BillR

As some of you know, I own a G35 coupe and also an RX8. I want to get some time under my belt driving the 8 before offering some direct comparisons. Here are my opinions thus far:

Nav- The G35 nav system is much easier to work and the info on the disc is significantly more up to date. The Nav chick is hard to understand if the radio is on. The G35 slightly mutes the radio when the Nav chick speaks. Plus it is just slow to respond to commands or calculating route.

Handling- The 8 feels so much more "tossable" and nimble. Even though both cars are about the same dimensions, the RX8 feels much smaller. The G35 has a smoother ride though.

Acceleration/speed- Sorry, but the G is faster, hands down. Anyone want to dispute this - show up in Va Beach and I'll prove it.

Motor- The 8 is silky smooth. It just revs so effortlessly. The G is more of a brute off the line. I don't think you can really compare these two and come out with a "winner". They are too different. Both are fantastic in their own unique ways.

Interior- This is subjective - but I feel cramped in the 8. The G feels waaay more roomy. Plus I like the ledge that I can rest my elbow on when the window is closed. Both cars feel solid and no rattles. But the 8 feels a little more solid when going over bumps.

My conclusion: I have seen on this board comparisons between the RX8 and the 350Z and/or G35. Naturally 99.95% of you favor the 8. Makes sense since that is what you bought and why you are on the RX8 forum. To me, the two don't really compare. In fact, I don't think either car is targeted/marketed to the same demographics. Both are well built, fun, fast cars to drive. Each one will have it's plusses and minuses. Anyhow this is what "I" think of each car. I'll give more opinions after more miles get on the RX8.

Broker73

interesting comparison......a good friend has a g35C, and I didn't feel it was that much faster? A little on the low end, but nothing significant.

JimW

The G35 was the car I almost bought, Great Car, but I was sold on the handling of the RX8 and plus I used S-plan and it turned up to be much less expensive than the G35. Like Broker above, I drove both cars many times and the G35 has more off the line pull but isn't any faster than the RX8 to 60 and 1/4 mile. I didn't buy the car for straight line though or I would have bought a Cobra, anyway, lucky guy, you get to have both!

Speed-ER doc

I might have bought the G35C, but there was no 6speed black loaded one available anywhere when I was looking. Estimated delivery was 2-3 months.

A week or 2 later, that salesman called saying he had maybe located one, and he was shocked to learn I bought the 8. He asked why, and I said "it was available."

I didn't realize the 6sp G35 was such a limited edition (and priced accordingly).

It did drive nice, reminded me too much of my SC400 though. Did feel bigger to me than the 8. Looks cool too, but not as cool to my eye as the 8.

I actually liked the Cobra better than the G35, but the shifter was awkward and the interior was not adequate. The Cobra seat moves like 50 ways too, but with awkward controls and I still never felt very comfortable in it.

If they spiff the interior, my next car will maybe be a Cobra convertible. I miss the open air. What's with the tiny sunroof opening on our 8?

Senseny

Lucky dog, if I had a choice of any two 2004 cars to own (minus exotics) a G35 and Rx8 would be them. Anyway, thanks for the review.

graphicguy

While I don't own both a G35C and an RX8 (just an RX8), I did test drive the G for a significant amount of time when I was shopping....before I bought the RX8 and again when I got the "HP restatement letter". As a matter of fact, I got to take the G35C home to drive over the weekend the last time I was test driving (2nd time I'd been to the Infiniti dealer).

While the G35C was a fine car in its own right, I thought the "off the line grunt" was a bit more than the RX8, the RX8 easily made up for it as the RPMs build.

Both were built well. Both were comfortable. G still feels like you're driving an anvil compared to driving the RX8. G would have cost $2k-$3K more than the RX8 comparably equipped.

Purely subjective, but I prefered the styling of the RX8 over the G and the interior of the RX8 over the G35, but prefered the G's seats over the seats in the RX8 by a small margin. I didn't feel cramped in either (at 6' & 180 lbs). If I were pushing 250 lbs, I might feel different about both cars.

FirstSpin

6'1 190 pounds and a year ago I was 260 pounds. (And no, it wasn't adkins or southbeach.) At either weight (I suspect) the interior of the 8 is plenty roomey enough for me. Granted, I was already at my present "svelt" weight when I took delivery on the 8, but I'm so comfortable in there, I'm sure that I would have easily found a way to accomodate those "missing" 70 pounds. The cabin is not THAT much smaller than my Mustang was and I fit in there with no problems at all.....

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I agree - the G35c is best thought of as a luxury sports coupe, while the RX-8 is a sports car with four doors. They really are different - both great cars, but distinctly different.

George

AfroCreame

More roomy in the G35? LOL...sit in the back seat and get a headache because your head will bang against the back window. Yup..the G is quicker and I MUCH prefer the 3.5 to the rotary. More horsepower and waay better mileage. They're both fine cars and people should be proud to drive either one.

