13B-REW to LS1 Perspective
The fd is an amazing machine, however a stock twin fd with basic track upgrades, exhaust, r compounds(300-330rwhp typically for an fd) will not run with a stock z06 on rcompounds. You can pretty much just throw some road race tires on a zo6 and have a race car out the box. The FD is no joke by any means, however the z06 is a whole different animal. And I am just talking C5 here.
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Ive seen it first hand. We had a really well driven fFD R1 that competes somewhat heavily in NASA at our track event last year with bnr stage 3s, struts/springs, PFC, r compounds and all other supporting mods turn lap tims of 1:07:xx at little taladega last year. One of the instructors jumped in a bone stock 03 z06 on street tires that belonged to one of our customers and turned a 1:08:xx on STREET Tires. Drivers were pretty much equal.Im sure you could make the argument that with a big brake kit,400+rwhp/cage/stripped down fd could have killed the z06. But then you would be faced with the reality that the z06 was bone stock on street tires. Believe me, I was shocked when it happened myself. I even had the z06 run a couple more laps just to make sure I timed it right.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Effectively speaking, YES it is—
"Mazda" nameplate or not, these are/were cars engineered like exotic cars. It's a racecar for the street, like a Ferrari. Everything from the paper-thin body panels, to the race-type clutch, semi-solid bushings, everything reduced to the minimum for weight savings, etc. It's essentially a Japanese Lotus—with all of the positives and negatives implied in that.
The cardinal mistake being made when they came out, and now, is that people think they're buying a friggin' 626. It's simply NOT a car to drive to Sonic for a GD hotdog. Or to beat araound a college campus, or commute to work in. They're meant to be parked in a garage, taken out on weekends or to the track, and pampered.
If Lotus had produced the EXACT same car, flaws and all, they could've charged twoce the price, and nobody would be bitching. The reason you don't see so many other high performance cars like Vipers, Porsches, Lotuses, etc., in disrepair is because they're largely weekend cars owned by people who can afford the mainenance and that's required and are smart enough to get it done.
If you treat these cars like what they ARE, they aren't NEARLY as unreliable as they've been made out to be. I can see the appeal of a V8 conversion, but I just can't understand after all these years where all the surprise and bitterness about the car comes from. The car is what it is.
"Mazda" nameplate or not, these are/were cars engineered like exotic cars. It's a racecar for the street, like a Ferrari. Everything from the paper-thin body panels, to the race-type clutch, semi-solid bushings, everything reduced to the minimum for weight savings, etc. It's essentially a Japanese Lotus—with all of the positives and negatives implied in that.
The cardinal mistake being made when they came out, and now, is that people think they're buying a friggin' 626. It's simply NOT a car to drive to Sonic for a GD hotdog. Or to beat araound a college campus, or commute to work in. They're meant to be parked in a garage, taken out on weekends or to the track, and pampered.
If Lotus had produced the EXACT same car, flaws and all, they could've charged twoce the price, and nobody would be bitching. The reason you don't see so many other high performance cars like Vipers, Porsches, Lotuses, etc., in disrepair is because they're largely weekend cars owned by people who can afford the mainenance and that's required and are smart enough to get it done.
If you treat these cars like what they ARE, they aren't NEARLY as unreliable as they've been made out to be. I can see the appeal of a V8 conversion, but I just can't understand after all these years where all the surprise and bitterness about the car comes from. The car is what it is.
That car IMO is in the same class as mine...v8, rotary, chevy, mazda, ford....whatever. He gets 33+ MPG on the freeway—that's phenomenal! My 3 gets that, and it's a 4-banger. Regular oil changes, fluids, etc., and he has not been faced with anything remotely close to a rebuild. Closest thing may have been the alternator. He doesn't worry about his car in the way that I worried about mine. He takes it to a mechanic if he needs work—I can't do that. The nearest one is in San Antonio.
I don't hate the rotary at all, in fact, I think it's a tremendous idea. Maybe in 20 years, the technology and efficiency will have been improved like the piston—after all, it is the Rotary Xperiment, right?. Who knows. But as an average Joe, I don't want to deal with it anymore. And frankly, I shouldn't have to just because someone thinks it's some kind blasphemy.
Does that mean I'm better for running a car?
^^^^
That's all fine, like I say, it's your car.
