370Z vs RX-8 ...let us hear it from owners of both cars
07-01-2009, 09:58 AM
#76
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I thought this topic had a definitive answer already?
370Z is faster, better handling, fixed and upgraded their interior, fixed the roughness of the engine in higher rpm, it rides better than the 350Z, it's more nimble than its predecessor, and competes with the Cayman S for under 40K.
From a pure sports car stand of point, it is miles better than the RX-8.
There's a reason Mazda is coming out with the next gen. RX.
The RX-8 is still nimbler, more organic, suspension is less harsh, but that is solely contributed to how low the compact rotary engine sits, but wins no where else when it comes to driving/performance.
370Z is faster, better handling, fixed and upgraded their interior, fixed the roughness of the engine in higher rpm, it rides better than the 350Z, it's more nimble than its predecessor, and competes with the Cayman S for under 40K.
From a pure sports car stand of point, it is miles better than the RX-8.
There's a reason Mazda is coming out with the next gen. RX.
The RX-8 is still nimbler, more organic, suspension is less harsh, but that is solely contributed to how low the compact rotary engine sits, but wins no where else when it comes to driving/performance.
07-01-2009, 11:09 AM
#77
Momentum Keeps Me Going
MICHGoBlue - I love the concept of the 370Z ...certainly on paper it appears it exceeds RX-8 performance handily...but in execution, ah yes in those devilish details of building the thing.....there's the rub.
You see I was considering the 370Z as a possible new car. And I feel you really do need to see a car through the eyes of people who own the car, don't you think? I mean they know the pretty face and the warts. Really, that's the way to do it, simple 370Z Fanboi-sm is a flaw...esp. you certainly wouldn't want to pay $30K-40K with out doing your Sports Car due diligence, only to learn the hard way things you should've known. Bottom line, I don't own one....only because I've spent considerable time (still do) on their forum...nice folks...but some are more than a bit miffed you see.
And so here are a few more "definitive answers" I learned that you might want to add to your list...
-------
So the 370Z may be faster, but this Sports Car has brake problems with brakes 'going away' under heavy use. As yet it's undetermined whether it's caliper, suspension, or ECU related (yes ECU because there is some antilock brake problem seemingly interfering with braking as the brakes get hotter), no one can seem to resolve the issue.
"Fixed the roughness of the engine at higher RPMs"? oh contraire, that's a topic of discussion over on their forum. Peps complain about the thrashing engine as if it might implode when running thru the gears. Not nice if your Sports Car sounds like you might be hurting it 'cause your reving it, or what?
"competes with the Cayman S for under 40K"? I was just reading a thread "over there" where the contrast was made that the difference between the 370Z as a Sports Car and a Cayman S is that for the extra $30K the Cayman S can actually be driven on a track without it overheating, the brakes going away, and the engine oil temp exceeding 300 degrees. Go figure. What a concept...uhh? and BTW **Something the RX-8 excels at without breaking a sweat** just like the Cayman S, a real Sports Car!
The RX-8 is {this and that} "but that is solely contributed to how low the rotary engine sits" is a bit of a stretch. How about the weight difference, the suspension design, things like that, and are you really sure it's better handling? How do you get to that?
"From a pure sports car point of view, it's miles better than an RX-8"? "Miles" really? {The RX-8} "Wins no where else when it come to driving/performance"? I'd say a car than can go race track or mountain twisties full tilt for hours on end, stop hard and straight all day long without problems, cushions it's occupants better and treats them to a nicer cockpit, while providing far superior room for more passengers and lots of stuff to boot, plus weighing less - those are some significant wins in the Sports Car category.
Why do we have to keep having this conversation? It's like taking two beautiful women and saying one is so much better than the other. Why can't both win (when they deserve to). At least none of the RX-8 flaws are fatal flaws...or dangerous ones... as the current 370Z mechanical issues seem to be at this point.
Both cars can use improvement, but the RX-8 easily fits the bill as a Sports Car, as does the 370Z...they simply each have different attributes.
You see I was considering the 370Z as a possible new car. And I feel you really do need to see a car through the eyes of people who own the car, don't you think? I mean they know the pretty face and the warts. Really, that's the way to do it, simple 370Z Fanboi-sm is a flaw...esp. you certainly wouldn't want to pay $30K-40K with out doing your Sports Car due diligence, only to learn the hard way things you should've known. Bottom line, I don't own one....only because I've spent considerable time (still do) on their forum...nice folks...but some are more than a bit miffed you see.
And so here are a few more "definitive answers" I learned that you might want to add to your list...
