Car was purchased as a project.
Original engine frozen (not an apex seal problem)
All under-hood wiring damaged by bad repair procedures and by a small animal eating wiring cover.
Turbos were shot, needed overhaul.
Radiator, belts, air conditioner, and almost all accessories needed overhaul or replacement.
After installation of Mazda factory "new" engine, turbos, radiator, light-weight flywheel, improved intake air and exhuast system, and replacement overhaul of various accessories, and after a 1000 mile break-in period, the car proved to have every bit of the performance expected and more!
The cars acceleration from any condition, including a dead stop or from a medium speed to a higher speed, is breathtaking! It leaves all production cars and most motorcycles in the dust.
Handling, cornering, road feel are all excellent.
The "project" to get the car up and running cost four times the original estimate.
The engine lost a seal at about 1500 miles, resulting in a warranty replacement.
"Leaves most motorcycles in the dust".
Come on, the FD is fast, but not as quick as a sport bike.
I'm thinking quarter mile times, not Autobahn speeds.
Think power to weight ratio. Very very few production cars can beat a quick sport bike. (Ofcourse we could cite exceptions).
I have owned an FD3S for 10 days now. It goes well and handles beautifully, but couldn't touch a half decent bike for accelleration. I have ridden all sorts, from 2005 R1s, to 2005 CBR1000rr, to a 2005 Hayabusa. No car will ever touch these - including exotica - McLaren, Pagani, Ferrari, Lambo.
Also, it sounds like you bought a real wreck. Should have splashed the cash and bought a goodun.
Worth saying as well that this car is well suited to a few decent twisties, roundabouts and B roads, not straight roads - 2 blocks up and 3 blocks down is never going to test this car.
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