BillR

More info
Who, what, where???

Ti Driver

No, starting at 8 years old, a booster is no longer required in NJ.Correct.I had her behind me when I first got the car. I can't remember if I had to pull my seat up a smidge or not. Essentially, her feet would sit atop the rear seat bottom cushion and kick the middle of my seat back. Annoying for me and uncomfortable for her (not to mention dirty for the rear seat).You are quite correct - if the driver needs the seat to be completely back (which for me is a must). Since my wife is only 5'2", my youngest daughter can sit behind her in the booster no problem. Anyone behind the driver with the driver seat close to fully back will have to put their feet under the driver seat. Seems to be fine for my 8 year old even though my seat is all the way down as well as all the way back.

pelucidor

I owned a fully loaded RX-8 for about 3500 miles, and I now have about 3000 miles on my fully loaded G35 Sedan 6MT. BillR - I concur pretty much with your thoughts:

I actually prefer the NAV on the RX-8 - especially the green background and the larger screen with better zoom in (detail) and much faster route calculation and automatic recalculation. Also it's higher up for easier viewing and best of all you can use it when the RX-8 is moving. I agree the G35 NAV data is slightly more up-to-date, and the voice is more human.

Completely agree. The RX-8 is incredibly agile and feels like it weighs 1000lbs less than the G35 Sedan (in reality it is only 350lbs less). The RX-8 feels like a two seater sports car (I was surprised every time I turned around and saw rear seats for the first few weeks). OTOH the G35 feels meatier and much more solid and vastly more spacious. Both are good for different needs.

Again completely agree. My G35 Sedan in 6MT form is much quicker at any RPM than my RX-8 was in a straight line. On corners however the RX-8 gave me more confidence to go through at much higher speeds.

Agree. Smooth turbine-like revving vs brute force. I miss the rotary hum and the effortless 9500rpm rev limiter, but I also enjoy the G35's low rpm torque in city driving. I wish the rev-limiter on the G35 at 6700rpm was less abrubt.

I think the RX-8 (especially with the red/black leather interior) looks way more stylish than the G35 and it fit me perfectly (I am 5'9" and 168lbs). Also the dials were much nicer and controls were lighter and much better to use (steering, clutch and gearchange are almost perfect). The driver's environment is better in the RX-8 IMO. However for everyone one else the G35 is a better environment - way more space, more gadgets (working AC, memory seats, reclining rear seats etc), more comfortable ride, less noise (especially in back). And I also love the door ledge to rest the left elbow in the G35.

I think they do compare. I was going to buy the G35 Sedan until the RX-8 came out, and when I returned my RX-8 (full money back offer after 3 months of use) I still got a G35 Sedan (after checking out new TL of course - the best FWD still sucks). They are both Japanese-made 4 seat and 4 door RWD sporty cars with 6MT transmissions (gearshifts bolted straight to transmission in both), one piece carbon fibre diveshafts, sports suspensions, summer tires, top speeds around 150mph, 4 year warrantees etc. Note that if a G35 Sedan can be compared to the much smaller BMW 330i or IS300 than it can be compared to the RX-8 too as the RX-8 has more interior space than my old IS300 (BTW the G35 Sedan has more interior space and more trunk space than a BMW 540i or MB E320).



This was my response to Bill's similar posting at FreshAlloy (G35 forum) and nobody flamed me, which was nice.

Kagero

well, i work in a puerto rican restaurant,
"El Latino Deli" and theres a customer that goes there and owns a yellow rx8, i thought that might be you, and i gave him a paper with the rx8club.com website,
"entiendes??"

SDFLY

Pelucidor,

Nice follow up report. I also seriously considered the G35 coupe and agree that the two cars vie for many of the same buyers. Overall, very accurate and fair descriptions of the the two cars - well done.

Kevin

shift_zoom8

I can totally relate. When I'm out pimpin', just kick the back support ALL THE WAY BACK so that my eyes can barely see over the door side and dash. In order to increase the comfort, I also like to drive with only my left hand on the wheel while leaning my torso ALL THE WAY OVER the center tunnel arm rest area so that my fricking head is directly in the center of the car. Does wonders for my neck and back problem.

BillR

No, that wasn't me.

zerobanger

the G35 is better quality than the 350Z, especially in the interior. I drove my roommates and it was a nice car. I think its more for someone who is not an enthusiast and just wants to go to work in comfort.

