RX8 or G35 help :\
 

Hello everyone this is my first post but I have been reading these boards for about two months now religiously. I realise you all love your 8's but I hope you can help me with my situation from an objective stand point. I am nineteen years old and have been out on my own since I was eighteen. I have worked and horded what money I could since sixteen. Been driving a Saturn SC2 but it sucks and I'm ready to move up. I absolutely love the RX8. A friend of mine drives one and he has been awsome enough to let me take it out about three times now. I LOVE IT but I need a car to get to work and college five days a week. Minimum of about 45 miles a day on the car. Over the past two weeks I was sure there would be a new 8 parked in my driveway within the month but now I'm having doubts. From reading these boards the 8 might be too much of a headache with my already incredibly busy schedule. With all the maintenace required, constant fill-ups due to the low gas mileage, etc. The G35 has been a low second choice since I started looking but it's edging its way up. I am just unsure...and could use some help. If you guys were in my position and money was not a concern (have enough saved to pay 50% down on whatever I buy will finance the rest no problem, qualify for s-plan and vpp through Infinity). Wich ever I go for would be fully loaded so the price isn't far off of each other.Which would you go for? Would you stick with the 8? Appreciate any insight you guys can give me on the subject.

-Kit

P.S. I know it makes some of you guys sick to see a 19 year old buying a car like this but I'd rather eat ramen 7 days a week and drive a nice car than spend my money responsibly :D

I love the G35 COUPE

If you're planning on getting an 05 then most of those technical issues shouldn't be a concern. The constant fill-ups is a bit overblown. My car before the 8 was an Acura Integra and I was getting great mileage. The 8 is of course worse than that 4 cylinder but remember this is a sports car and buying some gas is expected. But ~20mpg isn't too bad in my book.

As far as driving the car every day, my car is a daily driver. It goes where I go every day. It's great stuff and will satisfy your wants completely -- given you aren't all about straightline performance and know how to work the gearbox.

Btw, I bought the car when I was 18. And yeah, some older guys on here get a little ticked off by that, but as long as you are mature about everything than they won't hate. :rolleyes: I just like to always remember this is a car all about class and finesse, not about raw horsepower living life a quarter mile at a time. I am completely positive that you will be extremely satisfied with the 8. Go for it.

p.s. If you end up getting the G35 however, I'm sure you'll be just as happy as both are great cars.

From an objective point of view, this is a difficult choice. The G35 is a sweet car, and so is the RX8. No one can really make decision for you, but you really have to check out both in detail, and you'll know what you prefer more. My suggestion is to look at other cars as well, to make sure you have narrowed it down to these two. If you want that kick in pants feeling, then the G35 is the way to go. The RX8 is more of a drivers car IMO, but it does lack in the power department. If you want that instant power, then the RX8 is not the right choice. Personally, I feel both cars are a bad choice, since you are commuting a lot, and will be loading miles on whichever car you choose. They will both cost you in the long run to drive and maintain as a daily driver that you put lots of mile son. Both are gas guzzlers, but of course the G35 is considerably more powerful, and the RX8 is considerably more nimble. I have a feeling you will be happy with either car, but get ready for lots of maintanence and gas either way. Is there any other car you have looked at? The biggest mistake you can make is to buy an RX8, only to find you want more power. You'll lose out badly on resale, because depreciation on RX8 is pretty high. However, you can make most of that back due to the great deals offered on the RX8.
It's hard for me to imagine someone not loving the RX8, except for power hungry people, who put performance first. I think you will love the car, and as far as headaches, that risk is there in either of these cars. If lack of torque and less hp doesn't bother you, then I'd say go for RX8. If you want that power just by stepping on gas pedal, then go for the G35. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck!!

Go drive both cars and see what you think then.

But ultimately IMHO ... I could get into a big comparison of the two but I really dont think I need to. If you are concerned about the maintenance of the RX8 being a potential hassle to you, It probably will be a hassle to you indeed if you were to get it...If your gut is trying to tell you something its probably right.. and who needs to pay 30 odd Gs for hassle?

I'd be inclined to tell you to just go get the G35 as it seems like a safer purchase for you. Both are fantastic cars but the G is a little better on gas and more hands off which seems to be a biggie for you.

I check those same two cars before getting the RX8 (so you know which one won me over). You did not mention, but if you get an automatic, go with G35c. However, if you get the manual, get the RX8. That power difference does not reflect in any way on daily driving. Just yesterday my buddie's stock MT RX-8 hold to an G35c with mods on highway (but you need to know how to really work those gears to stay at peak power). The power and weight differences, plus gear ratios, tend to cancel each other. What does still make a difference is handling. The RX-8 is better. It is also more nimble, easier to drive, quieter (you'll commute a lot, it will matter), ride is smoother and has more room inside (fits 4 adults nicely, the G35c is tight in the back). Insurance will be less for RX-8 too (4 door). You will need a little more gas though. Tires cannot be rotated on G35c front to rear due to size diff. Both come with summer tires, so you might want to change those according to your local seasons. I assume you like the looks and finishes of both cars, so no comment there. But you know that to other drivers and pedestrians, the RX8 looks more... exotic :)
Hope this helps - good luck and enjoy either car. They are both really nice....