I just think some people need to get a clue. I don't see guys picking up older 911 or Lotus Esprit Turbos, or even some of their newer counterparts and then getting mad when they aren't as easy to maintain, reliable, fuel efficient, or around-town livable as their neighbor's new Corvette. Duh. Of course they aren't.
Presumably those people buy those cars based on something besides a pure dollars and cents empirical judgement—and I suspect if you went on the 911 forum you'd get just as much "blasphemy" talk if you bitched about the air-cooled flat six and the superiority of the Chevy V8 you were going to drop in the back of it. Prbably because the former is a part of whatever non-empiracle judgement those people have made in buying those cars. Sports cars aren't a logical decision in the first place.
... and I say all that completely recognizing the value of a V8 conversion and having no real problem with it.
That's all fine, like I say, it's your car.
I just think some people need to get a clue. I don't see guys picking up older 911 or Lotus Esprit Turbos, or even some of their newer counterparts and then getting mad when they aren't as easy to maintain, reliable, fuel efficient, or around-town livable as their neighbor's new Corvette. Duh. Of course they aren't.
Presumably those people buy those cars based on something besides a pure dollars and cents empirical judgement—and I suspect if you went on the 911 forum you'd get just as much "blasphemy" talk if you bitched about the air-cooled flat six and the superiority of the Chevy V8 you were going to drop in the back of it. Prbably because the former is a part of whatever non-empiracle judgement those people have made in buying those cars. Sports cars aren't a logical decision in the first place.
... and I say all that completely recognizing the value of a V8 conversion and having no real problem with it.
Last edited by ptrhahn; Apr 17, 2008 at 01:49 PM.
I was gonna say the C6 BASE and C5 Z06 in the same sentence and out came the almighty beast C6 Z06.
But yeah i honestly would rather spend the money (if you're going v8 anyway) for the C6 base which has the LS3 or the C5 Z06.
Why would you spend 30 grand for a mazda rx7 with an LS1? Its sorta like going backwards.
And please dont bring weight into this, the z06 is like dustballs heavier than the FD.
I want to make power over as much of the usable RPM range as possible. The lower the better, and the higher the better. I can spin the rear tires at 2000 rpm, and I can spin them at 6700 rpm, what "idiot" wouldn't want to be able to do that?
Same here.
My LSx starter motor makes more torque than your Honda engine. If you seriously think you can compare your Honda to any LSx, well....
Spoken like a true ricer.
Again, spoken like a true ricer.
Same here.
My LSx starter motor makes more torque than your Honda engine. If you seriously think you can compare your Honda to any LSx, well....
Spoken like a true ricer.
Again, spoken like a true ricer.
But...I think we're talking about two different things. Power down low is good for the street, but not my PREFERENCE on the track. Which means I'm not ripping around the mean streets of Texas looking for a fight, I'm using it in an enclosed environment for my own enjoyment.
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena, CA
I just think some people need to get a clue. I don't see guys picking up older 911 or Lotus Esprit Turbos, or even some of their newer counterparts and then getting mad when they aren't as easy to maintain, reliable, fuel efficient, or around-town livable as their neighbor's new Corvette. Duh. Of course they aren't.
Presumably those people buy those cars based on something besides a pure dollars and cents empirical judgment—and I suspect if you went on the 911 forum you'd get just as much "blasphemy" talk if you bitched about the air-cooled flat six and the superiority of the Chevy V8 you were going to drop in the back of it. Probably because the former is a part of whatever non-empirical judgment those people have made in buying those cars. Sports cars aren't a logical decision in the first place.
... and I say all that completely recognizing the value of a V8 conversion and having no real problem with it.
Presumably those people buy those cars based on something besides a pure dollars and cents empirical judgment—and I suspect if you went on the 911 forum you'd get just as much "blasphemy" talk if you bitched about the air-cooled flat six and the superiority of the Chevy V8 you were going to drop in the back of it. Probably because the former is a part of whatever non-empirical judgment those people have made in buying those cars. Sports cars aren't a logical decision in the first place.
... and I say all that completely recognizing the value of a V8 conversion and having no real problem with it.
That's all fine, like I say, it's your car.
I just think some people need to get a clue. I don't see guys picking up older 911 or Lotus Esprit Turbos, or even some of their newer counterparts and then getting mad when they aren't as easy to maintain, reliable, fuel efficient, or around-town livable as their neighbor's new Corvette. Duh. Of course they aren't.
