"Better" is SO subjective.

That FD...
- Accelerates faster than an RX-8
- Has higher top speed than an RX-8
- Has a higher power potential
- Handles well but somewhat inferior to an RX-8
- Has about the same amount of lateral grip as an RX-8 (NOT the same thing as "handling")
- Has fewer seats
- Has smaller trunk space / carrying capacity
- Has an engine better suited to boosting
- Has higher oil pressure than series 1 RX-8
- Has somewhat lower reliability unless they improved it's cooling and cleaned up the 30+ rubber hoses in a furnace of an engine bay
- Has somewhat inferior pure connection to the driver (although still good)
- Has better or worse mileage depending on engine condition, mods, yada yada yada


Looks are all in the eye of the beholder.

So, if, to you the OP, want a better straight line car that can be modded easier and don't care about losing the 2 back seats and additional trunk space, then yes, for you, the FD is a "better" car.

My 78 year old asian neighbor finds her 1981 volvo a "better" car than anything we discuss here, because for her, that is all she needs or wants and couldn't care less about anything else.



Which car is a decision only you can make.