-------
So the 370Z may be faster, but this Sports Car has brake problems with brakes 'going away' under heavy use. As yet it's undetermined whether it's caliper, suspension, or ECU related (yes ECU because there is some antilock brake problem seemingly interfering with braking as the brakes get hotter), no one can seem to resolve the issue.
"Fixed the roughness of the engine at higher RPMs"? oh contraire, that's a topic of discussion over on their forum. Peps complain about the thrashing engine as if it might implode when running thru the gears. Not nice if your Sports Car sounds like you might be hurting it 'cause your reving it, or what?
"competes with the Cayman S for under 40K"? I was just reading a thread "over there" where the contrast was made that the difference between the 370Z as a Sports Car and a Cayman S is that for the extra $30K the Cayman S can actually be driven on a track without it overheating, the brakes going away, and the engine oil temp exceeding 300 degrees. Go figure. What a concept...uhh? and BTW **Something the RX-8 excels at without breaking a sweat** just like the Cayman S, a real Sports Car!
The RX-8 is {this and that} "but that is solely contributed to how low the rotary engine sits" is a bit of a stretch. How about the weight difference, the suspension design, things like that, and are you really sure it's better handling? How do you get to that?
"From a pure sports car point of view, it's miles better than an RX-8"? "Miles" really? {The RX-8} "Wins no where else when it come to driving/performance"? I'd say a car than can go race track or mountain twisties full tilt for hours on end, stop hard and straight all day long without problems, cushions it's occupants better and treats them to a nicer cockpit, while providing far superior room for more passengers and lots of stuff to boot, plus weighing less - those are some significant wins in the Sports Car category.
Why do we have to keep having this conversation? It's like taking two beautiful women and saying one is so much better than the other. Why can't both win (when they deserve to). At least none of the RX-8 flaws are fatal flaws...or dangerous ones... as the current 370Z mechanical issues seem to be at this point.
Both cars can use improvement, but the RX-8 easily fits the bill as a Sports Car, as does the 370Z...they simply each have different attributes.
07-01-2009, 11:28 AM
#78
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I just took a look at the 370Z and the R3 and the seating position and cluttered feel of the Z make it a no brainier for me but it terms of performance the Z slaughters the 8.
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 07-01-2009 at 11:33 AM.
07-01-2009, 11:33 AM
#79
Momentum Keeps Me Going
meet me at the track....you'll be 
For street use...ok, the 370Z exceed the RX-8..all depends what you want to do...
07-01-2009, 11:42 AM
#80
Agreed with whatever ^^^ says... wish my friends would get over the mindset that more horsepower and racing stoplight to stoplight makes you have a big *****... sigh... I still resort to the "lets take it to the track and see who gets around the cones faster... wait what? you dont/cant go... yeah thats what i thought"
07-01-2009, 12:33 PM
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I know everyone bangs on magazine racing, but c'mon.
When the first gen. RX-8 was beating the likes of 350Z and S2000 in magazines, everyone on this board praised the publication.
And now the 370Z is returning the favor, people criticize "bench racing" or label them as having agendas...
And all this talk about track performance, remember even the Mazdaspeed 3 beat the RX-8 pretty handily in those Car and Driver Lightning Laps, and before you cry foul, the STi recorded the same time as the RX-8. There're flaws in every single way a magazine compares vehicles, but remember, since it's the same magazine, all those flaws add up to leveling the playing field.
And with the same driver, I'd put all my money in my checking and savings account on the 370Z.
Look, I don't need the horsepower in the 370z, heck I barely use all the horsepower in the RX-8, hence why I have a RX-8, but to dispute the importance of horsepower in sports cars to the general public, is rather myopic.
RX-8 is a niche, esoteric sports car.
370Z is a pure sports car.
When the first gen. RX-8 was beating the likes of 350Z and S2000 in magazines, everyone on this board praised the publication.
And now the 370Z is returning the favor, people criticize "bench racing" or label them as having agendas...
And all this talk about track performance, remember even the Mazdaspeed 3 beat the RX-8 pretty handily in those Car and Driver Lightning Laps, and before you cry foul, the STi recorded the same time as the RX-8. There're flaws in every single way a magazine compares vehicles, but remember, since it's the same magazine, all those flaws add up to leveling the playing field.
And with the same driver, I'd put all my money in my checking and savings account on the 370Z.
Look, I don't need the horsepower in the 370z, heck I barely use all the horsepower in the RX-8, hence why I have a RX-8, but to dispute the importance of horsepower in sports cars to the general public, is rather myopic.
RX-8 is a niche, esoteric sports car.
370Z is a pure sports car.
Last edited by MICHGoBlue; 07-01-2009 at 12:35 PM.