Presumably those people buy those cars based on something besides a pure dollars and cents empirical judgement—and I suspect if you went on the 911 forum you'd get just as much "blasphemy" talk if you bitched about the air-cooled flat six and the superiority of the Chevy V8 you were going to drop in the back of it. Prbably because the former is a part of whatever non-empiracle judgement those people have made in buying those cars. Sports cars aren't a logical decision in the first place.
... and I say all that completely recognizing the value of a V8 conversion and having no real problem with it.
I just think some people need to get a clue. I don't see guys picking up older 911 or Lotus Esprit Turbos, or even some of their newer counterparts and then getting mad when they aren't as easy to maintain, reliable, fuel efficient, or around-town livable as their neighbor's new Corvette. Duh. Of course they aren't.
Presumably those people buy those cars based on something besides a pure dollars and cents empirical judgement—and I suspect if you went on the 911 forum you'd get just as much "blasphemy" talk if you bitched about the air-cooled flat six and the superiority of the Chevy V8 you were going to drop in the back of it. Prbably because the former is a part of whatever non-empiracle judgement those people have made in buying those cars. Sports cars aren't a logical decision in the first place.
... and I say all that completely recognizing the value of a V8 conversion and having no real problem with it.
Couldn't agree more.
I stand by by original post from the first page. If you want an LSx engine, get the factory 5 Supercar and drom one in. You will weight less than the FD and accelerate faster than an Enzo all for less than 40k and look bad *** doing it. I know someone who knows someone who bought this car, and it was stupid fast. One of these days, I want to do it.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Funny you say that. Not to derail the conversation, but the other day I was thinking about what kind of bizarre types of new technology people might be installing in their RX7s in the next 30 years. I plan on keeping my FD as long as possible, but eventually gas will be obsolete. Nitrogen fuel? That'd be interesting. Can you turbocharge that?
Funny you say that. Not to derail the conversation, but the other day I was thinking about what kind of bizarre types of new technology people might be installing in their RX7s in the next 30 years. I plan on keeping my FD as long as possible, but eventually gas will be obsolete. Nitrogen fuel? That'd be interesting. Can you turbocharge that?
Going to have to respectfully disagree here. Back when I sold my FD, I began shopping for a "replacement". I was almost sure I wanted a C5 Z06, and began shopping around and going for test-drives. Im not going to go as far as to say I didnt like the Z06, but I will say that I do think a nicely setup FD is better. The Z06 just felt big, and I didnt like the interior. Plus in the aesthetics department I think the FD wins hands down. These are all my opinions and I realize arent shared by everyone, but if you are going to be dumping money into a "toy" vehicle like this, might as well have exactly what you want. I am now looking for another FD because I just havent found another car less than $50k that I really like better. If it was a daily-driver, I would say the Z06 hands down, but for just a weekend toy/race car, I feel the FD is better. I dont care about gas milage, I dont even really care about the "reliability", I like that I can slap together a LSx engine that makes 500RWHP no sweat, is backed by a pretty touch 6-speed trans, and I can go beat on it all day and it will take it. The fact that I can squeeze that combo into one of my favorite chassis and IMO one of the most beautiful cars ever made, is just fantastic.
Yes that was my mistake.
I was gonna say the C6 BASE and C5 Z06 in the same sentence and out came the almighty beast C6 Z06.
But yeah i honestly would rather spend the money (if you're going v8 anyway) for the C6 base which has the LS3 or the C5 Z06.
Why would you spend 30 grand for a mazda rx7 with an LS1? Its sorta like going backwards.
And please dont bring weight into this, the z06 is like dustballs heavier than the FD.
I was gonna say the C6 BASE and C5 Z06 in the same sentence and out came the almighty beast C6 Z06.
But yeah i honestly would rather spend the money (if you're going v8 anyway) for the C6 base which has the LS3 or the C5 Z06.
Why would you spend 30 grand for a mazda rx7 with an LS1? Its sorta like going backwards.
And please dont bring weight into this, the z06 is like dustballs heavier than the FD.
Some of you guys seem really passionate about this, but have you actually experienced a V8-powered RX7 and or a bone stock RX-7? Remember when you first drove your car? No amount of magazine or internet descriptions can replace actually trying something and deciding for yourself. You may want different things from your car, but here's my experience.
