fat drivers and passengers make the fc heavy. under 3k pounds is light for a mid size sports car.

I have a GC ('00 impreza 2.5rs) and it is around the 3000lb mark as well in stock trim, 2.5L n/a. its has the lighter 16" 6 spoke wheels too.

weight aside and comparing stock GC to my when it was stock '86 sport model FC (no sunroof, ps, abs, rear wiper, etc and lighter wheels), the GC feels like a heavyweight in the corners. it was faster in the straights even with the 4 sp auto, but it understeers like mad and just feels "heavy" in corners. that was the daily.lol, I have to slow significantly compared to my FC in a corner, my FC does not have working 5th/ 6th ports though. FC feels more stiff and solid to me as well. thats saying something for a car manufactured in 1986 compared to one made in 2000.

I could make my FC 40lbs lighter if I went to the gym...

maybe I'll just remove the rear carpet... that's the same thing right?

^ no front or rear carpets, no bins or assembly, no spare tire or jack, and one corbeau forza fixed bucket with no passenger seat made my n/a feel like it had an extra 20whp. lol, it felt decently faster

^ or you could just get a turbo and have power AND comfort

but thats just me i guess

the FC isn't a heavy car, there will always be apples and oranges in comparisons. mazda put a fair amount of time into lightening the car to keep it rigid yet light.

i mean are we comparing the weight to a '73 datsun 510 2 door coupe? because there isn't anything in the car besides an 8 track player, a 1 quart washer sprayer, a 4 banger with carb and simple exhaust..

the FC has....

full emissions, turbo, electronic components, cruise control, power steering, a/c, power windows, lsd, blah blah blah.

as you can see with almost any car, as time goes on the vehicles get progressively heavier or compromise vehicle integrity for weight. if you get rearended in your late 70's cadillac how much damage would it sustain? now get rearended in your prius and see how much damage it takes from the same collision.. perhaps you get my point and perhaps you don't but the more luxuries you add, they all weigh something.