As a budding car enthusiast, I just recently purchased my first new vehicle and first rotary, an RX8. I love the car and it's peaked my interest into the rotary world and racing. While it's far from being the fastest car, it's great looking and fun to drive. I happened to stop in the local RX7/RX8 shop here in Columbus to buy some clear corners and I couldn't help but notice a heavily modified FD and Supra parked out in front. I 've never seen the RX7 up close and it's just beautiful, inside and out. I thought the RX8 was sleek and sexy but that RX7 I have to say, is in a whole different league. Anyhow, I would have loved to go for a ride in it but it was my first time in the store and I didn't want to push my luck. Maybe I'll try to get to know the owner first then ask. Just my $.02 on my first up close RX7 viewing.

 

The first FD I saw in person, I bought... I never saw a car that looked so good, I just had to have it .

BTW - glad you enjoy your 8!

 

want to make an even trade for my fd rx8rider?

 

How 'bout we race pink slip for it? j/k

 

hahahaha that would be too easy. i love rx8's though and will have one someday. also i would like to welcome you to the world of the wankel. you will meet alot of interesting people on your journey with the rotary.

 

Any advice on how to become more familiar with the rotary engine and all the modifications that you guys are using. How do you learn all the ins and outs of these amazing cars?

 

A good place to start is read, read, read. The stickies at the top of the forum list is a good place to start for green peas. Get a shop manual and a service highlights book, and read.

 

 

The RX-8 is a pretty neat car and although I personally am indiffrent to it (although I wouldn't mind owning one), I must thank Mazda for building and mass producing the car because as we all know, the rotary engine suffers from excessive heat, high fuel consumption, and poor reliability from what the general public saw of the RX-7 (forget about enthusiasts for the moment). Although a lot of people may hate the RX-8 because it can't hang with cars within it's price range like the 350Z and EVO8, the fact that Mazda built and sold the car in the first place brings great promise to the future of the rotary engine. They could have easily just closed their doors on the rotary and went the way of the piston engines but seeing the RX-8 gives hope that there WILL be a 4th gen RX-7 released sometime in the future with the RX-8 being the current test bed for upcoming rotary technology. Anyway, yeah the 3rd gen RX-7 (FD3S) caught my eye from the very beginning. I was 15 years old and it was the 1994 autoshow at some convention hall in San Francisco. I laid eyes on a brand new white FD and being 15 I didn't really know much about cars or understood what the rotary engine was all about, but I felt a vibe and the RX-7 has been one of my favorites ever since and still is today. This car sparked my interest in learning more about cars over the past 11 years and the only thing I regret (although I can't do anything about it) is that I wasn't old enough at the time nor had the money to buy it brand new. Too bad I couldn't afford the car when I got my license either. Nevertheless, the thing that draws me to the car is it's timeless design and how people can't believe it when they find out that it's actually an 10-13 year old car

 

oh and to your question above, here:

www.rotaryengineillustrated.com

 

http://www.iluvmyrx7.com

this is another decent one for education

 

Now just wait till you have a ride on a 7 any you will really know all the difference.

Personally I love the 7's shape over any other but I knew all when I rode in it for the first time. The car had to be mine and if I were somthing near to rich I would have at least another 2 in my garage just for having them.

 

I drove a rx8 and it was really nice. Fun to drive and handles great. It felt "safe and comfortable". On the other hand, when I drive my FD, it feels "fast and scary"

 

If you dont know too much about rotaries, that site is a great place to learn. Otherwise, as everyone has said, just read and read, and you will learn more and more. Congrats on the RX8 and have fun but be safe. Good luck with everything to come.

 

I really like the RX8. Like it so much bought one for my wife.
Too bad it has received some bad reliability reviews but great performance raves. I personally have had no problems whatsoever. 5k miles so far. Have fun with your RX8.

 

^ all three of those cars are sexy! good work, now get an FB