07-01-2009, 01:01 PM
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Did not know the issues on the 370Z, but that is a big issue if you are tracking.
The RX-8, squeaky or not, has the best brakes I've ever encountered (driven or ridden in).
One has to be happy that a 40K car can compete with the Cayman S for one lap of the track, as far as long term track reliability, not many car companies, supercar or not, can compete with Porsches.
To quote many of the board members here, "with that extra money I save from buying _____, I'll be able to upgrade my _____ and ______, and it'll blow the ______ away after I'm done".
The RX-8, squeaky or not, has the best brakes I've ever encountered (driven or ridden in).
One has to be happy that a 40K car can compete with the Cayman S for one lap of the track, as far as long term track reliability, not many car companies, supercar or not, can compete with Porsches.
To quote many of the board members here, "with that extra money I save from buying _____, I'll be able to upgrade my _____ and ______, and it'll blow the ______ away after I'm done".
07-01-2009, 02:19 PM
#84
again the z is an awesome machine in all rights but its all about the personal choice. i drove a friends 370 this past weekend and in all honesty an amazing car it is does it make me wanna buy one no. i hated the 350 coza the experience i had and i thought id give the 370 a chance. it is a way better car amazing in its own rights BUT for a 2 seater id fork in a little more and get a vette coz it appeals to ME so much more. and personally i just got 2 more cars and was thinking about getting rid of the 8 but if i ever replace the 8 it will be with another 8 coz the 8 makes me wanna drive it appeals to me like nothing else has done i dont care for the hp its juss the driving experience (other cars 2010 camaro ss 2008 335i) still the 8 wins for me
07-01-2009, 03:35 PM
#85
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MICHGoBlue - I love the concept of the 370Z ...certainly on paper it appears it exceeds RX-8 performance handily...but in execution, ah yes in those devilish details of building the thing.....there's the rub.
You see I was considering the 370Z as a possible new car. And I feel you really do need to see a car through the eyes of people who own the car, don't you think? I mean they know the pretty face and the warts. Really, that's the way to do it, simple 370Z Fanboi-sm is a flaw...esp. you certainly wouldn't want to pay $30K-40K with out doing your Sports Car due diligence, only to learn the hard way things you should've known. Bottom line, I don't own one....only because I've spent considerable time (still do) on their forum...nice folks...but some are more than a bit miffed you see.
And so here are a few more "definitive answers" I learned that you might want to add to your list...
-------
So the 370Z may be faster, but this Sports Car has brake problems with brakes 'going away' under heavy use. As yet it's undetermined whether it's caliper, suspension, or ECU related (yes ECU because there is some antilock brake problem seemingly interfering with braking as the brakes get hotter), no one can seem to resolve the issue.
"Fixed the roughness of the engine at higher RPMs"? oh contraire, that's a topic of discussion over on their forum. Peps complain about the thrashing engine as if it might implode when running thru the gears. Not nice if your Sports Car sounds like you might be hurting it 'cause your reving it, or what?
"competes with the Cayman S for under 40K"? I was just reading a thread "over there" where the contrast was made that the difference between the 370Z as a Sports Car and a Cayman S is that for the extra $30K the Cayman S can actually be driven on a track without it overheating, the brakes going away, and the engine oil temp exceeding 300 degrees. Go figure. What a concept...uhh? and BTW **Something the RX-8 excels at without breaking a sweat** just like the Cayman S, a real Sports Car!
The RX-8 is {this and that} "but that is solely contributed to how low the rotary engine sits" is a bit of a stretch. How about the weight difference, the suspension design, things like that, and are you really sure it's better handling? How do you get to that?
"From a pure sports car point of view, it's miles better than an RX-8"? "Miles" really? {The RX-8} "Wins no where else when it come to driving/performance"? I'd say a car than can go race track or mountain twisties full tilt for hours on end, stop hard and straight all day long without problems, cushions it's occupants better and treats them to a nicer cockpit, while providing far superior room for more passengers and lots of stuff to boot, plus weighing less - those are some significant wins in the Sports Car category.
Why do we have to keep having this conversation? It's like taking two beautiful women and saying one is so much better than the other. Why can't both win (when they deserve to). At least none of the RX-8 flaws are fatal flaws...or dangerous ones... as the current 370Z mechanical issues seem to be at this point.
Both cars can use improvement, but the RX-8 easily fits the bill as a Sports Car, as does the 370Z...they simply each have different attributes.
You see I was considering the 370Z as a possible new car. And I feel you really do need to see a car through the eyes of people who own the car, don't you think? I mean they know the pretty face and the warts. Really, that's the way to do it, simple 370Z Fanboi-sm is a flaw...esp. you certainly wouldn't want to pay $30K-40K with out doing your Sports Car due diligence, only to learn the hard way things you should've known. Bottom line, I don't own one....only because I've spent considerable time (still do) on their forum...nice folks...but some are more than a bit miffed you see.
