the fd's best & worst features?
Rotary Freak
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 2
From: Waukesha Wisconsin
Have you driven a GT3 (of any variant)? Soft would be the last word in my vocabulary I would use to describe the 997.2 I recently spent a day driving.
Totally agreed they're too fast to have any fun with on the street though ;->
Same for most FD's I suppose. If we were all sensible we'd have miatas.
On topic: I like the rest of you like the looks and performance of the FD. It's the pinnacle of the 7 effort, was a "hero car" to a whole generation. Japan has only made a couple icon cars and the third generation RX-7 is certainly at or near the top of anyone's list of them.
They're worth the trouble because they're significant. They'll always be significant.
If they weren't worth all the effort they would have completely disappeared, like audis of the same vintage.
Like you've all pointed out they're like a smoking hot bi-polar girlfriend. Upkeep is constant, but looks and performance are the siren song that keep you going.
good thread
only think that comes to mind with interior for me is leg room and steering wheel leg room lol
I don't get why there's so much complaining about the interiors. Sure, they're bad by today's standards, but compared to most 90's interiors I'd say its pretty good, especially the layout, but perhaps that's because I don't stare at 93 plastics, or I'm just blinded by bias?
Pro's
Handling
Interior layout
Body design
Engine
Uniqueness
Sound
Cons
Factory cooling system
Being mildly paranoid that it will become rebuild time with little advanced notice.
Pro's
Handling
Interior layout
Body design
Engine
Uniqueness
Sound
Cons
Factory cooling system
Being mildly paranoid that it will become rebuild time with little advanced notice.
10-8-10-8
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 12
From: Australia
The pros are the looks and the performance.
The cons are that for some reason, a lot of a$$holes tend to buy them, not know anything about them, break them and then give them a bad rep.
Ever noticed how a lot of FD owners/buyers are actually really full of themselves? Thats one of the downsides.
The cons are that for some reason, a lot of a$$holes tend to buy them, not know anything about them, break them and then give them a bad rep.
Ever noticed how a lot of FD owners/buyers are actually really full of themselves? Thats one of the downsides.
Have you driven a GT3 (of any variant)? Soft would be the last word in my vocabulary I would use to describe the 997.2 I recently spent a day driving.
Totally agreed they're too fast to have any fun with on the street though ;->
Same for most FD's I suppose. If we were all sensible we'd have miatas.
On topic: I like the rest of you like the looks and performance of the FD. It's the pinnacle of the 7 effort, was a "hero car" to a whole generation. Japan has only made a couple icon cars and the third generation RX-7 is certainly at or near the top of anyone's list of them.
They're worth the trouble because they're significant. They'll always be significant.
If they weren't worth all the effort they would have completely disappeared, like audis of the same vintage.
Like you've all pointed out they're like a smoking hot bi-polar girlfriend. Upkeep is constant, but looks and performance are the siren song that keep you going.
good thread
Totally agreed they're too fast to have any fun with on the street though ;->
Same for most FD's I suppose. If we were all sensible we'd have miatas.
On topic: I like the rest of you like the looks and performance of the FD. It's the pinnacle of the 7 effort, was a "hero car" to a whole generation. Japan has only made a couple icon cars and the third generation RX-7 is certainly at or near the top of anyone's list of them.
They're worth the trouble because they're significant. They'll always be significant.
If they weren't worth all the effort they would have completely disappeared, like audis of the same vintage.
Like you've all pointed out they're like a smoking hot bi-polar girlfriend. Upkeep is constant, but looks and performance are the siren song that keep you going.
good thread
He owned one
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,672
Likes: 413
From: Charlottesville VA 22901
Yep I've been a big fan of GT3s for a while and it's the only car that can hold a candle to the FD as far as the feel and vibe of it's performance and handling. I went for a ride in a cup car about 10 years ago and will never forget it but also rode in many GT3s instructing etc...... and they are fantastic cars but when my crazy *** little red headed bi polar FD is working perfectly the P car can't touch it 
Love the smoking hot bi-polar reference lol
I had a .1 RS that I tracked a few times. Here's a vid at VIR:
The .2 RS I'm having fun with is actually a little more compliant but also a big upgrade in performance. I'd love to own a properly setup .2 RS but the tax and ins is killer in VA for car that sits in the garage so I'll likely stick to my FD and possibly continue to track my 996 GT3.
