My daily driver is a Civic Si and I have an FB RX7 that I use for autox and lapping. I'm thinking of replacing both with an RX8.
I commute 60 K a day and run 12 to 15 autox events a season. I have no concerns about rotary engine issues.

Is the RX8 a better platform than the FB? Is it as tossable? What about cold weather? My FB doesn't respond well to sub-zero but it's 26 years old.

I'm asking for opinions and appreciate the forums patience.

 

Rx8: Better chasis, more hp, more tq, more reliable engine, better weight distribution, better handling

you tell me, which one's better?

 

I wasn't really asking which one was better so much as whether they had a similar feel. I love the directness and mechanical feel of my FB.

 

Since your question is subjective to feel then you need to drive the 8. No one will be able to answer this but you and how you feel when driving them back to back.

 

In my experience, there's nothing to worry about here, as long as you have some good winter tires. I drive mine in the winter. The TSC lets you slide in the snow for a little bit then would hold you back. Mine has seat warmers.

 

I have/had a 7 FD and a 8 and loved them both for different reason neither I would say would be great in the winter especially on days like today north of Toronto. Let it snow, Let it snow. But for a daily driver I'd say the 8 is a better choice for numerous reason...... availability of parts is just one.

 

You asked which one is a better platform............

What I mean is that the 8 is a better platform compare to a FB. Both for DD and track.

 

I'm many ways it's an apples and oranges comparison. I owned a TII for a number of years and it certainly had charm. I haven't owned a FB, but I've been in them, and certainly have a respect for them. The RX-8 has a lot of charm too, but it's different. My TII was very raw. It was never worth much so I didn't worry about doing bad things to it. There is value in that. That said, it's great to drive a fun car all of the time, instead of some of the time. Other than the key system, I've had no issues in a year and a half. In the FC the raw feeling makes you feel one with the car, but the RX-8 is a modern car, you're very in touch with the car, but it's a significantly more civilized experience. It's different, you might not like it at first, but it really lacks nothing in the experience category.

The RX-8's handling is phenomenal, but what really separates it from other cars is how controllable it is, how forgiving the suspension is, and how much it communicates. It flatters a medium skill driver and allows the driver to have incredible control. It's immensely tossable. Reviews of the RX-8 have been positive, but few have aptly described the way it handles. In one article I recall it being called "balletic grace". The FC had good feel and control, but it's not as good as the RX-8s. The FC's suspension was hard and to get it to the RX-8's level would require making it much harder. RX-8s feels very direct and nimble, but a FB weighs 500lbs+ less so it's doing to be different. Many have described the FB as having a "go kart feel." I wouldn't describe the RX-8 this way. To make a FB handle like a RX-8 is going to involve the same compromises as in the FC, if not more so, because it's starting even further away.

The TII's steering was direct and had great feedback, but required too much turning of the wheel. I often don't like the feel in power steering cars, but the RX-8's is very good. It's direct and communicates well. All the more shocking is that it's electric. FB's steering is recirculating ball.

Power is decent, but not overwhelming. It's obviously much quicker than a stockish FB. It's delivered up top as with any higher power smaller displacement engine.

Brakes are terrific. Go ahead and slap the 4-piston TII brakes on your FB. You then get roughly the same heat capacity/resistance to fade as the RX-8, but it won't stop the same.

I don't know your level of success autoXing a FB, but it seems like it's tough to do well with a FB as it's classed. I'd say the RX-8 is one of the best options in BS.

 

Thanks Snrub, exactly what I needed. You're right about how the FB feels, it is like a go-kart with the same amount of horsepower. Maybe I'll keep it and replace the Honda.

 

remember to put on winter tires, then you will be fine.........

 

I always get a kick out of hearing "it handles like a go kart" - I raced karts for years and they really don't handle well...it's a simple frame bolted onto tires after all.

The FB is decades old with a live axle, so other than it being lighter and having the usual rotary benefits to handling, it's a no-brainer as to which is the better platform. The FC was a step forward, but real progress didn't happen until the FD - a car that still isn't as easy to drive at the limit as the 8.

 

The rear suspension on the FB would also bind up in the corners. This caused the FB to have the classic oversteer that they are known for. If you were expecting it, it was controllable. Just not optimum.

 

I've owned about three FBs, two were GSLSEs. I actually miss my FB, too bad I don't have abundant parking. If it's clean and reliable, you have somewhere to park it, and you can afford it, I'd keep the FB and get and 8 too.

The FB is just one of those cars. If you never owned one, I don't think you'd would understand. It just has a timeless appeal.

Oh you asked about tracking it? The 8 of course will do better, but with the 7, you could probably go more ***** out since it won't hurt much financially if you wreck it. Thats what I do with my FC.

 

fbs are awsome the raw feel you get, and a nice webber setup on a bridgeported 13b is just awsome, that said i would trade my fc for an fb lol

 

I liked the 12A FB better than the 13B one. It felt so much lighter and nimble. Yea, the bigger motor had more power/faster, but still.....

 

I concur with jrx13

No payments on the FB right?

Keep it and get the 8 to daily if for nothing more then parts availability

 

You're all enablers. Which is why I posted the question in the first place.

I do think the go-kart comparison is good though. I put my right foot to the floor and try not to lift or brake and I have forearms like Popeye's.

 

It is easier to tell someone to do what I want to do!

 

My mom has a 90 or 91 GXL. Compared to my RX-8. The RX-7 was a good car. I really enjoy it tossable, direct etc. But the FC was a dinosaur in terms of handling technologies. The word here is progress. The rx-8 is just decades ahead.
An old VW Rabbit is raw too. But comparing it to today's GTi, it's no where close.
Same with a Ferrari Testarossa vs a Ferrari F430.

 

yea, but I'd love to own a Testarossa!