Over the past 10 years I'm starting to have to drive this RX7 like I'm riding a motorcycle, less and less people can see me. Anyone else running into this issue?

 

Yes. My example is Navigator L and FD. New cars are much larger and safer. The navigator on the extremely large side. Sensors and cameras compensate for blind spots. Drivers do need to pay attention just like bikes. A defensive driving approach will be safest.

 

Maybe the driving aids, like blind spot cameras, actual help the big cars avoid cutting off our low slung FD.

I find being cut-off, etc., is not very frequent at all.

Bigger issue is people slowing down because they want a closer look at the car.

Or randomly honking, or even yelling, to let you know they approve.

 

I remember being surprised by how small FDs were the first time I saw one up close in person (in what I think might have been the Daikoku Parking Area circa 2004).
It's basically a long Miata.

 

Is it me, or did someone steal your rear right wheel?

 

My Rx7 FD vs the boat on wheels, Dodge Challenger.

 

Cars of ALL types have been getting bigger over the years. Anyone who's gone to a cars & coffee show would know this. I don't have any handy pictures to share, but park a 60's or 70s vintage Porsche 911 next to a current year 911 and the size difference is blindingly obvious. Same thing if you compare basically any sedan that has been in production that long - compare a '70s Honda Accord or '70s Honda Civic to the new ones. The (smaller car) Civics of today are bigger than the Accords (bigger car) of the '70's!

 

They're small. And VERY low. I parked mine next to a newer 350Z and the thing looked like a tank. Cars are all taller, with taller wheels, and higher cabins and fender lines.

 

Yeah! FDs are very small compared to modern cars.
Even back when they came out, they were already on the small side compared to other sports cars...like the Supra, 3000GT, and such.

As far as not seeing you in the FD, have a nice aggressive exhaust and make sure they can at least hear you.
Kinda like a loud Harley

Steve

 

I haven’t encountered anyone on the road not being able to see me (knock on wood). It does help the car is a little on the loud side. I do appreciate when people get out of the way. That doesn’t happen in my other car. They see the FD approaching and they move quickly into the next lane.

The FD is small to begin with. Relative to its competitors. Have you seen how small a McLarenF1 is?? Any sports car built in the 90’s is going to be hard to see for anyone driving more recent machinery. All the new government rules and what not making vehicles huge and bloated.

 

The FD being so small is the reason why it's challenging making an 18 inch wheel look good, 19 inch and the car looks ridiculous. Throw a 18 or 19 inch wheel with a low profile tire on a new civic and it looks great.

 

in my neck of the woods, people don't see you cause they aren't looking out of the windows at all. too busy with the screens.

 

cool thread!
Size comparizons I'd like to see:
other Mazdas like ND Miata, CX-5, CX-90
Mustang
Camaro
F150
Maybe a new Supra and FRS

 

 

 

sorry, I have nothing useful to contribute to this thread, but wanted to pop in and say this is an amazing photo, and has set me on the hunt for a 99 spec bumper now....absolutely beautiful...

 

The relative size also goes backwards too....

 

dang nice! I had a Brown on Brown 84 12A GLS, now a 93 Black on Red FD
That Ferrari wagon pic is hilarious, I know it's the angle but it's just great.
And I didn't realize the ND Miata and FD are close in size and the Supra too, cool!

 

Seem to have a lot of jeeps merge on top of me, could be just a jeep thing, hah.

 

It's on purpose. Best carry a shotgun like my biker friends used to.

 

I looked up and thought the Ferrari was going to eat me in one gulp.

 

 

S6 bumper can look just as fine.