Have you driven a GT3 (of any variant)? Soft would be the last word in my vocabulary I would use to describe the 997.2 I recently spent a day driving.
Totally agreed they're too fast to have any fun with on the street though ;->
Same for most FD's I suppose. If we were all sensible we'd have miatas.
On topic: I like the rest of you like the looks and performance of the FD. It's the pinnacle of the 7 effort, was a "hero car" to a whole generation. Japan has only made a couple icon cars and the third generation RX-7 is certainly at or near the top of anyone's list of them.
They're worth the trouble because they're significant. They'll always be significant.
If they weren't worth all the effort they would have completely disappeared, like audis of the same vintage.
Like you've all pointed out they're like a smoking hot bi-polar girlfriend. Upkeep is constant, but looks and performance are the siren song that keep you going.
good thread
Totally agreed they're too fast to have any fun with on the street though ;->
Same for most FD's I suppose. If we were all sensible we'd have miatas.
On topic: I like the rest of you like the looks and performance of the FD. It's the pinnacle of the 7 effort, was a "hero car" to a whole generation. Japan has only made a couple icon cars and the third generation RX-7 is certainly at or near the top of anyone's list of them.
They're worth the trouble because they're significant. They'll always be significant.
If they weren't worth all the effort they would have completely disappeared, like audis of the same vintage.
Like you've all pointed out they're like a smoking hot bi-polar girlfriend. Upkeep is constant, but looks and performance are the siren song that keep you going.
good thread
I had a .1 RS that I tracked a few times. Here's a vid at VIR:
The .2 RS I'm having fun with is actually a little more compliant but also a big upgrade in performance. I'd love to own a properly setup .2 RS but the tax and ins is killer in VA for car that sits in the garage so I'll likely stick to my FD and possibly continue to track my 996 GT3.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,672
Likes: 413
From: Charlottesville VA 22901
The pros are the looks and the performance.
The cons are that for some reason, a lot of a$$holes tend to buy them, not know anything about them, break them and then give them a bad rep.
Ever noticed how a lot of FD owners/buyers are actually really full of themselves? Thats one of the downsides.
The cons are that for some reason, a lot of a$$holes tend to buy them, not know anything about them, break them and then give them a bad rep.
Ever noticed how a lot of FD owners/buyers are actually really full of themselves? Thats one of the downsides.
Disclaimer- Before any of you youngsters reply back saying how much my statement doesn't apply to you: Well don't fret because I agree with you! Besides I'm actually talking about someone else
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,672
Likes: 413
From: Charlottesville VA 22901
IMO the owners that are full of themselves came about when the price dropped and therefore younger and immature owners were able to afford them. I'd had my FD since 98 and have seen the type of owner change drastically.
Disclaimer- Before any of you youngsters reply back saying how much my statement doesn't apply to you: Well don't fret because I agree with you! Besides I'm actually talking about someone else
Disclaimer- Before any of you youngsters reply back saying how much my statement doesn't apply to you: Well don't fret because I agree with you! Besides I'm actually talking about someone else
It's the people with a stick up their *** that I've always had a problem with
The best...The looks, the feel, the sound, the engine.
The worst...The half assed approach Mazda took to some really important things. Oh and idiots that buy these cars and "stance" them.
Jason
The worst...The half assed approach Mazda took to some really important things. Oh and idiots that buy these cars and "stance" them.
Jason
Just take the blue pill..
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 558
Likes: 1
From: EU
To those complaining about comfort and reliability I'm betting few have driven a low mileage nearly stock FD. It's one of the quietest, smoothest and comfortable sport cars to ride in. Most of you are driving heavily modified or hacked FDs. I have a bone stock 27k mile car right now that is about as quiet as a Prius.
I have to completely disagree. I think the layout of the mk4's is a more amplified style of the FD interior, driver oriented, everything aimed at you, cockpit feel. Its definitely the best interior layout I've seen.
