This is not the usual cheerful build or amateur racing GRM content, but I thought you all may be interested. Honestly, this car will probably not see rain, let alone track days (though I would like to autocross it at least once.) The third-generation RX-7 has been my dream car for what seems like a decade, and I finally acquired one.
There is just something awesome about all the 90s Japanese halo cars, and the FD with its twin turbos and lightweight is my favorite of the bunch. The more I searched the classifieds, the more it became clear that only one particular spec would do - an R1 or R2 in Vintage Red. I fell in love with the color and sporty spec and also like the fact that it doesn't have a sunroof, so the double-bubble roof is more pronounced.
Possible candidates came and went - I even almost won an extremely nice R1 on eBay, but was shut out of bidding at the last minute due to an unexpected verification screen (thanks eBay). That one really stung! I eventually got into contact with the winner and found out that my high bid was $1,000 higher than his, so I would have won the car. In retrospect though, I'm glad things worked out as they did...
A few weeks ago, a seller that I had previously been in contact with finally got back to me and let me know that their car had just been inspected at Sakebomb, and would I still be interested in the car. Yes I would! This particular car had been posted on Craigslist with scant information, and it took a while to get enough information from the seller. What I did know is that it had 14k miles (yes, 14k!) and was stock except for an aftermarket head unit. The history of the car is a bit unclear, but the Carfax shows it has been in California its entire life and had been driven sparingly for the past ~15 years. Of course, engine compression was my primary concern, and I asked the seller if they could bring the car to Sakebomb in Fremont for a PPI, which they eventually did. With the PPI indicating healthy compression (and noting that the tires were original, backing up the mileage claim!), I made the seller a final offer, and they accepted.
My plan was to fly out to California to look at the car, drop it off at Sakebomb for some much needed fluid/filter changes, and then have the car be picked up from their shop on a trailer for shipment back to Texas. Here are some photos of the car when I first saw it in the seller's driveway:
The Cressida in the background was, oddly enough, part of the Craigslist ad for the car - perhaps part of the reason the seller did not have more serious local interest in the car. Long story short, I was blown away by the condition of the car. It is as close to a new FD as I have ever seen, though admittedly my experience is limited. Even the A/C worked! The test drive was only my second time driving an FD. I did my best to inspect for accident damage and everything seemed gravy, though who am I kidding, I was going to buy the car as soon as I saw it! After a brief hiccup at the California DMV, we had the paperwork squared away, and I was sitting alone in the DMV parking lot with a new car and nowhere in particular to be. On the way to SBG:
My initial driving impressions were very positive. This is by far the fastest car I have owned (I'm weird and have only owned cheap 80s/90s German/Japanese cars, though have driven faster ones), and I was surprised at how much push it has stock, even though I was reluctant to push it too hard. The rotary engine is awesome and has this addicting sound that I can only describe as a metallic "ripping" - videos don't do it justice. The ride to SGB was mostly uneventful, though it made me realize the need for paint protection film. Despite the low mileage, the paint is pretty swirled out and has some heavier clearcoat scratches where someone aggressively rubbed the paint (probably to remove a stain), so a paint correction is in order. Just a light polish - my primary goal is to preserve the clear coat (which I believe to be mostly if not 100% original), not correct every tiny scratch. Arrival at Sakebomb:
The guys at Sakebomb were very hospitable and even took the time to hear me complain about the DMV. 
Was fun hanging out at the shop, highly recommended visit if you need to bring your car for service in the area. The car was there for changes of the transmission, differential, and clutch fluids as well as the coolant. Spark plugs, fuel filter, and oil had already been done. Initially thought they wouldn't be able to remove the wheels to do brake fluid due to the lack of a wheel lock key, but later found out that the original wheel lock key is actually in its holder on the left side of the cargo area with the rest of the jacking tools. So brake fluid is still on the list. One thing the guys at SB mentioned before the fluid flush was that it shifts poorly - I had noticed it was difficult to get into first/second during the test drive, but thought maybe FD gearboxes are just balky. I actually have a receipt from 1995 showing that the transmission was rebuilt by Mazda due to issues with 5th and reverse, makes me wonder if they did it 100% correct. It still is a bit crunchy/high effort going into second, though I'm not sure what is normal on these. My current daily is an Integra GS-R with that famous Honda shift quality, so my reference point may be skewed.
The car arrived to my house last week and it is great. Can't drive it much until I get new tires - I'm currently on the hunt for a set of unchromed stock wheels (unreinforced). Last week I greased the door hinges with Wurth HHS, protected the interior plastics (Aerospace 303 Protectant), and gave it a quick wash with Optimum No Rinse - no point in going all out since it is getting paint corrected later.
What are my plans for the car? Mainly return it to 100% stock (I would like to replace the head unit and wheels with stock non-chrome items - will also give me an excuse to store the original tires) and get the PPF installed ASAP so it can be driven without worrying too much. The doors (especially the driver's) requires a good slam to get it to shut even after greasing the hinges, so some realignment of the striker may be in the future. May replace the stock radiator/AST as a preventative. Right now I'm going to enjoy the car stock for the foreseeable future, but also plan on owning it for a long time and would eventually like to do a catback, downpipe, PowerFC, and have it all tuned by Chris at RP in Garland. A few more pics:
Waiting at the gate to take off for California. The photo is of the plane I flew on, a 787 Dreamliner, which was very nice. Unusual for a domestic flight to be on a big widebody plane like this.
Here is a photo from the delivery. You can see the FD peaking out on the top. Very exciting moment.
Taking delivery #2 (I have always wanted to say "taking delivery.") The whole shipping operation from Plycar was very professional and impressive. There was a C7 Corvette below my car, and a Porsche 959 in front... driver said it was a replica. The truck pulling up on my residential street caused quite the commotion on Sunday night and brought damn near half the neighborhood outside to watch. A couple of kids were enamored with the FD.
