zerobanger

I own both cars and want to give my opinion. I have had my rx8 for a week now and just took it out on a very winding road that I always take my FD on, I put a link below if you want to see the road, its pretty amazing.

http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/RedwoodRd.htm

Anyway, I love both cars and I want to put statistics to a side and do a real world comparison of the two cars. I probably would be as objective as anyone since I love both. The steering in the Rx-8 is absolutely amazing, thats probably the FD's weakest point. I know it sounds like Mazda's marketing, but I swear with the rx8 you think it and the car does it.

Unlike the FD I feel a slight roll in the Rx8. It probably would not be noticeable to most people, but after driving the FD (which has none) you can feel some in the 8. I felt glued to the ground in the Rx-8. The steering is so effortless and precise. As I hit the gas in the rx8 going around a turn I would give up before the car would lose grip. It really inspires confidence, I think the rx-8's limits are higher than mine The ability to change direction in the rx8 and brakes are excellent.

The FD on the other hand is a brute. I dont feel the finess that the rx8 has. In my mind I compare a FD and rx8 like a wooden rollercoaster VS a metal. While the steering isn't that great in the rx7, the grip on the road is phenominal. having the turbo kick in when you go around a turn is something I miss when Im in my rX8.

Its hard for me to judge which really outhandles the other. If I had to guess from my experience already i would say that the FD has higher limits, but you have to work harder to reach them. The rx8 is much easier to drive and more willing. With me atleast I have more confidence in the Rx-8.

With the FD you get feedback from the road (and back problems). again, it feels like a wooden rollercoaster. The brakes on the FD dont feel as responsive as those on the RX8, but stop the car slightly better according to tests. (110 VS 114). The shifter is taller and less easy to shift but it has a more substantial feel to it. As you accelerate through the gears in the rx7 you feel the torque, engine and road.

With the Rx8 you get a level of refinement that has to be experienced. Its so easy to drive and very rewarding. I would say the rx8 is more responsive than the FD and atleast feels more agile (most likely due to the steering).

My FD has stock wheels and suspension and has all new bushings.

Anyone else that owns both cars have an opinion?

Senseny

Zero, you knew I would have to jump into this discussion as I have argued this over and over with 8 owners (most of whom formerly owned FDs). The 8 is definitely more sophisticated and may feel better, but the 7 has been shown better by the numbers. I spent way to much time looking up numbers the other night and in the end with several different write ups for each car the FD stops shorter (by about 4 feet), holds better on the skidpad (8 .88 to .91 FD .92 to 1.0) slaloms better (don't remember the exact numbers but it was something like 67 mph for the 8 and a hair under 70mph for the FD) and lets not even talk about acceleration cause that ain't even fair.
Here are my conclusions. The Rx8 is more forgiving at the limits, the Rx8 handles extremely well through the twisties and is very PREDICTABLE, the Rx8 has a refined chassis that doesn't beat the hell out of your back, and the Rx8 is just a better car overall due to the marraige of excellent performance and comfort.
The Rx-7 is the superior performance vehicle, but it takes much more skill to drive it at the limits. Anyone who wants to argue with me please quantify your arguement. Please don't say the 8 is a better PERFORMANCE vehicle because it feels better to you.
BTW, I like the wooden roller coaster comparison.

zerobanger

haha, yea I was counting on it. It sounds that atleast you and I have an agreement on the performance part. I should also point out, I meant my post to refer to real world driving. If it was a race track (closed or open course) I would not have even posted this, as the -7- would never look back.

I'm feeling torn between my two cars right now. between my rx8 and 7 I dont know which one to drive, lol. They are so different in the way they feel, yet in both cases its so much damn fun. Sometimes I look at the Rx-8 and think its better looking, then I look at the 7 and my jaw drops.

pp13bnos

I'm anouther FD/FE owner. And I have to agree with all your points you made. Minus the looks....I still like the FD a little more. But as far as driving goes, the 8 is a confidence builder for shure. The 7 is nothing short of a handfull. :D The first and only time I've almost looped my FD was with the stock seq system working. 2nd turbo came online, and the back end came around REALY fast. Throttle input played a major part in my problem. The 8 with its lower torque output makes it alot simpler to drive imop. I LOVE BOLTH OF THESE CARS! CJ

