This thread is FUNNY!
The RX-8 will be a flop! It's trying to be too much: a sports car, a GT, a 4-door?
250hp and 162.3 ft/lbs torque! I make more tourque than that in bed!

2004 Mazda RX-8

Base price $25,180
Price as tested $29,000 (est)
Vehicle layout Front mid-engine, rwd, 4-door, 4-pass
Engine 1.3L/250-hp rotary
Transmission 6-speed manual
0-60 mph, sec 6.4
1/4 mile, sec/mph 14.8/94.3
60-0 mph, ft 111
200-ft skidpad 0.88 g
600-ft slalom, mph 67.1
On sale in U.S. Currently

Thanks, but NO thanks! I'll keep my HOTT Looking & Running 350Z!

 

I drove both and thing both are gr8 cars. The 350 was too harsh and isn't that comfortable. Also, i wasn't too impressed with the handling and balance. I think Nissan puts too much emphasis on HP #'s and TQ and should spend more attention too comfort and quality. Yeah, the Mazda is slower, but it felt just as fast and def was more fun and comfortable too drive. By the way, it was silky smotth as well.

 

Your Z is better because it's faster, right?

 

I am a true believer in handling b4 power now!

 

Now, now WanL. You should know me better than that! I've seen the car in person on the roads here locally, and it just doesn't look as good as the Z to me. As far as handling..........Uhhhhhhhhhm? I would suggest you and anyone else read thru the "countless" articles praising the 350Z's handling abilities: David vs. The Goliaths! Handling and braking are right on par with the underpowered RX-8 and right on up there with HEAVYWEIGHTS such as E46 M3 and 911's.

And I quote: "Dynamically, it's tough to fault the Nissan's unflappable handling. It's more confidence-inspiring than the M3 (which is saying a lot) with less at-limit understeer and none of the M3's off-throttle oversteer.

2003 Nissan 350Z Touring Specifics
Total miles 2874
Miles since last report na
Average mpg to date 16.6
Best mpg (avg of 3) 17.5
Worst mpg (avg of 3) 15.5
Repair costs to date 0
Maintenance costs to date 0
Delivered price $34,288
Test Track Data
Acceleration, 0–60 5.6 sec
1/4 mile 14.3 sec @ 99.4 mph
Braking, from 60 mph 115 ft
from 80 mph 206 ft
Skidpad 0.87g

 

the 350z is bad, the g35 is bad the rx7 is bad as well...that would be a fun choice if i was looking.

 

That's odd. I've read quite a few articles that say the Z suffers from some serious oversteer. Anyway, the only important thing is that you enjoy your car.

 

Yeah, lets stop being hasty boys...

 

my dream car was the rx-7, their cosmo motors are notorious for small displacement high output. even though the rx-8 has a new rotary motor, a GM motor, its still a pain the butt to fix if things should fail.

if i am correct the rx-8 sales were low last year.

well anyways i vote neither.

 

The RX8 is a nice car in many areas, with the traditionally agile and well-designed Mazda chassis and steering ( I have test-driven one), but keep in mind two things:

First, the new Renesis rotary engine apparantly STILL has not completely solved the traditional rotary problems of high oil and gas consumption, partially due to the weakness of the rotor apex-tip seals......the seals in a rotary engine that are comparable to piston rings in a conventional engine. Every car magazine that has done a long-term test on a new RX-8 has reported poor gas mileage and several quarts of oil used in the first 3000 miles....well after the normal break-in period. Car and Driver finally started carrying a case of oil in the trunk and checking it at every fillup.

Second, the elimination of the B-pillars on both sides of the car and the small rear doors, while great for convienence, eliminates a major body structrural component on each side. Mazda claims to have compensated for this with the door's internal design and with computer-enhanced body reinforcements all around the edges, but only time will tell if these cars end up becoming rattle traps and leak air and water.

 

I wouldn't get neither the Z or RX-8. At that price range, I'll be looking at a S2000, Lancer EVO, WRX, or STI. There are too many Z's on the road and the design or the RX-8 doesn't look too appealing IMO.

~Josh

 

wow this thread is old, TLW

 

Oldies but goodies.

 

Holy crap.... this is a year and a half old thread... still valid today i guess.... was the EVO or STI not out back then? I would have thought those are both alternatives worth considering.

So what kind of car did he end up buying??

 

Joshoowa brought this thread back to life, so I figured there was still a question here.