Yeah thats true, but at least made an intelligent post and seems to know his limitations. More important he's taking driving lessons unlike most his age who thinks a learners permit and knowing how to turn a steering wheel makes him Fast and Furious.

 

My car is registered here as 2616cc and I am paying tax accordingly. All the RX8s in the country are registered as 1308cc and are in the lower tax bracket. I have been trying to correct it but road and traffic authority is asking for a technical certificate which is available through Mazda Japan which I've been hassling Mazda Turkey to get it for me. And Tax department doesn't do any changes unless roads and traffic authority accepts that my car is a 1308cc. It's like dog chasing its tail.

I don't mind paying higher tax but atm I can't show off saying it's only 1.3L you know And I can't make the cops feel sorry for me and let me off the hook thinking I'm poor and can only afford a 1.3L lol.

 

These problems that everyone speaks of, how frequent are they? I mean, would they be appearing everytime I start the car or what? Would a new problem just suddenly pop up every few weeks or months?

@gracer/XLR8 - If I had gotten an FD, I would be prepared to learn through everything I needed to, and would have done everything that needed to be done to keep it healthy. I don't think I'm someone who would just trash it around, not caring a single bit about what happens to it. gracer, not sure about an MX5.. how about something that at least has 4 seats? It'd be great if it was something that me and at least 3 of my friends can just get on and drive to places. XLR8, I'm not sure how deep we're talking, haha. I'll be willing to get a job to cover at least the most important things that would need immediate attention. xD

@96fd3s - My instructor favors a Vauxhall Corsa to teach his students, because apparently they're really easy to drive. The one he's teaching me on is a 2007 model 1.3 diesel. As for the fastest car... I was on my aunt's RX8 a few years back, if that counts. Not sure about fast, but I get on my dad's 1.8 BMW from time to time. Not that he speeds or anything, so I've never actually seen how fast the car can go. Can I ask how this is relevant, by the way?

@xbootyguyx - I'm not sure I'm following you. When did I say anything about a Turbo?

But, I think I got the best answer from fendamonky. From my understanding of his post, FDs are now classfied as a 2.6 in the UK considering the nature of how rotaries work. But, and this is where the good news is for me if I understood it correctly - he also says that there are early FDs that managed to come off as a legitimate 1.3 when the government hasn't caught up to the car's actual nature. Which what I was trying to ask originally, but I guess I didn't phrase it as clearly as I have now. Anyway, this basically means I can actually get an FD that is classified as a 1.3, get away with it and insure the car for a cheap price instead of losing a large amount of money every year, right? I emphasized the questions about the insurance because my parents are actually willing to pay for it, and I didn't want them wasting money that could be better put to something else just so I can have a car that I want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevensix

he doesn't have much driving experience either.. he's in drivers ed basically. 28hours behind the wheel = ready for fd

I don't really understand where you got that. It would have been really stupid from my part to imply that or even say it outright. Even long after I pass, I know I'll still be in the learning process of driving and cars in general, the only difference is that there's no instructor telling me what to do next. But as I said before, I'm prepared learn everything that needs to be learnt, mechanically or otherwise, and do it as slow and thorough as possible. I just wanted something that would take me to point A to point B everyday, and something that I found visually appealing, which just happened to be this car. Its performance numbers could be as low and as poor as you want, I'd still get it, since it looks so amazing.

From my point of view, you seem to be concerned that I'm just another young kid who's watched too many racing movies and thinks that I would speed every time I felt like it, and eventually crash to a nearby post or car or whatever. Trust me, I'm betting that 90% of the time spent in the car probably be in the 20-30 mph range. We don't even have the open roads to do crazy miles per hour on here, even if the thought had somehow crossed my mind.

 

There is no way to generalize it like that, however it is a 15 yr old high performance car. It will have issues sooner or later.

Quote:

@gracer/XLR8 - If I had gotten an FD, I would be prepared to learn through everything I needed to, and would have done everything that needed to be done to keep it healthy. I don't think I'm someone who would just trash it around, not caring a single bit about what happens to it. gracer, not sure about an MX5.. how about something that at least has 4 seats? It'd be great if it was something that me and at least 3 of my friends can just get on and drive to places. XLR8, I'm not sure how deep we're talking, haha. I'll be willing to get a job to cover at least the most important things that would need immediate attention. xD

I don't know if the UK versions of the FD had the back seat, but even if it did you sure as hell aren't fitting a regular size adult back there so that is pretty much out.

