+1.

i drove one not to long a go and i was very impressed.

I don't see why people would think FD to C6Z would be a downgrade. The LS7 is a very nice motor that will push out 450+rwhp stock. Yes it's a more refined car with more gadgets than the FD, but it can still be a very nice track car.

Something from the porsche track range...GT3 probably. Light, incredible grip, incredible linear power delivery, RWD funtime. But that's only once you pry my FD keys from my cold dead hands.

I will be more happy with a 3 rotor fc with a snail the size of my head. If I had to do this

Gtr.

The only cars I would seriously consider replacing my FD with are out of my price range at this point, at least to afford comfortably. A 997 GT3, NA2 NSX, or C6-Z ( In that order) would all be considerations. The C6 is the obvious stand out performance-wise, but for me performance isnt the end-all factor, is has to stir that "feeling" up inside of my and made me fall in love with the car. FOr whatever reason, the vette just doesnt quite to that for me, even though I give it all the credit I can for being an amazing machine.

nsx or lotus elise/exige

I'd only give away an FD if i was forced to get something reasonable. In fact i wouldnt really give it away at all, i'd get a hot hatch like a Mazda 3 MPS over an EVO or a Z06, and turn the FD into a serious race car with the spare change. (would look cool with the 3 haulin' the 7 on a trailer! :P)

An S2000 I miss having a convertible. I will get one once I finish my mods/payments on my car. It's practical, has decent mpg, reliable, has lots of nice mods that can be put on the car.

Well, I'd say a cayman so I could turbo charge it... But I'd give a serious look at the c6zo6 because it's a great car but I really don't like the interior... If I had to get a car with four seats... M3

I remember some threads where they criticize the vette because of all the plastic it has. Like the fd doesn't have any lol.

Or maybe think that because the vette is more common and the fd is rare, gives the fd more credit.

I rode in a c6z and I was impressed like no other. I been in fast cars before like 996tt and a 600+ rwhp supra but the vettes on tap torque is unexplainable. You can literally be in 6th gear at 30mph and punch it and you're gonna start moving right away.

Interior is about the same size wise to the fd, maybe SLIGHTLY bigger. But the layout is more modern obviously and I love the placement for the shifter. Its more closer to the driver instead of in the middle more like the fd.

And now you can find uses z's for mid to high 30s. And prob in a year to 18 months, you'll see them in high 20s. I think that's when I seriously think about getting one.

It's neat to see all the cars we like. We all have similar taste for the most part.

Regarding the 8 series, I have heard they have a lot of reliability issues, however Gordon has an 850, v-12 and 6 speed so anybody who wants to know about them could ask him. I would guess it's a heavy duty and well built car with electrical issues. Very nice looking though.

The m-coupe looks like a reproductive organ. Looks are subjective though.

If I gave up my FD, from what's available in my country, I'd buy an e46 m3 or a 350z or a 03-04 911 Turbo. All as project cars of course, not drooling over any of them when I own a FD, except a little over the Porsche :D

Btw tax here is calculated according to displacement and year of manufacture otherwise E60 M5 would be the one for me.

The only downgrade would be in uniqueness. I can't imagine anybody thinking a Z06 of any year is a downgrade from an FD. I love the FD, been obsessed since I was 15...that was 15 years ago but the Z06 is a great car. Personally I see a lot of style similarities with the FD and the C5, specifically the front end, doors, and roof.

Hands down viper gts, black with black wheels. Seen a few nice supercharged gts putting out about 800whp go for 40k. That will be my next car and will keep my fd for a few years. After that, will probably sell both and get into more a semi exotic like a vantage or db9. The GTS is just a monster with the looks to match, only complaint is the interior but I don't mind the cognac interior that some of them have.

240z, R34, GT3, Pagani Zonda R

^Lol at the Pagani... If i got rid of my FD i would probably build a turbo s2000. They are just way to much fun. If i wanted something practical, I would get another E46 M3.

-Austin

:)

2 seater

1st choice last generation Viper GTS coupe.
2nd choice NSX.

Far too many Vetts around...I like rarity!

The C5 and C6s are big performance upgrades but from the drivers seat it's like sex with a condom.

Thanks, Fritz. :D

Over the years I have talked to many former-FD now-Vette owners. When they found out I had a '7, every single one of them (that I can remember) told me that they regretted getting rid of their FD. In most cases it seems that it was only maintenance issues that drove them to get rid of it and not any sense of "upgrading".

Personally, I have no interest in being Just Another Vette Driver.

If I could not have an FD and had to choose another car... well, what's my budget?? An RX-8 could be kind of fun. A used M3 is kind of cliche. But if you are talking the Porsche/z-Vette kind of money, at that point I start looking at used Ferrari's. A low mileage early 360 Modena is not a bad price point.

After having an FD for the last ten years, I honestly believe that there's no way I could go back to being just another one of the herd.

-b

Austin Martin DB9 or a Lotus Exige :drool: :drool:

In order of preference, all RWD cars.

C6 ZO6 (rode in one once, had one chase me around on the track once, rode in ZR1 a few times now.. both cars are absolutely nuts in terms of throttle response and raw power. vettes are kind of a dime a dozen)
Viper GTS coupe, previous generation (always thought they looked awesome)
BMW M3 coupe (latest model, E90? practical and can still perform... just so heavy)
BMW M roadster (latest model. like how the new model looks and it's a performer)
Porsche 993 911 (base model, if there is such a thing. always like these, sexy cars)
Nissan 370z (reasonably cheap, practical, decent performer... dime a dozen)
Honda/Acrua NSX (kind of slow, but looks great and handles great from what I hear)

But if I "had" to give the car up, it would be to pay for something else, like a house... not another car :) I love my car and FDs... always have always will.

lol

Ill prob never know what its like to push a C6Z to its full potential, dont really care either but for street use, i would assume its an amazing car to throw around. Even with the AC on your stock Z will still be making like 440rwhp lol

To adam, i probably wont ever get rid of the FD for a C5Z. While its still a great car that can be had for around 20k (i've seen a few), to me the car is already outdated.

If anything, i believe an LS1 FD is a better buy than a C5Z. Probably even a properly setup 400rwhp 13B FD too over a C5Z. I know i am chewing my words but the C6Z is an entirely different animal and probably the only car within reasonable value that if i had seconds to choose to replace the FD with, i would.

the problem with the C5 Z06 is that it's pretty much the car you buy because you can't afford a C6 Z06 which is superior in every way besides arguable/subjective things like looks.