Rotary_Powerd

Most FC's are around 18-20 years old now. The turbo sold for $22,750 in 1988 and $27,100 in 1991. Taking inflation into account lets say ballpark $30,000 in today's cash. So how does the FC stack up today (assume turbo) to todays new offerings? in the $20,000-$30,000 segment? I would like to think the car was slightly ahead of its time and while the FC might not beat todays metal, I think it can still hang with the current offerings nicely. To be put nicely the FC has aged relatively well.

What do you think? How do the FC's original numbers stack up today? 0-60, 60-0, 1/4 mile, skid pad, slalom compare to what you can buy now new.

Icemark

actually a car sold for $22700.00 in 1988 would cost $38768.31 in todays dollars.

But you really can not compare technology the same way. And suspensions, engine management and design, and ego-dynamics all have radical changed in 20 years.

As an example, the FC had a suspension ride compliance of around 70 in 1986-1988, while the FD had a suspension ride compliance of around 78.

The FE/ RX-8 on the other hand has a suspension ride compliance of around 100.

The ride is simply radically better and looses traction much less on the newer car. Yet the FE is cheaper (in converted dollars) than a turbo FC was.

Rotary_Powerd

I know but I was trying to take into account that technology has brought prices down some for similar performance. I should have clarified that. Even if we extended the price up to include stuff like the S2000, how our little cars stack up nowadays... stock for stock. Because both can mod and beat the other on a track really badly.

FCKing1995

iTrader: (3)

For that price Id trade my 87' T2 for any newer model WRX. Id say the T2 stacks up quite well though even though its 20 years old.

stevensimon

iTrader: (11)

fc destroys everything it ever touches.. and always will. just sucks that it also gets destroyed when it touches its self

Syncro

iTrader: (1)

An RX8 will beat a S5 TII in both acceleration and handling. In converted dollars its actually considerably cheaper.

Automotive Technology just evolves - the FC is old. I keep mine because I love the retroness and I definitely spend more on repairs\upgrades than I'd spend on a brand new 8 (that should be an adjective in the dictionary, damnit). Even if you mod the TII for power\handling, the 8 is technically a better overall platform and would be a faster\safer all out race car.

cptpain

iTrader: (1)

best quote evar!!!!!

fc3sfreek

iTrader: (6)

if chuck norris was a car, he would be an FC

WadeMCarter

ahahahhaahhahahahaha

younG_Gunner

iTrader: (2)

Haha.

Did you know that underneath his beard Chuck Norris doesn't have a Chin. It's another fist.

piercdawg

I have the original window sticker in my glovebox, 89 T2, Sold for $26,XXX. Its pretty sick. It lists all the options, like the MOMO steering wheel.

InsomniacFC

iTrader: (4)

Teh 7 can't lose!

On a more serious note, you have to consider the price of modern technology at the time compared to now. For instance, a new dvd player 10 years ago was a pricey item ($200+), but now you can get one at Wal-Mart for $39.99. Same goes for the FC. Sure, it had some advanced technology on it for the 80s that raised the price, but as time went on technology advanced and the price of that stuff went down as things became lighter and cheaper. That's not to say aftermarket products or OEM replacements for the FC are always on the cheap side.

Aside from that, newer mass produced sports cars can benefit from 20 more years of research and development on the track and in manufacturers own private facilities on top of the technological advances to make them faster. And that's after all the newer emissions standards and safety features (air bags, abs, etc....) weighing them down. Motors are making more power with less (or the same) displacement and getting more miles to the gallon while creating less emissions (renesis?).

Basically, it's not fair to the old car to compare it to a new car regarding performance. The new one will most likely beat it if both are stock. That is, unless you're talking about an old Ferrari and a new Ford mini-van. I'm speaking of sports car's here.

Although, i'm sure time-trials, skip pad tests, and 1/4 mile times won't show huge gaps in performance ( like 3 mins between etc). The old Mazda will just be showing it's age, but I like it the way it is

It's easier to compare them regarding price. A new S2000 or RX-8 is way out of my price range. I have mine because it's cheap, it's fast, and I like the way it looks. Sure, it won't out handle a more pricey sports car, but my car was only $1000 and it came with a rebuilt motor when I got it. It's great to fly down the freeway on-ramp, do donuts in the country, or carve some corners in the canyon for less than a months salary.

