I know I cant wait... I know I am going to be torn between the new RX and the 370z.... It will be interesting to compare the two as their release dates get closer.... In the mean time all i have to hear about is the GTR v ZR1 and the Challenger v Camaro .

 

Dude look at the weight chart, 06 were the heaviest , even with 300HP. 03-05 with a oil consumption problem???, There is no problem, I owned a 3.5 02 Maxima, they used oil just like the 8, that was the design of the VQ motor. 03-05 were the lightest Z cars, 07 and 08 are refined, yet the VQ3.5HR is better, but not by much.

 

nissan rated that engine at 221kw which is about 295hp . take off losses of around 40hp and you have 255whp .
You are saying that Nissan underated the engine ...

 

Wow... Yes the 06 may be the heavier car but with the rev up engine they no longer had serious oil consumption issues like prior years... The 07/08 VQ35HR powered Z is based on the new SAE HP number so on paper it looks like it only gained roughly 6 hp over prior year. In all honesty it gained close to 20-25 hp and it is proven with every dyno sheet the 07 Z produces... All I am saying people is that the old Z might have been even or slightly inferior to the 8 but since nissan redesigned the engine (80% of the engine is completely different) and improved the suspension of the Z it is no longer in a car that should be taken lightly... The 370Z will widen the gap even further in 2009 unless mazda does something about it.

 

Nissan rated the engine at 306 actually and aparently drivetrain loss isnt as bad as previous years. MRC's dyno has a great reputation for being accurate... its obvious that its a picture of the actual sheet so you know I didnt photoshop in a different curve... I am attempting to make believers out of you all... The new Z engine is awesome thus making the Z a much better car.

 

Friend has an 06z, had the Rev Up, burned all oil in 1900 Miles, twice. After a Few calls Nissan replaced his engine with the version 2. Still burns oil, but not nearly as much.

I still think the Z is an awesome car, and If I wasn't in love with handling i would consider getting one, but alas, a car with 4 seats, better suspension, and a Rotary just calls me. but I must admit the 370 has my interest, as long as It doesn't cost more than a used elise.

 

isn't it awesome that for every 10 350z's you see 1 RX8... atleast that is how it is here in NY. it's awesome to be unique.

 

So true.

 

I don't think Mazda is concerned with what the Z is doing as the two cars really aren't comparable and a Z with 350hp+ would be even less comparable. If a new 7 emerges with similar specs and size (seating capacity) to the Z then we can compare apples to apples. The 8 has much more interior room and seems like a foot taller than the Z so I don't understand why it is always compared. The Z also rides lower and has a much stiffer suspension. The 8 is an admitably compromised sports car and Mazda clearly went a totally different direction than the Z did. For some reason I still see the 350Z as a Japanese muscle car (nothing wrong with that) as in it's current form, it is based on a heavy beefy platform (that is shared with several other large Nissan/Infiniti cars) with a huge, powerful engine, and a cheap/simple interior. The 370Z may change my mind on that as Nissan is focusing on a major sports car trait: lightness (which almost always improves overall handling feel/balance/steering/braking).

 

Ah ha! The truth comes out...you are trying to sell Zs in the Rx8 forum! Unfortunately, I think based on reading what a lot of people have said in this site over the years...if most of us wanted a Z or were interested in a Z we would have a Z. A friend of mine had one and it had some nice features in it but I did not like it. I did like the G35 coupe until I drove it (still like the styling). Basically...you are wasting your time here...not very many here want one! Now let's get to talking about a GTR or Corvette ZR-1...I want one of those (who am I kidding I still want a Z06)!

 

not sell like go out and buy one or your an idiot... I am just trying to help people appreciate a great car at a similar price... I am so misunderstood...

 

Z and RX-8 are cross-shoped closely. It is fair to say that those who liked the Z would not be on this forum and vice versa. Those who bought the 8 despite the Z's rated hp chose so knowingly due to the 8's positives over the Z.
I was a fan of the Z until come time to drive it. If the 370z is indeed lighter (not just by 10-20lbs) and more power, then it will be a step up.

 

I was joking with you. I understand what you are getting at. I don't think most people here thinks it's a bad car...it just doesn't fit what a lot of people here are looking for for one reason or another. I think most of us know it has the performance edge over the 8 and with a slightly retuned suspension and higher output than before it's a no-brainer that it will be better in the twisties where it used to be more of a wash in the past. I for one like the direction performance cars are going at this time (hopefully the gas crunch doesn't stop it). The Z, the 8, (even though some people don't like it) the Evo, Corvette, GTR, 335i/135i (of course it's in the turboed inline 6) and a few other cars out there have my interest in the direction they are taking and the developments around their platform. It's a great time for performance cars and the Z is part of that.

edit...At least on the first sentence I was joking with you. I do believe you were trying to raise the desireability factor of the Z.

 

im going to buy a new car within the month and i was trying to decide between a Z and a RX-8 and i chose the 8 for one because i love the the way they look the whole car is styled very nicely, love the smoothness and uniqueness of the rotary engine. Ive been a rotary fan since i was 16 and have still loved them thru bad times and good. i currently own a 88 rx7 vert and a 87 TII with 405 RWHP. they may not have as much power but they drive WAY nicer then a Z. also after having 2 seaters all my life its very nice having a rear seat. these where my deciding factors.