klegg

ROFLMAO

JeRKy 8 Owner

Jeup but keep in mind the Rx8 you own is automatic andwhen most people comparethe Z to the Rx8 theyare comparing the 6spd version

bxb40

Strange, when I drove G35c and RX-8 (AT and MT), I fit better and more natural in the 8 without sunroof (I'm 6'4"). I even fit in the rear seat (but without much extra head room). No way I fit in G35c if the front seat was adjusted for myself as well. In the G35c there is more lateral space, seats feel wider, but I am not, so the extra space actually bothered me (the 8 kinda hugs me and keep me in place in turns much better). Also, finding a G35c with cloth is close to impossible - and I would not bet the farm (which I don't have ;o)) that the perforated leather lasts for more than 5 years in good shape. Plus, it is slipery and will get hot in summer. True, the AC on the G35c actually helps to keep it acceptable as is stronger than the 8's.
Also, while the torque on G35c is significantly higher and can feel it off the line, the RX makes up for that in many ways and feels easier to drive (lighter, somehow, and more predictable). For fast off the line an old American V8 will do it, but superior handling is really an art and very hard to find. RX-8 somehow has it built in and I appreciate it a lot every time I drive it.
As I also need a daily driver, the exhaust noise on the G35c is excessive. On the RX-8, "sporty" noise comes after 6000 RPM and is enough for myself when feeling the "need for speed" :o) But most of the times I cruise on crowded hwys, so what do I need a loud exhaust for... or fast off the line. Handling I still need though ;o)
Both cars are excellent and somewhat overlap in their appeal, but my choice was not too hard. I still admire the G35c when I see one on the road as I know it is a nice machine :o)
For some strange reason, the G35c dealer did not even consider RX-8 to be competition to their car, he was so surprised I bought one, almost like I was shopping for an exotic car - then bought a Prius (which I heard is close to be "exotic" - with 1 year waiting lists :o))

((Shockwave))

BillR - I wish I could afford to own both an RX and a G but I'm currently struggling with which one to buy. When I drive the 8, this is the car I'm set on - until I go and drive the G again. I'm going to be commuting from NJ to NC for a little while so the file consumption may me the deciding factor. Still...

Skyline Maniac

Infiniti just released some info on the 2005 G35.... some pretty insane changes:

Sedan: New front end, new tail light, 18" wheels, LSD, new interior, +20hp for automatic, +38hp for manual, MP3 player standard, new transmission, larger stabilizer bars, new suspension..

Coupe: 298hp 6MT sport model, sport suspension, MP3, forged 19" wheels, new interior, all power seats........


Sheesh, I guess they are still not content with the sales number :D

scorp76

Nope, guess they aren't content, with the TL, CTS, and 3 series attracting more buyers, which shows some people out there still have taste.

patiwood

The first one I drove was the 350Z, automatic and manual. It does get up and go, but as someone said, no room for 2 sets of golf clubs, bags for a trip and passenger. That one was ruled out. My hubby works with someone that has had one for about 6 months and they're ready to sell it. Then we test drove the RX-8. The automatic first, which was disappointing after driving the 350Z. But the manual had the WOW factor! Last we drove the G35 coupe, which gives you the power with the 4 seats, but forget having even a medium sized adult in the back seat for any length of time. Not to mention the price tag for it!! Nothing we drove takes the corners like the RX8.
We decided on the RX8 of course. I fell in love with it the first commercial I saw when it came out. I picked up a brochure on it and had been carrying it around in my minivan for 6 months. Showing it to everyone saying "This is the car I want!"

My minivan days are over! Mid life crisis here I come

Since I only drive 1 mile to work and just drive to the local stores, I feel like I never get to enjoy driving it. Once a week I HAVE to hit the interstate just to get it out of my system. The car just drives better around 50-80 MPH. I almost always get behind someone going 5 miles under the speed limit (which happens a lot in Florida). Even the traffic on the interstate is so thick as times I can't get the full enjoyment driving it.

I think I'm going to have to join NASA and hit the track. I only worry about something happening to it. Anyone know if accidents happen often? I don't worry about me, it's the other driver.

I FEEL THE NEED.... THE NEED FOR SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

titaniumgrey

Anyways its a nice car , :D

*mod edit*

stangmatt66

The G35 was my first choice, but after 3 horrible Infiniti dealership experiences and not being allowed to ever drive the G35c, I pulled right over to Mazda. Within minutes I was behind the wheel and in love with the RX-8.

Maybe Infiniti couldn't beleive that a 21 year old would be able to afford their cars, too too bad...Mazda got my love (and money) instead...

Skyline Maniac

Well, my friend just traded in his RX-8 for a 350Z last month...... told him to get the G35C but oh well.

Deuse

**mod edit**

Ike

Agreed! :p

cueball

Remember guys and gal, there are no street racing stories allowed here so I went through and cleaned up the thread. Keep the street racing stories off here.

Deuse

since my last post got edited i will just say it like this

if a G35 is faster why i have i beaten a few of them before? having faster 1/4 time, fater 60' and a higher trap speed?

Ike

Because you're living in a dreamworld?

G35C MT vs. RX-8 MT, G35 wins every time if the drivers are about the same skill level.

klegg

I have to agree with Ike here, I have played with my friend in his G a number of times. Granted he is a lifelong SCCA racer, but stoplight to stoplight does not require all that skill. Have not once been closer then 1/2 a car length, with a 7,000 rpm clutch drop, and with him forgetting to turn off traction control.