Did anybody else think that that "much faster" car didn't really feel faster? Maybe it was the fact I drove the 350Z right after I drove the Evolution, but when people knock the RX-8 for being slow (which it kinda is), I don't think the 350Z feels much faster at all.

 

I thought it was......the torque pull is unmistakable.

 

I'm wondering if anybody else thought that the 350Z interior was butt-ugly? Looks to me like somebody took inspiration from their four-year-old's Mr. Potato Head. Everything looks like they simply drilled a hole and bolted on whatever piece looks good, rather than coming up with a unified scheme...

 

I didn't find the 350z any faster than the RX8, both "feel" slow IMO.

 

I almost bought a 350Z ... after driving it. I was not too impressed ... more disappointed than anything.

Seen Nissan's Recall yet?

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=13613

 

didn't like the interior, and the more I think about it I don't like the exterior, at least not as much as the 8, but much better than the Evo, the torque feel was more powerful, but I didn't like the way the Z handled.

 

the 8 seems even slower than it really is because of that lack of torque but when you look at the speedometer its going faster than you really think. not as fast as a Z maybe but then again it's all relative a Z will get smoked by a vette and so on.

 

I never drove the z
I think it looks sharp but I dont like the high doors and door handles

of course I think the 8 looks better

 

i think the Z is great looking but only 2 seats ruled it out for me.

 

I test drove the Z twice and the G35 twice. Yes it feels a little faster, but as evereyone else seems to think, the interior is terrible, as are most Nissans.

In my opinion, the 8 is more fun and exciting to drive. Lets not forget, the 8 will pretty much always out-brake the Z. 60-0 in 111 feet is freakin awesome.

 

I agree with most of you.


I test drove the Z in automatic and manual. The Z is definitely going a little faster but the 274 lb-ft torque doesn't really kick you in the back, and I found that surprising. So I guess both cars are going faster than they "feel," with the Z going a little faster than the 8.


Also, the Z's cornering limits are easier to reach. I went fast and sharp into a right turn and the front tires skipped a little. To give the Z credit, you can feel when it's reaching the limit, but its limit is definitely below the 8's, what with the Z's much heavier front end.


Finally, the Z's interior is definitely built to fall apart....and fast. I've seen many used and demo Z's on dealership lots. Just about every single one of them is falling apart on the inside. The black rubber like material on the doors were worn and faded, if you can believe that. And that nasty swiging compartment door on the center console tends to break (that's why they modified it on the 2004 Z).


My 8 is simply a better car with better technology. I almost bought the Z too, but now I'm more and more convinced that I made the right decision.

 

Today I closed a deal on my new base package Winning Blue Rx8, tomorrow I pick it up. But, it was a long hard fight for me between going RX8 and buying a 350Z. In the end, the 350Z was just too much of a pig for me (too heavy!). It has a lovely engine and lots of great grunt but like the old cliche, you can teach a pig to dance but in the end you're still dancing with a pig. Well, I think you could make it handle, strip out a good 300 pounds and you would have something, but the RX8 has the reflexes and a light-on-its-feet feeling that a 350Z will never have and in the end it was that balance and poise that sold me over the lovely torque of the 350z's engine.

The 350Z initially impressed me MORE because my initial test drive was straight line, down straight streets and relatively straight freeway sections. But last month friends at Mazda loaned an Rx8 press car to me for a week and after 1000 miles of back country thrashing I was hooked. I went back and drove another 350Z and took the poor salesman to a local curving section of road that I had driven the RX8 through the day before and the contrast was night and day...at the edge of adhesion in hard back-and-forth transitions over undulating pavement the 350Z was all thumbs where the RX8 had been sharp and precise.

In sum, for pure street drivers I think the 350Z is a hot ticket...inexpensive torquey straight line BIG fun. For track and autocross use I will take the Rx8 for its far more precise handling.

 

congrats and welcome

 

I test drove the 350 twice. I wasnt REALLY considering it since it was out of my price range, but wanted to make sure I wasnt mising anything and maybe just waiting another 6 months and saving up. I hated the interior as much as the Mazda6. At least the 6 is a cheaper car, but I really thought the 350 could have had a better interior than that.

I enjoyed the 350's feel with straight line running, but really felt as if the car was fighting me in thr sharper turns. I also didnt find a very comfy driving position. It's just too low for my taste and the doors make it even harder for me to get in and out. I did enjoy the car but the stuff that bothered me as well as the price make it a no in my book.

Of course I know some guys who have done a lot of work to their cars and they are looking pretty nice, but the low ride and overall steering still leave me put off. Just aint the car for me.

Now the 8, on the other hand....

 

I test drove the Z and was relatively uimpressed. As others have said, the car felt heavy. I think its a good car, but not incredibly exciting.

I wrote a more thorough review last May.