Senseny

Looks are a whole different comparison. I don't know which I like more. The FD is a beautiful sports car with flowing, classic lines. The 8 may not be fluid, but I think it is one of the coolest looking cars around. Interior is not even close though, the 8 is awesome and **** isn't going to come apart like the FD. If you have the means, keep em both Zero. They compliment each other perfectly and I would hate for you (an FD owner who cares for his car) to give up your car to some kid who might kill it.
pp13bnos, the two times I have come closest to wrecking my FD are similar to your story. Exit a turn at 7500 rpm in second, blast into third gear and as the second turbo grabs you, the back end breaks off. That would come around 90+ mph so it is scary. Both times I managed to keep the car on the road but with at least three corrections. Scary ****.
One last point zero, I understand you mean real world driving and certainly the 8 is the superior real world car including performance (because of it forgiveness), but what about owning an FD is real world. Everytime I get in that thing I am in another dimension. 304 rwhp and 280lb/ft of torque in a 2800 pound car has that effect--and hell, you got 50 more ponies at the wheels.
When people literally shake for 15 to 20 minutes after you give them a 15 minute acceleration followed by deceleration followed by cornering at high speed exhibition, is that real world? I am not even a good driver, I wish I could see my FD in the hands of a pro.

Senseny

Thats not to mention what pp13bnos has at the wheels with the single set up.

zerobanger

speaking of driveability and forgiveness. I used to always take my car to the drag strip. I had a problem with a boost spike from 2nd to 3rd gear. I could set my boost for .80 (12 psi) but it would hit 16 psi in a spike. this would only happen from 2nd to 3rd when I shifted at redline or so. Its only an instant spike but its enough to cause the FD to have a fuel cut (the power fc cuts fuel based on boost spike .25 over your base setting).

Anyway, I called my tuner and he said if I turn the power fc to 1 bar boost but set the duty cycle setting to something small like .80, even if I spike it will not cut the fuel. So I tried it.

My first run using this technique was interesting. Keep in mind that I never ever survived a boost spike before. If I spiked, the car shut down. If I didn't spike, no problems. So I spun and wheel hop like I never did before. I spun all the way through second. I shifted into 3rd, the boost spiked, but this time I didn't hit the fuel cut. My car went sideways I almost lost control and nearly hit the wall. This was at infinion raceway (formerly sears point).

I'll be very happy if I can get the rx8 to stock FD's N/A

Rob Tomlin

Wow! I know this is an older post, but man, it seems like I could have written this post myself!

I own a 93 FD. I love that damn car! I finally got out and test drove the RX-8, and I think I had the best salesman know to mankind. He said that he races "for Mazda". True or not, I don't know, but he sure knew his **** when it came to Rotary motors!

Anyway, he drove first. He wasn't shy! Chirping through 3rd gear, slamming the brakes, twisty roads etc.

Then it was my turn. He told me to rev the car up to 8000 rpm's and dump the clutch! He also put me on some nice twisty out of the way roads to see how the car handled. We probably had a 45 minute test drive!

I basically agree with everything Zerobanger said below! I was VERY impressed with the handling of this car. Refinement and responsiveness are the right words! The steering is definitely much better than the 7 in terms of responsiveness and feel. Very smooth as well.

Like Zerobanger said, the 7 is a brute in comparison. It is harder to drive at its limits. The wood vs metal rollercoaster analogy is a good one!

The 8 was a ton of fun to drive! Shifting at 9000 rpm's is cool. But the 7 is obviously faster. Pin your head to the back of the seat fast. The 8 just doesn't pin your head back. I love the feeling I get when the turbos kick in on the 7, and I know I would miss that feeling with the 8. I want the 8 to be a bit faster than it is. I'm sure some of this comes from being spoiled by the almost wicked quickness of the 7.

The question then becomes whether the positives of the 8 vs the 7 outweigh the negatives.

Another big positive in favor of the 7 in my opinion is looks. Frankly, I think the FD is one of the best looking cars EVER designed. I do like the looks of the 8, but not as much as the 7. I would give the 8 a score of 8/10 for looks, with the 7 getting a perfect 10/10.

The biggest negative about the 7 is the fact I can't use it as a daily driver. I live in an area that gets really hot in the summer (it was 100 degrees today) and the FD just can't handle that heat very well.

There is no way I can afford to have both cars. The 7 is like owning a brand new car (mine is in very good condition). People constantly come up to me at the gas station and ask me what kind of car it is. When I tell them, they ask me if it is a 2004 model! I love that! And it's PAID FOR!

Decisions, decisions.......

sferrett

Holy old-post batman!

What a coincidence - I got my '95 running this Saturday with a new set of turbos and a resealed oilpan. Got it smogged today and it passed no worries (even with a hi-flow cat and a downpipe) - which was a relief.

