sort of starting research on an RX7 purchase. Like many people, I like the FD exterior better, but am concerned with the higher rate of engine failure to the FC. I do like the FC styling, and the durability seems better, but my experience cars from the 80s and sometimes early 90s can be very rust prone. Any common spots on the FC to check?

And are there any paint colors that just don't last? I come from a mostly miata background, also a mazda of course, and the early red cars had notoriously bad paint. Thanks!

 

Paint code UC "Crystal White" doesn't bond well to the primer. Have yet to see an original UC painted Mazda that wasn't chipping or peeling.

Clearcoat on the metallic paint isn't exactly the best either.

As far as rust, typical spots on mine were around the bottom of the fenders, any spot that can collect dirt tossed off the tires and hold moisture, and the rocker panels.

Just check over the entire underside if possible, if it isn't that bad, grind out the rust, patch, and undercoat the hell out of it.

 

If the FC you're looking at has a sunroof, definitely closely check there. Also, the rubber stripping around the outside of the driver side and passenger side windows tend to crack off and rust underneath.

As far as paint goes, I've got an 87 in stock red, and its held up absolutely beautiful. If you'd like, I can take pictures tomorrow, I just clay barred and waxed it with Tech Wax from Meguiar's 2 weeks ago, so its looking great. I'll also takes pictures of where my rust spots are.

Good questions.

 

Around the sunroof, around the hatch drains, around the wheel wells, and the underside

 

hmm, seems very similar to the first gen miatas. Rocker panels were always the culprits there. Same with the NA8 miata white - very surprised as to the red holding up well though. Might just be the owner ;-)
Sucks about the white, it's my favorite FC color.
I know color/paint/rust isn't often what someone looks at first - can you tell I have done bodywork before? ;-)

 

1 owner, taken care of to obsessive amounts. You might be right, my post may not be credible

 

the red on most of my car doesnt look terrible for its age... however the hood and headlight covers are complete crap (clearcoat seems to have tried to shrink and essentially broken into tons of tiny pieces), and the mirrors have turned to a nice pinkish color.

 

white paint chips off leaving large gray spots.
my sun roof and almost every sunroof i see has a spot of rust bubbleing under the paint
thats all i have seen
oh ya. and lots of dull clear coat