1984-1985 Mazda RX-7
Typical asking prices*: $3,000-$5,000
Collector status: Buy and drive

In 1967, Mazda introduced the world’s first 2-rotor rotary engine production car, the Mazda Cosmo. With it’s sexy styling and respectable performance, it set Mazda up as a pioneer in automotive engineering with a great potential for the Wankel rotary engine (developed 10 years earlier by Felix Wankel for NSU and licensed to Mazda). Subsequent applications, like the RX-3, RX-4 and RX-5, could never deliver, due in part to the market demand for smaller, more efficient cars in the fuel-strapped 70s. All that changed with the RX-7 in 1979. The first true sports car launched by the mark, it instantly drew comparisons to the Datsun 280 ZX and Porsche 924. It was sleek, quick, light, and a kick in the pants to drive. The first generation, known as SA/FB, evolved through three different series; each with slight modifications to styling, performance and appointments while maintaining a significant price advantage over its competitors. The Series 3 of 1984 and into 1985 was the most evolved with a 135 bhp motor, four-wheel disc brakes, and leather upholstery. In total nearly half a million SA/FB RX-7s were produced and finding a good example is not difficult. Despite their high production numbers, they retained high resale values and that is mirrored in the collector car market. Prices have stabilized and will continue to rise. Not bad for a fun-to-drive, under $5,000 investment.