1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Is the SA/FB a true sports car?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 07:56 PM
  #1  
PaulFitzwarryne's Avatar
Thread Starter
Apprentice Guru
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Cloud Nine and Peak of God
Is the SA/FB a true sports car?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fcdrifter13
"not until the fd was the rx7 considered a 'true' sports car". [quote].


Question 1: what is a true sports car?

Question 2: is the Gen 1 a true sports car?

My first thoughts are:- any car I can enjoy driving on the street, but if I want, it can be driven to the track to compete. Yes- my SA is a real sports car, and not just because I can squeel the tires changing into third.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:00 PM
  #2  
clean85owner's Avatar
Nigga stole my bike!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands, Louisiana
Hell, I could argue that the SA/FB is the ONLY sports car in the line. The majority of the models had no power windows, power steering, power brakes, power mirrors, nothing. It was all about being a light weight, handling machine. As the car got older, the creature comforts came into play, which I think take away from a "true" sports car.

The Ferrari F40 is more of a sports car than the Enzo, IMO; simply because the performance of the car is based on you, the driver, not the computers telling it what to do.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:00 PM
  #3  
Rotor13B's Avatar
Wassup!!
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: Longmont Co.
Of course it is. He has no idea of what he's talking about.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:03 PM
  #4  
DAVID GRIMES's Avatar
How About A Cup Of STFU
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
From: ALBANY, GA
It is a true sports car. It's more of a sports car than some other wannabes. It's sharp, it kinda goes fast in a scale miles-per-hour kind of way, it's a two-seater, and most important you can't have decent sex in it. ( Dry humping doesn't count ).

Hell yes it's a sports car.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:06 PM
  #5  
rbf41182gt's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 2
From: Richmond, VA
hell yes, if not what is it??

some weird people only consider convertibles "true" sports cars
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:25 PM
  #6  
LokiRx7.1's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
From: Fairborn, Ohio USA
Like stated above, no power anything, no anti-lock brakes, you can smell the exhaust in the car if you run rich enough. You are the person in control, none of your input is moderator, or checked on by a computer. It only has two seats because a sports car doesnt need to haul kids, it is small light. And it uses a performance engine, sure stock they arent exactly incredible, but damn they are pretty fast when compared to alot of other cars of the day.
You literally have to drive a 7, you cant just sit behind the wheel and pretend. If you **** up, the car isnt going to save you. But you can with moderate skill take it to the track on the weekend and throw it around the corners and beat the hell out of it (in a sense) I love feeling like the car is an extent of myself, because thats what the 7 gives you, A gratifying satisfaction that most people never experience.
And thats why we love our cars, because at the end of the day we know that we have skill. Because we are still alive But seriously the Rx-7 makes you feel good, because its fun. And I think thats the core of a sports car, Anyone else agree?
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:27 PM
  #7  
skrewloose78's Avatar
Anti-rice Superstar
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 949
Likes: 0
From: huntsville,alabama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports%5Fcar

yes, all generations of the rx7 fall in the catergory of a sports car
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:27 PM
  #8  
aussiesmg's Avatar
Thunder from downunder
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 1
From: Convoy, Ohio, USA
Geez wonder what he considers an MG to be, or an Elise for that matter.

fcdrifter13 = knucklehead
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:32 PM
  #9  
rxtory's Avatar
Roll to Heaven in a RX-7
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
From: New Westminster, B.C - Canada
I would have to say it is a sports car just becasue the fact that it does have 2 seats
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:39 PM
  #10  
no_name's Avatar
Duct-tape fixes all
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
It is a sports car, because it is cut and dry. No gay driver assist anything, its pure driver. It is RWD ( FWD is not sports car). You freez you *** off in teh winter, and boild your ********* in teh summer...

The way I see it a first gen is requires more ***** to drive the **** out of then a third gen.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:50 PM
  #11  
.::evil inside::.'s Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 2
From: Australia
hah people amuse me... and the 787b wasnt a 24 hour LeMans endurance racer lol

of course early rx7's are sports cars!
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:59 PM
  #12  
stilettoman's Avatar
No, it is not stock!
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Carnation, Washington
Sports Car ???????

The original definition of a sports car was a two seater with good handling and performance, tolerable creature comforts, and that you could drive to the race track and run in amateur events with some possiblilty of success. In a previous life I owned Triumphs, Alfas, a Jag E-type, a Porsche and various others that were definitely "sports cars". But then the "sports sedan" began to appear, and the lines became blurred. I used to autocross a Cortina GT sedan, which was reliable and great fun, won me a season championship. The problem with these comparisons is that the technology has moved along. Today even the front drive ricers would leave my Cortina in the dust.

It takes a pretty good sports car to beat a late model BMW M3 or M5 for performance and handling, and they will carry 4-5 people. The performance, handling and braking of a 3rd gen RX-7 are in a whole different class from the 1st gen. If you could take your 1st gen RX-7 back in time to the 1950s, you could raise hell at the track. If you could take your 3rd gen RX-7 back to the 1950s, they would think you were God.

