# Mazda RX-7 (FD (FD3S)) Source: https://fullysorted.com/research/models/mazda/rx-7-fd Publisher: Fully Sorted (fullysorted.com), collector car research Last updated: 2026-09-16 ## Key facts - Make: Mazda - Model: RX-7 - Generation: FD (FD3S) - Factory code: FD3S - Years: 1992 to 2002 - Body styles: Coupe - Engines: 13B-REW 1.3L (654cc x2) twin-rotor Wankel rotary with sequential twin-turbochargers; ~252 hp at launch, rising to 276 hp in later JDM Series 8 - Production total: 68,589 - Production notes: Widely cited third-generation total is 68,589 units built 1991/92-2002 across all markets; evo and other outlets round this to 'fewer than 70,000.' Of these, roughly 13,879 FD RX-7s were imported to the US across the 1993-1995 model years, with only about 500 sold for the final 1995 model year as North American exports wound down. Automatics were rare (~500 US units). Exact market-by-market splits are not consistently documented, so totals should be treated as best estimates. ## Summary The third-generation Mazda RX-7 (FD3S, 1992-2002) is widely regarded as the high-water mark of the rotary sports car and one of the finest Japanese designs of the 1990s. Developed under a 'weight first, power second' philosophy, it paired a taut, curvaceous body with a front-midship layout and near-perfect balance. Its defining feature is the 13B-REW twin-rotor rotary breathing through the world's first mass-produced sequential twin-turbocharger system, delivering roughly 255 hp in US trim and building to 276 hp in later Japanese Series 8 cars. Sold in the US only for 1993-1995 before rising prices and tightening emissions ended exports, the FD lived on in Japan through 2002, closing with the 1,500-unit Spirit R. Celebrated for steering feel and delicacy, it also carries the rotary's well-known burdens: heat, apex-seal wear, and a culture of periodic engine rebuilds. Clean, unmodified examples have become genuine modern collectibles. ## Specifications - engine: 13B-REW twin-rotor Wankel rotary, 654cc x2 - layout: Front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive - powerUS: 252 hp / ~252 hp at 6,500 rpm (1993-95 US) - redline: ~8,000 rpm - torqueUS: 217 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm - induction: Sequential twin-turbo (two Hitachi turbos; primary from low rpm, secondary ~4,000-4,500 rpm) - curbWeight: ~2,712-2,888 lb depending on trim - zeroToSixty: ~5.0-5.4 seconds - powerJDMlate: 276 hp / 276 hp (Series 8, from 1999) - transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed automatic optional) - originalPriceUS: $31,300 base (1993, before options) ## Notable variants - Type R / Type RS (JDM): Lightweight, track-focused JDM trims; Series 8 Type RS made 276 hp with firmer suspension and larger brakes. - Type RZ (JDM, Series 8): Ultra-light limited variant (~2,800 lb) with BBS wheels, Bilstein dampers and Recaro seats. - R1 / R2 (US): US performance/handling package with stiffer suspension, additional cooling and aero; ~57 R2 units arrived for 1995. - Spirit R (2002, JDM): Final-edition run limited to 1,500 units (Type A 2-seat manual, Type B 2+2 manual, Type C automatic) with cross-drilled rotors and Recaro seats. - Bathurst R (2001, JDM): 500-unit Series 8 commemorative edition with adjustable dampers and carbon-look trim. ## History ### Origins and design The FD arrived for the 1992 model year (US 1993) as the third and final RX-7 generation. Chief engineer Takao Kijima pursued relentless mass reduction, using aluminum, magnesium and composite components to keep curb weight near 2,712-2,888 lb. The compact 13B-REW rotary, weighing well under 441 lb, sat low and behind the front axle for a front-midship balance that gave the car its celebrated agility. Its bodywork is frequently ranked among the greatest Japanese automotive designs. ### The sequential twin-turbo rotary The 13B-REW's headline innovation was sequential turbocharging: a primary turbo supplies boost from low rpm while a second spools in at higher rpm, smoothing the classic rotary power delivery. Mazda marketed it as the first mass-produced sequential twin-turbo system exported from Japan. US cars were rated around 255 hp and 217 lb-ft; the complex vacuum-controlled changeover, however, became a