And so here are a few more "definitive answers" I learned that you might want to add to your list...
-------
So the 370Z may be faster, but this Sports Car has brake problems with brakes 'going away' under heavy use. As yet it's undetermined whether it's caliper, suspension, or ECU related (yes ECU because there is some antilock brake problem seemingly interfering with braking as the brakes get hotter), no one can seem to resolve the issue.
"Fixed the roughness of the engine at higher RPMs"? oh contraire, that's a topic of discussion over on their forum. Peps complain about the thrashing engine as if it might implode when running thru the gears. Not nice if your Sports Car sounds like you might be hurting it 'cause your reving it, or what?
"competes with the Cayman S for under 40K"? I was just reading a thread "over there" where the contrast was made that the difference between the 370Z as a Sports Car and a Cayman S is that for the extra $30K the Cayman S can actually be driven on a track without it overheating, the brakes going away, and the engine oil temp exceeding 300 degrees. Go figure. What a concept...uhh? and BTW **Something the RX-8 excels at without breaking a sweat** just like the Cayman S, a real Sports Car!
The RX-8 is {this and that} "but that is solely contributed to how low the rotary engine sits" is a bit of a stretch. How about the weight difference, the suspension design, things like that, and are you really sure it's better handling? How do you get to that?
"From a pure sports car point of view, it's miles better than an RX-8"? "Miles" really? {The RX-8} "Wins no where else when it come to driving/performance"? I'd say a car than can go race track or mountain twisties full tilt for hours on end, stop hard and straight all day long without problems, cushions it's occupants better and treats them to a nicer cockpit, while providing far superior room for more passengers and lots of stuff to boot, plus weighing less - those are some significant wins in the Sports Car category.
Why do we have to keep having this conversation? It's like taking two beautiful women and saying one is so much better than the other. Why can't both win (when they deserve to). At least none of the RX-8 flaws are fatal flaws...or dangerous ones... as the current 370Z mechanical issues seem to be at this point.
Both cars can use improvement, but the RX-8 easily fits the bill as a Sports Car, as does the 370Z...they simply each have different attributes.
Wow I didn't know the Z had so many problems? The harsh engine noise/vibration at WOT is a given, the VQ motor is known for this and has been having this problem (if you really want to call it a problem)since day one when the VQ was put in Nissan/Infiniti's vehicles in 2002. Fast forward to today and I am surprised Nissan hasn't addresed this issue, I guess the VQ was broke by design when it was created.
The die hards like myself wish they further developed the VG motor which is far smoother in the upper rev range, but Nissan rather sacraficed smoothness for brute torque of the VQ which the VG wasn't to shabby in that department by any meens.
I really like the 370Z too, until Nissan fixes those issues i will be waiting on the sidelines seeing what the Mazda's RX-9 shapes up to be.
07-01-2009, 03:50 PM
#86
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I really wanted one when they first came out, and when I bought my 8, I had it narrowed down to the RX8 or the 350Z. I went with the 8 because a family friend had a Z and genuinely loathed it. Had nothing but awful things to say about it. Another family friend simply raved about the RX8, and then I found one in WB in my price range and it was game over.
As for the 370Z, I don't really like the looks of it. I've read and heard great things about it, but in the end, I just don't like the way that it looks and I just can't get past it. It might perform better than my 8 in every conceivable way, but in the end, I think that my 8 is just a straight up effing beautiful car and the Z is not.
As for the 370Z, I don't really like the looks of it. I've read and heard great things about it, but in the end, I just don't like the way that it looks and I just can't get past it. It might perform better than my 8 in every conceivable way, but in the end, I think that my 8 is just a straight up effing beautiful car and the Z is not.
07-01-2009, 03:55 PM
#87
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Meanwhile my $33K RX-8 can spend literally HOURS on the track in a day with Porsches in advanced run group (we're not just going through the motions is the point) of all flavors, Cayman, GT2, GT3, Boxsters, 911s, keep up, pass some, get passed by some, brake and go through the twistie bits with the best of them. I loose big time on the straights, but I only have 180HP! Still, I guess Mazda is one of those exceptional companies that can compete with Porsche on track, but lap after lap after lap
Porsches are cool, but after you spend alot of time with them under track conditions, they're just another car, and in lot's of cases not the equal of an RX-8 in handling or acceleration, believe it or not. I know this not from magazines, but rather I walk the walk with them and experience what happens in the real world. Driver confidence has something to do with it I'm sure, Porsches have legendary ability to snap oversteer and many experience spins. That's gotta slow you down knowing how easy it is to get in a bad situation. Not so the RX-8, give it its head, and you'd be amazed how good it gets.
