jayscoobs

Hello, I couldn't find a thread of this when I searched which surprised me. Those of you that went from FD to RX8 was it the right decision/choice?

Every few months or so I always get the idea in my head of selling/trading the 8 but I never could. Because I always liked the way it looked, the handling, the feel and smooth engine. I came from a boosted platform and I miss playing with boost (Turbo spool is a addicting sound). I did a ton of research on boosting the 8, I always have a tendency to do it right so my build figures were around 6-8k with supporting mods.

Now, I see a couple FDs in the 10k and below range which got me thinking if I shall go down to an FD. I started doing FD research which seems like its easy to make them reliable, and their mods are relatively cheaper than ours. Their is a couple drawbacks as there is every car, but it wouldn't be my Daily Driver anyways. I do live in Cali so boosting the 8 isnt quite easy as well.

Thoughts?

laythor

there are many FD's showing up at the 10k range, ask yourself why they're asking 10k

Unless they're only asking <10k

Love the FD, but I would be wary of so many things when buying one at that price.

jayscoobs

Yeah under 10k does throw up flags, I have learned lesson with buying used cars so if I were serious to check one out id have a PPI done and inspect the problem areas that FDs have. I read quite a few threads on what to look for when buying a FD.

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

I would probably trade my 8 for a FD that's in the same condition.
The 8 looks great, but the FD is like sex on X.

jayscoobs

Yeah I really cant decide. RX7 is quite a great car and so is the RX8, just needs boost.

xexok

There are multiple threads comparing the two cars, heres a one for you.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/rx7-fd-vs-rx8-78297/

Just do a google search for "site:rx8club.com fd vs rx8" or similar things and you will find what you need. Might also check rx7club.com I'm sure they have threads on it.

jayscoobs

Man I wish I jumped on it earlier. Saw a fd for sale at a luxury dealer that only had 40k miles on it. Looked like it's been on show room forever.

Supernaut6

Actually, you can get a reliable FD for around 12k. Wouldn't surprise me to find one for 10k. If you check on 7 club, you can get a warrantied car for around 12k.

IMO, the most important thing when buying an FD IMO is to make sure all the little pieces are changed. The car is old and this goes without saying for all older cars. If you are looking to get into an Rx7 I'd strongly suggest that you check out the cars the reputable builders are selling.

How much do you really know about FDs?

The biggest shock to me wasn't the reliability of FDs, it was the the constant gauge watching. Stock, my car was actually very reliable. I had my car built up to minimize gauge watching and I'm really happy with it now but when my car was a little more stock, it got kind of annoying. Constantly watching the air intake temps when you're running a stock IC is not fun. There are some mods I would consider core for all FDs and if you get them, I think you'll be very happy and trouble free. Having said that, if your FD isn't a daily, I don't foresee you having many problems with it assuming your FD was built right.

Besides the regular maintanance mods and the obvious stuff, I think the non-power mods that really helped me enjoy ownership the most is...

-PFC + commander (important for checking intake temps)
-Aquamist WI + rx7 summer (no more monitoring intake temps obsessively)
-Ditching the stock steering wheel
-RA premix adapter

jayscoobs

Great and informative post! Thanks! Ive always liked the look of FDs, especially since their so rare now id keep it forever. Just to make sure the FD that I was looking at is up to speed I was planning to get a Pre purchase inspection done at a reputable rotary shop in the Bay Area. Get the reliability mods done and do upgrades for longetivity. I only want 350 whp which is easily achievable. I was looking at engine rebuild options and looks like they might cost more than the 8?

RIP IT!

Just remember stock parts on the FD are very expensive if you need to replace them.

Most FD's I see need new bushings throughout the rear end. Otherwise the rear of the car clunks when you are on and off the gas pedal.

My rule of thumb for most is that if your FD costs you 10K to purchase you should expect to have close to 20K into it by the time you are happy to drive it as you see fit. There are some cars that are below this and some above, but it is a good rule of thumb so to speak.

Supernaut6

I wouldn't look at port and rebuilding the engine for power just yet. It may not be worth it right now. Hopefully, if you buy from a reputable guy, you won't need to get the engine rebuilt but it would be an incredibly wise thing to do if you buy from a nobody.

FDs actually aren't very rare in Aussieland and Japan. They're like Civics in Japan.

Great idea on the rotary shop. Before you buy the FD, you should make sure you find one you can work with and that they are onboard with your plan. That's one of the first things I did. I had my FD checked out at IRP in NJ and had them do all the reliability mods and more. I dropped alot of cash there so I didn't feel bad about asking them tons of stupid questions. As great as rx7club is, it can be daunting at times so IRP was a blessing and ended up being an invaluable bridge between me and the forums. If I didn't understand something I read on 7 club I just asked the mechanics.

350 rwhp (depending on how generous the dyno is) is up there if you are looking to not spend to much money and stay with the stock twins. IMO, if you are into logevity, I wouldn't boost over 12psi. I would shoot for around 320 rwhp to keep your wallet in check and really enjoy the car as is. Things will get expensive and you will be spending some $$$ just to hit 320rwhp. I honestly think the smart thing to do is to check your options. It may not be worth shooting for 350 rwhp if for just thousands more you can hit 420+rwhp and possibly have a more reliable car. In the end, it's just a number man. The car will be plenty of fun for anybody at 280rwhp.

As the saying goes,

Money, Reliability, Power

Pick two.

If I were you, I would get really buddy-buddy with an excellent rotary shop and have them lead the way. If you're brave enough, go on rx7club and search. Don't make threads until you've lurked alot. They aren't very tolerant of n00bie threads over there. They even have a special section for that to keep it off the tech sections. Rotarycarclub is a bit friendlier and they have some very smart people over there.

