Hi all,

Past RX-8 owner here... I have a BMW M3 (2003) that I'm selling, and I want to find something that is fun to drive (auto-x, on the weekends, etc) and handles really well. Honestly I have been looking at RX-8s for a while now and having owned one I loved the way it drove... tight handling, nice interior, and reasonable power without any mods.

The RX-7 though, is a beauty. I can probably pick one up for around $15-16k without any modifications but that would mean I'd have to dump a bit of money into it before I'm happy.

Anybody have any pros and cons of the cars? Having never driven an RX-7, I can't speak from experience but I know the RX-8 and I really did love it when I had it (more than the M3 I have now, believe it or not.. handled better and just tighter on the road, more nimble, etc) so any opinions would be really helpful!

 

all the info you need is in the sticky's on the top of the 3rd gen section.

 

I have owned 3 FDs and one RX-8. Currently want to trade my 330I for a E46 M3 but if my priorities were a little bit different, I would go for the FD and do it all over it again. Go drive a completly stock one or with a few mods on it and you will see.

 

How does the RX-8 compare to the RX-7 overall? I'm more of a "drive thru the twisties" kind of guy, but I like having good feedback from the car and reasonably good reliability so I don't have to keep dumping money into it..

Let me know

 

after owning an fd for 8 years, I'm ready to get an RX-8, I want something more comfortable!

 

both cars handles very well... but other than handling if ur biggest concern is reliability, then get the RX-8 and keep it NA

my FD is a DD... but if u pick up a stock one.. u still have to do all the cooling/safty mods...

i've mentioned before... RX-7 is that hot chick that requires a lot of attention and maintenance, where RX-8 is that good girlfriend that's always there for you..

good luck w/ ur choice. both cars are fun... i just prefer the hot chick better... =P

 

you really don't have to dump that much money into the 7 to make it fun. imo

get a downpipe, boost gauge, replace the ast and hoses, some cooling upgrades..... and you're set for a great time on the road. I'd say you could get all the for around $1,000 if you can do the work yourself.

 

IMO the feed back that I was getting from my RX-8 was similar to the FD. When I got the 8 I was surprised how similar both cars feel but the 7 is more of a drivers car. You can feel the refinements of the 8 over the 7. There is some "sloppiness" on the 8 compare to the 7. I used to track both of them. Here is where you really feel the weight difference. the other difference is the power. If you find a good FD and try it, your M3 will feel like any other car on the road. Oh yeah forgot to mention that I never had any issues with any of my FDs even my first one that had over 140k miles on the original motor with bolts ons.


+1, one of the thing that made me want to sale the FD was because I went crazy with the modding and I wasn't enjoying driving the car like before.

 

this comeing from 2 guys that have to deal with California admissions. haha

 

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

Read the advice on buying an FD, practicality, cost, etc.

Both the RX-7 and RX-8 handle really, really, really, well. Although an FD typically needs some suspension R&R in terms of bushings and pillowballs and stuff. Another point of reference: the RX-8 is currently dominating C-stock on the autox course. The FD dominated the SS class for a number of years before the Corvettes took back over. So they are both proven designs.

IMHO, I like this car much better as a weekender than I would as a daily driver. Just too many impracticalities for daily driving.

Dave

 

It's not all about the way they drive, it's about the looks you get at traffic lights.77777..............

 

well that's a duh that was established way back in 1991 when the FD was introduced to the world

 

IMO, you'll be better off dumping some money into an aftermarket suspension on your M3 to than getting an FD. This coming from a current E46 M3 and FD owner.

 

ive owned both, the rx8 is what made me fall in love with the rotary engine. i now own a 7 and couldnt be happier. i havent owned the 7 long enough to know the car as well as i should to give you a good answer.

that being said, they are very different cars(for many dif reasons). the 8 seemed to be tighter and more stable in the turns, it just felt more solid. the car drove like it was on rails, i just dont have that feeling in the 7 yet but to be fare, im not an expert, it may (and probably does) need worn parts replaced(im learning).

i wish i could own both but i would never give up my 7, i prefer the power, styling, aftermarket support, and rarity of the rx7.

if it were a daily driver then that would change in a second, then rx8 all the way.

 

I don't mean it cost an arm or an leg dollars to makr ue car fun... but due to the fact its a decade+ car, its very recommended to do those upgrades to prevent problems when u are seeking your fun..

$1k CAN "NOT" get you all those mods... just intercooler and radiator alone cost about $1000, + boost gauge (100-200), ast, new fuel filter, new plugs, new plug wires, efini Y pipe...

and then the addiction starts.... suspension...intake, exhaust..etc...

 

+1, while the RX-8 and the FD might have better handling, how can you say that your M3 isn't just as much fun? I think the E46's are FANTASTIC cars for the things you are looking to do.

 

RX8 all the way for many reasons. FD needs to be a fun car IMO

 

Intercooler is not a reliability mod. Radiator for $300 used.

Boost gauge $50.

New stock AST or AST elimination: $50

These are maintenance items, not mods

Silicone rubber couplers: $60

I'd still have a few hundred left for a hose job, injector cleaning, new coolant hoses, FC thermoswitch etc...

I'd say it's fair to say $1000 will get the reliability mods pretty well.

Dav

 

I currently own an FD and a 2005 Rx8. I love them both. To get a clean FD, no garbage FD that does not need a lot of work, you will have to spend the same as the Rx8 would cost and the FD will not have any warranty.

I think the Rx8 handles much better than my FD with springs and tokico 5way adjustables. I also recently tested the Rx8 against 2 FD running over 350 HP and the rx8 kept up very well, I was surprised how well she kept up. (the guys with the FD are forum members)

If you are single and do not have kids and do not need the 4 seats, then definitely get the Rx7 hands down. If are like me, and have 2 younger kids, then get the Rx8 since you all can enjoy the car. When I would take my 6 year old out with the FD, my 3 year old would cry, now they are all happy!

I've attached a few pics to help you decide.

Anthony

 

RX-8 is currently in B-stock :-)

 

Er, yeah. that's the one

 

I have owned 2 FD's and just sold my BMW M3 for an RX-8. Other than it being dog *** slow I prefer the 8 over the 7. As I get older I notice my cars get a lot slower

 

If you want something just for the weekend the FD would be a great car. However, being an FD DD, I can't tell how much I would give to have 4 seats, seat warmers, a cup holder, headlights that actually light the road.....you know those sort of things.

Anyways an FD is plenty fast, and can be made plenty faster, just don't expect it to have any sort of luxury.

 

^ correct....It is not a DD, but an awesome drivers car! Very nimble and amazing handling. The car does need attention, but if it's not your dd it's really not that bad. Do the basic mods that need to be done ( ast, vacuum job, etc..) and you will be happy as a clam.

 

I took an RX8 for a test drive once, and I much prefer my FD. The RX8 was totally gutless at low revs and I had to rev the p**s out of it to get any significant acceleration. The FD is MUCH more satisfying to drive.

Dave