Alright everyone I ordered my black automatic rx-8 with the gt package and rear spoiler back in february. But to my dismay the car is yet to arrive. My dealer tells me that i was the first to order and it will be in anyday now. The only problem is that they have been saying this for 3 weeks and i am yet to see any results. As of yesterday i decided that i should start looking at other cars, and the one i found that i really liked was the infiniti g35 sedan. The main reason i liked the car was the looks of both the interior and the exterior and of coarse the 260 hp v6. I have yet to drive it yet but if i did i would get the automatic. Today i plan i giving it a test drive. I was wondering if you were in my situation which car would you get, the 210 hp rx-8 or the 260 hp g-35. Granted i think the rx-8 is a much little better looking. Also i am 16 and really want a car. (by the way i live in kansas city and wonderd if any body had any info on when i might get my car. It came into tacaoma on the first boat like a month ago)

Lucky youngin. Stick with the RX-8 and don't look back. Patience is your friend.

Originally posted by Rotar_Dude
Also i am 16 and really want a car.

16? Dude, learn to drive a manual!! Then buy the manual version! It's a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your driving life.

Regards,
Gordon

Unfortunately, no one can answer that question but you. The most important thing is that a few days or weeks either way is a really bad way to decide. You're going to have this car (if you're smart) for 5+ years. Living with second best for that time because you didn't want to wait a few days is not very bright.

Other than that, it's impossible to say. If you want light, nimble handling, my experience with the G35c and RX-8 indicate that the RX-8 is worlds better. Since you're going with the vastly inferior automatics, the straight line performance in the G35 should be significantly better. I would guess the G35 sedan would have lots more room. Styling is a personal thing.

If I were in your shoes there's no way I would even remotely consider either one (with the autos), and since you haven't told us what you're looking for in a car we can't really guide you in any way.

I'd test drive them both - that always answers the question for me. I buy the car that meets my minimum requirements and leaves the biggest grin on my face.

We can all tell you which one is a bigger head-turner... And handling to boot! I would go with some of the other guys advice and get the manual (a manual anything). It's a fantastic skill to posess and you'll be a better driver for the increased interaction that a manual provides.

And what really matters - chicks dig guys who know how to drive a standard, and the ladies also like the 8...

I'm not biased though... (gets in 6spd RX-8 and drives off)

Wow, 16? My first car was a '71 Mazda 616. Lucky you to have such a tough choice!

What the...????

My first car was a 74 Gremlin

BRIGHT ORANGE !

Go with the Rotary man, you will never go back!

Wizard

To add to what wizard said... It's like going black... once you go black you never go back... :D

I spent almost a year going back and forth between the same two cars: G35 Sedan and RX-8.

I would recommend the following:
1. Test drive a G35 Sedan 5AT
2. Then you MUST test drive G35 Sedan 6MT (0-60 in 5.7 btw)
The difference in excitement between these two is huge - if you prefer the 5AT then buy it and don't bother with the next steps. Buy it from Grubbs Infiniti where they sell for $500 over invoice (i.e. cheaper than the RX-8) without haggling.

3. Now finally test drive the RX-8 6MT - use a demo car and thrash it hard.
4. Buy the RX-8.

The G35 Sedan is a fine vehicle, but at the end of the day it is a fast, practical sedan. The RX-8 is just SPECIAL.

BTW my only form of transport was a 10 speed bicycle until I was 19 - I didn't have my own car until I finished college and got a job at age 22. Don't forget how lucky you are whatever car you get...

Check out my post http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=88574#post88574.

"Infinity G35 (test drove a month ago, a bit hazy).
-Nice rich looking interior like the the 350Z, but a bit sedate.
-Jiggly ride, felt like the tires weren't in good contact with the road.
-Nice looking car but a bit chubby looking.
-Very light and quick, but imprecise steering.
-The engine had a tinny metallic sound under acceleration. This really put me off, though it is probably fixable.
-Impeccable fit and finish."

Further, the G-35 is a great looking car, especially the coupe, which I test drove. But the styling was a bit too fat, not sleek like the RX-8. The sedan, which I didn't drive but am assuming drives very similar to the coupe, looks slimmer, but looked too generic and less sporty than the coupe. This is purely subjective though. The interior was beautiful, better than the RX-8.

The imprecise steering bothered me. It was very light and quick but felt like "steering by wire", as if the inputs were being translated into electrical impulses and transmitted to the steering mechanism.

The ride was surprizingly jiggly on Wilshire Boulevard where I test drove the G35 Coupe. I could distinctly feel every bump, and the car rolled a lot. This was probably due to the 19" tires, and the standard 17"ers would probably help the ride. The RX-8 was firm, and I felt the bumps,but the sharpness was damped. Also the RX-8 exhibited very little roll: that's what makes the RX-8 feel lke it's "riding on rails, the driver stays completely level and stable.

This is a bit silly, but the exhaust tone killed my chances of buying the G35 coupe. It had a tinny "pinging" note under acceleration, especially when heard as an outside observer. The sound doesn't fit a sport sedan or sports car, which should have either a deep, powerful sound or the high-tech turbine whine of a rotary. This could probably be fixed by changing the muffler.

I chose the RX-8 on very subtle subjective factors, especially the feel of the controls and ride. The differences weren't great. Everyone has different needs and preferences, so the G35 might be your car. If the RX-8 wasn't available, I'd get the G35 without hesitation, and be happy with a great car.

BTW: 16 years old? You are one lucky kid, getting to chose between the RX-8 and G35. If I was 16 I'd definitely get the RX-8, with manual transmission. If getting a chick magnet is a consideration..and I remember how I felt at 16 ;)... get the RX-8, not a sedan...or consider the 350Z.

Oh! To be 16 with a manual RX-8!!