MEGAREDS

Firstspin, do you have enough head room in the RX-8? I'm 6' with afro-like hair that tends to grow up, not down. If I wore any type of styling product in my hair, I'd certainly ruin the ceiling of the RX-8. It's barely enough head room.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

I'm 6' 6" and before deciding for the 8, I was in the market for a G35C and was _this_ close to buy one. A few things that made the RX-8 the choice for me:

- interior: no comparison. The RX-8 feels and looks great - the G35C looks cheap. That silver-painted plasticky center console is a crime in such a beautiful car. Material selection is WAY better in the 8. The G35C feels flimsy and down-market in a few spots - an example: just push on those map lights, the whole headliner bends, feels so out of place.
- frameless windows: I don't want them. Plus, the G35C has that -IMO - stupid auto up/down feature that's bound to wear out the power window mechanism. I hate the resulting wind noises...
- handling of the RX-8 beats the G35C easily.
- the RX-8 looks more unique. However, I love the exterior of the G35C. Just the 8 is less usual. Turns more heads for sure :D
- the G35C is significantly more expensive.

Power felt a bit more in the Infiniti, but not THAT much more. I'm sure it's faster in straight line acceleration than the 8 - but frankly, in my book, handling is much more important.

AfroCreame

Yea...at 6' I BARELY have enough headroom in the front. Almost have to have my seat back so far I look like a gangster trying to avoid a bullett spray. The G35c has crappy headroom in the back, while the RX8 has little in the front.

BillR

What's a back seat?? LOL


Tamas,
I agree with what you said about the titanium stuff in the G; however mine does not have that finish. Mine is called willow. It looks (and holds up) and is much more durable than the titanium.
Mine is an AT instead of the 6spd and they have a different console.

Psylence

Am I reading this right BillR? Are you saying that you believe that your automatic G35 is faster than your manual RX-8? I just want to be sure that I've got that clear...

BillR

Yes!
It seems that alot of owners of 8's in Va Beach think they have to justify their cars. It seems like they ALL want to race. Now if it was an autocross track, the outcome may be different.




A quick question: Have not changed the oil yet, but how do you change the oil filter w/o getting oil everywhere? On my old RX7 (and my boat), I punched a hole in the top of the filter which drained the oil back into the motor. But it is real tight in the 8 to get to the filter. . . . . . . .

*mod edit*

Kagero

Billr, wut part of Va beach you from??, and wut color rx8 u got??
maybe ive seen you before ^__^

klegg

Well, I love my 8, but the G is a hell of a car.

My friend has one, and I have to say, it feels like it has a lot more ***** down low. I think the 8 has it once the revs are up, but by then, in a sraight line it is too late.

I like the G interior, and I do not think it looks cheap at all.

For me, the 8's style, and the balance of the car won out.

But the are both fine car's, just diffrent.

CERAMICSEAL

BillR, as for your oil change question: the alternative method to the hole punching is to simply slacken the filter just enough that it doesn't leak prior to removing the drain plug. This has the same effect of allowing air to enter and the oil to leave. I haven't done the hole punch in about 15 years.

syntrix

I just let mine sit for a while and then drained, and pulled the filter. Not a problem.

Search for "oil change for dummies" I did a writeup and pictures.

AF-RX8

Bill, which one do you find has more legroom in the backseat ?

I borrowed my stepfathers RX8 and found very little room behind me for my daughters legs and she is only 3 yrs. old.

Literatii

I like the cockpit feel of both my FE and FB. In fact, I don't think I'd enjoy a "roomy" sportscar.

Ti Driver

Carguy,

I am 6'4" and when I have both my daughters with me, I put my 8 year old behind me and I put my 4 year old behind the passenger seat. With a car seat, the 4 years old's feet are right at the rear seat cushion height which is the narrowest dimension. The 8 year old sits behind me with my seat back all the way. She doesn't complain and she is amongst the tallest in her second grade class.

AF-RX8

Thanks for the response !!

Does the 8 yr old use some type of booster seat ?

Also, I just want to make sure I understand this correctly, her feet tuck under the front seat right ?

Would your 4 yr old be able to sit behind you ?

The problem I see is the space between the backseat and the front seat is barely enough room for the childrens feet to fit behind unless they are tall enough to have their feet touch the floor so they tuck under the front seat.

BillR

Kagero,
I live in Cypress Point (Diamond Springs / Wesleyan Dr) and can been seen in my yellow 8 or red G35 going down Shore Dr towards Marina Shores alot. Also going down 264 to Hilltop. My wife drives the 8 to Norfolk alot too.

Carguy,
What's a backseat? :D Seriously, I haven't been back there, nor have I carried anyone there. I like having them though, cause ya never know. I looked at the legroom on the 8 when I opened the drivers rear door. I didn't look like much. . . . . . I am glad that MY seat on either car is up front!

Thanks everyone for the oil change info. I'll practice that when I change the oil.

Kagero

billr, by any chance, have u been in my "restaurant", cause i know a customer that have a yellow rx8 with appereance package