My favorite example of a real sports car was Giotto Bizzarini's beautiful Iso A3C coupe. He drove it from his shop in Italy to LeMans in 1965, his drivers ran it for 24 hours, losing to the Ford GT-40s, and then he drove it home!

http://www.tybrainstorm.de/drogo/iso.html
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 09:03 PM
  #13  
aussiesmg's Avatar
Thunder from downunder
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 1
From: Convoy, Ohio, USA
I've been thinking about this, if it's not a sports car ask him what it is, an SUV, family car, luxury car, truck, wagon, freaking go kart..........
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 09:04 PM
  #14  
'85 GSL 302's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: SC
I'd have to question the "Sports Car" quality of the FC, but the FB was a very desired car in its day. I can't tell you how many older people tell me how much they wanted an FB when they first came out. They may fall short of modern sports cars, but they were most certainly in that catagory in 1981.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 09:34 PM
  #15  
fatmanslim247's Avatar
Runnin slow for now
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: wichita kansas
hell ya its a sports car.... thats what my insurance agent told me.... hahaha
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 09:46 PM
  #16  
Rotary Weasel's Avatar
Resident Weasel
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
From: Reno, NV
I thought it was a minivan..damnit..I actually got fooled and now i'm really driving a sportscar..nowadays folks argue if it is by todays standards a 'sportscar'..nah a 4 door sedan that goes fast is! and front wheel drive! and carries 5 people! bah..during it's time (7) it truly was and fit the definition of sports car..back then it wasn't how fast it went or by how many mph/kph it could best another car at top speed..it was the 2 seats/rwd/minimal creature comforts/tho the SE does have a few gadgets..bottomline it's a sportscar..certainly not the fastest or best handling..but what affordable car is? there's always something faster with better handling..that game never ends..you should own your 7 because you want to
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:28 AM
  #17  
Tatterjuice_771's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ks
Hey 85 gsl 302, do yourself a favor, stop disgracing that rex with a dam piston engine, keep your Mazda all rx-7, otherwise you simply belong in a group that simply doesn't appreciate the wonder of rotary..... It's not a rx if a conventional engine is under the hood...
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:36 AM
  #18  
O 16581 72452 5's Avatar
The infamous number guy!
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
From: Terre Haute, IN.
Originally Posted by Tatterjuice_771
Hey 85 gsl 302, do yourself a favor, stop disgracing that rex with a dam piston engine, keep your Mazda all rx-7, otherwise you simply belong in a group that simply doesn't appreciate the wonder of rotary..... It's not a rx if a conventional engine is under the hood...
Yeah, the wonder, i wonder how i can only get 20mpg with 100hp and 1.1(45) liters, people are getting around 30mpg and 225+hp from a 302. Stop disgracing what people want to do to their own cars.

In my opinion the FB isn't a sports car, just a sporty car. It's handling is average and it's acceleration/speed is below average, however, it's a two seater, lightweight, pretty much no accessories and sporty styling.

Last edited by O 16581 72452 5; Feb 6, 2006 at 12:41 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:46 AM
  #19  
rotaryxperamental's Avatar
That's Weak Sause
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Originally Posted by Tatterjuice_771
Hey 85 gsl 302, do yourself a favor, stop disgracing that rex with a dam piston engine, keep your Mazda all rx-7, otherwise you simply belong in a group that simply doesn't appreciate the wonder of rotary..... It's not a rx if a conventional engine is under the hood...
MAN you're correct, a light weight RWD car with a powerfull motor is a discrace, NOW GO LOOK INTO SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON 85 gsl 302 FIGURE OUT WHY THAT CAR HAS THE 5.0 IN IT AND REPORT BACK!!!!!!! THIS ISN'T A FLAMING THREAD *******!!!!

IMO the SA/FB are STILL sports cars in every sence of the word. even the ones with all the goodies.

Here's a related question, what about the RX8? Would you guys consider it a "Sports car"?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:57 AM
  #20  
Tatterjuice_771's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ks
Originally Posted by O 16581 72452 5
Yeah, the wonder, i wonder how i can only get 20mpg with 100hp and 1.1(45) liters, people are getting around 30mpg and 225+hp from a 302. Stop disgracing what people want to do to their own cars.

In my opinion the FB isn't a sports car, just a sporty car. It's handling is average and it's acceleration/speed is below average, however, it's a two seater, lightweight, pretty much no accessories and sporty styling.
Okay, 1st up, show me a 302 that actually gets 30 mpg , yeah right, not going to happen. The more likely number is 20-25, that is funny considering I get usually 26 and run mid 14's.
As for the handling, apparently you dont know much about cars , the rx is the only car in it's price range, that comes with 4 link out back, sway bar front and back and watts linkage for side to side. Granted I've driven cars that inspire more confidence in handling but all said and done, the rx handles great if you have enough ***** to push to the limit.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:58 AM
  #21  
d0 Luck's Avatar
raysspl.com
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
From: L.A.
don't hate on the no0b fellas. let them find out facts from fiction.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 01:12 AM
  #22  
Tatterjuice_771's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ks
Oh yeah, you calling a no0b ? you buddy, i've owned my beloved rx for over 6 years now. None of you all get it, the Rx-7 is all bout rotary, and if you don't got that, it's nothing more than a Chasis
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 01:26 AM
  #23  
d0 Luck's Avatar
raysspl.com
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
From: L.A.
if you say so.

but for reference

you clearly must be stupid to not know why only mazda is the only car company that makes rotary motors, right? must i state the obvious?

Last edited by d0 Luck; Feb 6, 2006 at 01:29 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 01:36 AM
  #24  
Tatterjuice_771's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ks
but name another mass produce rotary powered car
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 01:41 AM
  #25  
d0 Luck's Avatar
raysspl.com
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
From: L.A.
1 rotary powerd car in comparison of other mazda's piston powered cars. not to mention other car companies who also produce piston powered cars.

think about it, if rotary was great it would be mass produced by other car companies who obviously has R&D, money, and talented engineers.

i see the rotary as communism. in theory, it should work...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:11 AM.