Well, I've been looking into getting a 7 for a long time now, and now I finally have the chance to turn that dream a reality.

Ever since I've learned about 7's I've had my eyes set on a FC, not because of the price, I personally liked the looks more of it. And I only kept my focus on the s5's alone. I did potentially want to learn to drift also after I got it.

Anyway, I mentioned to some people that I know how I wanted a FC, they always respond that they prefer the looks of the FD, and always back it up by saying the speed difference too, and I'm not sure just hearing it from people over time or what exactly, now i'm considering an FD.

For lack of chances, or lack of even knowing how to, I'm looking more for straight up speed over drifting. Like I said, i'm not sure if others are influencing this decision or just them saying it made me realize FD would be the way to go.

My question is this, Why do you own/want a FC? Did you only get the FC for the price? And are there any advantages the FC's have over the FD's? Would the FC or FD be better drifting?

 

The FC has more interior room, radically better price, and substanitally better reliability than the FD.

The FD has better handling (not by much though), classic attractive styling, a radically higher price tag, and more power.

 

I myself like the styling of the fc, the 2 seater feels great behind the wheel, I love the price and how easy it is to find parts/parts cars.

 

I'd say that's probably your biggest point right there. How much are you willing to spend if you're fond of both styles?

FD=slightly higher performance, better power, lower reliability, higher prices
FC=better reliability, and the one option no FD has...Vert model! :P

 

Aside from what Icemark said, the FD can be easier to work on simply because it's newer meaning not as many rusted bolts, etc. I like the interior styling much better over the FC. I think mazda really made a huge improvement there. But thats about it. I'm an 80's sports car person. I like the cut lines on the FC it screams testosterone

My biggest choice, as I'm sure many other FC owners, was cost. The cost of owning an FD means your salary needs to be at a certain level (provided you own a house and have other bills). I assume if you live at home and make 40k a year, your set for owning an FD. Now if you have a family and make 40k a year, like me, an FC is much more practical without your wife trying to murder you.

 

So you would consider having a Wife a good reason for a fc over fd?

 

I own a '94 FD and an '89 TurboII. I agree for the most part w/ "Icemark's" post above w/ the exception of handling (FD by a good margin). Overall, the FD is a MUCH nicer car - more refined in just about every sense, beautiful, and then there's the snob appeal, FWIW.

Style-wise w/ the TII, although it's still attractive, the car has a *very* dated (if not outright ghetto) interior, and the seats are not as comfortable as an FD's. The S5s are better looking than the older S4s IMO.

The FD will come w/ more responsibility - expensive maintenance, pricey insurance, costly to modify, etc. You don't mention your age or budget, but if you're starting out, I'd recommend the FC. Like FDs, they're fairly rare, and you'll have to be patient looking for the right car.

 

Price is definitely a big issue. I got my FC for 3500. An FD would run more than 10k. I think it would take me about 3000 to upgrade my suspension and engine to match the FD. So 6500 vs. 10k.

 

You'd be able to keep up in the turns but still get roasted in the straights (FDs can be modded too).

Save your money if you want the overall package.

 

I'd call the FC interior "functional" - that's about it. However, I love the positioning of controls (as do most other people who've driven my car - they comment on the turn signal stalk regularly).

Reasons I prefer the FC:
1. I can't afford an FD. Not purchase price, not maintenance.
2. Parts for the FC are dirt cheap, as are parts cars.
3. If I screw up, replacing a FC isn't that difficult/expensive.
4. I like my NA reliability. I'm working on putting a turbo FC together for the weekends, but the NAs are very reliable if they're properly maintained, and for a daily driver it has plenty of power.
5. The NA FC is very easy to work on. Pretty much everything in the engine bay is easy to get at. I've seen FD engine bays, and I'd rather work in there than on a new FWD car, but there's still a LOT more stuff in the way.

-=Russ=-

 

if want to LEARN how to drift, do NOT buy an FD. it will be infinitely harder to learn to drift in an FD an 4523543567 times as expensive because you will break more stuff and it will cost more to replace said stuff. FC is one of the best cars to learn to drift in (behind a 240 or an AE86) in my opinion.
i wish RETed would respond to this as he is far more knowledgeable in fc's, fd's, and drifting than i am. you could always shoot him a pm if you want to.

