JohnnyD

I own a G35 Coupe AT and a NB Miata 5-speed, and due to unexpected circumstances will need to part with at least one of them. I'm deeply torn about this, however, because I love both cars. I'd lean toward keeping the G, but I think if I have to have only one car, I want a MT. The Miata as an only car makes no practical sense, but it's a special edition and I really love the look and feel of it. I think you can guess where this is going, but I'll ask anyway:

Does it make sense to buy a RX-8 to replace a G35c/MX-5 combo? In particular, how close in feel is the 8 to a Miata, given the weight disparity? I've also come to like the tight fit of the Miata, which is the opposite of the spacious front seats of the G (also appreciated under certain circumstances). Also, how accurate are the magazine performance times for the 8? I ask because I have soundly beaten the magazine times for the AT G: 14.4s on average, and once a 14.0 under ideal conditions with an aftermarket exhaust. I'm okay with the 8 being slower in a straight line, but psychologically I would feel better if it's within a half second of my AT G35. Actually, as long as I can consistently beat a certain 330ci driver, and it felt kind of like doing it in a Miata, I think I'd be happy performance-wise.

The alternative is trading in for a MT G35, on which I would take a financial beating. And it's just hard to excited about it, since I've already had the car for over a year. I guess I might also look at the '05 turbo Legacy, but I want RWD. By the way, separate question: when do the 2005 RX-8s come out?

Again, I love my cars, please don't bash 'em about unnecessarily. The 8 obviously was not my first choice, but I'm trying to warm to the idea of it as a compromise. Is that realistic?

RX8-TX

Man, I don't know!...if the 8 was not your first choice in the 1st place, and you end up buying one...buyers remorse might keep you from enjoying it. Have you test driven one yet?

I would first go for a ride, and then plunge all the cards on the table. I am afraid that you won't be satisfied by what he 8 has to offer. Not saying the 8 cannot stand its ground, I am saying that you've been spoiled for over a year already in your G. Its by all means a formidable car, and in my opinion a different engineering approach to driving than the 8.

The 8 is definitely not like the Miata. You are going to trade some tossability for a more spacious vehicle. But again, I am sure the 8 is much more tossable than the G. I don't know what to tell you...I am reading what I wrote so far, and I must be conufussing the heck out of you. Go test drive it! That's you best bet...

zerobanger

I had a 1993 miata, a 1999 10AE 6 speed miata also. Had both of those for about 3-4 years each. I have to say there is absolutely no comparison in feel other than the gearing (NB). The shifter feels identical, the gearing seems similar.

Other than that the handling, ride quality and feel of the car is far superior in the Rx-8. The ride quality of the miata would be a closer comparision to the FD, believe it or not.

I know you mentioned balance, but the rotary engine really makes for a different car. you have to drive it to understand. There seem to be plenty rx8's at the dealers, go have a drive.

JimJimElf

Well, I just bought my 8. And I was looking ay a G35 also, even thought I have been wanting an 8 since it was known as the Evolve. I realy liked the 2 door G35 and thought the 4 door was ugly as hell. So my options to me was 2 Door G35 or RX-8. My other car is a 1994 Honda Prelude. Which interior wise has about the same space as the 2 Door G35. Now all my wifes friends have kids and when I would take them places it is a pain in the *** getting a car seat in my prelude. So having more room in the RX-8
Well, to get to the point the 8 has alot more room, bigger trunk, looks just as good if not better (I think the 8 looks better). Downfall to the RX-8 is less horsepower, less torque. Speed wise its only 1/2 to 3/4 Sec difference in the quarter mile times.
Whats the same about them: 6 speed manual,
So I guess its what your needs are. Test drive it see if you like it more. Then make up your mind. Its up to you.

Speed-ER doc

That is the best question by a new member I have seen yet, so much so that I will call you a new member instead of, well, you know!

Kind of depends on your payoffs. If the miata is almost paid off, by all means keep it! You will miss the convertible for a while if you lose both. I'm assuming finances are involved in this decision.

Once you drive the 8, the magazine articles won't matter. But definitely get the MT. There is also an ECU piggyback almost available that should add about 25 WHP, see here:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=14823

Good luck with your decision, and let us know!

btw, I traded in my Miata for the 8, no complaints except I do miss the open air!

mental pimp

get the Mazdaspeed Miata

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I’ve been driving my ’94 Miata daily since I bought it new, and have recently purchased an RX-8 to compliment the Miata, so I’ll give you my perspective. Realize, though, that my ‘8 only has 250 miles on it.

I think the ‘8 captures allot of the fun-to-drive quotient present in the Miata. It is super-responsive to the controls, which all have a well-balanced feel. The ‘8 masks it’s weight incredibly well – it really does feel much lighter than it actually is. To me, I felt right at home during my first test-drive – it just drives like a Mazda sports car should. In some ways, it even eclipses the Miata in the fun-to-drive category – the super rigid structure makes it more responsive to the steering wheel than my ’94 (although the 2001 SE Miata I drove is closer to the ‘8), the brakes are way better, and so is the throttle response.

The one thing (other than not being a convertible) that the ‘8 can’t match the Miata in is size – even though it masks it’s weight, it can’t mask it’s dimensions, and when hustling the ‘8 through tight corners you are always aware of it’s size. Not in a profoundly bad way, but it is discernable. At speed, of course, the car does seem to shrink, but I think that’s natural.

I’ve always felt that the ‘8 combines the best aspects of a G35 coupe (which I think is just a dandy automobile) and a Miata. If you can live without the soft top, and need the capacity that comes with those larger dimensions, the ‘8 will reward you like the Miata does, but with a slightly different feature/benefits sheet.

Oh, and as for performance, there are people here who are pulling 14.5’s on a stock ‘8. I suspect your G35 would pull an ‘8 at the stop light, assuming both drivers care about the longevity of their drivetrain, but it seems that a 0.5 second difference is fairly realistic, especially if you get the Canzoomer mod. I’ve never personally gone up against a G35, but I did test drive one (automatic coupe) and the ‘8 can’t match it’s low-end torque.

Good luck!

George

Broker73

with the Canzoomer mod you will surprise a G35 when he is looking at your tail lights!:p

JohnnyD

Thanks for the responses so far. Is 14.5 with a brutal clutch drop? If not, that's good enough for me.

I test drove the 8 the other night. I could give you a long list of likes and dislikes (biggest surprise: no fold down seats; you can stuff far more into a G using its passthrough), but the end result is that I liked it enough to be completely confused. Loved the sensations of the rotary, preferred the interior, liked the feel in the driver's seat (like the G's too for different reasons). But even though I didn't really push it due to icy road conditions, I can tell it doesn't feel like a Miata. Which was probably too much to expect. Oh, except for the shifter, that was great, very Miata-like. But otherwise this car has a completely different character from my cars. I plan on testing it again when the weather turns. Is it possible to take these home for a couple days? The dealer had more cars than I could easily count, but they all looked brand new (still wrapped in plastic). Depending on how that goes, it's going to be either the 8 or take the hit and get the MT G35. Either one would be a no-brainer if the other didn't exist. Why couldn't one of these have come out 2 or 3 years ago when I couldn't find anything to interest me?

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I treated the pass thru vs. the rear doors as a even tradeoff from a cargo standpoint - they both make is easier to load extra cargo into the car, just go about it in different ways. One could argue the G can handle a single larger object better, but then that's why I own a Subaru Outback wagon.

George