ufgator

Thought the subject would tell it all....

I want to make an even trade for my M3 for either a 350z or an Rx-8. I know this forum is a little biased toward what I should do but I was just wondering what made everyone on the forum choose the Rx over the Z.

93rdcurrent

What year M3?

I preferred the ride and feel of the RX-8, it was $10k+ less expensive than the Z, didn't like the interior of the Z, for all the talk of hp in the Z I thought it felt sluggish (I traded my M3 in on the RX-8) and the styling was better on the RX-8. I can also throw a little money at the 8 and make it faster than the Z. If I was going to get any other car than the 8 it would've been an '04 M3 and that is what my decision was really based on. The Z was blah for the price IMHO.

zoom44

back seats the rx-8 has 2 the z has none. the rx-8 is deffinately the better handler as well.

zerohour

What I say is get the best motoring international Z shock and Rotary reborn and make your decision from those. Those videos are very descriptive and you know for a fact that these guys really love both cars. They go through a comprehensive test and go through all of the components and its really amazing how much they know and how much you can learn from them.

I was amazed to learn about the Zs aero covers for their suspension! Its really awsome get the vids and make your decision its a small price to pay and you dont have to listen to bs either like mine lol.

good luck !

Elara

Why don't you drive them both and see which you like better.

zerobanger

I'm not bias, Im very neutral. Here are the reasons I bought the Rx-8.

1) the 350Z drives like a boat.
2) when you make a turn in the Z you FEEL the weight of the car.
3) the 350Z loses its breath when it hits 4100 RPM. It fees like a butterfly at that point.
4) It looks like a bar of soap.
5) the interior/dash looks like it was put together by a 10 year old with his first lego set.
6) the shifter was bulky
7) it sounds like ***
8) the door handles are fugly.
9) its too heavy.
10) the stereo sucked.
11) it did not inspire me in the least. I may as well have test driven a civic.
12) the engine is rough and whinney.
13) my 1979 VW rabbit had a nicer interior.
14) I wanted a moonroof
15) the leather material was cheap.


I have some more I just cant think of them right now.

zthang

Where'd you find these vids? Are they downloadable? You've officially whetted my appetite...i want to see them

fan

Hmm, the 8 stereo isn't exactly knocking my socks off...

zerobanger

I like the 8's Bose system and MP3 player. Sounds great for a factory stereo.

titaniumgrey

Hmm I like the m3 , what year was it ?

Ike

Hate to break it to you zerohour, but your're just about as biased as they come on the boards, and you seem to love to bash other cars. I don't know what Z you drove but I've seen you talk about the Z running out of breath or not pulling hard a few times now. I'm sorry but you are numb to driving dynamics and acceleration if you feel that way. Plus it hardly handles like a boat, it does feel heavier, but overall it handles rather well especially once you get used to it. One could say the RX-8 is more confidence inspiring than the RX-8 though due to it feeling more comfortable at it's limits.

To the original poster, drive them both. They both handle really well, with the edge to the RX-8. In the straights the Z pulls harder. In the Z it really feels like you're sitting on the floor and the ride is very stiff, which some may view as good and others bad. The interior and exterior are certainly subjective, save for one thing, the seats. If you need 4 seats then rule out the Z and take a look at the G35C and compare that to the 8.

VikingDJ

I';d have to agree that the Z bashing was as bias as it comes. I simply liked the look of the Rx8 better then the Z, and the 4 dooor and reat seats sold me. There's just no way anyone should knock the Z, because it is a fabulous machine. If having less power bothers you, then I'd go with the Z. I do not prefer the Z at all, but it's a personal preference, and being neutral, I'd have to say it is a great machine as well as Rx8. Drive them both, and you'll know what you want. We all have our own preferences, and the Z is the right choice for some people, the rx8 for others.

poison123

Banger, your so biased its not even funny. All you do is go over to the Z forums and annoy the hell out of people about how your RX7 will own a 350z. Thats all you bloody do.

Ike

Well said, both are great cars. I think they're quite different cars though, so one of the other will always be a better fit depending on the buyer. But why would you want one of them over an M3 unless you don't have a choice financially?

