To compete, It seems Mazda will have to bump out more than 291.xx horsepower that they would get if they didn't improve the horsepower per litre ratio.

just put 4k in your rx8 and you will beat the 370,

The RX8 is an RX8. A Touring car with exceptional handling. A modern day Porsche 928 for half the cost and ten times the reliability.

The Z has it's own credentials. I would bet I'm not alone among those who considered one before the RX8.

It was the 928 feel I liked coupled with the fact that my 16 year old daughter can ride with the wife & I to dinner.

Had I been inclined more to the 350Z I would have passed it over for a low mileage C4 Corvette. The Corvette handles better, accelerates faster, brakes better, retains value better, more reliable, lower cost of service parts, better Hwy fuel mileage and at the time there were plenty around in pristeen condition under 15,000 miles for under $20,000.

The 370Z brings the Z a little closer to a C4 Corvette only 15 years later. :lol2:

BTW a C4 or C6 will probably be my next fun driver after the RX8 is worn down.

It will be interesting to see if the 370z engine continues the roughness reported by G37 coupe owners and this month's Automobile, which says that the roughness of the G37 coupe engine is unacceptable.

The Road & Track article this month on the 370z is not a full report.

One thing I've noticed Nissan's have always been criticized for is their lack of refinement - engine or otherwise.

Give Nissan's R&D budget along with cash reserves to Mazda and see what happens.

Nissan's R&D 2007 budget was 4.7x more than Mazda's.

http://iri.jrc.ec.europa.eu/research...07/sb_2007.pdf
Look at page 46 and 47.

Those are impressive numbers to say the least. On a good day you could rip a 4.7 0-60, on a bad day you could rip a 5.1 0-60 mph run. These are the numbers the 350Z should of been putting out, instead of basically matching the numbers of the previous Z car before it.

The mid 4's is very impressive without forced induction, its putting out C5 vette numbers , not to shabby for a car that cost 30k. Nissan was aiming to steal some thunder from the Porsche Cayman S, I think they did it this time around until Porsche pushes the envelope further with there S Cayman.

As much as I like the 370Z, I am still looking forward to see what Mazda's next
RX-? sports car is going to offer.

Well like I said in another thread, Mazda has been given 200 lbs worth of breathing space.

Early reports indicated the new 370z would be only 3050 lbs (presumaby in base form) but now we all know it actually weighs 3250 (base) and 3350 (fully loaded).

January 2009 Road & Track reports estimated 3175 lbs in their initial report. Obviously, they didn't actually weigh it, because it was not a full report.

it seems like everyone is fine with mazda backing off the Z vs RX rivalry...if the next RX is anything remotely close to the 8 im sad to say this will ultimately be the last rotary for me. They are fun and all, but for the price I would prefer something just as practical, and plenty more fast.

the next 8 will still be a rival to the Z.. I dont really think there's a huge doubt about that. It might be slower, but it will still be a competitor. It should easily make more power and be significantly lighter, especially if they decide to go with a 2 seater. I wouldnt quite say we're out of the running... just have to wait to see what mazda comes out with.

And what am I spending $4k on, without skimping, that will make my 8 faster?

Is there a disadvantage to making the car as small as the previous FD besides the safety nonsense? Would really love to see the RX back to its best form :)

That safety nonsense, as you call it, is probably one of the main reasons.

I like being safer, however.

the road and track numbers were slower because the car was being tested at an elevation of 1500 ft. they predicted that the car would be .5 sec quicker in the quarter near sea level. That pretty much confirms what motortrend posted.

The Z is a fast car, with very good handling. The problem I have with the Z car is drivability. Having a high performance ride with stiff suspension and a 100db exhaust note is fun for about an hour, then it gets uncomfortable. Maybe it's my age.... I like speed, don't get me wrong, I ride a hyperbike afterall. I just think that a car should be should be comfortable, fairly quiet and not tiring to drive. An exotic supercar with 0-60 times in the three second area is the exception ; )

wow....come on Mazda.

Mazda won't let us down, I have a feeling. I have a feeling this will be the best rotary yet. I sense it will have a great looking interior and the exterior will be a combination of a lot of sharp, creased edges and curves. Edgy like the Cadillac CTS but curvier, like no previous production car except maybe the Saturn Sky.

Not only low expected drivability but definitely also low drinkability.

LOL....I think the 16x will have a little better numbers but I don't think it will be able to top the z still. We need the Twin Turbo Hydrogen 16x :)

+1

Stock 350Z beats the stock RX-8 at the track, thats a fact, not opinion. And dont gimme that "depends on the track" BS because the Z will win, the margin of the beating will be diff depending on the track, but it will still edge out the 8. Point being is the 370Z's #'s alone show it will handily beat the 350Z in any race application, hence murdering a stock RX-8, R3 included (and rightly so, look at those #'s!!).

Im really liking the new Z. Also will never own one, but i like it. Got that old 240Z look to the rear and then all the other obvious reasons. I doubt even the next RX 16X equipped car will beat the new Z's #'s....but it will be ohhhh so silky smooth and beautifull like all the rotaries.

i admit the phenomenal performance of the new z, but it's one of those cars whose looks make me really want to puke my guts out. it's general shape isn't bad, but the details are nasty. now i know that's easily remedied and it's judging the book by its cover, but hey, i respect its performance but in no way will i ever own one. i do hope, tho, that it ups the ante for everyone else and will push mazda to bring out a competitive successor in the next rx

I'm trying to talk my friend into buying one. He wants an RX-8 but I see enough of them as it is.

Honestly I just want to borrow it at the track and run the hell out of it. It would also be nice to talk him into mods to make track work more enjoyable.


I can appreciate muscle just as much as finesse.

RX8, 928. Are you serious? Listen, i've driven 928's, i've driven an RX8. Night and day.

What happens when the 370z owner puts 4k into his car?

The power numbers are nice, but I really don't like the exterior. I'll take the 350's styling any day.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

new Z: 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.1 at 108 mph