mario_

I'm new to the forum, so, I'm sorry if this has already been addressed. In 2004 I was 16 and got my first car, which was 1993 fd. I loved that car it was an absolute joy to drive. Never really tore into it as far as understanding the rotary or what was actually a standard feature or whatnot. Now I'm 25 and am looking for a new car that is fun to drive. I have read all the info you guys had (thanks by the way) and am still trying to get a feel for the 8. I tried to find a 7 but there isn't one in good shape at all.
Now as for the actual question. How does the 8 stack up compared to the 7. I know it isn't as powerful, but is it still as fun to drive. Remember all of my friends used to be shakey after getting out of my fd. Also, my back always hurt after driving. Has that changed? Would like to hear from people who have owned both. Thank you for your time and patience.

DarthRX8

Can't compare the FD to the 8 as I have never driven an FD. I can tell you that the RX8 is hands down one of the best cars I have ever driven! I would recommend taking one out for a test drive. That way you can see if it suits you! G/L

yomomspimp06

FD is kinda like comparing apples to oranges really. The FD was built purposely as a sports car. The 8 is more of a grand touring car. The 8 and the FD handle great. I feel like the 8 is more smooth and doesn't require as much "driving". The FD will smoke the 8 in a straight line. I'm 6'2 and I have limited headroom but I'm not uncomfortable. The rear seat can hold my daughter perfectly. I have had all four seats occupied by adults but the shortest guy had to sit on my side. He is roughly 5'4". Basically you have to appreciate each car for what it was built for. The 8 handles great and has just enough power to get you into trouble but not enough to be the town street race king. I hate when a granny in a camry smokes me haha
Like the guy said above me: Go test drive one. That's how I fell in love with my first 8. I took a turn with the traction control off. The rear end slid around effortlessly and I had complete control. I was sold. now I'm on my second

mario_

I appreciate the feedback I will be test driving one tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. Again thanks.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I wouldn't say and FD would smoke a 6 port 6 speed RX-8 in a straight line, it's only a few tenths faster in the 1/4 mile (depending on which times you believe for the FD). But the FD definitely has more potential (twin turbos duh).

But really I hate the comparison as the RX-8 was built as a really different car. But in terms of comfort, the RX8 wins hands down and is a better handling car IMO as well although I have limited seat time in FD's. Both are unreliable money pits when you start throwing serious mods at them. But for your money you will get a much nicer RX-8. Finding a clean unmolested FD is pretty hard and if you do find one, you will pay $25,000.00 for it.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi mario, I'm 53 with a surgically repaired back and have had no issues with back pain.
In fact, I find it very comfortable, and it's very ergonomic.
It's also the most fun car I have driven. It's very agile, rides & handles good, and the cabin is surprisingly quiet.
The only thing I don't like is a lack of headroom for me. I believe the sunroof cuts down on it a bit, so if you're tall, you might want one without it.
Good luck!

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

And if you are tall, you can always do the seat lowering mod.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for pointing that out.
I may have to do that as I'm reclined a bit too much to keep my head off the roof.

mario_

Thank you for the input. The FD was a real handful in corners. (A lot of wheel spin). It required a lot of throttle finesse and definitely punished mistakes. I am willing to trade the power for refinement any day.

gwilliams6

I have owned both, a 1993 FD RX7 and a 2008 40th Anniversary RX8. The FD was more pure adrenaline rush, on the edge of your seat, and sometimes scary light feeling at top speed. Huge fun as I am sure you remember. The RX8 is more refined, more forgiving (remember the FD had no DSC, so any driving mistakes were magnified). The RX8 is a super handling, without all the fuss and sometimes rapid corrections needed when driving the FD super fast on a circuit. You will still have a blast in the RX8 and it will still go crazy fast around any corner. You just might be able to stay on the road better when driving 9-10/10ths. No FD turbo rush at low speed in the RX8, yet the RX8 revved high will still pin you back in your seat at full throttle shifts. To put the RX8 handling in perspective, two of the top car mags, Road and Track and Car and Driver rated the RX8 as high as third best handling car among all sports car tested a couple of years back, bested only by cars costing many times the price. In the tests, in fact the RX8 out handled even the $150,000 Porsche Turbo, albeit with less power. And they called the RX8 the very best handler in the corners. Also the RX8 was named by KBB as one of the 10Best Road Trip cars in the world, and it is. Long trips are a smooth pleasure with comfortable seats and a nearly perfect suspension setup that doesn't beat you up on the road. The Rx8 is more refined . more comfortable and will be easier to live with if properly maintained. The FD running fast was always on the verge of overheating, the stock cooling system being barely adequate for the heat generated by that 13b engine with those sequential turbos and a squeezed in exhaust system on that tiny chassis. Do I still wish I had been able to keep my FD in addition to having my RX8, sure. I wish I could have kept all my RXs over the years. But I have no regrets whatsoever with owning an RX8. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it, and I am sure other past FD owners who now have an RX8 would agree.

mario_

Test drove an 8 loved it. Will be buying one soon. Compared to other cars in its class it has one of if not the most refined suspension. Side by side the FD is like a bronco (has to be tamed and can almost smell fear) where as the 8 is like a stallion (proud and noble). It is slower off the line but who cares it was so much fun in the corners. It literally does what you want it to almost before you know you want to do it. Comparing it to a g35 which is another car I tried, it is actually more driveable and more comfortable. Being six ft tall is no problem either. I'm sold I must get one!

DarthRX8

When you start narrowing it down to "the ONE" make sure you do your research. Hate to see people waste their money on a poorly maintained RX8 for two reasons:

1. They wasted their money
2. It continues to paint the RX8 as "unreliable"...when most of the time it is lack of knowledge/maintenance

G/L

gwilliams6

Good decision Mario. The RX8 bested the G35 in its first Car and Driver comparison test, so your instinct that the RX8 is more driveable and more comfortable was shared by the car mag testers.