From FK8 owner to FL5

[dathoneycomb]

I had a ‘21 FK8 for ~9 months when the info was pouring in about the 11th gen. The idea of a more refined version of the car I already loved really appealed to me, so I went ahead and sold the FK8. Since I had paid a markup on the FK8, there wasn’t much of a difference financially to upgrade. I haven’t regretted it at all.

Overall styling (interior and exterior), individual mode, valved exhaust, better engine cooling and the 19” wheels are the improvements I like the best.

I think the FL5 is worth the added MSRP, but I would still gladly own an FK8 too. No reason to own both unless you’re a collector, because the FL5 is basically the same car with some improvements.

Sponsored

 

[AJ28]

672K?? What da….

Yessir! Goal is to drive FL5 not as much as this haha

 

[Clark_Kent]

@Noize had an FK8 and now has an FL5. He posted comments in his build thread I believe people will find helpful.

 

[forrestbb]

Surprisingly I was still on stock clutch. This car was truly a champion and did its time lol. I was FBO with just a TSP tune and got state reffed here in Cali so that gave me the idea to part out and look for a new car. Dealerships offered me $9k so I used that as my down for the R. These honda clutches can last a really long time if you take care and know how to shift.. my dads car is '15 Honda Civic MT with 672k miles.. yes theres no typo 672k on the stock clutch!! Honda ftw

Yep me too; my 87 prelude had 400 + and my ‘08 SI has over 240 miles sock clutch!

 

[FL_Five]

I had a ‘21 FK8 for ~9 months when the info was pouring in about the 11th gen. The idea of a more refined version of the car I already loved really appealed to me, so I went ahead and sold the FK8. Since I had paid a markup on the FK8, there wasn’t much of a difference financially to upgrade. I haven’t regretted it at all.

Overall styling (interior and exterior), individual mode, valved exhaust, better engine cooling and the 19” wheels are the improvements I like the best.

I think the FL5 is worth the added MSRP, but I would still gladly own an FK8 too. No reason to own both unless you’re a collector, because the FL5 is basically the same car with some improvements.

This is exactly what I was thinking about. I owned my FK8 for 4 years and sold it before the FL5 was announced as I wasn’t driving it that often. I spent a year traumatized for selling it until I decided to jump to the FL5 when it went for sale here. The upgrade was well worth it considering the 5 year difference, lack of warranty, cheap interior feeling, wheels and more grown up look.

I would happily own an FK8 but prefer the FL5. Things start to become trickier if you are paying 50% more for a new FL5 vs a good condition FK8. For me the upgrade was around +30% and well worth it.

 

[Sonic-R]

My experience is quite the opposite as i purchased an FL5 about 2 years ago. FL5 was a certified pre-owned with 4K miles. Additionally It came with PFF, Life time oil changes free and free of any surcharge or extra fees that brand new ones come with. Since purchasing it has now PRL HVI, Dual resonator delete, Project Aero front lip and Titan 7 TS-5 19x9.5 +45 wheels.

As an owner of a S2000 as well I originally wanted a championship white FL5 but couldn't find one without a 10K mark up. So i went to my second choice of Sonic Gray and have been happy with it. Fast forward to November of 2025 and I ended up selling my Datsun 240Z for 35K and was able to get my hands on an FK8 from a person that i knew(had 107K Miles).

The FK8 came with Advan GT(18x9.5 +38), PRL HVI, Dual resonated deleted muffler and lowered on H&R.

First off i prefer the interior of the FL5 and how the transmission is so smooth.

I like the aggressive look on the FK8.

Unfortunately the FL5 still has a monthly payment while the FK8 was purchased cash from the funding that came with the Datsun 240Z. I do not need to sell them but in the future it may boil down to only keeping one of them as they are very similar. It happened to me when i owned an AP1 and AP2 and ended up keeping the AP1 as Covid commanded a great price on my AP2(Hardtop and 22K miles only in Grand Prix White). If history repeats itself i maybe looking into just having the FK8 or FL5 maybe.

overall prefer the FL5 more than the FK8...