well if you put the RX8 and the FD on a track the FD would win because a track has straights! (at least inbetween the corners even)



are you saying that the FD and the RX8 corner at the same speed? or what?



I doubt youd post better lap times in the RX8 because it simply isnt as fast as the FD.





What about an FD needs a REALLY good driver? The fact that if the nose goes wide lift off a bit and if the tail goes wide lift off a bit too?



The FD Is an easy car to drive IMHO. If you take an Evo or a WRX and hit a corner too hard, understeer understeer runs wide fubar'd line. Take an FD a little too fast, and you can use the sideways motion of the car to slow you down through the turn...i find it hard to believe that there is anything on the road as well balanced as the FD for cornering - maybe some cars hold more grip, but they are not so intuitive, goes where you point, can do anything superman type cars.

Do you feel threatened by the newer 8 for some reason? Have you driven one on or off the track? My experience has been this at first: my 8 did handle better for awhile because most of my FD's handling parts were in need of replacement. The steering response of my RX-8 was noticeably better. Maybe it's just mine since the parts were old and worn on the FD, but until I got the Tein RE set, replaced the swaybar mounts, and replaced the toe links and trailing arms; my 8 could easily outhandle my FD. Now, though, the FD feels more like I'm pushing a race car through the turns.

From a technical standpoint, and I could scan some pages of where I read this,



The RX-8 chassis is a considerable percentage stiffer than the FD's, even with the big opening at the doors



The suspension geometry is upgraded from the FD and together with the stiffer chassis allows for softer suspension that still handles great. But they did compromise here for a more family feeling, that's why there are the Mazdaspeed coilovers and swaybars.



The brakes are bigger and stronger



And if you consider the much bigger size, much more interior space, extra doors and seats plus all the extra gadgets and safety items compared to the FD, the RX-8 didn't gain that much weight.



Touring FD = 2850 ish

GT RX-8 = 3050 ish still lighter than most comparable competitors



The base and sport models are even lighter (2900~3000)



Power, depending on how you see it, is either great or somewhat lacking. Examples:



stock FD twin turbos = 255 and 2850 lbs 14.0 1/4 mile

stock RX8 N/A = 238 and 3050 lbs 14.5 1/4 mile

stock FC TII = 200 hp and 3000 ish lbs

stock FC N/A = 160 hp and 3000 ish lbs



And the biggest comparison: the last factory N/A 13B put out 160 hp, the Renesis puts out 238 hp with cleaner emissions and similar fuel economy!



That's great in my book, better than any FC and close to FD without the turbos! I've never compared it to the FD, I think it most closely compares to the FC.



If you compare it to other cars like STI, EVO, Mustang GT, 350Z, G35c, Crossfire, etc. then it looks like it's lacking power. But on several tests it has been shown to be similar or even better at the track than most of these cars even with much less power and softer suspension.

I like being able to have a daily driver that can fly around a turn. That and the fact that I can control understeering and oversteering very easily with the gas pedal makes it a fun drive. Edit: And neit, you're right, the 8 shouldn't be compared to another turbocharged rotary.

Quick and to the point here. I've driven both, they are 2 TOTALLY different cars, the FD handles better, and is faster. The 8 is a great car though, but no FD. I thought the redline on the 8 was about 2k too much. Power ended around 7k.

The 8 is nice to look at being a new car and all...but I still like my 7, tried and true!!

have you driven an 8 yet? what you say is kinda what i though before i drove one. note this is MY opinion, on the 8 vs fd.