Seeing as I'm only going to get to have one, I need help deciding whether I will (in a while) get a rx7 or an rx8.

Granted, the rx8 has better interior space, interior quality, and better mpg. I really won't need the extra seats or space, but I do like a nice interior.

The rx7 is a more "classic" car(love the 99spec body kits) and has better power. Of course, the rx8 can be fitted with a aftermarket turbocharger to offset this (Special thanks to our loyal aftermarket providers!). I realize getting a used rx7 fd3s will mean putting countless hours into 'restoring' it(undoing any previous damage), but I should have the time before I 'need' the car.

One real thing that is hard to find a qualitative comparison on is handling. I was wondering if someone who had both a rx7 and a rx8 (not necessarily at the same time) could offer some help?

Also, anything else I've missed that I should know would be nice.

Stupid additional notes:
- Either one would be bought used.
- Bilstien PSS9's have been suggested for the rx8. Anyone know how this mod stack up with a rx7?
-Really like bucket seats w/ harnesses, having ridden in them. Any problems with either car and bucket seats/harnesses?


Many thanks for your patience. I am a noob and admit such. Help me learn and I shall cease being noob-ish.

 

Stop being a Noob by:


I absolutely love my RX-8, but I'd love to get an RX-7, the cars legendary in my opinion.


It's basically searching around here and test driving.

I mean your right there are endless supply of aftermarket parts for the 8. Thats one con to the 7, parts may become more rare.

Just my $.02 I accept paypal, must pay shipping and paypal fees.

 

The FD is one hell of a car, but reliability is a problem. They've never been known for reliability, and the ones around now are typically high mileage and have been modded and driven to hell and back. If you work on cars and have the money and want a second car as a project, the 7 would be a lot of fun, but I wouldn't recommend it for a daily driver.

The only 7 I've owned was a 1980 so I can't say much about how the FD handles from first-hand experience. But from what I've heard/read, it has a super-stiff suspension that is great on the track but not so great on the road.

The 8 has a very good ride on the road while still having great handling. The 8 is also more advanced, being a decade newer. Handling in the 8 on the road is about as good as you could possibly want. You would have to be a pretty damn good driver (and maybe a bit reckless) to find the handling of the 8 lacking on the road. For most of us, the 8 has more handling than we know how to use.

EDIT: here's a good comparison of the 7 vs. the 8 in handling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGs7vIeml3M

 

Great find with the video- Gave me what i was looking for. Thanks marklar. Always nice to have food for thought.

 

How many 7s are even available for you? If you don't have many to choose from the condition of each may force your decision.


cool video, btw.

 

I posted those videos first lol. Lemme find thread.

*EDIT* Aha!!
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-news-11/rotary-reborn-%2Aoldy-but-goody%2A-155808/ Funny thing that nobody even posted in it.

 

LOL, well, I found it by searching YouTube, didn't see your thread.

 

Yeah, back sometime last year I was looking through youtube at all sorts of rotary videos...found the Rotary Reborn, instantly favorited and posted here. I'm sad nobody replied to my thread...maybe a bump will get more eyes on it. I think every rotary enthusiast should see that video.

 

agreed

 

FD's are money pits.

 

Going back to the handling comparison provided by BM in rotary reborn, what upgrades are we talking about to "fix" the handling issues that they talked about? I've seen Bilstien's pss9 s recommended on this forum. Anyone tell me if this would fix the extra "softness" in the suspension and the understeer that the BM guys were talking about?