Now, that's not to say i'd not want a newer sporty car, but I'm not a huge fan of the RX-8. I'm holding out for an FD or the RX-9 (whenever that comes out). In the meantime, i'll just be spending some of my paycheck each month to make it come closer to handling like a new $40k dollar car

Turbo23

iTrader: (4)

Stock for stock, its 20yr age shows. It can still however hang in there. Modified, its a whole new ball game. A well modded FC can hang with anything you throw at it. (track speaking) Guys in NA 13B PP FC's are whipping up on vipers and Ferrari's on road courses. Its all about your love for the car. I think its fun to whip up on newer cars, with guys who "think" they can drive, but in reality its mostly their car.

daviddeep

iTrader: (4)

So in other words, you're saying the FC's best days are behind it, and now even a toupee won't make anyone confuse it with a newer model?

What I like about the FC vs. anything newer is definitely the retro-ness, plus the overall simplicity of electronics making it a bit easier to work on than a brand new RX-8. Of course, the cheapness is also a huge part of the appeal. I don't have a problem with conceding that a brand new, 20 year newer car may handle better, accelerate faster, and be more reliable. Still, the FC is a lot of fun.

Turbo23

iTrader: (4)

^bingo, building my car, and now driving it on the street it has lost some of the fun because of the harsh ride. Track use its a blast, but thats the overall idea for our cars, and any car is the FUN. If you enjoy driving it, and cant get enough, it has done its job

boost_its_what_for_dinner

dude rx8s are slow. have you drove one or are you looking at the supposidly 250 horsepower..........





not

fc>>>>>>>>>fe


rx8 motors are junk i know becuase my roomate is a mazda mechanic and they put in atleast 1 or 2 motors in a week due to flooding and oil depravation

TehMonkay

iTrader: (-1)

Yeah, it's a known issue, fault computer programming, mostly on automatic 4 port engines. That, and FC owners have no room to talk about flooding in other cars.

We're not looking at HP numbers, we're looking at 1/4 mile times.

1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo 6.6 15.2
1990 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II 6.3 14.9
2004 Mazda RX-8 5.8 14.49 (6 speed) (MT Mar '04)

Syncro

iTrader: (1)

Look at the real world performance numbers. FE wins.

The Renesis is overall better than any rotary engine before it. Do you think Mazda hasn't made improvements in 20 years? Do you think the FC engine didin't give people headaches back in the day?

You sound like a fanboy.

chava_rx7

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++

TehMonkay

iTrader: (-1)

If only the renesis had a 9.0 CR, i'd be looking to get one. I'm sure it'd hold together better than the S4TII I'm building now.

RX7KENN

RX8 is a piece,
my buddy has one, and I have a first and second gen t11.
My first gen streetported PWNS it, and so does my second gen.

theres lots of mods down to the first gen,
and buddy is a good owner and he can drive.

melicha8

iTrader: (1)

OMG have any of you who are ragging on the rx8 been to see one in action or are you speaking strictly on reliability. In SCCA SoloII Rx8's are the car to beat in B Stock.
local results from B stock in my region
http://www.sfrscca.com/solo2/Results...ound07.html#bs

Rotary_Powerd

Yeah the chassis (in terms of engineering) on the RX8 is amazing. The FC was great for it's time But the numbers show it can still hang with alot of todays Sport Compact Cars, stock for stock, obviuosly the FC has limitations but that's what mods and engine swaps are for. Todays cars are amazing but the FC can still give people a run for the money. It still puts up decently againt, the Si, GTI, SS s/c, SE-R Spec V, tC S/C, mini S, and such. While it might not keep up as well with an EVO, WRX, RX8, or S2000. The car is still potent, even with it's age.

And I still love it...

Rotary_Powerd

Wow RX8 are fast around the cones... as quick as some of the higher class cars...

Turbo II

iTrader: (1)

I've seen 8s in action in autocross, HPDE, road course races, back roads.... whatever. Stock vs stock I think they handle as good or better and are just as fast or faster. Sure they've had their problems but then again so did the 3rd gen.