350z to Rx-8 or Rx-8 to 350z
 

Has anyone out traded their 350z for a Rx-8? If so list the reasons why? Or, if there are some previous Rx-8 owners who now drive 350z, also speak up on your reasons for trading.

Better yet, how about a Hearse. Has anyone ever traded in a Hearse for the 8? or maybe traded in thier 8 for the sporty new Hearse?

I don't quite fit your criteria, but I did narrow it down to the two before buying the 8.

What sealed the deal?

Aside from the fact that I was impressed with the power and sound of the Z, and was not impressed with the styling and fit and finish of it...

...ride quality.

In Michigan, the roads are horrid. I'd love to have the kind of silky smooth roads some parts of the country have, but alas, we have some of the worst roads in the nation in the metro Detroit area.

To ignore the ride quality of a vehicle when selecting a new car here means that one should be prepared for major abuse.

Don't have either, but the 350 is fugly and the 8 is purty, plus back seats, plus a usable trunk......

To NoTears316
 

LOL !

'Swear to God, I did trade in a Hearse for a Miata back in 1999 !

Reading some of those stupid kill stories on the 350z web site, I think some of those 350z owners wind up riding in a Hearse on a one way trip.

I can sum up reasons why some go from one to the other, and I'll try to be as unbiased as possible.

RX-8 to 350Z:
I want some damn TORQUE to push my head back into the seat
I am sick of driving a gas guzzler gets 16 combined mpg
I prefer the Z's classy elegant looks
"I don't want to worry about flooding my engine anymore"


350Z to RX-8:
I hate feeling every friggin bump on the road
I want a smoother revving unique rotary engine
I prefer the RX-8's funky exotic style and its suicide doors
I want a better looking interior with back seats and more space


That's all I can think of

You won't get many useful responses in this thread Hotsauce, though Jerky's was pretty good. Testdrive both, maybe a couple times each, then weigh the pros and cons of each and make your decision from there. They're both very good cars and each has its pros and cons.

other reasons for a 350z to rx-8:
2 more seats are more important than people think
half the insurance rates
i want to be a one of a kind on the road, and pick up some hotties

I prove my point.

lol

you could go on both forums to get both sides of the story.
ask 350z and 8 owners, that way, u would get 2 different perspectives

Excellent, next time I'll put in the effort to type faster to beat Ike's more than obvious feedback.

Disordly laughter? Or just worried about the post count?

What more could Z owners offer? Emphasis on hp, torque and quarter miles is what matters more than anything to them, along with how many 8s they've killed, which by default makes the Z a better car. :rolleyes:

you mean disorderly? no rather a logical laugh
you worried about your post count? maybe try to post your responses in one post

1). weaogimkleabma need to start proof reading
2). I don't see the logic?
3). All three posts were over different subjects

Post-pad in a thread in which you can make a contribution.

a friend of mine has a Z and i like it, but the 8 has more pros then it does cons.... Plus u dont see as many 8's as u do Z's... Another idea is look at the G35 Coupe, my bro has one and its a sweet car, and like Raptor said your insurance will be cheaper with 4 seats... Ultimately its your car and you're gonna be driving it so good luck bro...

My best buddy has a 350Z. I drive it on occassions. Sure it has torque and power. There's no doubt it is a quicker car in a straightline than the RX8. Suspension tune is hard to live with as a daily driver. IT IS BACK BREAKING.

Another thing I noted is that the drivetrain is very un-Japanese like. Engine is coarse at the top end and plenty of mechanical clunks coming from the gearbox.

The VQ is over-rated... it is not a sports engine... it is a mass market motor with a different tune. Referring to the mechanical clunks, you can definitely feel those vibrations and clunks while you are rowing the gearbox. The gearbox is also not as slick... compared to an AISIN made 6 speed box.

Sports Engine should give a nice top end exhaust note. The VQ is pathetic... it gives off metallica... just noise!!!! Coarse noise!!! Very un-Japanese. VQ is not in the same league as the engine in the Honda NSX. That 3.2 litre Honda motor is a sportscar engine. It is smooth and has a nice exhaust note... it howls.... Exotic engines produce that howling note. Rotary engines also howl :hahano: I love it!