Quote:

@96fd3s - My instructor favors a Vauxhall Corsa to teach his students, because apparently they're really easy to drive. The one he's teaching me on is a 2007 model 1.3 diesel. As for the fastest car... I was on my aunt's RX8 a few years back, if that counts. Not sure about fast, but I get on my dad's 1.8 BMW from time to time. Not that he speeds or anything, so I've never actually seen how fast the car can go. Can I ask how this is relevant, by the way?

Because the FD is a very fast car, and with an inexperienced driver can be a serious handful.

Quote:

@xbootyguyx - I'm not sure I'm following you. When did I say anything about a Turbo?

The FD is twin turbo. He was comparing the importance in the UK of displacement to the importance of having a turbo to American insurance companies.

Quote:

But, I think I got the best answer from fendamonky. From my understanding of his post, FDs are now classfied as a 2.6 in the UK considering the nature of how rotaries work. But, and this is where the good news is for me if I understood it correctly - he also says that there are early FDs that managed to come off as a legitimate 1.3 when the government hasn't caught up to the car's actual nature. Which what I was trying to ask originally, but I guess I didn't phrase it as clearly as I have now. Anyway, this basically means I can actually get an FD that is classified as a 1.3, get away with it and insure the car for a cheap price instead of losing a large amount of money every year, right? I emphasized the questions about the insurance because my parents are actually willing to pay for it, and I didn't want them wasting money that could be better put to something else just so I can have a car that I want.

He said back in the day FD's could be classified as 1.3 ltrs before the insurance agencies caught on. He also said they could only keep that distinction on the original registration. Therefore you could not get one qualified as a 1.3.

Quote:

I don't really understand where you got that. It would have been really stupid from my part to imply that or even say it outright. Even long after I pass, I know I'll still be in the learning process of driving and cars in general, the only difference is that there's no instructor telling me what to do next. But as I said before, I'm prepared learn everything that needs to be learnt, mechanically or otherwise, and do it as slow and thorough as possible. I just wanted something that would take me to point A to point B everyday, and something that I found visually appealing, which just happened to be this car. Its performance numbers could be as low and as poor as you want, I'd still get it, since it looks so amazing.

The FD is really not the best car to get you reliably from point A to B on a daily basis. Especially if you aren't able to pay to have them fixed properly and quickly. Not to mention they are HORRIBLE in the snow. I feel this is a really poor choice for you.

 

Blue your lack of knowledge really shows. Forget about the cars age or manufacturer, almost anybody who knows about performance cars would include an RX7 on their list. Answer this question and you'll have your answer: is a pre mid 80's 911 suitable as a first car for you, can you afford to buy a good 1, maintain it, fuel and insure it. If the answer to all those questions is yes then the FD is right up your street. If not then it may be time to wake up. If your driving instructor knows anything about cars, tell him your plan just don't get offended when he bursts out laughing. A diesel Corsa and an RX7 are as related as a butter knife and a scalpel! One can be used by any ham fisted individual and the other is a precision instrument best left to those with a degree more knowledge and skill than you display.

 

its relevant because an FD is as far from a 1.3l diesel as you can get. im trying to point out that your experience driving a 1.3l diesel counts for nothing with an FD.
its like thinking riding a pushbike is training you for riding a motorbike.
im also tryin to point out that the FD is much faster then anything you have EVER BEEN IN. You wont ever have experienced what a car like that can pull like - let alone be ready to drive one.
Some quick stats i found on the car you have been learning to drive in.
power - 51KW, weight 1372kg. that gives a power to weight ratio of 26.9kg per 1 KW.
the FD on the other hand has 206kw standard, and weighs about 1200kg. that gives a power to weight ratio of 1KW per 5.8kg..or over 4 and a half times the power to weight ratio of the 1.3l diesel...and thats stock standard...
figured i should point out the power i listed is for jap models...

 

Right.. I guess it's pretty much impossible right now then. So, the best course of action for now is to get a different car, use it for a while as a learning tool of how cars actually work, maybe even build up a decent no claims bonus record and after all that many years down the road, if I still wanted this, finally get it? ^^

Man, that kinda blows. I really thought if it said on the registration that it's a 1.3, it would be insured like one. Seems like that's not the case here anymore. =/ I really thought that I'd be able to get away with it, I was hoping to able to have the car, learn with it and drive it at the same time. Oh well, time to look for another car, I guess.

