Bremma

Just thought I'd share the news with you guys and girls that I'm flying up to Auckland this weekend to pick up my new (to me) FD3S RX7. Driving it all the way down to Chch in one day/night so will be a massive trip but really looking forward to it.
I'm keeping the 8 too so will have 2 rotary daily drivers.

Stephen T

Nice! Enjoy the trip. Awesome day for it.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

Call in on the way ...... I'm in Hamilton .

xcon

Nice , keep us posted with some pics

Bremma

Cheers guys, would love to call in to see your beast in person Brettus (especially since we share a name) but not sure I can swing it. Got roughly 8.5 hours to make it in time for the ferry in Welly so not stopping for much other than fuel (also skipping Hamilton, going around rather than through it to save some more time). I'll try and have pics up a day or so after I get back for everyone though.

Rotaman

Should only take you around 6 hrs from Auckland to Wellington, at a good pace, so you will have plenty of time.
Hope you have a good trip.

Rotaman

Slidin8

Nice mate, I've been looking into picking up an FD aswell

xcon

Any update ? Any pics?

Bremma

Hey guys, totally forgot the camera for the trip down so I've just taken a couple of pics of the 7 outside here at work this morning. Trip down was awesome tho. I won't bore you all with every detail but the main points are the car didn't skip a beat, the trip was hella long but I made good progress and didn't miss the ferry, and no speeding tickets (surprisingly). Loving the FD so far and really got to know her on the journey.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

Looks pretty tidy from those shots . So ................... any comments on the different feel of the two cars ?

OnCam

looks clean man how are you liking it compared to the 8

Bremma

Where to begin... They share a lot of similarities in the way they feel if I'm honest. You can really tell there's shared DNA in there (and of course a rotary engine)
I guess my overall impression is that the FD requires more energy to drive. It's kind of like all the controls have more weight to them (steering, gear shift, pedals etc) and you have to concentrate more to make "spirited progress". Also for a car with 16's you can really feel the bumps and road surface changes.
It's not like the RX7 is actually hard to drive or anything just slightly more demanding than the 8.
I'm really liking the performance of the 7 more than the 8 but apart from the lighter overall weight and the stronger motor (pulls like a train compared to the 8) the 8 actually has it's advantages. The 7's interior is way smaller (no surprise) and looks it's age (early 90's) The gear throw is quite a bit longer in the 7 too but that's all small beans in the big picture to be honest.
I much prefer the look of the 7, the performance of the 7, the potential of the 7, but the practicality and modernness of the 8. Oh and cup holders, never thought I'd miss them but on a long trip they do come in handy.
Stoked I get to keep both though
Wifey will be daily driving the 8 and I get to pilot the 7.

OnCam

sounds good man thanks for the review!