Funny thing is, my best buddy is already thinking of upgrading his Nissan 350Z. It must be a hard car to live with. As for me, even after 19 months of owning my RX8... it seems to get better with age. I am still as passionate compared to the day I first took delivery of my RX8. It is hard to explain... but inside/driving an RX8 feels soooo right!. I have 3.5 years left to go with my RX8. I intend to enjoy my days with her. Hopefully, there'll be a series 2 or second generation renesis. I look forward to this day if and when this day will come.

Ultimately, if you are thinking about an RX8 or a 350Z. Go with what your heart tells you. Go for the one that you think is right for you... no regrets!!!!

Let's see, the Z shuts down at 6k rpm. Handles like a dog. Interior is a POS. Seats are uncomfortable. Can't rotate the tires. The only thing it really has going for it is a cool commercial.

When I drove the 350Z, all I could think of was "Japanese Mustang". That's what it feels like, a mustang made in Japan, even down to the sound of the engine wheezing up top.

But in the Z's defense, there are options for modding. If you want more power, there are real options out there.

You guys are crazy, the Z is a nice car. I prefer my 8 better, but my buddy has a twin turbo Z, and its a fucking great ride. I would buy the Z any day, rather than buying an evo, sti, etc. Those are just ugly cars.

[QUOTE=ShadowX]When I drove the 350Z, all I could think of was "Japanese Mustang". That's what it feels like, a mustang made in Japan, even down to the sound of the engine wheezing up top.
QUOTE]

So, does that mean u think a 350Z is a muscle car? To me it is.
Have you heard of a Honda NSX 3.2 engine at the high rpms? I can tell you, the VQ lacks top end refinement let alone induction noise. Did you also notice how the gear stick buzzes as the engine revs gets towards redline? To me, that lacks refinement!. Put your hand on the RX8's gearstick... it is silky smooth even when going over 9000rpm. But then again it is a rotary. :mdrmed: Also, a Subie WRX/Sti is pretty refined as well engine/ drivetrain (my previous car was a modded WRX MY98). I've also driven Hondas... same deal... smooth!.

Also, the traditional Japanese sportscar is lightweight. Where does a porkly 350Z fit in. To me the 350Z is following the route of the American muscle car. Heavy chassis... big capacity engine.

At least in a Mustang you get the rumble of a V8. Hey, I love the V8 noise. However, the VQ does not come near the the sound of a Ford V8 or an FPV GT. VQ is simply a noisy motor at the top end. There is no class.... IT is just a mass market motor. That is my point.

Sure the 350Z is a nice car. My comment is just based in my own perception about the 350Z's refinement issues. It needs a specialised engine to make the 350Z much more special. I must admit I love the torque down low... but I got the RX8 due to the fact is a refined rotor motor.

RX8 has its quirks. However, I am still happier I choose the RX8 over the 350Z. In fact, when choosing which car to get, I underestimated the RX8. Well, I have never looked back in my choice. From reading magazine reviews I really thought the 350Z >>>> RX8. In real life, on real roads... RX8 is hard to beat.

Don't flame me... just giving out my opinion. :angel:

The RX-8 and the Z can be modded to the way you like it. You can use F/I to get power, you can do weight reduction, you can setup the suspension the way you want to, you can change the exterior looks, etc. Pick the car that is closest to your expectations for a car, then modify the parts you don't like.

you know just because the rx8 handles better overall dosnt mean the Z handles like crap, some of you are out of touch with reality. the RX8 is definetly more nimble, but it also has more bodyroll compared to the Z.

You can go on all day about a sports car should have this, and have that.... so what the VQ wasnt made from the get go to be a sports car engine?
How about a sports car should have 2 doors, 2 seats and stiff ride? A sports car shouldnt compromise performance by adding in back seats for extra weight? Can you imagine how much faster and better handling the rx8 would be if it weighed around the same or less than the Honda S2000? If anything the Z is a real sports car while the rx8 is some kind of hybrid that combines sports car handling with the soft and comfortable ride for daily driving. At this end of the day, this "sports car should have this, and have that" crap is all BS and meaningless. They are both cheap sports cars for the mass consumers, Rx8 does a lot of things better than the Z, and vice versa.

