Though it would be considered slow by today's standards I would give anything to have my '89 GXL back. It was 100% stock (minus a few replacement parts out of necessity) but very adequate for me performance-wise through the mid to late 90's. I still think that even the wheels that came on those late model GXL's were the coolest thing and never be worth changing. Of course some upgrades to various things would be acceptable when I know it was done right. I would love to find another 89-90 GXL these days (probably in the same factory metallic blue that mine came in) but I wouldn't have the cash to shell out for one these days that would be in the condition I would want it in. I would also like a perfect condition '85 GSL-SE (or slightly earlier FB) one day now as I used the think everything was right about this car exactly the way it was and the first I remember really turning me on to rotary cars. Friends laugh and say stuff like "why would you want something like that?"

Very true.

Also very true, but there was something about my N/A FC that was so pleasing to me and gave me a sense that it was fast (maybe because I was younger and the first true sports car I had every owned - not to mention still not many really fast affordable cars on sale in that day). I see the RX-8 of today in much the same way - very adequate for my needs and the fun-to-drive part is the only thing I really care about - not taking down that Camry V6 in the lane next to me (sarcasm). I wouldn't ever consider the 8 slow but still agree with the saying that in most real world situations it is still much more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

 

That wouldn't stop me. They'd first have to know it was you if done when they're away or in middle of the night. Secondly, even if they did suspect you, install a camera, catch them messing with your **** means instant jail time. That's what insurance is for and I bet you he doesn't have any on your car which means he's Fugged once that car is messed up.

Call me stubborn but even if I was in your shoes, and they messed my **** up, insurance covers it where they likely wouldn't have Jack **** for insurance on that car plus the fact catching them on video and landing their *** in jail makes it even better if they did try anything. Along with having a garage and dead bolt doors works wonders so good luck to them. Maybe I'm being over the top, but I will expedite my means to do something even if it gives me a little bit of a hassle with replacing stuff via insurance, if I know I can burn them so they get the worst of it I will not sit around letting that fool make me a tool, I'll send that punk back to school!

There are certain things in life I'll turn the other cheek to, my car is not one of them. I will make them pay and wish they didn't in the first place if they bother to.

 

As much as I love the way the FD looks, I'll probably never own one. I don't want to spend 10 grand on top of the purchase price along with lots of time trying to make the stupid thing reliable. I've worked on my friend's FD enough to know I don't need those headaches.

If I ever did own one though, it would probably get me excommunicated from the RX-7 community. I'd yank the engine, turbos, and transmission and sell them. Then I'd install a naturally aspirated Renesis, a lighweight aluminum flywheel, and an RX-8 (or equivalent) 6 speed transmission. I'd use 4 fuel injectors and a cable throttlebody and would control it all with the factory wiring harness using a Power FC for full tuning capabilities. I'd never have to worry about it overheating and it would be about as fast as a stock FD which is fast enough for me. It would also be lighter than the stock FD which is a good thing as that car is already pretty light. On top of that I'd run it on good old 87 octane! I guarantee that once I tuned it, in a car that light with it's 4.10:1 rear end ratio, I could get 20+ mpg city all day long and at least 30 mpg hwy AND pass a sniffer test!

That's my dream FD. If I said this on the 7 forum, I'd get flamed hard!

 

when I bought my 88 GTU back in 04 there were plenty of FC's around. Now there's hardly any left. I have an 88 Turbo II now and I've actually spent a lot of money getting the interior back to near stock and restoring a lot of the wiring and such.

After the heydey of the mid part of this decade I now feel like I live in a post-apocalyptic car scene.

 

When will the back and forth 'hurting each other' stop though? I essentially lost a couple grand. That's nothing in the big bucket of life and experience.

Although, I installed a SAFC-II that is hiding inside of the ash tray. If someone happened to get access to the inside of the car and cut that out, they could have a free SAFC-II AND the car wouldn't run and it would be hell to get it back up and running.

Of course I will never condone anything happening to this persons car.............

 

That's too funny. That's similar to what Rick would do. He would at least do an FD engine but change it to NA and he would also alter the gearing like you're suggesting.

All the RX vehicles have some appeal to me. It does suck when they become infested by people with bad intentions or who think a rebuilt engine should cost $1000. Just my 2 cents.

Paul.

 

Thanks for the Info and yes I do know about those "reliability"mods, well 1 of them anyways.
Isn't those stupid 70rubber hoses that caused all those ghey problems? Wouldn't silicon hoses help?

 

Speaking of which we have a new member who's 16 and got a 05 AT Shinka from the parents. His interests are street racing...

 

Hooray!! FRED, can you post this over to the RX-7 Forum, so those KIDS (sorry) can hear it from a Rotary Legend who actually has the experience. I have been saying this for some time the RX-8 is by FAR the BEST EVERY RX- made to actually LIVE with.

Best Handling, Braking and most comfortable one at that.
Yes the FD has more top end power (it is a twin turbo), but to live with day to day as a daily...no thanks.

I know of a long term 8 owner who sold it and bought a mint Japanese import FD and agrees 110% with me, I think he really misses his RX-8.
And he wants my RX-8 "IF" I ever want to sell it...
The ONLY thing I dislike with a passion is Mazda's BULLSHIT Paintwork, it is rubbish, chips and scratches far too easily, and way too thin.Terrible!