Mazda RX-7 FD

Mazda engineered the FD with an obsessive focus on weight and balance, using a sequential twin-turbo setup (a small turbo for low-end response, joined by a second for top-end power) that was genuinely cutting-edge technology for a mainstream sports car in 1992.

Its combination of gorgeous styling, near-perfect weight balance, and a genuinely unique rotary powerplant makes it one of the most celebrated Japanese sports cars ever built, still cited by enthusiasts as one of the best-handling cars of its generation.

• Sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW delivers strong, progressive power delivery
• Near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution and low center of gravity for exceptional handling
• Genuinely gorgeous, still-modern styling considered a design classic
• Light weight for a turbocharged sports car of its era

• Rotary engine demands more frequent, specialized maintenance than piston rivals
• Apex seal wear and oil consumption are inherent to the rotary design
• Values have risen dramatically in the last decade, especially for clean, unmodified examples
• Sequential turbo system is complex and can be costly to repair if neglected

• Apex seal wear and compression loss if the rotary isn't maintained and driven correctly
• Sequential twin-turbo system component failures (actuators, solenoids) with age
• Cooling system issues leading to overheating, a serious risk for rotary longevity
• Rust in rear arches and rocker panels on humid-climate examples

Very strong within the rotary tuning community — single-turbo conversions, built rotary housings, and even LS-swap conversions are all well documented, though rotary-specific tuning expertise remains essential.

Get a thorough compression test and rotary specialist inspection, verify sequential turbo system function, and expect to pay a significant premium for genuinely clean, well-maintained, unmodified examples given skyrocketing demand.

One of the most revered JDM sports cars in the world, with values climbing sharply as collectors and enthusiasts recognize its design and engineering achievement.

• Its sequential twin-turbo system was one of the most advanced forced-induction setups on any production car when it launched in 1992
• The FD's rotary engine displaces only 1.3 liters (or 2.6L by some rotary-equivalent measures) yet produces power on par with much larger piston engines
• Car and Driver and other outlets repeatedly praised its steering feel and chassis balance as best-in-class upon release