also, acceleration is just as important as handling when it comes to performance. Real tracks have straights too, not just turns? Z is hands down the better overall preformer, while the RX8 is the better daily driver despite its lack of torque. I think its funny when RX8 owerns say stuff like "take it to the track" as if the RX8 can beat the Z on the track just because it handles a little better (given equally skilled drivers). And I think its just as funny when Z owners talk about how the Z is a better daily driver just because it has more torque... when it dosnt have back seats and very little trunck space and make you feel every bump on the road. The Z is a terrible daily driver.

the z handles just as well as the 8 .. it just doesn't feel like it. it feels heavy, almost like it is going to slide or it's going to rollover. It never does though. The decision when I grabbed my 8 was down to a g35 coupe ( the z's luxury brother ) The z felt too clunky and cheap. The g35 is a much better feeling car. It was close. the thing that made me go rx8 was the price and the other things the 8 has, the rear seats, ultra low insurance cost ( actually i think the quote of $800 /yr was what sealed the deal ) and that I got the 8 out the door taxes and all for 22k, off of a sticker of 34k.

People say this because on the race track and in auto x, the RX-8 has proven itself. But most on the internet just think about 1/4 mi. or stop light runs.

Take a look at the national results for the B Stock class where the RX-8 and 350Z both compete. The RX-8 fills the top 9 places, the best Z driver placed 10th.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-25/rx8-winner-nationals-75112/

We would have the same stupid stories here if it weren't against the forum rules to post kill stories.

He was talking about race tracks, not parking lots.

I could have gotten either, I went with the 8 based on lower insurance because it is a 4 door to state farm and has the back seats, I do not want a sport car that I have to sell because of kids in a couple years... 350's are nice but, for all I got on my 8 at the price and what a z would have cost us it was a no brainer

I realize that but correct me if im wrong, thats not around real tracks. this is around cones on a parking lot. acceleration plays a very small part in SOLO I. Real trakcs have techinical sections like in SOLO I and straights and curves and is much longer.
IMO a rx8 owner bragging about the RX8's ability in SOLO is not much different than a 350Z owner bragging about his 1/4 mile times... Real tracks are designed for cars to not only compete in handling, but in acceleration as well.
and please keep in mind im not saying theres anything wrong with SOLO I or drag strip. both require skills that I dont posess and I have a lot of respect for people that race in both.

days after i got my rx-8, i swapped cars with my friend (350Z) for a little afterwork test driving. immediately, i was shocked by the interior. ugly, cheap looking, uncomfortable. the shifter was cheap molded plastic and not smooth. the engine sounded more like a mustang or something, like someone else already mentioned. the nav was ugly and harder to follow while driving. still a sweet car i think, but he paid more for a car with MUCH LESS comfort and fun (my opinion). it made me happy because i was reassured that i had made the right decision in getting the 8.

I said "race tracks" as well as auto x. As your memory seems short, the RX-8 won the Grand Am championship 2 years in a row. It's also done very well in a UK endurance series.

To most, "track" basically means non-street racing. And btw, the old US F1 GP held in Las Vegas in the '80s was basically built out of the big parking lots next to Ceasar's Palace. Imagine that, F1 considered to be the ultimate in motor racing, held on a "parking lot".

For the average joe, Auto X is a good clean way to test one's driving skill. As the cars are more or less stock in BSTOCK, it's also one data point to look at how a car performs as well. With race tracks, the pool of average joe drivers goes down, and we're talking professional drivers in many cases. The cars are heavily modified, so it's no longer an apples to apples comparison.

I'm not saying Auto X gives any better bragging rights than the 1/4 mil. But to say the Z is the hands down better peformer is a flawed statement as well. Just depends on one's view of what kind of performance is a priority.

not really... I dont consider autox course real race tracks, Like i said before, real race tracks like Fuji, Laguna seca and Tsukuba are designed with straights, curves, and technical sections to test all facets of a car's performance, not just handling and acceleration. SOLO I tracks are designed to focus on handling. I dont see why being on a parking lot matters that much if the parking lot is big enough to be a real race track.

IMO both autox and dragstrip is 1 dimensional in terms of gauging car performance, a real race track tests everything. A good performance car should strife for handling and acceleration not 1 or the other. nor does prioritizing on a single facet give a good picture of overall performance.

and good for the RX8 wining the Grand Am championship, was it stock RX8?
I mean... if you think the rx8 is faster than the 350z on a real race track in general then I think you are delusional. I give the RX8 credit where its due, thats in better handling, but im just keeping it real. Every time I see stock rx8 go up vs stock 350z on BMI its never been close.

