2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

FC over FD, am I crazy?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 2, 2003 | 09:43 PM
  #1  
87T2's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
FC over FD, am I crazy?

It's time to think about what to replace (or compliment) the Supra with. In about a year I will graduate from college, so i'll be ready for a replacement/compliment car. What I would ultimately love to do is get an FC, strip it bare bones, run a haltech and a T-66 or so, heh. But im also very into the styling of the FD, but thats it, just the styling. Basically what I am asking, is it worth it to dump thousands of dollars into the FC when I could have an FD. I'm really leaning toward the FC, just because I have owned one before... but what do you guys think? (expecting a biased opinion).

but honestly... I can't get the idea of a red, stripped S5 out of my mind.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2003 | 09:53 PM
  #2  
FCNAred's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
contrary to what anyone says, if you can afford the FD, it is a better car. FC's are amazing cars but all around the FD is better. That being said I would also go with the FC, good thing you like red.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2003 | 10:29 PM
  #3  
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
if it were me, I'd go with the FC. I just like them better, and they're MUCH cheaper, for the car and parts. and I like the styling better, although FD's do look pretty sick.

honestly, I think FC's are my dream car

hehe, I bet not many people have their dream car when they're 16.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2003 | 10:43 PM
  #4  
BLUE TII's Avatar
Rotary Motoring
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,479
Likes: 932
From: CA
Well, I believe there are a couple people on this forum that started w/ FDs and bought a FC for daily driving and sold the FD. Overall build/component quality is somewhat higher on the TII FC and of course parts are much cheaper.

Once you mod the two cars to a similar level (standalone ECU, upgraded turbo, built engine, larger IC, full suspension mods, etc) the FC still does give up some suspension sophistication and tire/rim width (especially on stock front fenders). For example the FCs in "Options #92" are about 1 second behind the FDs on the Tsukuba Circuit. That is still much faster than lesser cars (NSXs, skylines, S2000s, etc).

I decided to go the very modded FC over the FD. I bought a $1,500 FC and have/will put about $15,000 into it when it is done.

If when driving it hard I total it, I can get a new chassis for around $1000 in really nice shape and swap all my running gear over. PLPD insurance .

This is not cost effective if you do not do all the work yourself. $15,000 in other peoples labor and parts does NOT go very far at all!


That is my take on it anyways...
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2003 | 10:49 PM
  #5  
ricola555's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: saint petersburg, florida
you're crazy.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 12:12 AM
  #6  
Full Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: bayarea
Hey I agree with blue TII, if any thing happen to the one you are driving get another chassis then move everything over your self, cause what happen to my friend
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 12:53 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Parkersburg, West Virginia
Screw the FD.
Only the FC's got the Vert.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 02:50 AM
  #8  
rotary>piston's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO
yeah, the fd's are really nice looking, but an fc would make on hell of a sleeper. I really love the styling of the fc, probably more than the fd. I think it's much more cost effective to go with an fc. If you have the money, you could even put in an fd engine, or even a 20b
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 03:15 AM
  #9  
Rex_Experience's Avatar
Against The Flow.
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island, Canada
get an fd with a brand new renisis!
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 04:18 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
My best friend bought his FD a week or two before I bought my FC. After actually being around his RX-7, and stting inside of the car... I just decided that it was way too fragile for me. It looked like most of his interior and exterior was easy to break. I needed something dependable and able to take a very slight beating every so often. Plus, I love the style of the FC so much more than that of the FD. I used to own an older Supra and don't like the new ones. Maybe I'm crazy or something... x_x
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 04:35 AM
  #11  
PPC-Racing's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: BARRIE, On., CAN
I've got an 87 supra myself, I think the FC, ( which I have as well, 91' NA) compliments the supra nicely, the big cruiser GT and the fleet of foot sprinter, picked up both cars plus a spare 87'T supra parts car under $2000 Canadian this leaves me tonnes of cash to go out and do some serious mods to both the MA70 and FC in fact both are equipped with a tonne of Trust, HKS, C's, bomex, CS and a few other chioce JAP parts all for less then 1/2 what an FD.. stock, would cost. To find the advantage of the FD over FC you need to, as someones pointed out, blow both cars over the edge in mods and take em to a track.
also from a purely pratical point of view.. FC's aren't going to be targeted for a box on the boat to russia like FD's are..

FD owners can say were crazy but I bet the difference in insurance rates alone between the two is enough to put an ODULA CF hood on the FC in one year, and i'll race a FD anyday and feel confident that 70% of the time i'll win for less then 1/8 the cost of the other vehicle..
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 06:48 AM
  #12  
vicious525E's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: spring hill, tennessee
Originally posted by Bigretardhead


honestly, I think FC's are my dream car

hehe, I bet not many people have their dream car when they're 16.
im 16 and own a 87 tII

personally im a big fan of the 944's and older 80's style cars so i really like the styling of the fc's, in my opinion the fd's are too flashy and stand out too much, the fc's are suttle and get the job done. i will admit that the fd's have many more plus's over fc's (handeling and motor mainly) but i still would rather drive a fc, if noting else it's a rare car....
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 01:09 PM
  #13  
Ni5mo180SX's Avatar
White Comet
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
Originally posted by FCNAred
contrary to what anyone says, if you can afford the FD, it is a better car. FC's are amazing cars but all around the FD is better.

So regardless of what other people say they're all wrong? Based on...............?