I forgot how much I loved driving this car (the FD) - it's been on jackstands for about a year and I've been driving the '8 until this Saturday. There are some similarities and the 8 is definately a less harsh ride (and the coilovers on the FD don't help that any) but I'd have to say that I also agree with the zerobanger's original post - the 8 inspires confidence, but the 7 has some higher limits, just be wary if you cross them!

Having to choose one over the other is definately a choice I don't want to have to make.

Cheers,
Simon.

RX-8 friend

I would agree with the assessments above. They are both great cars. My 7 IS much harder to drive (and harder on the driver!).

Senseny

Hey, nice to see this back from the dead. I haven't changed my opinions after lots more 8 driving. I love BOTH of my rotaries.

brillo

There is no question the 7 is faster, and lighter, but I have seen numbers on the 8 from Sport Compact Car / C&D that put the 8 at like .90-.91g and over 70mph through the slalom which gets damn close to the 7’s numbers…. And that is without the Mazda speed kit, which if were talking about the FD R2? (with the upgraded suspension), I think we should compare it to the MS 8, which I bet is its equal.

Given some mild boost, the 8 is going to be one scary car.

futureownr4sure

At least, the rx-8 proves one thing, you don't need huge dyno numbers to have a fun to drive car in your hands.

boothguy

I'd agree with everything said thus far, assuming we're comparing both cars on smooth, well-maintained roads. Here in northern San Diego County, many of the really fun roads also tend to be lumpy as a bag of walnuts, which limits the 7's fun factor. My '94 has wider-than-stock tires with stiffer sidewalls, progressive rate springs that also lower the ride height a tad, and harder pads squeezing Brembo discs. The engine also breathes better than stock and all the above means you have to be careful with the accelerator or you'll wind up in the scenery. My 8 is much harder to upset at the same speeds on the same roads, and although it doesn't leap off the corners like my 7, it offers more usable fun.

RX-Hachi

I also love both cars and agree with most of what others have said. Bottom line for me, I feel the RX-8 is the better car for real world driving fun.

To illustrate, Road&Track recently compared the RX-8 to the G35 and we know who came out on top. Using the same criteria, let's see how the FD RX-7 would fare. First off, I kept all my old magazines on the FD RX-7. Here's the actual numbers from Road&Track's 1995 Sports&GT Cars issue on the RX-7 and their latest test numbers for the RX-8 (R&T Aug. 04):

0-60: 5.5 secs (RX-7), 6.1 secs (RX-8)
1/4 mi: 14 secs (RX-7), 14.6 secs (RX-8)
Slalom: 66.4 mph (RX-7), 68.4 mph (RX-8)
Skidpad: .95g (RX-7), .89g (RX-8)
Braking 60-0: 123 ft (RX-7), 110 ft (RX-8)
Braking 80-0: 222 ft (RX-7), 193 ft (RX-8)
MPG: 17 (RX-7), 13.8 (RX-8)
Price as tested: $43,225 (RX-7 in 1995, ouch!), $33,100 (RX-8)

Now let's use the same categories as in R&T's test on the RX-8 vs. G35. My take based on the G35vs.RX-8 article is that numbers would look very close to this: (*note: I used the same points scoring system as R&T)

........................RX-7....RX-8
===================
Performance
----------------------------------
0-60:...............30.......27.5
1/4 mi:.............30.......26.5
Salom:.............28.......30
Skidpad:..........30........28
60-0:...............27........30
80-0:...............26.5.....30
MPG:................20.......18
-----------------------------------
Sub Total........191.5....190 Performance winner: RX-7
====================
Subjective
-----------------------------------
Excitement.....20.........18.5
Engine............20.........20 *Both a 13B, one a TT the other revs to 9K, rated equal
Gearbox..........17.........20
Steering..........18.9......20
Brakes.............18.........20
Ride.................17.........20
Handling..........20.........20 *Another toss up, rated them equal
Ext. Styling......20.........18
Int. Styling.......17.........20
Seats...............9.5........10
Ergonomics......9.5........10
luggage space..8..........10
====================
Sub Total.........194.9...206.5 Subjective winner RX-8
====================

Total Points:....386.4...396.5

OVERALL WINNER: RX-8

If you also factor in PRICE (as R&T does), the RX-8 would win by an even bigger margin.

NavyDood

Zerobanger....