I mean im sure the rx8 can beat the 350z stock for stock on a race track here or there given equal drivers, but odds are heavily against it.

Yup, it won in the slow class of GrandAm, ST. The class where the 350z can't run because it's too fast.

well i drove both a lot i own a rx8 and my bro owns a 350 z the z is faster but handles r no where close to the 8. the 8 feels like it was bult good the z feels cheep. the reason i went with the 8 was it was a more complete car

good lord...must be the new year for nice threads... I like my choice, thats it, everyone has an opinion..if I want crazy speed and handling I pull out one of my bikes..

I'm not saying that either. In many cases the Z will win, but not always. And BMI is just one data point too, there are other reference points like Top Gear. But the Z vs. 8 has been beaten to death, let's not rehash all the old debates again. I was simply explaining why most people say take the 8 to the track, it's because it performs well there.

Your G35 is a nice car, enjoy it. And if you want to improve your driver skills, auto x would be a good place to start. Then take it to a real race track and see how it does against the 8. If you win, then you'll have real bragging rights.

lol i have on intention of going to the race track, Or id be driving a EVO or sti. Nor do i feel the need to improve my driving skills, I drive plenty well on public roads and very careful too! :)

Im just keeping it real about the overall performance between the two cars. rx8 is not gods gift to man, nor is 350z, theres things that rx8 does better and theres things that 350z does better. and Im convinced that the 350z is the overall better performer while the 8 is the better daily driver. which is the overall better car depends on the preference of the buyers

Those BMI guys are professional drivers. Most of us won't be able to extract that kind of performance from our cars anyway, hell, what percentage of Z and RX8 owners actually buy their cars for racing, any racing?

which is right....any car is about what you can afford and like... I am sure there is some guy some where yapping on a forum about his Saleen s7 that is better than some Lamborghini or such.... it is what it is...we all have opions

oh yeah and I do like to have fun once in a while by going to the twisties and let it rip, but i dont feel the need to push my car to the limit either. so ill leave the track driving to the people that are more passionate about performance than me. Ill stick to my Granturismo.

but back on topic, Im not sure how many rx8 owners change car to 350z, but I being on My350Z.com all the time, I've never seen a single person swtich to RX8. Ive seen instances of Z owners swtich to Evo or Sti, or S2000 or Corvette or G35. Im not sure about this site, but i dont think ive seen any rx8 owner swtich to 350Z either??

Exactly. That's why I'm talking about the average joe like us, because we're the ones buying the cars. For pro racers, stock for stock, in most cases the Z is faster. But for the average joe owner, the 8's chassis helps keep it competitive against cars with more hp. The chassis balance is what also gives it its "fun to drive" feeling. Much in the same way that the Miata is such a hoot to drive, despite being slow in a straight line. I consider "fun to drive" perhaps a more important factor than absolute speed, as I'm no pro racer and drive 98% of the time on the street. (And I'm not saying the Z isn't fun to drive either, I just enjoyed the 8 more - but that's me.)

when someone gets a passion for there car no matter what it is...it is just that they love the car and thats that, if the Z had 4 seats I might have considered it more, and the G35 I do not know about other states but here in Florida they are hella expensive, the used ones are crazy! still in the 31 to 32 range and used!! so it is what it is

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/powerlaps/page_2.shtml

BMW M3 - 1.31.8

Nissan 350Z - 1.31.8

Mazda RX8 - 1.31.8


All these cars turned the same lap time on Top Gear's track. While it's not definitive, these two cars perform at the same level when you balance all the factors.

Uh, you mean when you don't balance all the factors. Infact, you might say they preform the same when you balance a single factor, the layout of the track.

Z's greater horsepower is balanced by 8's better chassis, etc.

You know what I mean.

I agree, and i think rx8 is more fun to drive than the Z too, though i havnt driven the Z much while I have driven the rx8 a lot. I just think its funny how some people feel the need to bash the Z by saying things like it handles like crap among other things.
I think thats a sign of insecurity, or buyers remorse... needing to justify their own purchase by falsely bashing another car. It just seems they are real bitter to me.

On the other hand I can tell guys like Hachi who respect other cars truly loves the rx8 for what it is. Hes got oppinions, and we might disagree on some things, but I really respect that.