I've driven my RX-7 (swaybar and downpipe are the only mods), my friend's modded RX-7 (non-seq, v-mount IC, suspension, no cat converter or PS or AC, race seats...), and an LS1 swapped RX-7 with suspension mods. I drove both cars on different autocross courses on different days, but I always drove my car for a lap or two first.
Without a doubt, the LS1 was more streetable and the easiest to drive than the modded RX-7. It wasn't as loud and didn't smell funny. Throttle response was linear and instantaneous, there was no turbo lag or sequential transition which made it even easier to drive than my stock RX-7. The LS1 didn't make the car feel unbalanced or heavy, he has posted corner weights on this forum and they were very good compared to mine. If I remember correctly his engine came from a GTO or Camaro (the corvette engines weight less, IIRC).
As others mentioned, being street legal can be a plus: the penalty for removing your cat converter is over $2000 in California, from what I hear. I've driven my friend's C5 corvette, bone stock and after a twin-turbo swap (which I do not recommend: way too much power). The V8RX7 feels lighter and more nimble due to the shorter wheelbase, plus the nose isn't rediculously long and the interior is better.
My personal reason for not installing an LS1 is the purchase price (owner said the project cost $10k+ and quite a bit of time) and I don't want to own a science project at the moment. I was perfectly happy with my bone-stock car in terms of power, it lasted about 12 years (3 years that I've had it for) including canyon runs, daily driving, long trips and a couple seasons of autocrossing. I'm hoping to rebuild and have another 5-6 years of fun. The only thing I didn't like about the V8 swap was the GM power steering pump made the steering effort a bit too light for my taste. To me, Corvette steering feels like an economy car compared to the RX-7.
I've driven my RX-7 (swaybar and downpipe are the only mods), my friend's modded RX-7 (non-seq, v-mount IC, suspension, no cat converter or PS or AC, race seats...), and an LS1 swapped RX-7 with suspension mods. I drove both cars on different autocross courses on different days, but I always drove my car for a lap or two first.
Without a doubt, the LS1 was more streetable and the easiest to drive than the modded RX-7. It wasn't as loud and didn't smell funny. Throttle response was linear and instantaneous, there was no turbo lag or sequential transition which made it even easier to drive than my stock RX-7. The LS1 didn't make the car feel unbalanced or heavy, he has posted corner weights on this forum and they were very good compared to mine. If I remember correctly his engine came from a GTO or Camaro (the corvette engines weight less, IIRC).
As others mentioned, being street legal can be a plus: the penalty for removing your cat converter is over $2000 in California, from what I hear. I've driven my friend's C5 corvette, bone stock and after a twin-turbo swap (which I do not recommend: way too much power). The V8RX7 feels lighter and more nimble due to the shorter wheelbase, plus the nose isn't rediculously long and the interior is better.
My personal reason for not installing an LS1 is the purchase price (owner said the project cost $10k+ and quite a bit of time) and I don't want to own a science project at the moment. I was perfectly happy with my bone-stock car in terms of power, it lasted about 12 years (3 years that I've had it for) including canyon runs, daily driving, long trips and a couple seasons of autocrossing. I'm hoping to rebuild and have another 5-6 years of fun. The only thing I didn't like about the V8 swap was the GM power steering pump made the steering effort a bit too light for my taste. To me, Corvette steering feels like an economy car compared to the RX-7.
Some of you guys are like some husbands that say "My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world" Helo, I have seen your wife and she could lose about 15lbs and do something about that face.
My point being, love makes us all blind. The FD is getting old and eventually technology wil leave it behind--that is just the way of the world. I love the FD, but it won't be the top dog forever.
And yes, your wife is ugly.
My point being, love makes us all blind. The FD is getting old and eventually technology wil leave it behind--that is just the way of the world. I love the FD, but it won't be the top dog forever.
And yes, your wife is ugly.
Some of you guys are like some husbands that say "My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world" Helo, I have seen your wife and she could lose about 15lbs and do something about that face.
My point being, love makes us all blind. The FD is getting old and eventually technology wil leave it behind--that is just the way of the world. I love the FD, but it won't be the top dog forever.
And yes, your wife is ugly.
My point being, love makes us all blind. The FD is getting old and eventually technology wil leave it behind--that is just the way of the world. I love the FD, but it won't be the top dog forever.
And yes, your wife is ugly.
In what sense? That's an awfully broad term.
I'd say there isn't alot that's a direct comparison, except perhaps a 911 which is alot more expensive. From a "what it does well" perspective, it's in the empty zone between a Corvette and Lotus Elise.