Also totally surprising to me has been the lack of 350Zs on track. I've never seen a 370Z, period. The 350Zs however few and far between, seem to go decent and somewhat faster lapping than my 8, driven right. I did have a track buddy with a Nismo 350Z a couple years ago, he sold it and said they were scary dangerous on track, brake problems, suspension problems, massive understeer...I guess he didn't like his.
And I hate to burst another of your bubbles, but if Porsche cars are reliable on track, I must have been tracking for the last 5 yrs in an alternate universe. One very surprising, but ever present impression I've got by going to many Porsche track events with all manner of Porsches from spanking new GT3s to historic Porsches in attendance...is that they sure break down alot
The engines seem to have problems with oil leaks, either dropping oil outright (game over) or leaking oil drip drip drip. Perhaps it's a gasket problem, or perhaps all the stuff stuck in the back there together is stressful, but it's normal to hear "Oh, so and so car is done for, has to trailer it home". At any event there's likely a car or two just sitting out on the sidelines.
You own an 8 MICHGoBlue, you really should appreciate it more than you seem to. It's not the best car in the world, but it has some really great attributes when you put it in a place that shows the car off to advantage, like track duty. That's my acid test, and the nice shiny new 370Z fails that test miserably, unfortunately. And I mean that with all my accelerator foot as I'd love to be barreling down the straightaway with all that power for $35K, but as is the awful truth - epic fail
PS; I just saw a mag writeup about the Nismo 370Z and noted it has some suspension work, body kit, etc.....but no fixes for the problems on track...not anything. The editor said all the changes made it an even more wonderful track day car. Hahaha I guess he in for a suprise should he ever actually try one! So much for magazine reviews.
Last edited by Spin9k; 07-01-2009 at 03:59 PM.
07-01-2009, 06:05 PM
#88
07-01-2009, 06:07 PM
#89
And I hate to burst another of your bubbles, but if Porsche cars are reliable on track, I must have been tracking for the last 5 yrs in an alternate universe. One very surprising, but ever present impression I've got by going to many Porsche track events with all manner of Porsches from spanking new GT3s to historic Porsches in attendance...is that they sure break down alot
The engines seem to have problems with oil leaks, either dropping oil outright (game over) or leaking oil drip drip drip. Perhaps it's a gasket problem, or perhaps all the stuff stuck in the back there together is stressful, but it's normal to hear "Oh, so and so car is done for, has to trailer it home". At any event there's likely a car or two just sitting out on the sidelines.
The engines seem to have problems with oil leaks, either dropping oil outright (game over) or leaking oil drip drip drip. Perhaps it's a gasket problem, or perhaps all the stuff stuck in the back there together is stressful, but it's normal to hear "Oh, so and so car is done for, has to trailer it home". At any event there's likely a car or two just sitting out on the sidelines.
07-02-2009, 12:11 AM
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...one lap of the track? ...huh? ...the 370Z can go all of several laps on track before it has to pull in with Limp-Moditis depending. Ambients temps being below ~70 deg helps, but not much. Most are saying around 10 minutes or 1/2 session under hard throttle. That's a blessing in disguise as if it went fast for long, it'd have to stop well, and given the brakes, another epic fail.
Meanwhile my $33K RX-8 can spend literally HOURS on the track in a day with Porsches in advanced run group (we're not just going through the motions is the point) of all flavors, Cayman, GT2, GT3, Boxsters, 911s, keep up, pass some, get passed by some, brake and go through the twistie bits with the best of them. I loose big time on the straights, but I only have 180HP! Still, I guess Mazda is one of those exceptional companies that can compete with Porsche on track, but lap after lap after lap
Porsches are cool, but after you spend alot of time with them under track conditions, they're just another car, and in lot's of cases not the equal of an RX-8 in handling or acceleration, believe it or not. I know this not from magazines, but rather I walk the walk with them and experience what happens in the real world. Driver confidence has something to do with it I'm sure, Porsches have legendary ability to snap oversteer and many experience spins. That's gotta slow you down knowing how easy it is to get in a bad situation. Not so the RX-8, give it its head, and you'd be amazed how good it gets.
Also totally surprising to me has been the lack of 350Zs on track. I've never seen a 370Z, period. The 350Zs however few and far between, seem to go decent and somewhat faster lapping than my 8, driven right. I did have a track buddy with a Nismo 350Z a couple years ago, he sold it and said they were scary dangerous on track, brake problems, suspension problems, massive understeer...I guess he didn't like his.