 

Listen I spent time in the UK as a young lad. Im actually British by birth but ive been in North America for the last 30+ years.

I remember Top Gear Magazine had a section in the back that listed the performance characteristics and insurance classification of these cars. At the time insurance for the FD was a Group 16. For comparison sakes a Ferrari 328 was a Group 20 as was a Ford Escort Cosworth.

I agree with the above posts that the UK govt classifies it a 2.6 litre (or liter). No argument there. The car was always classified as a performance car. Jeremy Clarkson even praised it back in the day when he wrote articles in the magazine not as a TV Presenter.

There are plenty of ppl on this board that know squat about FD or Rotaries in general. I'm one of them and Im the original owner of my FD since 1993. While i woudn't rely on them for day to day use, there are a few rotary mechanics in the Greater London Area who should be able to help you maintain the car.

 

Hey Blue!

Welcome to the forum from another newbie. I figured nobody else answered your plea part by part so i'll try to be as explicative as i can. Your first post caught my eye as, like you, i saw something in the FD and i can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but i know every time i look at one, the only thought in my mind is "do want".

Of course, being a junior engineer means im more car literate than you so i know exactly what i'm getting into once i get an fd, and i think if you really want one then go for it, but bear in mind you're buying into what is more a work engineering art than a car you can drive every day. But don't let that put you off. I think that if you really want this car, then you should get it. just don't rush it, or it'll be overwhelming when you realise how un-straightfoward it is.

I apologize if any information that i post may sound pedantic to other users who are more expert, but i'd rather be thorough anyway.

The FD has a 1.3 twin turbo wankel (rotary) engine. the engine measures 1300cc in displament.
However rotary engines produce far greater power outputs than piston engines. Thats why its taxed as a 2.6. If you read up on the rotary engine, you'll find its a rather quirky but clever design, and that really sums up the rest of the car's philosophy.

It was really ahead of it's time. Because of that reliability isn't good and chances are you'll have to learn to get ahead of it before things actually break.
Since not many people are qualified to work on rotaries these days, you might be left with the car just sitting there.

People tend to modify them a lot. Buy a modded one if its in good nick.

The one with the triangle shaped lights is the facelifted model. If you read up on that you'll see it was released in 1999. Any car from before just has the body kit. You can usually tell the difference if the car has two airbags. If it doesn't it was made before 99.

Personally I think the stock body kit works best. However theres plenty of pictures in the photos thread to make up your own mind.

Keep rotorin'

@Moosejaw - actually clarkson drove it for old top gear, against a mitsubishi 3000gt. Thats when i found out the fd won Playboy car of the year!

EDIT: found the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XBcp3LexG4

 

BLUE, at the end of the day man, its YOUR money. Do what you want! You wanted our input though and got it, a little harsh here and there, but you got it. As a fairly new fd owner, i can tell you first hand that things will go wrong! These guys def know what they are talking about! I think an FD for a first car is a horrible idea personally and as for your comparison to the 1.3 liter diesel and others, theres not. Ive owned 2 rx-8's and they dont come remotely close to my FD. Wait a few years man and work your way into one!
Good luck and welcome to the forums!

 

I wouldn't say its an impossible car to learn on. It was my first car (18yrs old). But I'm also pretty mechanically inclined and enjoy rebuilding things for the fun of it. It was a major PITA to learn to drive standard on the fd, but I was a pretty good driver before so it may have made it a bit easier. Most people say you need 1.5 x the cost of the fd to start with and I have to say that is completely true. I've had my car for 6 months and dropped well over 3k in that time span and looking at another 5-6k in the next two years. Do I have regrets? Hell no the fd is one of those cars that once you own it you don't ever want to let it go. I had to pick up a job when I'm not in school to afford it. Its one hella big learning curve but if you make it past the shock and awe stage where you wallet is drained to nothing, you can enjoy many more years of throwing money at it but have a dream car. gl hf

 

Get an MGB (chrome bumper). Fun to drive, easy to work on, yet you can learn at your own pace. I had one when 18, and have another at 57 (along with my '93 FD purchased new). Then when you are ready for the FD, one will be there for you!
Cheers!