FT86 vs. RX-7 FD

[Dark]

Originally Posted by Prof1ig8tor

Anyone else drawing a close comparison between the FS1 (BRZ, FT-86) and the currently dying on the dealer lot RX-8?

The RX-8 is slightly heavier, but has been lauded repeatedly as one of the best handling cars out there. It has slightly more power and (for enthusiast driving) a useful rev band.

The more I think about running to buy a new BRZ, the more I think, why not a -8?

Oil consuming engine. Bad mileage. You better get it if supercar mileage is not an issue to you.

[chulooz]

IIRC the rx8 realistically gets around 14mpg with aggressive street driving, hardly supercar worthy. You gotta pay to play.

Fuel economy is literally the last thing on my list for a new performance car, as long as its above 10mpg Ill happy.

[Sully]

Original retail price of an RX-7 in 1995: $37,800
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/pr...RX-7&trimid=-1

Today's dollars: $56,275.62
http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

similar dimensions aside-not exactly a fair comparison! Completely different class of car. Now, you want to compare it to a Lotus or Porsche Boxster, sure.

[Eldorian]

Originally Posted by Prof1ig8tor

Anyone else drawing a close comparison between the FS1 (BRZ, FT-86) and the currently dying on the dealer lot RX-8?

The RX-8 is slightly heavier, but has been lauded repeatedly as one of the best handling cars out there. It has slightly more power and (for enthusiast driving) a useful rev band.

The more I think about running to buy a new BRZ, the more I think, why not a -8?

As someone who owns an 8, I see your point very well. Basically, the only reason I'm looking at the BRZ is because of reliability (mine is creeping up on 100k miles), looks, and smaller size. The RX8 driving position is rather upright compared to the BRZ (from what I can tell).

Also, fuel economy is crap in the 8. I get like 22 highway at 70 mph, and that's considered good in rx8 circles.

[Skunk]

To actually answer the OP, if you're actually asking about performance: a stock FD with in proper tune will absolutely annihilate the FT86 in all categories. Except maybe the tightest of autocrosses. Even then it's dubious. This is not a knock at all against the 86, it simply is not the same breed of car.

[NTIV10]

Originally Posted by Prof1ig8tor

Anyone else drawing a close comparison between the FS1 (BRZ, FT-86) and the currently dying on the dealer lot RX-8?

The RX-8 is slightly heavier, but has been lauded repeatedly as one of the best handling cars out there. It has slightly more power and (for enthusiast driving) a useful rev band.

The more I think about running to buy a new BRZ, the more I think, why not a -8?

Because the RX-8 is hideous, whereas the FR-S is great looking and the RX-7 is gorgeous.

[chulooz]

Looks are subjective but the majority of the population agrees that the RX8 is a sharp looking ride.

[c0rbin]

The general consensus on these forums seems to be that the FT-86 despite its sporting intentions will not be able to compete at the top with cars like the 911, Z06, GTR, FD, etc. At least for short and tight circuits, I'm not so sure this is true. The car is lightweight, has a low center of gravity, a rigid chassis, can fit wide, grippy tires, and has the potential to have a turbocharged engine... why couldn't it compete? I'm talking fully modified here... if a fully modified version doesn't lap Tsukuba in the 58 second range I'm going to be disappointed.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by c0rbin

The general consensus on these forums seems to be that the FT-86 despite its sporting intentions will not be able to compete at the top with cars like the 911, Z06, GTR, FD, etc. At least for short and tight circuits, I'm not so sure this is true. The car is lightweight, has a low center of gravity, a rigid chassis, can fit wide, grippy tires, and has the potential to have a turbocharged engine... why couldn't it compete? I'm talking fully modified here... if a fully modified version doesn't lap Tsukuba in the 58 second range I'm going to be disappointed.

all of those statements have been extremely vague so i think it is difficult to have any expectations based on the premise. also its difficult to talk about fully modified cars. i mean there are "fully modified" ae86s running under a minute at tsukuba but that doesnt mean that an ae86 competes with the 911 z06 etc

[TylerLieberman]

Stock to stock, the FD is just better. No questions asked. Especially the TT Spirit R versions with even more power, better suspension, less weight etc.

[Guff]

Originally Posted by 70NYD

Mmmm fd+mkiv should have babies. My fav cars

Here's your baby!

[70NYD]

2jz no shit
Haha that's awesome cheers

[brillo]

As an RX8 owner who has worked heavily on RX7s, the FD from a numbers standpoint would walk an FR-S in most categories, but that doesn't mean the FR-S isn't damn good. the FD had a lot of reliability issues the FR-S won't have to deal with. As pointed out earlier, the FD was a totally different price class of car. As a DD, the FR-S would be a better car give its reliability, cost of ownership and fuel economy. The RX8 and FR-S are likely to be closer in terms of handling performance, the FR-S will get better overall economy while the RX8 has more interior space but worse fuel economy.

Its tough to compare with out driving it, but the FR-S looks like its high on the fun factor in terms of driving feel which is why i love my RX8.

[mockngbrd]

FDs are sexy....