BillK

Obviously this is impossible to answer, but perhaps owners of past RX-7s can answer this:

One of the reasons I've hated the past few cars I've owned is the sheer number of interior trim squeaks and rattles that made me feel like I was driving a Kia instead of what I was driving.

My wife had a MX-6 and I don't remember it as having a high number of annoying squeaks/rattles, but how about past RX-7s?

If you owned an RX-7, did you develop a lot of interior trim noises over time? Or did your cars stay relatively quiet inside?

All I can say at this point is I know Japanese makes are usually much better about this than European makes (particularly German cars), but I thought I'd try to get some input from Gen I-III owners...

B-Nez

One of my best friends had a '93 FD before I met him, which he ended up trading in for a truck. Whenever we talk of rotaries or RX-7's, his lasting memory of that car was how much of a headache it was. Besides a check engine light that would rarely go away, it did have lots (by his account) of rattles. That, coupled with the legendarily (that a word?) bad service Mazda offered to RX-7 owners in the past left him very bitter about our lovely Wankel. He does freely admit that it was the fastest, and most fun car he's ever driven, but it was in the shop too much.
I know that his experience was typical for that time, but I myself am not too worried about the RX-8. Vehicle production has advanced greatly in the last 10 years, and there's no reason the RX-8 should have any more noise than other cars. My wife's new car (2002) did pretty well, and only developed a noisy fan belt (which was replaced under warranty), and the A/C is acting goofy (will be another visit under warranty). The only rattling comes from all the junk she keeps in the door pockets under the influence of my tuneage

BillK

Manufacturing techniques have advanced, but at the same time, the two vehicles I've owned that have had the most squeaks and rattles have been the last two, a 2001 and 2003, both from German marques (though ironically neither was actually made in Germany...)

I don't know if that means the German automakers just don't care about interior trim resonances and such or if the quality of all makers' interior plastics has dropped over time...

gettingan8

Been driving my 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE for 17 years and it is still solid...no rattles

P00Man

id raelly hate to have a noisy car, especially if its due more to cheap construction than anything else
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COACH HANDBAGS

Boozehound

I'm also concerned about crappy NVH in the new RX. My 83 doesn't squeak or rattle, and never has, but periodically when a wheel bearing goes out, it sounds like you're riding on the wing of an airplane. Its the new trim material that makes me worry, but you'd think with the 8 as the flagship and plenty of Mazda's future and capital investment riding on this car, they'd do it right. Here's to hoping...

j-apex rx

I have 93 mazdaspeed rx7 run great no noise and looks new.

jdwk

I have owned a couple MX-6's and they all had/have quite a few rattles, but nothing that bothered me too much. I just look out for potholes. However, the new 6 is extremely solid. The doors thud and there isn't a hint of a rattle or squeak that I have noticed yet. I am guessing the RX-8 will be more along the lines of the 6.

91vert

I have a 91 RX-7 convertible and that thing is full of rattles, squeaks, suspension "groans", and vibrations. Being a convertible may contribute to some of the extra noise, but the plastic Mazda used for all of the dash and interior trim parts is horrible. It is very brittle and breaks easily while trying to disassemble any of it. I know if I want to take anything apart to fix it, being as gentle as possible won't matter. Something will most likely break. I have also noticed that a lot of the RX-7's I have looked at have interior plastic pieces that have warped from the heat of the sun.

The interior electrical problems with the 2nd gen RX-7's are worse than the crappy plastic. Hopefully they have improved on that. I'm more disgusted with that than the shitty, cheap looking plastic.

I also have a 99 Millenia S, and that thing is rock-solid. There is not, and has never been (in 50k miles), a squeak or ratlle in it anywhere. It still looks brand new inside and nothing has broken. Apparently Mazda has improved on the quality of the materials used for the interior parts, so we will most likely have no problems with the RX-8.