Hi, I am asking this on behalf of my cousin. He is looking at these two cars and can't seem to figure out which one he likes. He does not need the space. He likes the Rotary engine, but like the power of the G35. Maintenance wise, I don't think the RX-8 will be an issue for him.

G35 Sport - $35k, faster, more space, more comfortable and quieter

RX-8 - $32k, better shifter, better steering feel, better brakes, but slower

I am not sure which car handles better, I think they are about the same.

Anyone here have tried both cars?

 

I own one of each.. The RX8 by far handles better.. They each have their ups & downs.. Hard to choose either or, for me atleast..

 

$17,000 for a 2005 low mileage, mint RX8. End of story.

 

Thanks. I think I should tell him to rent one of each for a day and see what it is like. Any rental companies that rents out RX-8?

Buying use is a good idea...depreciation have been pretty high on the RX-8.

I remembered back in 2005...a dealer in IL area or somewhere in the mid-west was offering $8000 off on a new GT. Do those type of deals still exist?

 

If he can't decide, the G35 is for your cousin. Apart from having 4 seats, both cars are designed with very different goal. One is a entry level luxo sedan and a 'Sport' badge and the other is an entry level luxo sports car with so-called rear doors.

 

Why do these threads even get made... Tell him to go test drive both and then make up his mind. If he's still confused then he needs to decide if power and space or handling is the priority.

 

so you can increase your post count of course !

 

I had a G35 and traded it in for an RX-8. The RX-8 is 10x more fun to drive, handles much better and feels more like a sportscar. The G35 has more luxury features (if you're into those) and more space.

 

If space is an issue, I rather get an FX35 presuming you like the VQ engine and want to remain in the Infiniti camp of course.

 

Research the cars and make your decision.

 

Not a good idea. Rental Cars= Automatic. Automatics don't capture the spirit of the RX8 well. The RX8 is a completely engaging vehicle, every time you are behind the steering wheel. There is not a car anywhere near the price point that is more fun to drive. Yesx there are plenty that are faster, but the driver-car-road interaction is far worse.
Test Drive them Both... Any Dealer will let you take a long enough TD to appreciate the car. Insist on going on Highway, backroads, uneven pavement....

The RF8's depreciation makes it a great used car purchase. The G35's residual and factory lease programs make it a very affordable new car.
Me personally, that is the decision I would be making. Pay a bit more(monthly) for a brand new G35 lease to have a nice fun sedan drive, versus, a cheaper payment on a purchasing one of the most fun cars out there, that in itself is a pretty nice, fairly well rounded car.

 

I wouldnt say Rx-8 is slower than a G35

 

Ok, but it is...

 

Then its driver error.

 

Faster and fun to drive dont necessarily go hand in hand. My buddy's jacked up 01 Mustang GT is sure faster than my 8. But is it more fun to drive? Not even close. Your buddy needs to decide if he actually needs the "faster" car for a reason or if his ego just can't handle knowing that if he tried to drag race a lot of other cars out there he'd lose.

 

thats why love this site....

 

u can definately find an rx-8 for cheaper then that to. i got a brand new 07 for 23,400.

yes it was only the sport model, but you can still get them much cheper then 32. There was a GT at the dealership that was 26,800 i believe it was

 

Does he actually like driving? Then rx-8 else g35.

 

Stock '04 G35 didn't handle very well. I was very disappointed with it. Unless you need the rear seats, 350Z is much more fun.

 

+1 post!!!!!

 

<BEEP!> Wrong! Try again. G35 stops slower, turns slower, reacts slower. Only thing it might have is straight-line and that's really down to the driver. Then again, so is a Camry Sport, Lincoln Continental, F150 Lightning, Altima 3.5, Volvo something....

 

if he's a racer (and i mean on the track, and i don't mean a drag strip) then he should get the rx8.

if not, the g35 is for him.

rotaries are for enthusiasts only

 

Can't you say stopping power, turning and reaction speed are down to the driver too?

c'mon, the rx-8 is a great car, but the g35 has more horsepower and torque. and, yes definitely a better 0-60 time (unless you're gonna count on driver error, but in that case i can turn faster in a prius than a really crappy slow driver does in a ferarri).

let's not talk track cuz that's harder to get an objective comparison.

for the original poster, see what's important to him out of these categories:

gas mileage, luxury, comfort, handling, connectedness, uniqueness, power, sporty look, dealer treatment, resale value, reliability, price, less maintenance.

for each one of these, give a point to the g35: gas mileage, luxury, comfort, power, dealer treatment, resale value, less maintenance.

for each one of these give a point for the rx8: price, handling, connectedness, uniqueness, sporty look.

Which ever one has a higher score for him, he should get (provided he's still undecided after the test drives).

 

I would rather get the RX-8. How many roads are completely straight from Point A to Point B?

 

I live in Nebraska, so a lot of roads are "straight".