Rx7 or rx8?

[B.Martin]

Well I done searches and not found this thread anywhere! I know it\'s a vague area as both are quite different, but I guess it\'s worth people putting their opinions and experiences in a thread.

 So what are the pro\'s and cons for the older and newer generation of rotary engined cars? E.g. Rx7 is faster? The rx8 is more reliable and has better engine life? (I am just giving examples here I could be wrong!) I think for now we should just stick the the fd rx7 and the first generation of rx8 (as the new one is well out my price range!

Hopefully this will be an interesting thread.

Ben

[Paul-Tll]

Couldn\'t really say I could compare and FD with an FC or FB but not really to an Eight different type of cars really the 8 surely more pracical ?

[dthebuk]

Rx8 pros
Cheap for low milage (one on Dw for £5k with 18k on the clocks
Useable rear seats
Handle well
Various mod cons and nice interior
Less prone to rust (younger)
Comfy and nice easy to drive
Nice revvy engine, easy to boot about

Cons
Horrible fuel economy all the time
The tend to throw tips when low on compression which can lead to a more expensive rebuild
Don\'t look as good IMO
Not very powerful (nice step up from the egi though)
Hard to get power from
More electronics as they are newer cars

Fds
Pros
You\'ll struggle to find a better looking car
Much faster and much more potential. (could probes get a single tub for around 5k)
Great fun to drive
Sound better (turbo chatter always makes me happy)
Lots of aftermarket bits available.
You can probably get one with a rebuilt engine for the same money as an 8
Cheaper tax?
Reasonable fuel ecconemy (if you try hard)
Various styling options available (aftermarket 8 stuff tends to look gay IMO)

Cons
Twins can be a hassle, chances are you\'ll need a specialist to fix then I somethings gone bad in the rats nest
Rust
More effort to drive
Not as nice interior
Not so Many modcons (seat earners are amazing in the
Rear seats take the ....
Higher milage so larger service items may be needed (bushes and Rose joints etc)
Bit more of a handful to drive
Handles slightly worse in stock form than the 8.

Think that\'s most of it

The rx8 is like a faster newer egi which you have experience of where the fd is just a whole new beast. I suggest you try and drive both before you plough lots of money into one

[Will66]

I\'ve not had any experience of the RX7 but the 8\'s a very nice car.  You can get 27-30 mpg out of them on a motorway.  They\'re more expensive to tune than a 7 but they are getting cheaper.

[B.Martin]

Thanks for all the comments, keep them coming! I\'m moving to Cyprus in a few weeks and after looking at dc2 integra\'s I\'ve gone back to the RX\'s again unsurprisingly. I guess the massive downside is a don\'t know anything about the rotary scene over there, but I\'ve seen a few 7\'s and a lot of 8\'s for sale. I\'m constantly swinging toward the fd but I\'m a picky bugger I am!

As I say please keep them coming the more opinions the better.

Thanks a lot DtheBuk - mass loads of info and opinions there real help mate!:Thumbs-up

Ben

[jetpilot]

IMHO thats like asking, "men or women", two completely different animals! The only similarity between the two is they both have a rotary!

If it comes down to practicalities, RX8!
If its look and performance, RX7!

[dthebuk]

depends how you measure performance. From a handling perspective the 8 is much better. Even with its extra weight, lack of power and lack of torque it still set an identical lap time to a spirit R round the mazda test track

[fil_auto]

Really??!! I was about to say FDUK off does it / no way  ... but clearly there\'s some backup to your statement, so fairplay!

depends how you measure performance. From a handling perspective the 8 is much better. Even with its extra weight, lack of power and lack of torque it still set an identical lap time to a spirit R round the mazda test track

[jetpilot]

depends how you measure performance. From a handling perspective the 8 is much better. Even with its extra weight, lack of power and lack of torque it still set an identical lap time to a spirit R round the mazda test track

Cant argue with that, would love to see the info or a link to the data.

There is no doubting the 8 is fast, wasnt it the same time as a M3 round the top gear track! Still dont think its a quick as a 7.

[dthebuk]

it was on a thread on this very forum a year or 2 ago. Apparently the guy was gunna post up a vid but never got round to it. I was under the impression that it came from mazda themselves though unfortunately I cant find the thread

[B.Martin]

How does an fd with handling mods, like suspension, brakes etc compare to the 8 with similar mods? I\'ve read the 8 doesn\'t respond as well as the fd?

Good thread this.

[Will66]

In a straight line the FD will walk away from the 8 without trying.  As stock it has 25 bhp more and lots more torque and it\'s about 100kg lighter.  Around a twisty track it may well be a different story.

I\'ve not driven an FD in anger on track but my RX8, which has a stock motor but does have uprated brakes and coilovers, is pretty capable around a track.

[dthebuk]

How does an fd with handling mods, like suspension, brakes etc compare to the 8 with similar mods? I\'ve read the 8 doesn\'t respond as well as the fd?

Good thread this.

My FD handles way better than my dad\'s rx8. Though his rx8 is stock and the rx7 has coil overs, and 9J 10J wheels and a propper alignment. The FD seriously feels like its on rails its extremely hard to describe it in any other way. The FD also has uprated discs and pads and the rx8 still stops quicker. Doubt it\'d be the same on the track though.

I have no idea about modding an rx8 to handle. Cant see why it wont respond well, unless the parts on there are already really good.

Also in the lap times mentioned above, a spirit r was used which has uprated suspension , not sure about the brakes though

[Casey]

Yes, a good debate this!

If you\'ve ever seen Clive\'s RX-8 on track, as I have several times, you can appreciate how some simple mods (and an experienced driver) can make a RX-8 handle exceptionally well around a track. Since I\'ve uprated to coilvers, uprated the front brakes, put in a front strut brace, and used some Federal 595 RSR tyres, my Brands Hatch times (Indy Cct) have come down from 67sec (stock) to 62secs. I suspect the car can do better, but the driver runs out of balls every time I see the blind crest at Paddock

IMHO, from watching many RX-7\'s on track, modded and stock, a "sorted" RX-8 handles as well, if not better, in the corners, but looses out seriously on the straights due to lack of power......waits for flames......

Exhibit number 1; Mallory Park, Aug 2010. My car, on standard road tyres, following Sicknote\'s seriously modded RX-7. OK, it is in the wet, and Dave had well worn track tyres on board. You can see him leave me for dead in the straights, but watch in the hairpin, and around the long right hander....

Later in the day, in the dry, Sicknote could leave me behind in the corners, but he\'s running some serious bhp on track tyres.

Debate continues.....

[fil_auto]

fair play on the above buddy.... but it\'s not a fair comparison to yourself or the 8! Dave\'s Green Monster / Kermit runs a tripple with a single tub, pure track weapon, dry sumped and power around the 600 bhp mark!!!! :O... and that\'s with the power turned down (so to speak).... at one point I believe it was around the 900 bhp mark! WOW
Anyways, it\'s also alot to do with the driver, obviously......
Ben, if we\'re talking road car.... the FD will win hands down, as you can see from the above, even in standard form or a few tweaks, the 8 is a capable car on track.
They, really are 2 v diff cars to run though.... you need to make your own decision...

All the best

Phil