I'd say there isn't alot that's a direct comparison, except perhaps a 911 which is alot more expensive. From a "what it does well" perspective, it's in the empty zone between a Corvette and Lotus Elise.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 0
From: New york
You can cut up my posts all you want, but you can't change what the core argument is about. I don't like LSx motors and it is my car. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it, but if you say I'm dumb for liking my car the way it is then I think we have a problem. Because I like to rev that makes me a ricer? Hmm, you get power from 2 grand all the way to your 6.5 k redline. I start making power at 3k, hit full boost 16lbs around 5.5, and hold it there until 8.5k. So I make power longer than you which makes me FASTER hence why I like to rev. You have 4000 RPM of usable power, I have 5500.
But...I think we're talking about two different things. Power down low is good for the street, but not my PREFERENCE on the track. Which means I'm not ripping around the mean streets of Texas looking for a fight, I'm using it in an enclosed environment for my own enjoyment.
But...I think we're talking about two different things. Power down low is good for the street, but not my PREFERENCE on the track. Which means I'm not ripping around the mean streets of Texas looking for a fight, I'm using it in an enclosed environment for my own enjoyment.
-to drive a turbo rotary fast you HAVE to drive perfect...1 missed gear,1 early shift
and your out of the powerband waiting for boost to hit...and launching a rotary if your not on slicks doesnt get any easier launch 2 high you spin spin spin, low 2 launch 2 low u bog.....wait for it, wait for it, waiitttt and BOOOSt lol..
- with my v8 rx7 its just EASIER and CARE-FREE, and on the street IN MY OPINION its a a faster machine...with my v8 iam ALWAYS in the powerband....hell i can launch OFF IDLE and still cut 1.9s on street tires all day long.....
the funny thing is every rotary owner i met that has a fast,well built rotary didnt knock me for doing the swap at all, many laughed and said they wanna go for a ride and these are true die hard enthusiasts!!...but its always the guys with a hacked to **** fd, that barely runs..thats getting on me for "stealing the soul" lolz kinda funny actually
p/s this isnt directed toward anyone in particular...if you feel butt hurt then maybe its directed toward you
while yes it is a broad term. In 1992 when the FD came out it was top dog. 225 RWHP at 2800lbs and with a .98 g cornering ability it was really something to boast about. Fast forward ten years later (2002). 225 RWHP is nothing to brag about, and with the advances in technology the handling ability though very good, it's nowhere near as impressive as it once was. Hence FD: no longer top dog.
Effectively speaking, YES it is—
"Mazda" nameplate or not, these are/were cars engineered like exotic cars. It's a racecar for the street, like a Ferrari. It's essentially a Japanese Lotus—with all of the positives and negatives implied in that.
The cardinal mistake being made when they came out, and now, is that people think they're buying a friggin' 626. It's simply NOT a car to drive to Sonic for a GD hotdog. Or to beat araound a college campus, or commute to work in. They're meant to be parked in a garage, taken out on weekends or to the track, and pampered.
If Lotus had produced the EXACT same car, flaws and all, they could've charged twoce the price, and nobody would be bitching. The reason you don't see so many other high performance cars like Vipers, Porsches, Lotuses, etc., in disrepair is because they're largely weekend cars owned by people who can afford the mainenance and that's required and are smart enough to get it done.
If you treat these cars like what they ARE, they aren't NEARLY as unreliable as they've been made out to be. I can see the appeal of a V8 conversion, but I just can't understand after all these years where all the surprise and bitterness about the car comes from. The car is what it is.
"Mazda" nameplate or not, these are/were cars engineered like exotic cars. It's a racecar for the street, like a Ferrari. It's essentially a Japanese Lotus—with all of the positives and negatives implied in that.
The cardinal mistake being made when they came out, and now, is that people think they're buying a friggin' 626. It's simply NOT a car to drive to Sonic for a GD hotdog. Or to beat araound a college campus, or commute to work in. They're meant to be parked in a garage, taken out on weekends or to the track, and pampered.
If Lotus had produced the EXACT same car, flaws and all, they could've charged twoce the price, and nobody would be bitching. The reason you don't see so many other high performance cars like Vipers, Porsches, Lotuses, etc., in disrepair is because they're largely weekend cars owned by people who can afford the mainenance and that's required and are smart enough to get it done.
