Imagine clicking on a thread about cars to replace the FD in 2021

Only to find a discussion about a singer type restoration of FDs in 2021

Truly irreplaceable

 

I feel like that's an industry wide trend. People like some of the modern tech, but they don't like new cars. They don't look good, don't deliver a great driver experience, so the resto-mod and retro styling have really grown legs.

 

Couldn't have said it better. Because of my "advanced years", I have wondered whether the reason I prefer driving older cars is because... I'm older. I bought a new-to-me 19976 BMW E12 530 recently and have been driving it. Enormous fun! So direct. Mechanical. And while looks are personal, I like how it looks.

 

I'm looking at the 2022 BRZ and its design really leaves me cold. The 2021 BRZ looks more elegant, even if it's slower.

I think I'd rather get the Mazda MX-5 RF (in the new Deep Crystal Blue Mica) even if the GR86/BRZ are more practical – I'd like to see the MX-5 break 250 hp in factory tune someday, though.

 

BMW just announced their new 2-series platform... the new M2 could be a good driver's car (considering all the accolades the current M2 Competition has garnered):

 

3600lbs if you stick with the 4 cylinder. Close to 3900lbs if you go for the 6 cylinder... Not to mention, it only comes with the 8 speed auto now. No chance of a manual.
At this point, you might as well go for the normal 3 series sedan. You'll have a more useful vehicle and it'll still be somewhat sporty.

If you're still looking for a more dedicated driving vehicle, maybe you want to wait it out and see what the new Z is going to offer. Basic chassis hasn't changed but the overall vehicle has been refreshed.

 

I haven't heard good things about the way the Z cars drive (relative to the FD)... I think I'd rather go for a V8 Camaro if the money is similar.

Edmunds lists the 370Z at 3,439 lbs. It's nearly impossible to get a lightweight car now (my Saturn SC2 is 2,436 lbs).

The 2021 Porsche Cayman S weights 2,987 lbs, so there is a reason why people love the 86/BRZ and MX-5... anything else in the lightweight category costs 2 or 3 times more (my friend has a 2020 Honda Civic Type-R... fun drive, but a totally different kind of performance car).

With the Cayman GT4, Porsche's money printer goes "brrrr..." Caymans are about 2,900 – 3,200 lbs, depending on the configuration. They have good bones, but the price (new or used in today's market)...



The answer is less weight AND more power:

 

Yes, it's very true. Finding a true lightweight car is going to cost you a bit more unless you stick with the usual suspects...
I guess the answer will continue to be Miata?

 

The answer is always Miata... except when it's FD.

 

Lotus Emira looks like a good candidate.

 

We just bought this for our daughter. It's a '21 RF Club that came with factory BBS, Brembo, Bilstein and Recaro.

 

Like this:
https://singervehicledesign.com/




An article about them

https://www.motor1.com/news/518796/s...-964-goodwood/

The cars are beautiful and impressive aka pure awesome but jeez they are STUPID expensive.

 

Am I right in saying that their old chassis makes them exempt from a lot of modern regulations?

 

sure, its still a 1989 Porsche. i think its partly why this resto mod thing works, there is no smog check on a 1969 Camaro, so why not just get a new one of those? i think Shelby started this trend in the car world, they had registered more cobra vins than they actually built, so they built a bunch of 1965 cobras in the early 2000's(?). Jaguar followed, they had a fire at the factory, so they had only built half of the D Types they had planned and in 2017 (or so) they just finished the production run.

this is a really common thing in other areas, there are tons of reissue guitars, and amps. sunglasses, shoes, maybe even watches fit here too

 

I think it's important for people to start doing these restorations now, while the cars are still legal and the sheet metal and chassis are in decent shape.

Figuring out better quality seals, etc. would remove the squeaks and rattles in your standard unrestored FD.

Attrition has taken too many RX-7s and we don't get the same resources the Porsche guys have:

 

The more different cars that I test drive, the more I realize that there really is no replacement for an FD.
The steering feel is the best of any car I've driven.
The ergonomics are just about perfect for me - not that goofy offset pedal crap with air cooled 911s.
Power to weight is very good.
The theatrics and noises associated with driving are entertaining.
It is truly fun to drive and eager to please.

 

So as a replacement, maybe try an RHD FD?

 

I rode shotgun in a Singer Porsche years ago, and the whole time I was thinking that you could build a great FD with that money and then have spare cash left over to buy a stock C7 corvette to thrash at the racetrack.

 

There are definitely some FDs out there built to Singer standards and above... the problem is that they're one-offs.

For example, I want my FD to be a street car first (as much as that's possible in an FD), and everything else second. It was already built to win in Time Attack, so the performance and reliability mods are nearly perfect.

I've thought about upgrading to Series 8 ('99-'02) parts, which I might do in a partial way (e.g., 4-channel ABS, rear wing, engine parts, interior bits) while keeping a mostly Series 6 appearance.

 

All due respect to everybody, but I don't think there's an FD on the planet crafted to Singer standards. We can't even get a CF hood that fits right.

 

 

Yeah... there is a reason why singer porches start $475K and top off at $1.8 million.

With that said, Gordon's car comes to mind when talking about an FD being crafted to extraordinary standards. I have been lucky enough to sit in it/start it and his car is jaw dropping. Now I'm not saying his ride is to the level of singer because frankly, I wouldn't know. But it sure is a badass car.

 

As time passes, I think the RX-7 will increase in value. It has low numbers (especially the FD), uniqueness, performance, and the kind of cult appeal that really works for sports cars.

Perhaps the rapid decrease in gasoline cars will allow the government to hand out driving exemptions to antique cars, so that all we'll need is some little box thing to participate in the smart road grid (one can only hope).

 

I prefer the Evora to the Cayman... yes, it's not perfect, but it's one of the best out there:

 

Now that they announced it’s successor, I think the price of these guys might move into a more affordable bracket. Really wish the engine wasn’t mounted transversely though.. oh well, still a hell of a vehicle.