I was literally sold on an FD before the FC. Even after I got an FC I sometimes had doubts. After spending some time (and money ) I can say that feeling no longer lingers.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 01:13 PM
  #14  
Mr. Eccentric's Avatar
Who owns the Chiefs?
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 0
From: Dept 5, Ontario. Canada
I'd say no, that's a sane decision. If you get an FD, you can plan on swapping the elabourate twin turbo system for a single. By the time you're done strengthening reliability you'll freak at the price.

With an FC you'll be able to mod it at a fairly reasonable cost and create a great performer. You won't look back and wonder what the Hell you've got yourself into.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 01:16 PM
  #15  
Mr. Eccentric's Avatar
Who owns the Chiefs?
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 0
From: Dept 5, Ontario. Canada
Originally posted by Bigretardhead
I like the styling better, although FD's do look pretty sick.
Sheesh, you are seriously devoted to the FC.

I think the FD is still the nicest looking car on the road, especially in the flesh. The FD is just a rounded and modernized FC when you actually look at the key exterior design features.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 01:19 PM
  #16  
neofreak's Avatar
accept no imitations™
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
I've had a FD and FC at the same time, and settled on the FC ultimately (but my get another FD soon).

Insurance between the two was only $300 different per 6 months, not a big deal.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 01:21 PM
  #17  
SonicRaT's Avatar
Super Raterhater
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,630
Likes: 3
From: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Originally posted by Bigretardhead
if it were me, I'd go with the FC. I just like them better, and they're MUCH cheaper, for the car and parts. and I like the styling better, although FD's do look pretty sick.

honestly, I think FC's are my dream car

hehe, I bet not many people have their dream car when they're 16.
I got mine at 14, a '57 Chevy Bel-Air... Then the dream changed, and I got one of those, changed again, got that.... It's been a never ending cycle.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 03:05 PM
  #18  
jacobcartmill's Avatar
just dont care.
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,387
Likes: 4
From: Nashville, TN
i've owned my fair share of sports cars for being a 19 year old male and at this point in my life, i'd totally rather own an FC than an FD.
i used to own a Z32 300zx, my first car. (sold it to buy the turboII then the GXL) i had the 300zx for two years and it was a good car. the car looked real good and pimp the ladies, but DAMN THE PARTS WERE EXPENSIVE. the insurance was expensive, the parts were expensive, and the expense does not stop there.

after buying by turboII, i totally fell in love with the whole concept of the FC being that the car is dirt cheap, the engines are dirt cheap, and the go fast parts are dirt cheap. the bottom line is the performance:value ratio with FCs is much better than that of a decent FD with any given amount of money. and hell, i like the way the FCs look (series5's that is) i dont really like the S4 look very much.

my friend got a 93 base FD and i really liked it. however when i sat in it, i totally crapped myself because the inside of the car was so small and narrow. dont get me wrong, i think the entire car looks better, but i just couldnt stand being cramped up in that narrow cockpit for very long.

also, back to the expense thing: lets say you are had 15k dollars to spend on either an FD or FC. you could either:
A. buy a nice FD with decent mileage (50-70k miles?) overall in nice condition, good paint, a couple dings good engine etc. and have maybe 500-1000 dollars left after you buy the car to start paying for insurance and the girls its gonna attract.
B. buy yourself a perfect 89-91 turboII for 6-8 grand that has maybe 50k miles on it and is absolutely flawless. spend your other 7k dollars on a T66 turbo, a stand alone engine management system, full exhaust and intake, etc. and totally dominate any FD that is not quite modded.

hell, you could buy 2 nice FC's for what it costs for one decent FD.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 03:53 PM
  #19  
SpeedyRotary's Avatar
What you lookin' at?
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Why not get an FC with a FD engine
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 03:55 PM
  #20  
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta.Georgia
i say get a s5 t2 and they look just as good as a fd. and can have more ***** for cheaper. dont get me wrong i like fds. but everyone is jumping the 3rd gen bandwagon now!
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 04:01 PM
  #21  
neofreak's Avatar
accept no imitations™
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
Originally posted by Detriuch
i say get a s5 t2 and they look just as good as a fd. and can have more ***** for cheaper. dont get me wrong i like fds. but everyone is jumping the 3rd gen bandwagon now!
Everyone is jumping on the FC bandwagon here.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 07:06 PM
  #22  
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
lol well said neofreak, my only complaint with the fd is the lack of cabin space, too cramped for a 6'4 man but d00-able none the less
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 07:22 PM
  #23  
jreynish's Avatar
New Project on the Way...
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 6
From: Yellowknife, NT
I think the FC is economically a better choice and it is quite easy to get the reliability/tunning advantages out of a 13bt just by doing one rebuild. and spending a few extra $$'s and your engine is just as reliable and potent!
My $0.02
Plus the S5's look mean... well all you will ever see is my tail lights... ironic isn't it?
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 09:24 PM
  #24  
Prowla RX7's Avatar
It's Whatever
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Ft Laud, FL
I admit that I'm biased towards the FC over the FD. I've owned two ('86 base and '91 vert) neither of which I have anymore. Yet, not a day goes by when I think to myself "I will have another 2nd gen." I would even take a FB over an FD anyday. After having taken a ride in an FD, it was nice but it was not my cup of tea. As others have stated, the FC might have you doubting it at first, but after a while you can't live without one.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2003 | 09:31 PM
  #25  
neofreak's Avatar
accept no imitations™
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
Originally posted by Electrikhead
lol well said neofreak, my only complaint with the fd is the lack of cabin space, too cramped for a 6'4 man but d00-able none the less
Well, I didn't mean "here" as in on the forum, but locally, in the Bay Area, there are TONS of riced out FC's nowadays.. but I guess my statement is applicable in both cases.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 AM.