Ike

zerobanger

other cars? Ok, lets assume you think im bashing the Z, although its my opinion. What other car have I bashed?



owning an rx7 and an rx8 I think I know driving dynamics. The 350 Z I drove was a convertible at the oakland CA Nissan dealership. when you hit around 4000 the engine gets buzzy, runs out of breath and the shift light comes on.

Im not sure what you meant, but ok.

zerobanger

Ok, I admit I push the envelope, but it didn't start that way. I got tired of all the Anti - rX-8 posts. I mean threads like "Rx-8 owners are stupid" or "An rx-8 runs 14.3 and breaks its tranny and everyone gets a hardon".

It was fun while it lasted.

XUrotaryrocket

let me start by saying that I am EXTREMELY BIASED toward rotary cars.

HOWEVER, I like ALL Japanese sports cars in general. I REALLY WANTED to like the Z, but when I drove it I was bored to tears with it.

I had a Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V and it drove better than the Z. If you're going that route..... go with the G35 coupe. It's still not as fun, but at least you'll have a classy ride that doesn't look like a bar of soap.

Also, most 350Z owners that I have encountered think that God created their car. Reminds me of Supra owners !!!

(FLAME SUIT ON !!!)

Just my $.02

hotpot

Zerobanger, have you noticed how he's calling you? He needs a lesson!

oodlum

I've laid down my dough but the 8 won't arrive for another two weeks, so this is from someone who has made the decision but doesn't really have the experience to comment:

RX-8 spells SE-X

It's the most cohesive, well-balanced, thoughtfully designed coupe ever and it makes my heart flutter to think I'll be driving one in a couple of weeks. I cheered when Nissan brought out a new Z-car out but strangely it feels like a sterile beast (albeit with big *****).

RX8Z

The Z is a great car in its own perspectives and the 8 is a great car in its own perspectives

The problem is , never ask an OWNER for their advice, because the truth is , owners will always BE RIGHT

Take it from a salesman, IVe heard everything from an owner bragging about their neon to a Saturn ok..

What it really comes down to, is what YOU like and what YOU want out of the car. Some people are picky, some dont care about engine, some dont even know anyting about a car, but still love it and would die for it...

take a test drive and go from there.. Good luck !

Z

Drellenium

I am a future RX8 owner. Currently I have a Millenia S and I have had all Mazdas in the past. I started out at 16 with a Miata--someone hit it though. At which point I lucked up on a 1993 RX7 Twin Turbo which I had modified to close to 300HP; however, I lost the car in a flood (Tropical Storm Allison). I then got my Millenia because I needed more space than the two-seats in college. I just graduated and I was looking at both of the cars in question. Being a previous rotary owner I was already biased to the RX8--I've test driven both and I have some conclusions:
The 350Z is a nice vehicle, but it felt cheap compared to the RX8--the G35C felt cheap as well. I did not feel the interior leather was as supple as it should be. The 350Z is a strong car as is the G35C; but it felt very heavy and not as nimble as the RX8. I thought about it a while and decided that the RX8 would win out--mainly because of its design and usefulness--as well as features for the $$. I am not really concerned with HP numbers any more on the auto RX8 or 6spd because all of them are a step down in speed from my old 3rd Gen and they are still faster than my Millenia S. The 350Z can't compete with a 3rd Gen anyway without mods. So I'll be looking at getting an RX8 by this summer.

RobDickinson

<- I've never driven a 350z btw.

If you need to seat more than 2 people on occasion there is only 1 choice.

If you want a high reving lightweight, nimble, precice handling sports car bet an 8.

If you want 2 seater coupe , jap version of american muscle get the 350z.

There both great cars, IMO I dont like the 350's styling nor aproach to solving the performance problem, but that doesnt mean its a bad car.

zerobanger

its ok, he can call me "banger". I'm all smiles, I'm driving an Rx-8 and FD, he has a right to be jealous.

hotpot

So you're gonna let him get away with this? You're losing it man!