To be honest I can't argue to much I have only test drove a 240sx. I would say I'm more into the look of the cars. If the engine sucks I'll just put a LS or K series in it. . So the new Z still wins in my eyes but to each his own. Cars definitely reflect there owners so everyone is going to have there own reasons/thoughts for owning it.
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Also not saying the rotory sucks it just wasn't for me in this moment.

 

Toyota has the resources to build the Lexus LC 500 and the RC coupes, so I find it weird that they don't have room to build a lightweight sports car, even one much less expensive than the LFA.

I can see why the designers of the new Z went back to the originals for design inspiration. The 350Z and 370Z (and the GT-R) started to look bloated.

 

It was only the SR20DE that sucked. The SR20DET is a pretty solid motor if I'm being honest.


That's what I'm getting at. It's not that they don't have the resources to, they just don't/haven't/didn't with the particularly popular cars. And in my opinion the Z is just as bloated at the 350/370/GTR at ~3400 lbs like the reports are saying, but I guess we'll see. I just think the designers were lazy and didn't do anything to help the car stand out. The rear looks retro, the side looks like the 370, and the front looks like they were trying to make it home for dinner so they slapped some drawing on the board and cut the lights off.

 

haven't followed this thread but if i had to replace my FD it would be with an Alfa Romeo 4C

 

I agree with alfa 4C.

Its the right mix of exotic, light, good looking, quick and good handling with much more potential, aural, analog, unreliable, low selling/rare and panned by the current press for its ride.

Im talking about the Alfa 4C here, not the FD incase you were confused (see, I could be talking about either...)

Im not saying anyone should buy the 4C when you can get a decent project FD for the same price.

The REAL QUESTION of this thread is- Why are you replacing the FD?

What about ithe FD dont you like and why cant you just fix that? Cause Im pretty sure we cant even all agree on that!

 

"The REAL QUESTION of this thread is- Why are you replacing the FD?

agree

 

I'm with you there.

 

My friend and I have been talking about buying a 4C for a couple of years but they are still very expensive in Canada. Currently there are only three for sale in the country and the prices are close to $100,000 after taxes.

 

Those just do nothing for me aesthetically. There is nothing new that isn't a supercar or demands a $150k plus price tag that remotely excites me. The C8 being the one exception but the factory wheels and wheel gaps are atrocious.

 

I moved out of north america and bought a lotus exige final edition Open your horizons

 

Italian or Japanese?

Horizons opening, bank accounts emptying – a newer, less expensive Italian Ford GT(?) with a 3.0L turbo V6 and an 8-speed DCT (about 3,300 lbs) – did they give up on the Alfieri?

And the new Acura NSX Type S... still porky at about 3,900 lbs. The weight, design, and hybrid powertrain make it a non-starter for me.

 

my fantasy is that Mazda will simply reprise the FD leaving the body close to original, updating the interior, going single turbo, direct injected, beefing up the driveline and doubling the brakes.

oh wait, i did (most of) that.

because Mazda is too busy building toyotas

 

I learned how to drive in my mom's Alfa Spider. Here's two things I remember about that car:
1: It sounded good when got on it. Not the most powerful little car ever, but it growled.
2: Mom spend 800 bucks on it about three times a year (this was 1980 or so). A new top? 800 bucks. Clutch job? 800 bucks. Stereo got ripped off again? You guessed it, 800 bucks. ALWAYS 800 bucks. I can imagine there's a new 0 on the end of that 800 now, if you can find a dealer to work on it.

 

We apparently have the same fantasy, and yeah other than direct injection, I'm in the process of doing most of that stuff with my old FD too (2020's engine management, DBW, single turbo, better brakes/suspension/interior and reducing NVH wherever I can)

 

Every owner can agree on the interior panels/covers, thin paint, engine cooling, etc., but those are gravy after addressing the main thing -- chassis rigidity. Take an FE out for a quick ride then climb back in the FD and see the night & day difference. But that you can't fix, which is why the next 7 -- when/if done right -- will be the only replacement for the FD, assuming it follows the pure sports car formula, and doesn't revert to some bloated, semi-luxury, Lexus LC-like GT car.

 

"chassis rigidity"

i disagree. having beaten just about every supercar at Brainerd Int'l Raceway, which among other things has a 160 mile per hour corner, chassis rigidity is not an issue. you can't get grip with a sloppy chassis. period. this is not to say some other chassis has more grip or running stickier tires in full time attack mode might show some flex but for the other 99.999% of us the "main" thing is not chassis rigidity. and sure, it can always use more.

 

Mercedes-Benz sells a 2.0L turbo engine that makes 416 hp at 6,750 rpm, 369 lb-ft at 5,250: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M139_engine

If Mazda put a 400 hp turbo in a lighter hardtop MX-5, it would have a world beater.

For comparison, the BBR ND Stage 1 turbo kit makes 248 hp and their Stage 3 kit for the NC (with forged internals) makes 360 hp.

 

Lightweight sports cars compared:

 

After owning/racing an RX8 I agree it is a superior chassis to the FD.

FD is still my dream car though.
I cant get over the FD looks and wouldnt be against a full cage if I needed more chassis rigidity.

I guess parts availability is eventually going to be the thing we cant fix about the FD, but I hope metal 3D printing fills that void before Mazda gives up making parts for the FD.

 

The ray of hope is that (a) the engine plant is still making all 13BREW parts and Mazda recently announced it will be keeping this going; (b) the FC and FD RX-7 are now part of the Classic Mazda restoration program and they have started reprinting 90 parts to start with. In the 2 years since this was announced, there haven't been any new parts announced, but I'm hoping that is largely down to COVID. The Roadster / Miata / MX-5 program is much more developed and has proven successful, so fingers crossed the FC / FD (and 1st gen) program follows the same path.

 

Yes, I think the parts will go to 3D printing and aftermarket fabrication if Mazda doesn't come through. Their Classic program is a ray of hope (and then the old veterans won't have to hoard and cannibalize parts all the time).

 

You somewhat contradict yourself in the above paragraph -- saying it doesn't really matter, but then saying it can always use more. The FE has double or more the rigidity of the FD - - not quite sure if bending & torsional #s are made public by Mazda, but you can instantly tell by grabbing a seat in each of the models and closing the door(s). I like the feel of solidity, because it comes with the better ability (for the manufacturer) to dial in the damping, and the final result of a nicer overall driving experience. Wouldn't you take a C6 or 7 Vette over the wet noodle creakiness of the C4?

FE is a bit too heavy though, and it can't quite corner at the speeds the FD can.

 

You can't make a statement like this simply based on weight. You're going to have to do better than that.

 

while they haven't announced anything the sheet has been updated a couple of times, they have been adding to it.

we get to chat with one of the Japanese Mazda guys at Sevenstock, and he said as long as it makes money they will do it. Compared to Mazda USA's attitude (If you want it, you can't have it...) its quite a surprise to hear that

 

Some things I've been wanting to ask regarding that program is "Do we Americans have access to said parts if Mazda USA isn't going to do anything for us? Or is there someone that could put in orders for us? Are they making LHD parts?"