An FD has superior handling to an RX-8. RX-8s have a lateral g of .87 - .90. FD's have lat g #s of .99 - 1.01 (when tested on older/less sticky tire technology...the numbers are now even higher with softer street compounds available today). The same goes for slalom traps..... the RX-8 is at least 2 mph slower compared to an FD (again, the disparity is likely larger with a stickier rubber equipped FD - not to mention an equivalent 17" or 18" rim/tire combo thrown-in).

RX-8s also have a higher curb weight (by ~250 lbs for the similiarly equipped manual RX-8) & sits 4 inches higher than the FD.

I heard the Ifinty FC or whatever had a lateral g of .91. Each car isnt far off from each other.

not true, on the same scale with similar amounts of fuel, my friends rx8 and my FD (r1 fd and base rx8 with touring ground effects) weighed 2840 on 20lb increment scale.

Yes, it is true. It's published fact. The curb weight of an FD is 2,810 - 2,840 lbs depending on which variant. The RX-8's published curb weight is 3,064 lbs (which, as stated, is anywhere from a 220 - 250 lb delta). http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/865...-r3-test-drive

You refer to an Infini FC which is a JDM marketed car only (ie not available to the US market). There were also JDM (and Australian - such as the Bathurst) versions of the FD which had additional power, yet even lighter weight, and more aggressive +1 rim/tire combos through 2002....but this is not relevant as we are discussing the US domestic market.

Lastly, a .91 vs. 1.01 is a huge lateral g delta (.1 g is a is a night & day difference, and again, this was on 15 - 18 yr old tire technology - the margin grows further when the FD is equipped with modern tire compounds like the RX-8).

I don't care what the published weight is, I've seen with my own two eyes an rx8 and an FD weigh nearly the same. My first FD with a sunroof was right around 2900lbs.

Great. You know more than Mazda. My bad.

Do you even realize that when an OEM publishes curb weights for a vehicle, they are for an average equipped vehicle? (they do the same thing for gas mileage...if you load down a car with every option possible, mileage may suffer due to the extra load....so the "average equipped vehicle" is utilized. I'll fill ya in - some cars weigh more, some less, depending on options/configuration. The key point being conveyed here is that taking the common denominator (ie the average published weight) and comparing them so its an "apples to apples" comparison. The FD, on average & according to published fact, is significantly lighter. The RX-8 has more sheetmetal/bigger dimensions, seats 4 people, & has more airbags/greater safety constructs, etc. It stands to reason, of course it is going to weigh more...it's a GT.

lol @ rx8 weighing almost 2900lbs

3000lbs is not far off...