This Built-Not-Bought RX-7 Made Me Fall In Love With JDM

Join us for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour where one custom built car is chosen to be immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast sold around the world! Hosted live at Jay Leno’s Garage with an expert panel of Hot Wheels designers, special guests and judges that will determine who will take home the ultimate prize! Get ready to hear what Jay Leno and our celeb judges have to say about the 13 custom built finalists from around the world including the UK finalist Volvo P1800 Gasser!

This week, Alex drives a unique RX-7 to finally see if he can start to fall in love with JDM cars.

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[thewofieboi]

Alex: What are you doing at 23?
Me at 23: Sitting on my bum at home looking at John's car.

[SonnyC]

When Alex looked into the camera and said “what were you doing at 23” me and my cardboard box fort felt violated.

[feelzgoodmane]

I SHOULD think this looks over-the-top but it just looks amazing. The wheel arches are - by far - the highlight. Savage.

[cookieinthewoods]

It's like a mini Aston Martin Vulcan - exceptional build, well done John and his Dad

[jatinshukla]

He kept the twin turbos
A man of culture 🙏🗿

[amonrei]

Being financially capable definitely helps but having the passion and skills to do this also deserves some respect. What a lad, what a build.

[patrickward]

"Perfectly legal officer" love it

[WeeFreeMan]

This kid's talent shouldn't go to waste. Dude's a genius 👌👌👌

[MAPLEROD]

“What were you doing when you’re 23?” Sitting here watching this video wishing I was capable of building a car full-stop.

[harryhelm]

Going to caffeine and machine and seeing this thing in person was something else, that red paint just highlights the contours of the car so well, sick car

[jdmfreak]

Alex: "This built-not-bought RX-7 made me fall in love with JDM".
Phill: "dafuq?"

[patrickjanek]

This is the nicest FD I have ever seen hands down, well done John and his Dad.

[asw]

This is what people who drive their automatic euro box bus sized SUVs around don't get. Proper driving a proper car makes you feel a certain way... It makes your balls fizz.

[Quattro_Joe]

“I’ll own it for the next 50 years”. Better not get anyone up the duff anytime soon. Smashing car mate. Even for a rotary.

[marco]

Deserves all the credit and more I remember buying his old wheels off him and seeing it as just a shell, top build 👌🏼

[triggamusician]

When I was 23 I couldn't even afford to fill up such a car, let alone drive it with the horrendous fuel consumption. Don't get me wrong, the RX7 is one of my favorite cars and I love this one quite a lot.

[MHT]

Glad you've discovered how much fun the RX-7 is. The thing is, the FD is designed from scratch as a sports car, rather than being based on a saloon like GTRs and M3s. The whole fundamental architecture of the car is just right, which is why it feels so good to drive.

Great work by John here, the bodykit and paint look world-class and the wheels and stance back it up. I love the originality with the front lip and centre-exit exhaust, too!

Having said that, most of the changes aren't about how it drives, so a stock-bodied car with a mildly tuned engine would still give you most of the same thrill from behind the wheel - no need to spend years slaving away in your garage to get the RX-7 grin on your face!

[squishy_princess]

Big Props to Alex. I've been watching you for several years, now and i really feel like this is the most genuine car guys channel on youtube.

[samgao]

I just came across this video because of my love for RX-7’s. I use to own one and sold it when I started my business. That was about 16 years ago, and now I’m an owner of a 2006 lotus Elise. All original factory condition with 14.7k on the ticker. As much fun as the Elise is, there is just something magical about the RX-7. And I never tuned my FD over 300 rwhp, I tuned it to 282 rwhp. It’s not the fastest car, but it’s still plenty quick and fun. At those numbers, I’m able to keep it fairly reliable with frequent oil changes, general maintenance, without flooding, blown seals, and whatever rotary issues you can think of!

[thinkingimpaired]

Truly amazing that it clears the speed bumps. Definitely a nice build.