So true.

 

the Furai was as close as mazda will ever come to a production supercar, sad it never will materialize. and yes the looks make you vomit a little but it only needed minor tweaks. too bad they have such a heritage to racing yet are one of the few who have never produced a real supercar to market.

 

I have always been one to chase after the pure driver's cars. The ones that punish the nub cakes, but reward and exhilarate the true drivers. I am guilty of being a sucker for double a-arm cars. I have owned and purchased whatever driver's car fit the bill at that price point for whatever my budget was at that time. Starting in order with Miata's to S2000's and now with FD's, with the latter being the next step from the previous. I always ask myself, what is the next step from here? The FD holds the bar high as that driver's car that will provide that sharp turn-in and respond to the driver's commands, but at the same time be able to make use of 400+ horsepower without being a toy or joke car.

The the next step from here I think takes all of those characteristics from the FD, but improves upon the overall package by adding stock like drivability, quieter ride, better build quality, better chassis, more comfortable, etc. Most importantly cars that are so good out of the box they need little or no modification. However, the next step comes with a huge price jump from that of what an FD can be had for today. I'm talking cars like a Gen II 997 GT3, 08+ Viper ACR, C6 Z06, 458 Italia, etc. I pick these cars because you can hop right in them and go, cruise comfortably, and still set blazing lap times in them.

If Mazda were to build a modern FD in the 60-80k price tag range, that can deliver the comfort, performance, drivability, performance, tossability, and looks, etc. I would be sold.

 

Yea especially since it got destroyed.

I loved the way it looked. It fit the part so well. It was the most exotic car that I have ever seen.

 

Did Mazda destroy it?

 

this is easy for me. I own a SA22C so for $60k Id buy a FD roller $10k (generous), Veilside WB kit $20k, LS7 $12k, T56 tranny, $2k, and mounting $2k. the rest goes to paint $5k, suspension $2k, and other fun stuff

 

Ferrari 355

IMO, best looking "modern" ferrari besides the 458, and it can be had for less than $60k now.

 

In an chassis similar in weight and performance to the FD, I'd say 350 RWHP would be all you'd need. Mine is tuned for peak power at 16 psi and dynoed at 439 RW, however my low power setting (13 psi) makes approximately 375, which is where I drive the car 95 percent of the time. In all honesty, when I had the stock twins in the car and was in the 340 RWHP range, the car was still very predictable and came out of corners like a rocket, so yes, more power is nice for bragging rights and straight line performance, but does not necessarily add to the overall driving experience and handling predictability IMO.

 

$60k - something mid-engined, baby. That is really where the motor goes. Nice as the FD (and Viper and Z06) are, you can really feel the mass centralization of midengined cars. It is nice. They rotate like a ballerina.
Porsche Caymen or Boxster
Ferrari 355
Ariel Atom
Noble or Rossion
Here is a $66k Rossion. They are phenomenal and you will never see another one on the road!
Other Makes : Q1 Coupe in Other Makes | eBay Motors

 

The Furai wasn't a real road car. It was an ALMS racecar with a body kit. Cool, but sort of ridiculous for discussion about production cars.

I'm not sure what the current thinking/restriction is on fuel economy/emissions relative to the rotary, but assuming that part isn't insurmountable, Mazda totally can and could have built this car. Something that weighs in dead in the middle between an Elise and Z06 in size, weight, and creature comforts, with power about in the middle or above the middle as well. I don't know why they thought four doors was the thing. If they've sold 350/370Z's, they'd have sold this too, and it would have done a lot more for their reputation than the RX8.

I don't think Mazda has the same ambition we do.

 

I read that it caught on fire . I think it was in the UK in 2010.

 

911 Turbo w/ RWB conversion

 

My dream car for a long time, too bad the front end is more dated than our early 90s Mazdas.

I will always own a FD, its just in my blood at this point. Everytime I start it knowing I built the engine and done every single mod/maintenance on the car is a feeling I would never get out of something else. However, I constantly look at 96+GTS Vipers, looks are unmatched on anything shy of $100k with a nice set of wheels, IMO.

 

Engine out service is EXPENSIVE, you will spend a small fortune on upkeep. Exponentially more than a FD. Beautiful cars and their sound is intoxicating.

 

[QUOTE=djseven;11265680]My dream car for a long time, too bad the front end is more dated than our early 90s Mazdas.

I will always own a FD, its just in my blood at this point. Everytime I start it knowing I built the engine and done every single mod/maintenance on the car is a feeling I would never get out of something else. However, I constantly look at 96+GTS Vipers, looks are unmatched on anything shy of $100k with a nice set of wheels, IMO.[/QUOTE]

150% agree

The only thing I am hesistant about is I have no idea really how good of a car the old GTS is to drive. I can't find any videos of someone who knows how to drive pushing one at the limit and believe me I have spent quite a bit of time searching.

 

I have only had 2nd hand experience, speaking to previous owners. They are big, somewhat heavy, feels strange sitting so far back in the car, center of rotation is a bit in front of you, difficult to drive near the limit, a lot going on and very unforgiving. There are no 'small mistakes' in a Viper, when something lets loose they bite hard. Very few enthusiasts actually track them, they end up trading it in for GT3 or Z06 or the other usual suspects. It takes a very capabile driver to handle them.

 

Realistically I think all we can expect from Mazda would be something similar but better looking than the Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS. This is really where the RX-7 should be if Mazda wants to have volume sales and make money. If the FD came with 255hp and 212 ft. lbs, I don't see what can't be accomplished with something in the 275-300 hp range. The market is there for a 30k vehicle but I don't see the masses wanting to spend much more than that on a new Mazda. I would but they can't survive on dedicated forum guys like us, they need to appeal to the masses which usually waters things down....RX-8.

I would be very interested in a 2 seat coupe, RWD, rotary of course but probably unlikely these days. I've said it before, they should just finish the RX-01. Apparently it was a 2+2 so just like the BRZ, nobody would actually ride back there but you can at least claim it.

Pretty cool video here...

 

It is a slightly bigger FD. It is uncomfortable for long distances, slight smell of fuel(Not as bad as fd), terrible interior and ergonomics, transmission tunnel gets hot and makes you uncomfortable, and horrilbe view from the driver seat due to the ridiculously tall dash.....with that said, when you drive one you will love it. Its a drivers car with a look, just like the fd, that is truly timeless.

The Gen 3s are leap years ahead in ergomonics/creature comforts but the look just doesnt do it for me like the Gen 2s.

 

That is amazing.

 

If only it didnt look like a redneck from my part of the US built it in his back yard I would have bought one instead of my T-Rex. Performance is great, aesthetics are god awful. If they would just put some fiberglass on the sides and make the rear end not look like a $1500.00 go cart with a Briggs and Stratton strapped on the back I could get into one of them.

Im sure it is a blast, but I cant justify $50k for a rollcage with an engine strapped to it

 

You needn't look much further than the Nissan GTR for an example of when consumers will "accept" or even embrace "more" from a company than logic would tell you is consistent with the brand.

If it's not just something someone else is building (i.e.: a "poor man's Porsche"), and it kicks ***, people will come.

 

I'd buy a Lotus Exige and not look back.

 

I wonder if they would buy a 30k efini then.

 

Dude(s), a 2012 Mazda Miata with the retractable hardtop STARTS at $27k, and its a little 167hp four. For 30k, you're not going to get a modern FD or anything like it.

 

Absolutely right. The miata is so ugly as well.