On the '99 spec body ....
09-24-14, 07:13 PM
#1
On the '99 spec body ....
Before I owned an FD, while I owned one, after losing her, and up until very recently with my second, the 99 spec body was a given goal.
This started around 2004/5, and I was pleased that by the time I was rocking a '99 specced FD in 2008 people were asking if it was a brand new car....
Though, many years have passed since then. it is 2014, and the sleeker, smoother lines of the late 90s and 2000s are being replaced with the more aggressive audi/brz/mazda-kodo/gtr look. The circular tail lights I don't see looking very much better any more than the good old squaries, compared to whats out there on new cars these days.
The '99 spec, while still a good look in its own right, I am realising perhaps I desired it more for looking "up to date" compared to stock, than its own beauty.
Do not get me wrong, the 99 spec looks badass. And more functional than original, however...
spending the grands on an OEM kit from japan has lost some of its appeal. for about half the price I could refinish my exterior and have a clean original looking FD, rather than a 15 year old look from japan...
I just felt like posting this, '99 spec was always on the list..never thought I'd feel differently.
Anyone else have similar thoughts?
This started around 2004/5, and I was pleased that by the time I was rocking a '99 specced FD in 2008 people were asking if it was a brand new car....
Though, many years have passed since then. it is 2014, and the sleeker, smoother lines of the late 90s and 2000s are being replaced with the more aggressive audi/brz/mazda-kodo/gtr look. The circular tail lights I don't see looking very much better any more than the good old squaries, compared to whats out there on new cars these days.
The '99 spec, while still a good look in its own right, I am realising perhaps I desired it more for looking "up to date" compared to stock, than its own beauty.
Do not get me wrong, the 99 spec looks badass. And more functional than original, however...
spending the grands on an OEM kit from japan has lost some of its appeal. for about half the price I could refinish my exterior and have a clean original looking FD, rather than a 15 year old look from japan...
I just felt like posting this, '99 spec was always on the list..never thought I'd feel differently.
Anyone else have similar thoughts?
09-24-14, 07:39 PM
#2
For me, the 99 spec is a starting point for the exterior. Though you have the desire to make the rx7 look up to date, it just wont happen anymore. The FD is an old car and its something that has to be accepted. Yes, it can compete with new cars performance still but times have changed on the way the exterior looks. I believe we should embrace the timeless body style and embrace what you can do with the FD but accept that it's old. I have no desire to try to make it up to date, i love the circular tail lights, the pop up headlights and everything and others do when they past by me and gives a thumbs up or waves.
The way i feel about the FD i suppose would be the way people feel about their 67 mustang or their 280z and etc. I got the FD for the way it looks and the way it performs and i love it the way it is and i'm sure many feel that way.
That's just my opinion of course.
The way i feel about the FD i suppose would be the way people feel about their 67 mustang or their 280z and etc. I got the FD for the way it looks and the way it performs and i love it the way it is and i'm sure many feel that way.
That's just my opinion of course.
09-24-14, 07:49 PM
#3
Nope. I've grown tired of a lot of body kits, but 99-Spec is to me, the perfect version of the FD. The front turn signals are killer and the rear spoiler is the perfect touch.
Not to mention the 99-Spec steering wheel is a great addition, the 6 o'clock tach with white face gauges looks great and a Miata radio really updates the interior.
Not to mention the 99-Spec steering wheel is a great addition, the 6 o'clock tach with white face gauges looks great and a Miata radio really updates the interior.
09-24-14, 08:18 PM
#4
I agree with the OP. And while this is my opinion, I've grown tired of seeing every FD with the same look. 99 spec bumper with shine feed style skirts and 99 wing with wheels...I'm not knocking it but to each their own and I'm glad I don't look like 75% of FDs stateside.
09-24-14, 10:47 PM
#5
I'm definitely not a fan of the 99 look. I actually prefer to go back a few years and look at the 1992 to 1996 RZ cars, as they are much purer, less glossy and pumped up looking, and more businesslike.
The 1990's had its own look and feel to it, that I l think is worth preserving. In the same way that people don't chop around the looks of the 1967 Mustang or a 1970 Charger, I don't like to see people altering the 90's look of the FD with LED lights, angular body kits, etc. It looks out of place to me.