 

Wow, interesting thread brought back to life. I

The Z is cross shopped, but it's just so different in the way it feels and drives. It's very muscular, more powerful, but less nimble. Obviously the Z appeals more to a mass, as it sells so much more then an RX8, but people love torque, and easy to go fast in cars, and the Z really shines in that. It's just a gas and go car and if you get the auto, it's brainless to go fast in. Naturally, RX8 owners on this forum would have gotten the Z if power was the main goal, so I can understand why people won't think highly of it. It's generally in the same price bracket.

I never liked the feel of it nearly as much as an RX8 or S2000, but that's really personal preference. I can't criticize the Z, because it's faster then both my former RX8 and my current S2000. It really is a great alternative for those wanting a sports car with muscle to it.

We'll see what the 370z brings to the table, but if they can lighten it up, and still produce all that power, it's gonna be quite a machine.

 

This is an argument that will go on and on and on......... z is faster and much faster then the 8 with the latest models but less nimble, over the years Nissan has put more horse power in the 8 which make it less comparable to the 8 which is a much slower car but lighter and tossable. If Mazda had kept everything in the 8 but increased the power then it would be different. A Turbo Rx8 Heh Heh a different story. The 8 is a blast to drive in twisties but lets face it how many twisties does everyone drive every day..... In short both are good cars but not comparable. btw Viking have you done any turbo upgrades in your mazdaspeed 6?

 

How many people drive 150mph on the freeway everyday, our cars can do it, but is it worth going to jail for,or even killing yourself or somebody else? If thats the case, why have the cars we do, we all should be driving yaris and fits.

Not comparable? Hardly, it not like were talking about about a elise against a RX-8, were talking about a 350Z vs a RX-8. Hate to say this, but the 350Z is not that much faster than a 8, ran plenty of 350Z against my 8, bad drivers and good drivers and the out come most of the time has been a dead even heat, or my Rx-8 nipping on the heels of a 350Z. Standing starts, or high way runs.... the 350Z doesn't make me want sale my 8 anytime soon for one. The 350Z wouldn't be a upgrade, more like a even swap , giving up and getting more from both cars. 370Z....i'll pass.

Its fangled tooth jelly bean look is to weird for me.

 

You're right. Both Nissan and Mazda of course got out of turbo'ing their Z and RX models, and back in the day they both had base N/A models, and turbo models, and they both left the US market around the same time, and then both re-entered it close to the same time, so the rivalry will always exist due to history. Of course the Z doesn't need FI to be fast, and the RX does, so naturally it got blown out of the water in straight line, and will continue to do so, much like the heavier 350Z can't match the lighter weight and nimbleness of the RX8.

As for my Mazdaspeed 6, no, it's my typical daily driver type car I keep for 3 years max, then trade in. I would never put money into modifying a heavy luxury car anyway, and never bought it as an enthusiast. I wanted a nice daily driver for work to replace the raw and unfriendly 04 STI, and they were selling them for so cheap, and the market used was so high for my STI, it was a no brainer to get it. I will get rid of it before the warranty wears off, and get a more long term reliable daily driver.

I really wanna get a supercharger kit for the S2K, but it's so expensive, I'm holding off. All in due time.

 

good points and i agree with most of it... all i am saying is the 07/08 Z walks away from the 03-06 Z with ease and outperforms it in the twisties thus if the Z and the 8 were once neck and neck that gap has been widened. Believe me when I tell you 03-06 owners are very jealous right now due to all ofthe improvements nissan made, as most 07/08 owners will be disappointed when the lighter more powerful 370z come out.

 

I hear you Viking sorry I don't know much about the Mazdaspeed 6 I just thought it was the turbo version which I heard some people were swapping big turbos as for the SK2 I hear they are a blast with a FI good luck with as for Dailydriver... you don't get it no one is talking about driving 150 or even 110 mph bottom line is which is what so many RX8 owners come to learn once they have had their car for a while in a straight line many cars including the Z (which I am not even a huge fan of) will blow away the 8 from 0-60. 30-60 50-80 any day of the week becaue the 8 is underpowered NA, and by the way I have had my 8 since 04 and no we all don't buy the 8 to race but I hate when people get on here and make excuses for mazda putting out a car that should have come with a turbo.

 

the 09 rx8 will wtf pwn the new 350Zs still, its sad but hey :D

 

Well I am not one of those people who wish mazda would have slapped on any FI for the 8. The 8 is fine as is. Had turbo cars in the past, appreciated what they did, just like the 8, its no highway cruise missle,like some of my built turbo cars, but it is by far any meens a slouch. And a 350Z blows away a 8 in acceleration, i think your exaggerating on that one. The Z has torque yes, being in the right gear in the 8 helps and having a high rev take off from off the line helps. Trust me , a well driven RX-8 against a well driven 350Z , the Z will edge out slightly, but blow away the 8, i think not.

 

I could imagine, The new Nissan has a nack for upgrading and refining there vehicles every 2-3 years , example my 02 Maxima vs the 00-01 Maxima. New 3.5VQ vs the 3.0VQ, 255HP vs the 222Hp, HID vs halogen, better sport suspension vs the older sport suspension, 17" wheels vs 16" wheels. I can go on and on, but yes the 3.0 Maxima owners were pretty pissed off, when 2 years later a more faster and well equipped Maxima came out. I bet after 2-3 years after the 370 Z is out it will get a bump in Hp, gain some of its weight back, get more refined ,get a refreshed nose and tail , and will **** the current 370 customers off to no end!

Thats the new Nissan for you.

 

Yea, if you buy Nissan cars, expect to be pissed sooner or later

they **** their customers off like crazy

 

Wow... so it's true then. I thought the early photos were a joke. Looks like the maxima's headlight's here to stay.