can any modern car compare to the handling of the FD?
Originally Posted by CYD
Does the R1 have some magical benefit that the Touring will never be able to achieve at the performance level if identically modified across all aspects?
Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S
Also, the car set magazine braking records from 60 to 0 when it first came out, so I hardly consider the brakes weak.
You can make braking distances and skidpad numbers just about anything you want by putting different tires on the car. I can't believe people will argue over hundreths of a g or a few feet of braking distance. You're splitting hairs. Any car that makes skidpad or braking distance numbers even close to another you may as well consider equal. "Handling" doesn't equal "faster than you" anyway.
Fact is the FD owner's ego tends to be so fragile they have to find a way to always insist their car is "better". There's an awful lot of really excellent cars out there that are a blast to drive. It's a shame the FD crowd is so afraid of them.
Fact is the FD owner's ego tends to be so fragile they have to find a way to always insist their car is "better". There's an awful lot of really excellent cars out there that are a blast to drive. It's a shame the FD crowd is so afraid of them.
Originally Posted by sevensix
anyone have the 1/4 time for 280hp fds?
280 ps = 276.16 horsepower. 21 more (276 vs. 255) horsepower isn't going to make a big difference in quarter mile performance.
Originally Posted by Monkman33
If the FD were made today...
Originally Posted by DamonB
I can't believe people will argue over hundreths of a g or a few feet of braking distance.
You can make braking distances and skidpad numbers just about anything you want by putting different tires on the car. I can't believe people will argue over hundreths of a g or a few feet of braking distance. You're splitting hairs. Any car that makes skidpad or braking distance numbers even close to another you may as well consider equal. "Handling" doesn't equal "faster than you" anyway.
Fact is the FD owner's ego tends to be so fragile they have to find a way to always insist their car is "better". There's an awful lot of really excellent cars out there that are a blast to drive. It's a shame the FD crowd is so afraid of them.
I'm not like that. If someone wanted to trade me my FD for a new Z06, an F430, or a GT3, it wouldn't be much of a decision....
Originally Posted by rynberg
If someone wanted to trade me my FD for a new Z06, an F430, or a GT3, it wouldn't be much of a decision....
Originally Posted by eatmyclutch
If you mean less stopping distance, it's probably because the A80 has a higher mass than FD. If my physics knowledge serves me correctly, mass is a factor in fuel efficiency and friction, in this case, braking.
LOL! I would trade my FDs for new Z06, GT3, or 430... No brainer.. Maybe for once, I don't have to get my hands dirty.. wait, isn't that the fun of owning an FD?? Cheap imports that you could do what ever you want to do with it because its out of warrantee and parts are limitless?? ok. not quite limitless parts but there are quite of bit of choices to play around with.. I think which is the best part about owning these cars.. I feel like Im a kid again with room full of legos to play around with
Also, its fun to drive it after putting it together..

Also, its fun to drive it after putting it together..
Originally Posted by herblenny
LOL! I would trade my FDs for new Z06, GT3, or 430... No brainer.. Maybe for once, I don't have to get my hands dirty.. wait, isn't that the fun of owning an FD??
My problem is I don't want another car payment.
Originally Posted by Mahjik
Not me. I'll take keeping my hands clean and spending more time on the road than in the garage any day.

This is how it sit today:
Last edited by Herblenny; Dec 14, 2006 at 11:20 AM.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 42
From: Kennewick, Washington
Originally Posted by BANNOR
Dude, I think you did just cheat on on wife/gf/fiance.
I responded with "and if it also cooked and cleaned while I was at work, I'd never have proposed..."
Doesn't help that she was already mad at me for not going to her mom's house for dinner because I wanted to work on my car that I hadn't touched in months!
Originally Posted by BobfisH
monkman, thats a great post :o)
You are not alone!
You are not alone!
Originally Posted by DCrosby
Well, some people like to tear out the Soul and replace it with a Demon ! 
And some people think it ruins the car... Some people thought the earth was flat too...

And some people think it ruins the car... Some people thought the earth was flat too...
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
LOL. Too much fumes from the aroma therapy bowl. Either that or your related to DR. PHIL. j/k
Personally I'm not quite the romantic. It's a great car, but it's a thing. Personal taste and budget dictate if you bought an FD. Skill, ego and budget dictate how long you keep it.
No. And IIRC there was very little performance difference between the two when new.
Personally I'm not quite the romantic. It's a great car, but it's a thing. Personal taste and budget dictate if you bought an FD. Skill, ego and budget dictate how long you keep it.
No. And IIRC there was very little performance difference between the two when new.
who needs Dr. Phil. Give me an hour behind the wheel of an FD and I have more therapy than I need. I won't be confrontational for at least a fill-up at the gas station.

Originally Posted by jimlab
It'd be naturally aspirated and underpowered to meet emissions regulations, just like the RX-8...
If the FD was built TODAY with the EXACT goals in mind that Mazda had when they designed the FD in 1992, then it would be a COMPLETELY different story. and the gentleman's agreement... heh...
BUT it would also cost as much as or more than a vette.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 42
From: Kennewick, Washington
Originally Posted by jimlab
I didn't miss your point. Perhaps you should review the production history of the RX-8.
Umm. Yes. You are. I respect your knowledge base, but I am going to disagree with you.
2 door vs 4 door
FI vs NA
lighter vs heavier
2+2 (that was mostly useless) vs a 4 seater that can actually fit people. (the 2+2 was only done for government reasons in Japan.
When the FD was designed, what were the cars it was supposed to compare to and compete with? The RX-8? I sincerely doubt that Mazda would go from the same playing field as cars like a corvette or a supra, or an NSX, etc.... and go into a class competing with a celica, RSX, and the like.
You tell me that had the EXACT same goals in mind. That's way they are slow. Their handling is great, but that is a Mazda habit. they only had half the goals in mind when building the RX8.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 42
From: Kennewick, Washington
Originally Posted by rynberg
What's funny is that 95% of the forum has never even been to an auto-x, let alone a track, and have no clue about extracting the maximum performance from their car anyway.
Originally Posted by rynberg
That's what you get when you combine a capable good looking car and a price that has descended enough for high schoolers and college kids to own them.
I'm not like that. If someone wanted to trade me my FD for a new Z06, an F430, or a GT3, it wouldn't be much of a decision....
I'm not like that. If someone wanted to trade me my FD for a new Z06, an F430, or a GT3, it wouldn't be much of a decision....
F430... agreed
GT3... agreed
But I would still miss her.
I have a 97 Avalon currently, and my absolute dream car is an FC3S, but I would definately be happy with an FD, I would probably trade it for a GT3 yes, but I would go right back and sell her, and buy another FD and use the excess money in modding her out a bit, I just love the rotary power, I love the looks, the feel, everything about it.
Power is important, but I just love the idea of the rotary engine, it's the engineering aspect that appeals to me as well as the power.
Power is important, but I just love the idea of the rotary engine, it's the engineering aspect that appeals to me as well as the power.
Originally Posted by Monkman33
Umm. Yes. You are.
2 door vs 4 door
FI vs NA
lighter vs heavier
2+2 (that was mostly useless) vs a 4 seater that can actually fit people. (the 2+2 was only done for government reasons in Japan.
When the FD was designed, what were the cars it was supposed to compare to and compete with? The RX-8? I sincerely doubt that Mazda would go from the same playing field as cars like a corvette or a supra, or an NSX, etc.... and go into a class competing with a celica, RSX, and the like.
You tell me that had the EXACT same goals in mind. That's way they are slow.