If you treat these cars like what they ARE, they aren't NEARLY as unreliable as they've been made out to be. I can see the appeal of a V8 conversion, but I just can't understand after all these years where all the surprise and bitterness about the car comes from. The car is what it is.
The FD can best be compared best to a C4 corvette, which was exactly the market it was trying to capture. A well to do individual who wants something fast that can be driven periodically (daily). Not some thoroughbred that the instant it comes off the lot it becomes a collector’s item so it is best kept in the garage. Back in 1992 when the FD first came out anyone with enough credit from the street could come in and purchase one. Try doing that with a Ferrari. Even if you have cash. Ferrari has a policy that they don’t sell new cars to unknown customers. In order for anyone to get a new Ferrari they must have an already established relationship with the dealer. Meaning you must buy used before you buy new. The only way around that rule is that one can pay up to close 150% of the purchase price.
Don’t make the FD something it’s not. It’s a badass car but it’s not an exotic. It was never meant to be one.
A couple of months ago I went out to dinner with my mechanic and 4 other FD owners. We where all across the board with our mods, from highly modded to bone stock except for the pre-cat. But we all had one certain common thread with the FD: ALL of us had rebuilt engines under our belt. How many other sports car owners have that issue? Do Vipers engines crap out at 60K miles? What about porsches? Yeah all sports cars have problems, and the FD has it’s fair share and more. To me the biggest issue is that it seems that the engine is a throw away and expensive throw away at that. There’s no justifying such a massive issue on a car that was targeted to the average individual.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Houston
The FD and Ferrari have two completely different mindsets. Bad analogy…
The FD can best be compared best to a C4 corvette, which was exactly the market it was trying to capture. A well to do individual who wants something fast that can be driven periodically (daily). Not some thoroughbred that the instant it comes off the lot it becomes a collector’s item so it is best kept in the garage. Back in 1992 when the FD first came out anyone with enough credit from the street could come in and purchase one. Try doing that with a Ferrari. Even if you have cash. Ferrari has a policy that they don’t sell new cars to unknown customers. In order for anyone to get a new Ferrari they must have an already established relationship with the dealer. Meaning you must buy used before you buy new. The only way around that rule is that one can pay up to close 150% of the purchase price.
Don’t make the FD something it’s not. It’s a badass car but it’s not an exotic. It was never meant to be one.
A couple of months ago I went out to dinner with my mechanic and 4 other FD owners. We where all across the board with our mods, from highly modded to bone stock except for the pre-cat. But we all had one certain common thread with the FD: ALL of us had rebuilt engines under our belt. How many other sports car owners have that issue? Do Vipers engines crap out at 60K miles? What about porsches? Yeah all sports cars have problems, and the FD has it’s fair share and more. To me the biggest issue is that it seems that the engine is a throw away and expensive throw away at that. There’s no justifying such a massive issue on a car that was targeted to the average individual.
The FD can best be compared best to a C4 corvette, which was exactly the market it was trying to capture. A well to do individual who wants something fast that can be driven periodically (daily). Not some thoroughbred that the instant it comes off the lot it becomes a collector’s item so it is best kept in the garage. Back in 1992 when the FD first came out anyone with enough credit from the street could come in and purchase one. Try doing that with a Ferrari. Even if you have cash. Ferrari has a policy that they don’t sell new cars to unknown customers. In order for anyone to get a new Ferrari they must have an already established relationship with the dealer. Meaning you must buy used before you buy new. The only way around that rule is that one can pay up to close 150% of the purchase price.
Don’t make the FD something it’s not. It’s a badass car but it’s not an exotic. It was never meant to be one.
A couple of months ago I went out to dinner with my mechanic and 4 other FD owners. We where all across the board with our mods, from highly modded to bone stock except for the pre-cat. But we all had one certain common thread with the FD: ALL of us had rebuilt engines under our belt. How many other sports car owners have that issue? Do Vipers engines crap out at 60K miles? What about porsches? Yeah all sports cars have problems, and the FD has it’s fair share and more. To me the biggest issue is that it seems that the engine is a throw away and expensive throw away at that. There’s no justifying such a massive issue on a car that was targeted to the average individual.
I couldn't agree more. There's a different level of expectation when you buy Lotus, Porche, Lambo, Ferrari etc. There's also the specific market to which those cars are sold to--and we're not part of it. I'll second that the FD is great, but you're not comparing apples to apples with those brands.