And I hate to burst another of your bubbles, but if Porsche cars are reliable on track, I must have been tracking for the last 5 yrs in an alternate universe. One very surprising, but ever present impression I've got by going to many Porsche track events with all manner of Porsches from spanking new GT3s to historic Porsches in attendance...is that they sure break down alot
The engines seem to have problems with oil leaks, either dropping oil outright (game over) or leaking oil drip drip drip. Perhaps it's a gasket problem, or perhaps all the stuff stuck in the back there together is stressful, but it's normal to hear "Oh, so and so car is done for, has to trailer it home". At any event there's likely a car or two just sitting out on the sidelines.
You own an 8 MICHGoBlue, you really should appreciate it more than you seem to. It's not the best car in the world, but it has some really great attributes when you put it in a place that shows the car off to advantage, like track duty. That's my acid test, and the nice shiny new 370Z fails that test miserably, unfortunately. And I mean that with all my accelerator foot as I'd love to be barreling down the straightaway with all that power for $35K, but as is the awful truth - epic fail
PS; I just saw a mag writeup about the Nismo 370Z and noted it has some suspension work, body kit, etc.....but no fixes for the problems on track...not anything. The editor said all the changes made it an even more wonderful track day car. Hahaha I guess he in for a suprise should he ever actually try one! So much for magazine reviews.
Meanwhile my $33K RX-8 can spend literally HOURS on the track in a day with Porsches in advanced run group (we're not just going through the motions is the point) of all flavors, Cayman, GT2, GT3, Boxsters, 911s, keep up, pass some, get passed by some, brake and go through the twistie bits with the best of them. I loose big time on the straights, but I only have 180HP! Still, I guess Mazda is one of those exceptional companies that can compete with Porsche on track, but lap after lap after lap
Porsches are cool, but after you spend alot of time with them under track conditions, they're just another car, and in lot's of cases not the equal of an RX-8 in handling or acceleration, believe it or not. I know this not from magazines, but rather I walk the walk with them and experience what happens in the real world. Driver confidence has something to do with it I'm sure, Porsches have legendary ability to snap oversteer and many experience spins. That's gotta slow you down knowing how easy it is to get in a bad situation. Not so the RX-8, give it its head, and you'd be amazed how good it gets.
Also totally surprising to me has been the lack of 350Zs on track. I've never seen a 370Z, period. The 350Zs however few and far between, seem to go decent and somewhat faster lapping than my 8, driven right. I did have a track buddy with a Nismo 350Z a couple years ago, he sold it and said they were scary dangerous on track, brake problems, suspension problems, massive understeer...I guess he didn't like his.
And I hate to burst another of your bubbles, but if Porsche cars are reliable on track, I must have been tracking for the last 5 yrs in an alternate universe. One very surprising, but ever present impression I've got by going to many Porsche track events with all manner of Porsches from spanking new GT3s to historic Porsches in attendance...is that they sure break down alot
The engines seem to have problems with oil leaks, either dropping oil outright (game over) or leaking oil drip drip drip. Perhaps it's a gasket problem, or perhaps all the stuff stuck in the back there together is stressful, but it's normal to hear "Oh, so and so car is done for, has to trailer it home". At any event there's likely a car or two just sitting out on the sidelines.
You own an 8 MICHGoBlue, you really should appreciate it more than you seem to. It's not the best car in the world, but it has some really great attributes when you put it in a place that shows the car off to advantage, like track duty. That's my acid test, and the nice shiny new 370Z fails that test miserably, unfortunately. And I mean that with all my accelerator foot as I'd love to be barreling down the straightaway with all that power for $35K, but as is the awful truth - epic fail
PS; I just saw a mag writeup about the Nismo 370Z and noted it has some suspension work, body kit, etc.....but no fixes for the problems on track...not anything. The editor said all the changes made it an even more wonderful track day car. Hahaha I guess he in for a suprise should he ever actually try one! So much for magazine reviews.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmBPiw0Acwo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ618...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZGvu1rO0rM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BXGHNmzu_w
but I get your point, you just wrote 50 paragraphs to trash the 370z and to let us know that the rx8 has better brakes and you like it better as a track car. everyones entitled to their own opinion and I respect it. I sware after reading your post, I expect every 370z's brake to spontaenously combust into thin air the minute they leave the dealership lot. Rx8 has quirks and short comings too, and a Z fanboi can easily write another 50 paragraphs and exagerate about why the rx8 sucks as a track car. "Man the rx8's rotary drop dead and flood the minute you take it to a track!!" How about we all just respect both cars for what they are without all the trashing? Few would argue that the rx8 has great brakes. you sure you are not part of Mazda marketing division??