 

because its a cheap RWD chassis with plenty of room to fit a modern 5.7 liter all aluminum V8 with 6speed tranny, and it fits under a stock nonturbo hood. also, you could do that swap in one weekend if you had all of the parts in front of you.
mostly, besides being easier to source an FC, you can also find an FC for almost free. my FC was dirt cheap and its easy to find replacement chassis if I ever toss mine into a wall at a trackschool.
the FC is cheaper to throw an LS1 into by about $1200 because of the PPF setup on the FD that has to be custom made/modified.
I would think the FC would be ''better''' since its so oldschool, cheap to modify and easily/quickly replaceable.

just being honest....

 

When it comes to overall power, the FC and FD are pretty comparable (when modded). The FD has more power stock, but when you start talking about power upgrades, the numbers are similar. The 13B-REW has larger ports, etc. but its the same engine for the most part. Handling and appearance are the main differences IMO.

FCs are damn near impossible to drift as well. Total pain in the *** for many reasons. If you want to learn to drift, buy a 240.

 

once you get rid of the rear steer and get a 2 way its really not that hard at all. rear steer is a killer though.

 

I fell in love with the FC's body.......call me vain, lol....seriously I love 80's cars. HP wise the FD has 50 more than the FC (the extra turbo and slightly different internals) and it weighs slightly less than the TII. You can make a decently fast TII for very little money.....example:
safc (used 200)
avcr (used 250)
BNR turbo (stage II= 360 rwhp 675 bux)
fuel pump, (120 bux)
720 cc injectors (100 each)
dynotune it and you will be pretty fast.

but don't forget that it needs maintenance....I just spent 500 bux on brake rotors, O2 sensor and misc. broken parts........

I consider the FC as a GRIP car.....not a drift car...sure the rear end gives out when it is pushed to the limit but it is a grip car above anything else....good luck

 

Doesn't the e-brake not engaging completely while moving make it hard also?

 

well pulling the e-brake is not a very good way to induce a drift unless you are in a confined space at a relatively low speed.....i've never had probs with the rear steer.....but like a said the FC is more of a grip car than a drift car.

 

You also have to modify the steering so you can actually get decent angle. They're ok for someone who drifts once in a while for fun, but aren't that great (stock) for a serious drifter. Don't get me wrong, plenty of people drift FC's, but there are other cars that are better equipped to drift without major modifications to steering, suspension, etc.

 

i highly doubt that just those mods alone will get you 360whp
maybe with fmic, turbo back exhaust, intake but without that stuff you are dreaming

 

i'm sorry......check sig

 

and exactly like i said FMIC, turbo back exhaust
did i not say that
all i was saying is to mention those in your price list to get to 360whp

 

i consider those givens on a TII.......but you are right........i guess add

3" turbo back --240 bux
intake --50-100 bux,
custom FMIC-- 300 bux

at least that's what I paid............If I had the money to buy an FD I'd use it to buy an FC and mod it into a perfect sleeper.

 

although i absolutely love both body stlyes..... im an fc guy! i will probubly end up getting an fd someday, but that is just because i want to experience all 3 generations of rx7! but everything ive heard about fds is they are a pain in the *** to maintain..... my fc is sometimes a pain, but i drive the crap out of my car!!

the 13b-rew will blow up when it wants to.......whereas the 13b-t will only blow due to neglect, inexperience, and stupidity..... start with an fc, and if you still really want an fd, then upgrade... and if your going to drift, and fc is alot easier to throw away than an fd!

 

You know the originator of this thread should post the same thread in the 3rd gen section adn see what the replies are there

 

When buying an FD, you're paying for looks and rarity. I'd say it pretty much stops there. Although I'd live an FD myself, I don't have the money. FC's are a dime a dozen as are the motors. Drop some money into a Turbo (and maybe some weight ) and you will have a car that's plenty quick and will hang with an FD.