notorious long-term reliability weak point. ### Series and evolution Enthusiasts divide the FD into Series 6 (1992-1995), Series 7 (1996-1998) and Series 8 (1999-2002). Series 7 brought ECU and drivetrain refinements; Series 8 raised output to the Japanese 276 hp ceiling and added the sharpest trims (Type RS, Type RZ, Bathurst R). ### End of US sales and Japanese finale Mazda withdrew the RX-7 from the US after 1995 as prices climbed past $30,000 and emissions/certification pressures mounted against slow sales; roughly 500 cars were sold for 1995. Japanese production continued to 2002, ending with the collectible 1,500-unit Spirit R special edition. ## What to look for Prioritize a documented compression test using rotary-specific equipment (healthy chambers near ~100 psi; readings below ~85 psi flag worn apex/side seals and a likely rebuild). Seek full service records with frequent (3,000-5,000 mile) oil changes, evidence the sequential-turbo vacuum 'rat's nest' hoses have been renewed (e.g. Viton/synthetic), a temperature gauge that holds mid-scale, and boost that peaks near 10 psi. Sensible 'reliability mods' (upgraded fan switch, aluminum radiator, pre-cat delete) are a plus. Verify originality and matching numbers; heavily modified cars trade at a discount to clean, stock examples. Confirm rust-free chassis and honest history given the FD's collectible status and import complexity. ## Common problems The rotary's defining issues are heat-driven: apex and side seal wear leading to lost compression and eventual engine refresh/rebuild, chronic under-hood heat that hardens the many small vacuum hoses controlling the sequential turbos (causing boost-control faults), and cooling-system stress. The engine burns some oil by design, so lax oil maintenance accelerates seal wear. A rebuild culture is normal for these cars; many surviving examples have had at least one engine refresh. Neglected or heavily boosted cars are high-risk. Owner and marque sources consistently identify seal life and the vacuum/turbo control system as the top concerns. ## Market notes As of mid-2026, the FD RX-7 is firmly established as a blue-chip 1990s Japanese collectible. Classic.com data for the 3rd-gen shows an average sale price around $48,750, with clean US-spec and desirable JDM trims regularly trading in the $40,000-$70,000+ range and standout Series 8 cars (Type RZ, Spirit R) reaching six figures. This marks a dramatic climb from Hagerty's 2018 figures, when #1 Concours cars averaged about $34,500 and #2 Excellent examples about $22,600. Values have been buoyed by the broader JDM surge; a widely noted no-sale at $40,500 in the mid-2020s suggests the top of the market may be testing buyer limits rather than collapsing. ## Value trajectory The FD has moved from an affordable used sports car in the 2010s to a mainstream collector car in the 2020s. Values roughly doubled-plus from Hagerty's 2018 benchmarks to mid-2020s levels, driven by 1990s-JDM nostalgia, thin surviving supply of unmodified US cars, and demand for late Japanese specials. Trajectory into 2026 remains strong but is showing signs of a plateau at the top end, with occasional high-profile no-sales suggesting price discovery rather than a downturn. ## Sources - [Mazda RX-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7) (Wikipedia) - [Your definitive Mazda RX-7 FD buyer's guide](https://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/fd-mazda-rx-7-buyers-guide/) (Hagerty Media) - [The 1993-95 Mazda (FD) RX-7 Is a Legitimate Modern Collector Car](https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/hagerty-insider/the-1993-95-mazda-fd-rx-7-is-a-fully-matured-modern-collector-car/) (Hagerty Media) - [Mazda RX-7 FD (1992-2002): a '90s Japanese icon](https://www.evo.co.uk/mazda/rx-7) (evo) - [Mazda RX-7 - FD - 3rd Gen Market](https://www.classic.com/m/mazda/rx-7/3rd-gen/) (Classic.com) - [Mazda RX-7 FD3S Complete History](https://projectjdm.org/mazda-legends/history-rx7-fd-complete-story) (Project JDM) - [1993 Mazda RX-7 - Specs, Prices, Reviews](https://www.cars.com/research/mazda-rx_7-1993/) (Cars.com) Cite as: Fully Sorted, "Mazda RX-7 (FD (FD3S))", https://fullysorted.com/research/models/mazda/rx-7-fd, updated 2026-09-16.