Last edited by playdoh43; 07-02-2009 at 01:48 AM.
07-02-2009, 01:15 AM
#91
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Mazda , has a job opening for ................. Spink .
Mazda RX8 is a nice car but please don't go to far . I've had mine for over 3 years , no issues but im sure ther are better car out there.
You enjoy your car , thats good , but you seem to like to put other cars in the burner .
Mazda RX8 is a nice car but please don't go to far . I've had mine for over 3 years , no issues but im sure ther are better car out there.
You enjoy your car , thats good , but you seem to like to put other cars in the burner .
07-02-2009, 01:50 AM
#92
Bruce Van
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I haven't had a chance to drive the 370, but do think it's a good looking car that I wouldn't mind owning. Just as with the 350, I chose the RX-8 over the Nissan because:
1. Useable rear passanger seats. A 2-seater would not suite my lifestyle. Mazda wins.
2. A useable trunk. Trunk space on the Nissan is laughable. Mazda check.
3. Better style. I know this is subjective, but the RX-8 looks awesome to me. The proportions are right. The Z looks like a crouching frog. Mazda check.
4. Better visability. The belt line on the 350/370 is too high for my taste. I'm not a tall guy so I would have a hard time looking over my shoulder. Mazda check.
5. RX-8s are not common like the 350z. People still ask my what kind of car I drive because they've never seen anything like it. Mazda check.
6. The RX-8 FEELS really good driving. This is something you can't quantify with numbers. This is actually very big for me. I enjoy driving the car and could care less it's .94584 seconds slower to XXXmph. I don't time myself evertime I step on the gas. It feels fast enough for me and it doesn't bother me Joe Sixpack's car is faster. I'm over that.
So those are some reasons why I love my Mazda and would chose it over the Nissan any day. Sure it's not the ultimate car or the "best" car or the "fastest" car. It's a pretty damn good car and puts a smile on my face. Isn't that what it's all about?
Word to your mother....
1. Useable rear passanger seats. A 2-seater would not suite my lifestyle. Mazda wins.
2. A useable trunk. Trunk space on the Nissan is laughable. Mazda check.
3. Better style. I know this is subjective, but the RX-8 looks awesome to me. The proportions are right. The Z looks like a crouching frog. Mazda check.
4. Better visability. The belt line on the 350/370 is too high for my taste. I'm not a tall guy so I would have a hard time looking over my shoulder. Mazda check.
5. RX-8s are not common like the 350z. People still ask my what kind of car I drive because they've never seen anything like it. Mazda check.
6. The RX-8 FEELS really good driving. This is something you can't quantify with numbers. This is actually very big for me. I enjoy driving the car and could care less it's .94584 seconds slower to XXXmph. I don't time myself evertime I step on the gas. It feels fast enough for me and it doesn't bother me Joe Sixpack's car is faster. I'm over that.
So those are some reasons why I love my Mazda and would chose it over the Nissan any day. Sure it's not the ultimate car or the "best" car or the "fastest" car. It's a pretty damn good car and puts a smile on my face. Isn't that what it's all about?
Word to your mother....
07-02-2009, 07:12 AM
#93
Call me ROTO BAGGINS
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Bruce, I agree with you on virtually every count. Rarely is someone ever in the back seat of my car, but when the need arises, it's there. I don't care for the look of the Z - it's OK from certain angles, but there are some lines on the car I just do not like. It has such a fat looking ***. I'm not saying that they are not great cars or anything like that, just that I don't particularly care for them.
If it's a strict numbers game, then the RX8 usually just doesn't win. But evaluating which car is better on numbers alone is like deciding which woman is better in bed based solely on which has the larger breasts. Sure, she may have a head start, but maybe the other woman is a gymnast!
If it's a strict numbers game, then the RX8 usually just doesn't win. But evaluating which car is better on numbers alone is like deciding which woman is better in bed based solely on which has the larger breasts. Sure, she may have a head start, but maybe the other woman is a gymnast!
07-02-2009, 07:47 AM
#94
Momentum Keeps Me Going
To playdoh43 & reaper, sorry you don't get it..at all. I like the 370Z alot, I thought it could be my next track car. Frankly, I'm frustrated with the tepid acceleration of my car on track, after 6 yrs the lack of power refresh from Mazda is absurd. Basically I'm just wanting a better faster, reasonable priced sports car...like the RX-8 is, only faster...I mean there's nothing else in the price bracket beside the 370Z...
If I were just looking for a DD, the 370Z would do fine, I'm sure 99% of peps would not uncover issues of this nature, but my needs hold a car to a higher standard, i.e., a sports car that can do the job on track (like w/the Porsches).
