Look what just got posted on te other forum

[Wayne Presley]

I think the car looks awesome!

[dukegrad98]

I have no use for a track day car -- wish I did!

But I will be very interested to see the street version, with a proper hardtop and some doors rather than a steel tube directly next to my noggin. If it were set up to allow for the VW TDI engine, all the better for those that want it as a commuter rather than a racer... Styling opinions aside, the apparent quality of the body is very refreshing compared to most of what we see.

Cheers, John

[snakeboost]

Would buy me this: The 999 Motorsports Supersport Dyno Report

I have been looking at this for a while now

Steve

[ROB J]

Originally Posted by SeanHM

Is it just me or is there getting to be more and more negativity on this website lately? I understand everyone has an opinion and is welcome to it and free to express it, but it's disappointing when this site is being infected. I expect trash talking on most forums but we need to hold a higher standard. We are all on this forum because we are building our dream and its a little more personal. Maybe it's from being in the industry and not wanting to offend customers, but I think when someone posts a pic of their car or modification they've made, etc.. that telling them it's stupid or fugly or their car will be worth less or whatever is the equivalent to calling their wife ugly. I think we need to remeber the intention here is to learn and encourage. And I certainly expect more from our moderators. Just my .02, sorry if your toes got crunched.

I don't look at it as negativity, or trash talking. There were no personal attacks involved. I look at it as constructive criticism. If I were in Dave's shoes, I'd want my customers to be brutally honest with me, so I can improve my products.

Regarding calling someones wife fugly, well that's not a fair comparison. I don't have to marry her or sleep with her, so what do I care. But, this is a product that's meant for customers to purchase. So, as a previous and future potential FFR customer, I think I can have some say in my opinion of new products.

I still stand by my comment that I think it is fugly.

[hxly2]

The gallery of design winners is interesting.

[Joe]

I like it.. I guarantee if you showed up at the track with that car it would draw a crowd. I would love to drive it on the track!

Is the plan still to make a body that doesn't require paint? Is there paint on that car, or is that how they will come?

[browncd24]

Originally Posted by dukegrad98

I have no use for a track day car -- wish I did!

But I will be very interested to see the street version, with a proper hardtop and some doors rather than a steel tube directly next to my noggin. If it were set up to allow for the VW TDI engine, all the better for those that want it as a commuter rather than a racer... Styling opinions aside, the apparent quality of the body is very refreshing compared to most of what we see.

Cheers, John

Come on John,
Surely if you can get a BMW V12 in a roadster you can get a TDI in one of these.

Chad

[mn12]

Originally Posted by browncd24

Come on John,
Surely if you can get a BMW V12 in a roadster you can get a TDI in one of these.

Chad

It' all a matter of effort/reward. If I wanted to push the boundaries of installing a TDI in a kit not designed for it I would put my efforts here

[crash]

Originally Posted by mn12

It' all a matter of effort/reward. If I wanted to push the boundaries of installing a TDI in a kit not designed for it I would put my efforts here

Is that ANOTHER one of Frans creations, or is there going to be a battle over the name? It looks very close to the Falcon 7. Is that what that is?

[MK4]

To answer your question Joe. The cars that are going to SEMA are the usual body from FFR the paintless panels are not ready yet. They are allready looking à lot better since they have nô seam Lines..... Looking forward to those new panels.


Mk4

[mn12]

Originally Posted by crash

Is that ANOTHER one of Frans creations, or is there going to be a battle over the name? It looks very close to the Falcon 7. Is that what that is?

Another Fran origional that uses the entire cabin of a mitsu eclipse and moves the engine to the rear

[SeanHM]

Originally Posted by ROB J

I don't look at it as negativity, or trash talking. There were no personal attacks involved. I look at it as constructive criticism. If I were in Dave's shoes, I'd want my customers to be brutally honest with me, so I can improve my products.

Regarding calling someones wife fugly, well that's not a fair comparison. I don't have to marry her or sleep with her, so what do I care. But, this is a product that's meant for customers to purchase. So, as a previous and future potential FFR customer, I think I can have some say in my opinion of new products.

I still stand by my comment that I think it is fugly.

It was a little unfair to drop this on this thread. It's been more in some of the other sub-forums. Just stuck in debate mode lately, sorry.
I think the 818 is an interesting concept and I like the platform. They aren't pushing any of my buttons with it, but it's not something I'd be in the market for anyway.

[dukegrad98]

Originally Posted by mn12

Another Fran origional that uses the entire cabin of a mitsu eclipse and moves the engine to the rear

I call it Fran's G3F, though he might or might not appreciate that if he heard it! It will be interesting if there is any flexibility for other drivelines (cough, TDI, cough) in his car, though there won't be much motivation for people to go that direction if they're already cutting up an Eclipse. Still, he's famous for engine flexibility in his other Superlite offerings. Are units shipping yet?

It will be interesting to see if this chopped unibody concept catches on at all. As with most of Fran's designs, that thing is a real looker.

Cheers, John

[David Hodgkins]

I posted this earlier today on TheFactoryFiveForum:



I can't wait to build this car.