GL. You're going to need it. FDs take alot from you but I haven't regretted anything... yet

jayscoobs

Yeah eventually id get up there with HP but I dont think a car as small and light as the FD really needs 450 HP, I like all around cars. Plan is to do pure reliability mods when first purchasing. Address the wear items as much as I can. Most reliability mods is doable by me just depends on what. Id just have the shop inspect car because they are expensive. I just hope I can enjoy a FD as much as I have enjoyed the 8.

RIP IT!

Just remember the rx7 is a hard core sports car. No soft suspension, no traction nannies, and most of all its more of a dude magnet than the 8 is. At least those are my experiences.

But IMO there has never been a better rotary car then the FD. The first one I got rid of hurt very bad.

eternal_gamer

I've had FCs, FDs, and Rx-8. I currently have a FD and a Rx-8. There is no way I'd trade my FD for a Rx-8. It just doesn't compare. Its like comparing apples to oranges. I like the 2 seat sports car with twin turbo Rotary power a lot more. But the Rx-8 is nice as well and comfortable and not bad for a daily driver besides the fuel economy. Thats why I got the Rx-8 for my chick to drive. I let her drive all the Mazdas and she ended up picking the Rx-8 due to looks and driving feel. So what Im trying to say is, get whatever floats ur boat. I simply don't carry more than one passenger but most of the time Im alone, so the 2 seats don't bother me. Power, handling and looks is what I hope for. And when I do have kids, I'll be getting a CX-7 AWD which I was supposed to get for my chick, but we changed our minds due to not having any kids yet.

jayscoobs

I do know it is meant to be a pure sports car which is why I would have a DD paired with the RX7. The RX8 is a chick magnet, met a few chicks just cuz of the car. but no props from any enthusiast due to the lack of power. I dont care about peoples comments or anything, just sharing my expierence.

jayscoobs

This is what people say over at rx7forums. There is no comparison between the two. RX8 is more practical and able to drive it a lot more with being a DD. I would never DD a RX7. I only have one person in my passenger as well so the seats dont matter all that much to me. Only thing that stops one is the age of the car.

edit: Let me add that I wouldnt mind keeping the 8. Just needs boost and in my eyes it aint quite worth it for me to do it on the 8.

Davin

Just keep in mind that the engine is like an oven under the hood, cooking everything for almost 20 years. It is no wonder that FD stands for Financial Disaster...

eternal_gamer

That's what I came down to before I bought the RX-8. I was planning on just getting a 2010 RX-8 R3 model for myself and turbocharging it. But when I see the #s being put out and how much it costs to do it, it jus financially didn't seem like it was worth it to me. Getting a FD and modifying it would be cheaper and much faster. But I still wanted a RX-8 and so that's why I got both with low miles. Spent less than a R3 to get both. My Fd I got for $11k. 85k miles, black on black leather with a few mods and has 120+ psi on engine. Was well taken care of and had recalls done. Jus needs a repaint eventually. So if ur patient u can find a clean rx7 for a good price. Unless u want to fork over $15k which isn't bad either. And if u like red or montego blue finding the right Fd isn't that hard.

Haha. Great name. It is a financial disaster. Well, f u have a girlfriend, u should be used to it. Lol. But yea I think any rotary is an oven. It's mainly the engine in general. But the sequential twins sure don't help. But it's easy to combat that, koyo radiator, silicone hoses, fc fan switch, fresh coolant with additive, metal AST, and ur good to go. And ur engine bay gets a little bling when ur done. Finding a
Stock Fd with low miles or a restored one is ur best bet.

eternal_gamer

Both cars are chick magnets. But honestly, I get way more chicks with the FD and especially more enthusiasts. More turned heads, and more complements. And the main word I get for my Fd from enthusiasts and chicks is "sexy".

RotaryP7

I'd love to have an FD. The other day at work a red FD parked next to my VR 8 and damn, I wanted to trade cars so bad.. The girl working with me said she loved the 8 better but I couldn't believe her!!

I tried getting an FD before the 8 but none were in good condition. If I ever get one, I'd get some kind of car warranty, the ones you see in the commercials because you'll be replacing a ton of parts in the coming years.. I'd do it though.

jayscoobs

Im definetely going to go with a FD. Looks like im going to be keeping the 8 for a while too. Best FDs I seen are at a used car dealer that id have to go check out. First thing when id get it is the maintenance and reliability mods and replace all the damn hoses. Should give me trouble free after that hopefully. It doesnt get super hot here so cooling should be fine too.

Supernaut6

Dude I don't think you need to tell Davin about reliability mods. He knows. I think what Davin was referring to is that an FI rotary will produce tons of heat modified or not. You can add as many mods as you want to your FD, the heat may get better but it's still really bad.

Jay do yourself a favor and stay away from the dealers. Get a car with reliability mods already done and from a builder who will give you a warranty on the car. There are 2 or 3 guys on 7club that will do that for you. Allrotor, djseven and mmmmm I forgot the other guy.

cbmmm3

If interested, I have a 1994 FD for sale. Mint. VR Touring. 39k actual miles.
This car is mechanically perfect and real close visually

jayscoobs

Where you located at?

jayscoobs

Of course Rotaries have a ton of heat, especially FI, but people do say FDs combat the heat a little better with the lower compression than the Renesis. I shouldnt have too much trouble with heat, Highest it gets here is 105, 7 times out of the summer or so.

I only said the dealers because they had 80k and below miles on them. Bone stock, would be nice to start with a bone stock car so I know that nothing has been done to it and then start reliability mods.

On the builders part I think I ran into one of them on Craigslist, Guy is from Vegas and says all he does is buy FDs and rebuild them and sell them. was looking at Vegas ads because I was willing to travel to get a mechanically sound FD, plus my friends WRX build finally got finished so he has to break her in anyways.