Sorry I can't speak to the Japanese in the vids or the specs of the Fairladys sold there, but try Googling...
- 370z brake problems
- 370z overheat problems
- 370z heat issues
- 370z track issues
...you'll get the drift...it's not me...it's the owners themselves voicing the problems.
I just want Nissan to fix these issues and/or Mazda to do whatever so I can perhaps have a choice and then I might get a new car...
If I were just looking for a DD, the 370Z would do fine, I'm sure 99% of peps would not uncover issues of this nature, but my needs hold a car to a higher standard, i.e., a sports car that can do the job on track (like w/the Porsches).
Sorry I can't speak to the Japanese in the vids or the specs of the Fairladys sold there, but try Googling...
- 370z brake problems
- 370z overheat problems
- 370z heat issues
- 370z track issues
...you'll get the drift...it's not me...it's the owners themselves voicing the problems.
I just want Nissan to fix these issues and/or Mazda to do whatever so I can perhaps have a choice and then I might get a new car...
07-02-2009, 08:51 AM
#95
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Porsches are cool, but after you spend alot of time with them under track conditions, they're just another car, and in lot's of cases not the equal of an RX-8 in handling or acceleration, believe it or not. I know this not from magazines, but rather I walk the walk with them and experience what happens in the real world. Driver confidence has something to do with it I'm sure, Porsches have legendary ability to snap oversteer and many experience spins. That's gotta slow you down knowing how easy it is to get in a bad situation. Not so the RX-8, give it its head, and you'd be amazed how good it gets.
You own an 8 MICHGoBlue, you really should appreciate it more than you seem to. It's not the best car in the world, but it has some really great attributes when you put it in a place that shows the car off to advantage, like track duty.
1) RX-8 is very easy to drive @ the limit, no question about it. But know this, with an experienced Porsche driver, whether it's a Cayman or a 911, they are both far superior in grip before exceeding the limit.
2) I do credit the RX-8 where it's due. But unlike most people, I don't find it to be a great track car, if track car means great lap times.
I do however, think it's one of the absolute best driver's car you can buy on the market today, as evidence by this specific post from a little bit ago....
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...18#post3068018
The point is, I don't need to restate my passion for the RX-8 in every single posts, over and over, and neither do you. I would hate for this board to turn into, what seems like every other board, a fanboi board. I compare them to listening to political talk radio, you tune in for AFFIRMATION, not INFORMATION. I would like this board to informative, not just affirmative.
07-02-2009, 08:57 AM
#97
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The point is, I don't need to restate my passion for the RX-8 in every single posts, over and over, and neither do you. I would hate for this board to turn into, what seems like every other board, a fanboi board. I compare them to listening to political talk radio, you tune in for AFFIRMATION, not INFORMATION. I would like this board to informative, not just affirmative.
07-02-2009, 09:07 AM
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To playdoh43 & reaper, sorry you don't get it..at all. I like the 370Z alot, I thought it could be my next track car. Frankly, I'm frustrated with the tepid acceleration of my car on track, after 6 yrs the lack of power refresh from Mazda is absurd. Basically I'm just wanting a better faster, reasonable priced sports car...like the RX-8 is, only faster...I mean there's nothing else in the price bracket beside the 370Z...
If I were just looking for a DD, the 370Z would do fine, I'm sure 99% of peps would not uncover issues of this nature, but my needs hold a car to a higher standard, i.e., a sports car that can do the job on track (like w/the Porsches).
Sorry I can't speak to the Japanese in the vids or the specs of the Fairladys sold there, but try Googling...
- 370z brake problems
- 370z overheat problems
- 370z heat issues
- 370z track issues
...you'll get the drift...it's not me...it's the owners themselves voicing the problems.
I just want Nissan to fix these issues and/or Mazda to do whatever so I can perhaps have a choice and then I might get a new car...
If I were just looking for a DD, the 370Z would do fine, I'm sure 99% of peps would not uncover issues of this nature, but my needs hold a car to a higher standard, i.e., a sports car that can do the job on track (like w/the Porsches).
Sorry I can't speak to the Japanese in the vids or the specs of the Fairladys sold there, but try Googling...
- 370z brake problems
- 370z overheat problems
- 370z heat issues
- 370z track issues
...you'll get the drift...it's not me...it's the owners themselves voicing the problems.
I just want Nissan to fix these issues and/or Mazda to do whatever so I can perhaps have a choice and then I might get a new car...
- I do understand you strongly believe the rx8 is a better track car, and I respect that.
Last edited by playdoh43; 07-02-2009 at 09:24 AM.