Hotsauce

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.

NoTears316

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?

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

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.

WhiteDealershipRice

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

Freddie

LOL !

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

Hotsauce

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.

JeRKy 8 Owner

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

Ike

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.

Raptor2k

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

Ike

I prove my point.

Macius8

iTrader: (3)

lol

allmotorRX8

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

Raptor2k

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

Raptor2k

Disordly laughter? Or just worried about the post count?

Raptor2k

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.

Macius8

iTrader: (3)

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

Raptor2k

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.

Rotary78

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...

astro

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 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!!!!

gonnahanvan8

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.

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.

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

ЯX-8

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 ******* great ride. I would buy the Z any day, rather than buying an evo, sti, etc. Those are just ugly cars.

astro

[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. 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.

Sephiroth

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.

playdoh43

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.