I specially love the huge tach in the middle as your main gauge
I like the price of an FD, looks, sound, rotary, smooth power till redline, turbo, fire out the exhaust during shifts, the fact that they aren't reliable in the hands of people who are lazy, so they typically don't buy them.
cons - hmmmm, nothing much yet. I have spent a lot of money on upgrades, but I knew what I was getting into. I also have money set aside for it and love driving it.
cons - hmmmm, nothing much yet. I have spent a lot of money on upgrades, but I knew what I was getting into. I also have money set aside for it and love driving it.
Worst: too complex for the average Joe member to work on and understand what and why they are doing it.
Best: too complex for the average Joe member to work on and understand what and why they are doing it.
Best: too complex for the average Joe member to work on and understand what and why they are doing it.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 2
From: Waukesha Wisconsin
I feel so foolish for not knowing.
Thanks for the thoughts and the vid!
I've been told there's a following for the 996 GT3 that consider it to be the sharpest to of them all.
either way, sounds like you 've got a couple good "go to" cars for track fun at the moment...!
Rotary Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 256
From: Toronto
Best: good at being awesome
Worst: bad at being practical (passenger space, fuel economy, emissions, oil consumption, cargo space, parts durability, ride quality, serviceability at non-rotary garages, heat soak, complexity, theft-prone, insurance cost, 3-season driving, etc.)
Worst: bad at being practical (passenger space, fuel economy, emissions, oil consumption, cargo space, parts durability, ride quality, serviceability at non-rotary garages, heat soak, complexity, theft-prone, insurance cost, 3-season driving, etc.)
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Chapin, SC
Full disclosure; my FD is an LS1/T56 swap.
Pros: Excellent body lines, weighs under 2900lbs, 49/51 weight distribution, has 310hp, 340tq, and gets over 30mpg at a constant 80mph on the interstate. It is as perfect a driver's car as can be hoped for in my estimation. Also, it is dirt cheap to upgrade and maintain.
Cons: Interior materials, no cup holders.
Pros: Excellent body lines, weighs under 2900lbs, 49/51 weight distribution, has 310hp, 340tq, and gets over 30mpg at a constant 80mph on the interstate. It is as perfect a driver's car as can be hoped for in my estimation. Also, it is dirt cheap to upgrade and maintain.
Cons: Interior materials, no cup holders.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,672
Likes: 413
From: Charlottesville VA 22901
Full disclosure; my FD is an LS1/T56 swap.
Pros: Excellent body lines, weighs under 2900lbs, 49/51 weight distribution, has 310hp, 340tq, and gets over 30mpg at a constant 80mph on the interstate. It is as perfect a driver's car as can be hoped for in my estimation. Also, it is dirt cheap to upgrade and maintain.
Cons: Interior materials, no cup holders.
Pros: Excellent body lines, weighs under 2900lbs, 49/51 weight distribution, has 310hp, 340tq, and gets over 30mpg at a constant 80mph on the interstate. It is as perfect a driver's car as can be hoped for in my estimation. Also, it is dirt cheap to upgrade and maintain.
Cons: Interior materials, no cup holders.
Everything that was cool about this thread, well you just killed it
On serious note how could any big block lover not want to put a v8 in this car. Fits perfectly and the car is just chock full of COOLNESS!
BUT did you ever drive one with triangles and sequential twins, that's the kind of crazy bitch I like to hang with. Those BIG loud mouth V8s just don't do a thing for me
Well I guess it's off to the v8 vs rotary races, LETS DO THIS
^^Yeah, I can't ever imagine this car with anything other than a rotary. This is a light, nimble car deserving of a responsive, rev-happy engine. I'm not completely versed in LS1 track-ology, but I suspect a big brake upgrade is essential to keep from snowplowing a wide swath out of every turn.
^^Yeah, I can't ever imagine this car with anything other than a rotary. This is a light, nimble car deserving of a responsive, rev-happy engine. I'm not completely versed in LS1 track-ology, but I suspect a big brake upgrade is essential to keep from snowplowing a wide swath out of every turn.