic components—specifically the radiator end tanks and the Air Separator Tank (AST)—become brittle and are highly prone to cracking and leaking ¹².

3. Transmission Choice

If your ultimate goal is to drive a manual transmission FD, wait for the right manual car to show up. Buying a cheaper automatic model with the intent to manual-swap it is generally not recommended, as the conversion adds significant headache and cost to a platform that already requires strict maintenance ⁸.

4. Engine Swaps (e.g., 20B)

If you are looking at heavily modified examples, such as a 3-rotor 20B swapped car, be aware that the price for parts goes way up. Almost nothing bolts on directly, requiring expensive custom fabrication, and even shop-built cars experience gremlins. The standard 2-rotor 13B offers plenty of potential for a fraction of the cost and hassle ⁵.

When you are ready to start searching, the usual locations are eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Bring a Trailer, alongside dedicated classified marketplaces ⁹.