About the only thing i could possibly consider a "better deal" is a Z06.

Its a national auto-x champ, has gobs of power, and is even cheaply modded (to a point, then it gets REAL expensive).

Then I go out for a drive, and see 4-5 C5 corvettes and 2 Z06s within the first half-hour, and i don't want it nearly as bad... and auto-x champ or not, a C5 feels like a truck compared to my car, though i've never driven a Z06.

You can keep virtually anything else this side of a 120k 911tt, including Vipers, 350Zs, S2000s, M-anythings, or Supras... i'll keep what i have.

 

I believe that the FD will always be a very special car, no matter what comes down the line. You know, there will probably never be another car quite like it...

 

I dont really mind what the vettes and vipers are doing cause i know i didnt spend 60k or much more on my car and with some bolt ons i can still hang with them. Plus my 10 year old car still turns just as many heads if not more than a 2003 Z06 or even a viper. there are only 3 FD's in my entire province (and im the only one that actually drives it in my city the other is owned by some massively rich 60 year old jewler who takes it out twice a year) and there are countless corvettes and probably about 10 or so vipers.
plus as far as the import scene is concerned the FD is still and probably always will be a god. its just an amazing car all around and i know i love my FD.

 

It would be hard to impress me with any other sports car. Even if it is faster. The FD is an awesome example of power and good looks. A car that is exceptional to drive, and fits like OJs' glove. And ,yes, the FD does have its reliability problems, IN STOCK FORM!!!
There are enough mods available to make the rotary are very simple machine. The most complex and confusing part of the FD is the twin-turbo set-up. Go single and it is amazing how less cluttered and easier it is to diagnose problems. And as far as turbo lag goes, yes if you go with a T88 or T51kai, you will have lag, but get something like a To4e or an Apexi kit and you can barely tell the difference in spool time from the stock twins. Plus, you are putting down an easy 350 to the wheels and not killing the turbos getting that RWHP.
I find it very satisfying that I have a car that you hardly ever see. Corvettes and Mustangs are like belly buttons, EVERYBODY HAS ONE.
Long live the FD. It gets my vote.....

 

There may be cars that can beat AC Cobras and Ford GT40s but that doesn't take away from what those cars are. Just because there are expensive cars that can outperform our FD (in stock form especially), doesn't mean that I am going to switch or even desire a switch. Not to mention, the fact that we drive a twin turbo rotary means that we are in a very select group--I like exclusivity. I know not all of us have twins, but you get the point. One last thing, the FD is one of the greatest car designs ever IMHO.

 

Simple answer : No the FD will not be replaced or outperformed by these new cars.

The cars you are talking about cost the same price as at least 5 FD's. For the same price as a z06, you could put together an FD that would out-style, overpower, and outperform practically anything on the road, including the cars you mentioned.

 

haha, yeah some of those small hick towns are like that but between orlando, and merrittisland/cocoa beach area you run into ALOT of exotics. Epscially on merritt island with a few pop starts and movies stars with houses on the island.

 

People still drive thirty year old mustangs, and people drool. In twenty years people will drool over my 7.

 

My thoughts exactly, Larz.

I bought my 7 to keep for decades, for I am in love with the car and have been for years. It's definately one of the "new classics"!

 

Why does it seem like 20% of the threads on the board these days are all about comparing to external factors?

Own the car, work on the car, maintain the car, drive the car, track the car. Comparing isn't going to do a damn thing.

Once again:

You are not what you possess.

 

exactly. Keep in mind those cars mentioned in the orginal post are practically exotic. Your really not going to see one very often. You just can't expect an FD to keep up with these cars. I don't think the FD was considered exotic when it was new 10 years ago (but thats another can of worms), so you can't really expect it to keep up with the exotics of today.

Most of us here are enthusiasts. We have rx7s because we love rx7s, not just because they are faster then other cars.

 

Zoomspeed,

It's been brimming along for a while now, but wait until you see the complete influx of F&F and Initial D brats who just bought FDs continue to rise. Alot are not true RX-7 lovers.

 

lol, I guess that depends on what you are using to define "enthusiasts".

People get FD's because of how they look. Let's be honest. If the car looked like a Yugo but had the same performance, would people still want it? Nope.

IMO, I don't see why people care what other people have or how fast other people's cars are... Just be happy with what you have. If you like it, who cares if there is something faster, newer or better. Do you think people with some of those older restored cars care that they can't do a 1/4 mile in 12 seconds? Nope, they are true "enthusiasts" about their cars and love them for what they are.

 

we all can thank George W. Bush with insuring the future of high horse power engines. If we get tight with oil the government will crack down on the car manufacturers. There was until about 10 years ago the combined adverage fule mileage of a factory had to be up in the high 20s mpg. This is the reason the factorys had only one or two real fast cars. Now there's nothing stopping them from building hot engines. Sure you pay a fule surcharge but these are high end cars and those people have the big money and don't care. Look out for this to happen again. In the late 80s or so a vett had 180 hp, what a slug. If it comes back the Rx7 will be King again.

 

i just hope japan (not just mazda) get over this stupid 206kw gentlemen's limit they insist on, if they dont, they might fall behind as other manufaturer produce even higher horse power engines/cars.

but even still power isnt everything, ive driven my friends 300kw hsv gts sedan (a stock australian car, 5.7l ls1 engined) and its utter crap compared to my fd, it handles sluggishly, the gearbox is slow and its ugly and fat. engines arent everything, cars are a sum of their parts.

 

By the way, no way the new Ford GT is doing 128 in the 1/4. I don't care what Car and Driver reports, 500 crank HP and 3400lbs cannot do 128. They got a juiced car, Ford has done this before with the mustang cobra.

 

MMMMMMM...TVR

 

Already happened.

 

The -7- can't lose!

 

To be honest very few cars have (can or will have) all the dynamic characteristics of the FD, as marketing, safety requirements etc make it more difficult to build excquisite cars
you might get more power...you will get more weight etc etc etc.
The FD is unique, and can be tuned and setup for almost anything - so I wouldn't worry ... the FD is here to Stay !!! and will continue to beat practically anything out there !

 

they will never defeat me on the downhill of old ellicott city! not with my theory for the fastest driving!

 

DCrosby and godzilla, not that I am a resident to FL, but Lauderdale has quite a few exotics as well. In the week I was there I saw at least 30 Porsches, no exagerration, and they weren't carrera's or boxters, several ferrari's, a few lambo's, and I think one Roll's and one bentley. If you count the exotic dealerships I was in, it's like 20 lambo's, 50 ferrari's, etc., oh and one '67 shelby cobra 427 :: 100 years from now that car won't be outdated.

 

I can't stand reading these posts, "well I put this much money in my car and a Z06 costs this...etc"

Who are you trying to convince you like your car? Everyone likes THEIR car for different reasons...that's why there are ricers with huge wings and sleepers with T78's...and bone stock with seq. twins.

It was best said...it's not what you pay for your car or how fast it is...hands down the FD is rare and takes some love to keep it on the road. So yes when a 425hp stock Civic blows by me on my Sunday cruise in ten years...I'll smile because that Civic knows....

 

I love my FD no matter what any car manufacturer will build. I love the fact that the car is rare and that its an engineering masterpiece. So, if you feel that an FD is becoming more and more obsolite, well it is. Its 10 years old!! That is an even more testament to who the real enthusiasts are. The people who still have their cars for many years and will not part with them.

Many of them are on this board. So if your debating whether or not to get rid of your car for something faster then go ahead, but it will be hard to replace the FD's nimbleness and lightweight chassis.