When i was stationed at Moffett Field I rode all over the bay area. I have been on that road numerous times my self. Loved it. My favorite was going up Mount Hamilton to Lick Observatory, down the back side all the way up to Livermore. Then of course there were all the other great roads. 9, 84, 35, 1 and anywhere back in that area you could go. :D

shelleys_man_06

I've never driven an FD in my life. I hear the handling is a dream, but it's bad for the butt.

After owning my 8 for nine months (wow my girlfriend could've had a baby by then *shudders*), the ride just keeps getting better. It's soft, but when you want to turn hard, my car is more than willing to do it .

There is a winding boulevard where I live, and there is this 35 mph turn. In my Celica, the maximum speed I could take this turn was about 45 before the front tires broke. In my RX-8, I can take the same turn at about 60 mph, and the rear tires have yet to break traction :D.

Rob Tomlin

Thanks for the follow ups!

For those of you who have owned both the Third Gen RX-7 and the RX-8, if you had to choose one or the other (I'm sure some of you have had to make this decision and it is the one I am struggling with now) which one would you choose?

Why?

Thanks!

shelleys_man_06

Go for the RX-8. IMO, I belive the FD3S has reached the peak of its tuning prowess. Now, it's just a game of who's engine can support the most boost for the FD boys.

The RX-8 has much more promise, not to mention a certain poise and elegance. The 3rd Gen., IMO, is a raw unabashed sports machine.

It's your pick . I hope you will make the right decision for yourself in the end.

RX-Hachi

If you could only have one, and it would be your one and only car, the answer has got to be the RX-8. With its 4 doors, back seat, and trunk, it's just an all around better car for real world driving. Plus, the RX-8 is a brand new car, any RX-7 you get (or have) will likely be 10-12 years old.

However, if you don't have kids or have another car as a primary family mover, and if you want a pure sports car with killer looks, then go for the RX-7.

Reliability is another factor. My RX-8 is obviously a first year model run and I also bought my RX-7 new as a first year car in '93. The difference is night and day. Thus far, knock on wood, my RX-8 has been trouble free, well built, and no rattles. My RX-7 was the opposite and seemed fragile in comparison. At least with the RX-8 you've got a warranty, the RX-7 will cost you much more in maintenance costs.

I sometimes think about getting an FD again, as I still have fond memories of that car. But my memory of my FD RX-7 was when it was new and in its prime. Then when I see an 11 year old one sitting on the street, its paint faded, interior falling apart, and I remember all the realiability issues, I think "there's no way I could go back to the RX-7!" Now if Mazda still made the '99-'02 Y-series RX-7 with 280hp and if it was available in the US, that might be a different story for me. (I like new cars.)

AvitalBlue8

I’ve owned my Rx8 since last Sept, since then I’ve gotten a really good feel of how it performs. Now I don’t personally don’t own an Rx7 but my best friend does and I have driven it extensively (not as much as my 8). I agree what other people are saying about the 2 cars: FDs are beasts, not as forgiving as the 8 but a lot harder to push to their limits. In the 8 the steering feels a lot more precise and in control, you feel as if your more connected to the car (at least I do). But the FD just has huge amounts of potential for HP gains (not yet available for the 8) and when those turbos kick in there’s nothing comparable to it in the 8, then again those 2 extra seats have been very economical. If I had driven an FD before I bought my 8 I would have had a really hard time deciding between the two. If/When the next gen 7 comes out I’ll surely have one.

Riccio

Love the magazine style comparison - I agree with your outcome.

I own both, although the RX7 for just 4 months now, but, if I could only have one, I'd still go with the 8.

I find the RX7 to be a much more beautiful car, but the RX8 design pleases me too.

Glad I am able to have both!

boothguy

Nicely done, Hachi. While I would assign some slightly different subjective scores (which is why they call them subjective after all), I don't disagree with your overall conclusions.

Maybe the biggest indicator of the difference between the two is this: I kept my '94 RX7 when I bought my 8, thinking I'd still want to take it out for some real pavement carving from time to time. Number of times it's seen the light of day since I took delivery on the 8: zero.

khtm

I'm surprised nobody mentioned yet that when it came out, the 3rd gen RX-7 cost more than the RX-8 does now - 10 years later.

Rob Tomlin

The sticker for my 3rd Gen Touring in 1993 was just under $37,000.00.

The RX-8 I bought last week (MT, GT, NAV, Appearance pkg., 6 CD changer) was $34,6xx.xx.

The build date of the FD was Jan 92. Build date for the 8 was June 04.

So, 12 1/2 years later, the RX-8, fully loaded, was still nearly $2000.00 less than the FD. And it is a better car in many ways!