Used RX-7 Efini prices have risen from a humble RM45k in 2008 to a whopping RM400k in 2023
It is sad to see a RX-7 Efini in this state when you know what it is worth today and how rare they are around the globe. Owners cherish and keep safe their Efini’s not because it is expensive, but also because it is one of the best drivers cars till today.
When it comes to drop dead sexy looking sports cars, Mazda has been consistent with their sporty products for the past five decades. Their first ever RX7, the Savanna (pictured below) had a shell that was ahead of its time and even today it commands enough curbside appeal to have owners happy to drive one even with its rather high fuel consumption.
It sold rather well and when the 2nd generation FC model (pictured below) arrived it was an instant hit globally with many Malaysians who were drawn to its Porsche 924 profile. Today there are still many running around and it has tested time very well.
Asking prices are still rather high for its year of manufacture simply because there are not many on the road and they all have enthusiast owners who feel little reason to part with them. In late 1991 the 3rd generation arrived and this was a showstopper.
It was given the name Efini (this car pictured above here). The Efini was gorgeous and it had all the qualities to make it a world-class sports car. It was wrapped in a slinky curvaceous shell and its interior was filled with super car notions. It had a twin bubble roof design and its doors came with single side windows giving it a real jet fighter look. Its rear panels were a single piece of metal from the front of the roof all the way around the rear back and sides, which showed a Viper like profile.
In case you were wondering, the 13B-engine in the third-generation RX-7, which was launched in late 1991, was a completely redesigned unit, with numerous internal and external modifications and improvements.
This was a rotary engine supercharged by twin, sequential turbochargers. It was the world’s first such turbo installation. The engine produced 255 bhp at 6500 rpm and 294 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. Two years later, power output was increased to 265 bhp.
Interestingly, this third-generation RX-7 was subjected to Mazda’s rigorous development test programs on the bench and on the demanding Global Road Circuit section of the Miyoshi Proving Ground with flying colors.
Now, over the years there have been some negative comments about the reliability of this rotary powerplants, however rotary’s reliability under the severest conditions was well proven in Mazda’s motorsports activities in the late 80’s and early 90’s, including an outright win in the Le Mans 24-hour race for sports racing cars in 1991.