[ram_g]

Originally Posted by David Hodgkins

I posted this earlier today on TheFactoryFiveForum:



I can't wait to build this car.

It's a decent looking car, but what I'm frankly amazed by (I've been following that thread on that forum) is the degree to which the posters over there are wetting their pants and prostrating themselves over what is really very little by way of visual information. If FFR can turn 50%, hell 10%, of that mass hysteria into sales, they're onto something. I wish Dave Smith well...

[RedJoker]

Originally Posted by ram_g

It's a decent looking car, but what I'm frankly amazed by (I've been following that thread on that forum) is the degree to which the posters over there are wetting their pants and prostrating themselves over what is really very little by way of visual information. If FFR can turn 50%, hell 10%, of that mass hysteria into sales, they're onto something. I wish Dave Smith well...

I was thinking the exact same thing. I'm watching the street version as my next possible build but it's fun to watch the excitement on the other board.

To the best of my ability, I will have a DD from one of the Smith brothers, darn it!!

[NiceGuyEddie]

the import tuner scene is HUGE here in Southern California.

at California Speedway's road course days, there are all sorts of stripped-down S2000's, older RX-7's with no seats, big wing, etc.

in California, you could probably start your own religion with one of these 818's!

[ROB J]

I just can't get past those Camry headlights. I'm still calling cheese.

[dukegrad98]

Originally Posted by ROB J

I just can't get past those Camry headlights. I'm still calling cheese.

I hear you, Rob, but at least they aren't the stupid MR2 lights that seem to get used on nearly every other "tuner market" kit right now. I hate those lights on the Toyota, and I hate them on every kit, too.

Cheers, John

[Someday I Suppose]

I think they have done a heck of a good job with it. For the S2000 comparisons and the looks comments, keep in mind that the goal on this is to be the entry level FFR kit, $10K kit price and a total build of $15-20K. Not sure where you are going to find something that looks and performs as well as this car will for that kind of coin.

I do wish I had the cash and time to build a dedicated track car as well, but who knows a street version with a top... might be able to get behind that.

[Mike D]

Fortunately I can't even picture a Camry in my head so I'm not so adversely afflicted as Rob. The concept is great and from the little I've seen both versions look pretty cool to me.
I won't be building one (still have the Cobra and if it goes the money will be used to pay for the kidz skooling) but if I were going to do another build this would be very high on the list.

[David Hodgkins]

Here's a studio shot of the 818R from the side:

[Bob Gruen]

I think the RW&B paint job, white wheels, and decals don't do the prototype any favors. Painting it one solid color and swapping out the wheels with something that better matches that paint color would probably appeal to people on this forum, but as others have pointed out the target client base are new clients who have yet to make a big footprint here.

Bob

[The Italian]

The car is in prototype as it stands,there will be more of it to come.
I like it ,but not just in the style ,the frame is incredible and just wait ,the after market parts will roll in.
The boxer motor is laying on the ground and in back ,so mid engined ,the potential handling will be great with the given low weight.
DS already talked about a windshield for the race version and a top on the street version.
These motors are very strong and reliable and getting HP out is not expensive.
Roomy and longer than the roadster. This makes even more sense if IN CALIFORNIA ,you can register it with SB100.
SO I think at 400 HP this is a modern ,buildable fun car and limitless customizing.I don't think I can build it (to where I like it) for 15 k ,but This is a giant killer.
""If your into these type of cars"" , try building something like it from a production car like a Japanese sporter ,you will spend a lot more without getting the performance ,but you gotta like this kinda stuff.
Give it some time.

[BS]

Funny how this thread reminds me of when the GTM came out. There were guys who loved it and others who hated it. You could practically take that thread and change any reference from GTM to 818 and it would be the same thread....

IMHO, I think the looks of this car is killer. I especially like the track car look. I would love to take one around a track and cut it loose to see what it would do. With the chassis design and proven parts from the Subie, I think it would take the track by storm. The only thing I wonder is with a car like this, what class would you have to run in to compete?

Bob

[crash]

Looks to me like it already has a class designation of STR 3? I believe that is a NASA sanctioned class.

[BS]

Originally Posted by crash

Looks to me like it already has a class designation of STR 3? I believe that is a NASA sanctioned class.

You may be right, however, there are no NASA sanctioned races in this area so we would be at the mercy of the sanctioning body for classification for racing in this area. I'm thinking this would be in a class like SP where it would be racing against altered Corvettes, or IMSA open class cars.

Bob

[The Italian]

Super Touring R3 (STR3) = “Adjusted Wt/Hp Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 9.0:1
NASA

[geoffav]

I don't know why a hot rod guy would like the "R" version. But for some reason I do.

[Technic-Fan]

Originally Posted by Riptide Motorsport

You are in a VERY small minority on this......Steven

Was hoping seeing the 'street' version photos would convince me...while I'll admit the monotone front end is growing on me...this rear end styling is horrible...



Ends are rounded like there should be some sort of OEM wrap-around tail lights to use...but instead generic round lights in a flat slab...like a ghetto BMW Z4 body kit...WTF?!?