[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-mazda-rx-7-is-overrated\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-mazda-rx-7-is-overrated\/","headline":"Why The Mazda RX-7 Is Overrated","name":"Why The Mazda RX-7 Is Overrated","description":"It\u2019s a JDM legend, but does it deserve all the attention? The Mazda RX-7 is one of the great pillars of the JDM fanfest. Up there with the Honda NSX, Toyota Supra and all the other Fast and Furious boy racer cars that you loved when you was thirteen, the RX-7 is unanimously hailed as a legend. Well, I\u2019m here to say that the RX-7 FD is actually overrated. This may be hard to understand for those already in love […]","datePublished":"2020-02-11","dateModified":"2020-02-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Why-The-Mazda-RX-7-Is-Overrated-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Why-The-Mazda-RX-7-Is-Overrated-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-mazda-rx-7-is-overrated\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Mazda"],"wordCount":825,"keywords":["mazda","mazda rx-7","rx 7"],"articleBody":"It\u2019s a JDM legend, but does it deserve all the attention?The Mazda RX-7 is one of the great pillars of the JDM fanfest. Up there with the Honda NSX, Toyota Supra and all the other Fast and Furious boy racer cars that you loved when you was thirteen, the RX-7 is unanimously hailed as a legend.Well, I\u2019m here to say that the RX-7 FD isactually overrated. This may be hard to understand for those already in lovewith the car, but the RX-7 is not as special as people make it out to be. Itcertainly is not the best car in the world and, in fact, it\u2019s not even the bestclassic Japanese sports car. It\u2019s not even the best sports car of the 90s.Here\u2019s why:Rotary engineAlthough the idea of owning a car with one ofthese \u2018special\u2019 rotary engines may seem romantic at first, eventually you\u2019llcome to find that they\u2019re absolute Wankel. Yes, we know picking on the rotaryengine is a cheap shot but no matter who you talk to, the engine is the biggestdownfall of this car.Mazda had already had plenty of experience with the rotary engine before releasing the third-gen RX-7, it\u2019s not like it was their first car with it, so why on earth did they do it? Were they not aware that these engines had awful fuel efficiency, poor emission ratings, were unreliable and drink oil like its petrol? Of course they were. The spinning Dorito may sound cool in theory(and actually produces a cool sound as well) but in reality, it\u2019s nothing buttrouble. Sure, it revs at higher rpm which is fun and all, but it comes at a greatcost. A cost so great that many owners actually go to the trouble of taking theengine out and swapping it with a more conventional one.It looks too cuteIf cute\u2019s your thing, then by all means enjoyyour RX-7. However, if you\u2019re looking for a mean and aggressive ride then theRX-7 isn\u2019t really made for you I\u2019m afraid. Sorry. It\u2019s round, smooth, bubbly and cheerful. Like a VW Beetle or an MX-5, the RX-7 has a friendly and warm presence, like a cute fluffy dog. If you\u2019re looking for something that\u2019s a bit more mean and lean then you should be looking at an NSX, Skyline GT-R or Lancer Evo.It\u2019s not until it\u2019s been through the RICEtransformation that the RX-7 actually looks mean. If you keep it as stock, thecar is nothing more than just another cute Japanese sports car. It sounds awfulAnother great thing about rotary engines istheir distinct sound. A tinny sound that lacks depth and soul, the RX-7\u2019snatural exhaust note literally sounds like the engine screaming in pain, whichit probably is doing because its apex seals have blown once again and the metalDorito is grinding against the walls of its casing without any oil to lubricateit because it already drunk it all.Sure, your car may spit sick flames but italso lets out some sort of hellish squeal whilst doing it, but at least you\u2019llbe turning heads, right?252 horsepowerAt 250 horsepower the car is already breakingits engine twice a year, drinking fuel and oil like it\u2019s going out of fashionand polluting the planet your grandkids will have to live on like we haven\u2019tdiscovered what global warming is yet. What a lot of owners end up doing is tuningthis poor tortured car even more to produce more power. Why is this? Because250 hp, although fun for a little while, just isn\u2019t enough for a lot of sportscar enthusiasts. That being said, 250 hp will get you from 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds which is plenty fast, especially for a car that first came out 28 years ago! On the other hand, if you\u2019re a horsepower snob like so many of our friends from across the pond are, the small \u2018250\u2019 number may not be enough for your ego.And that\u2019s all we have time for. There aremore things I could say to upset you but I think that\u2019s enough for one day. Admittedly, the RX-7 is a cool car. On therare occasion I see one, you can bet I\u2019ll be stopping in my tracks, whipping myphone out and telling everyone I know that I saw an RX-7 today. That is if itisn\u2019t a ratty, eBay-mod-ridden piece of rubbish. What are your thoughts on the RX-7? Can you really say it\u2019s one of the coolestJapanese cars of all time? If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoyreading about how Lexus still haven\u2019t sold all of their LFAs that left thefactory 8 years ago."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why The Mazda RX-7 Is Overrated","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-mazda-rx-7-is-overrated\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]