Kind of like every muscle car you see that goes for big dollars at auction- they usually only have period style additions that don't drop the value of the car- Cragar wheels, Hurst shifters, etc. It looks right because its all from that period and it goes together.
How many muscle cars do you see going for big dollars at auction with LED light strips, vinyl stickers, 24 inch wheels... They don't. Same for the FD. Too far off the time period or poorly matched accessories or trim, and its not an improvement IMHO.
The 1990's had its own look and feel to it, that I l think is worth preserving. In the same way that people don't chop around the looks of the 1967 Mustang or a 1970 Charger, I don't like to see people altering the 90's look of the FD with LED lights, angular body kits, etc. It looks out of place to me.
Kind of like every muscle car you see that goes for big dollars at auction- they usually only have period style additions that don't drop the value of the car- Cragar wheels, Hurst shifters, etc. It looks right because its all from that period and it goes together.
How many muscle cars do you see going for big dollars at auction with LED light strips, vinyl stickers, 24 inch wheels... They don't. Same for the FD. Too far off the time period or poorly matched accessories or trim, and its not an improvement IMHO.
09-25-14, 12:34 AM
#6
I might be traditional, but in terms of aestethics I really can't digest the design of new cars. For example, the headlights on the 370z, skyline, brz...etc it seems to me they are doing a good job at being provocative at the cost of good design.
Good design is good because its timeless. Its rather simple to design with the intent to shock and provoke. It's all marketing today...design a car thats gonna grab peoples attention regardless if it looks good or bad. Cars before wouldnt see a new model for a decade...now every few years you have a new model. Its very hard to pump out a new model every few years and at the same time make it look better, so you are left with the shock factor....more extreme headlights and other crazy ****.
Look at the mercedes G class...almost no changes. The Porsche 911...very subtle changes from model to model...
And thats why I love the FD...all you need to add is some wider rims and tires and the car looks better than most of the sports cars today.
I have issues deciding between the original bumper and the '99...mostly because of the bumper lights being more sharp and edgy on the '99...but in both cases Mazda nailed it.
Good design is good because its timeless. Its rather simple to design with the intent to shock and provoke. It's all marketing today...design a car thats gonna grab peoples attention regardless if it looks good or bad. Cars before wouldnt see a new model for a decade...now every few years you have a new model. Its very hard to pump out a new model every few years and at the same time make it look better, so you are left with the shock factor....more extreme headlights and other crazy ****.
Look at the mercedes G class...almost no changes. The Porsche 911...very subtle changes from model to model...
And thats why I love the FD...all you need to add is some wider rims and tires and the car looks better than most of the sports cars today.
I have issues deciding between the original bumper and the '99...mostly because of the bumper lights being more sharp and edgy on the '99...but in both cases Mazda nailed it.
09-25-14, 06:38 AM
#7
I might be traditional, but in terms of aestethics I really can't digest the design of new cars. For example, the headlights on the 370z, skyline, brz...etc it seems to me they are doing a good job at being provocative at the cost of good design.
Good design is good because its timeless. Its rather simple to design with the intent to shock and provoke. It's all marketing today...design a car thats gonna grab peoples attention regardless if it looks good or bad. Cars before wouldnt see a new model for a decade...now every few years you have a new model. Its very hard to pump out a new model every few years and at the same time make it look better, so you are left with the shock factor....more extreme headlights and other crazy ****.
Look at the mercedes G class...almost no changes. The Porsche 911...very subtle changes from model to model...
And thats why I love the FD...all you need to add is some wider rims and tires and the car looks better than most of the sports cars today.
I have issues deciding between the original bumper and the '99...mostly because of the bumper lights being more sharp and edgy on the '99...but in both cases Mazda nailed it.
Good design is good because its timeless. Its rather simple to design with the intent to shock and provoke. It's all marketing today...design a car thats gonna grab peoples attention regardless if it looks good or bad. Cars before wouldnt see a new model for a decade...now every few years you have a new model. Its very hard to pump out a new model every few years and at the same time make it look better, so you are left with the shock factor....more extreme headlights and other crazy ****.
Look at the mercedes G class...almost no changes. The Porsche 911...very subtle changes from model to model...
And thats why I love the FD...all you need to add is some wider rims and tires and the car looks better than most of the sports cars today.
I have issues deciding between the original bumper and the '99...mostly because of the bumper lights being more sharp and edgy on the '99...but in both cases Mazda nailed it.
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