PS due to a recent recall on RX-8, you might not be able to get one next month.... an extra point for G35c :)

check out your insurance rates on the two as well

There will definitely be a significant difference in insurance...

comparing a more expensive, more powerful, two door luxury car vs a cheaper, less powerful, smaller displacemnt engine car

This is interesting topic, my friend and i just graduated from college. I ended up getting a rx-8 and he got a loaded used g35c. Both manual, from what i can tell of course i like the rx-8 better its just different and i like different. When you guys talk about maintenance i dont understand??? putting a little oil in it once a month is a problem is that what you guys are refering 2?

Well, you might as well start by addressing the shortcoming you see with the RX-8.

Personally I don't consider the RX-8 as requiring any more maintenance than any other car. Maybe a tad bit more attentiveness, but nothing that requires much thought or effort. Most people aren't burning any more oil than a piston engine burns in the same amount of time.

Gas mileage -- well, it seems to depend on how lucky you are at getting a good one from the factory. All the flashes seem to have done enough to bring mileage up to decent numbers. Either way, the difference between the RX-8 and G35 is generally not that much. At least two publications have averaged almost exactly the same mileage between the two in their long-term tests, and I belive it's Edmunds that averaged even less with their G35.

As for pricing, make sure you get the accurate pricing on both. I get both S-Plan and VPP as well, and the difference between an RX-8 and G35 is quite a bit. A Loaded G35 (minus Nav) VPPs at $34,500 and has no rebates. A loaded RX-8 GT (minus nav) S-Plans at $30,200 -- that's a $4,000 difference. The RX-8 also has $1000 in rebates now ($2,000 if you lease) and that will likely go up next month to even more. You're talking about an Off-The-Lot difference in price of a good $6,000.

Figuring that you put $15,000 down (which I don't recommend doing but if that's what you want to do) and 4.9% financing, the payment on the G35 is $420/month. The payment on the RX-8 is $300/month.

As for the overall choice, definitely drive them both. But if you truly have your heart set on an RX-8 you are very likely to get buyer's remorse if you end up with something else unless you are very sure that the G35 is what you really want, not what you settled on for a small mileage increase.

Well, theres that and other antics of the Rotary engine one should be mindful of... Some people simply don't want to deal with it...... and others don't mind

You're not giving much to work with here. It depends on which is better for you. My final two choices were the G35 and RX-8. The G35 is a sporty luxury coupe and the 8 is more of a sports car IMO. I love both but only the 8 had the capabilites I needed to justify buying.

As far as higher maintenance goes, I really think this is overblown. I average 20 mpg (260-280 miles per tank), need to add a quart every 4,000 miles and have had zero problems so far. I'm pretty sure the G35 will get about the same gas average mileage.

So which one would I go for again? The 8 has been a great car and the more I drive it, the more I like it. So if I had no constraints and could pick either, I'd still probably go with the 8. It's a great car.

Oh yeah the flooding issue.... oh its just sucks so bad have to take the car for a quick lap around the block and makes me :) every time.

from my experience in an auto 2005 G35, it feels MUCH less sportier than the rx8. The interior seems heavily leaned towards luxury, unlike the rx8's interior which is tight, compact, and makes you feel like your actually in a sports car.

Turning in the G35 IMO requires much more effort than the rx8. I find it hard to adjust to the g35's heavy steering wheel.

I would pick the RX8 over the G35, simply because of its looks, how it handles/feels, and because of it's engine. I've had my 2005 for some time now (+6 months) with no problems whatsoever.

Both cars are great. I think the rx8 is more practical with the 4 doors and more room in the backseats, plus its cheaper (I dunno how much you are willing to spend but the 8 can be had for much less). As far as performance goes both again are great. The g35 is a bit faster, the 8 handles a bit better. If you want a torque monster its hard to beat the g35, if you want a car that can take the curves in a glide go with the 8. Honestly I dont think you can go wrong either way though.

those were my two choices as well, i just got my 8 a month ago and love it. the G35 is definitly just as nice of a car but there is just way to many of them on the road. you cant even spit your gum out the window without it bouncing off the hood of a G35 befor it hits the ground. both great cars, just ones not as comon as the other and that tiped the scale for me, but hay....thats just me. i have no doubt you`ll be happy with either one you pick

whats the flooding issue, ove only had my 8 a mounth,is there something i should look out for?

From continued reading on the two cars I have calmed down a bit about the decision. I'm going to go drive the cars one after the other this week and hopefully it will help me decide. Its just the thought of dropping 30k+ on a car and finding out I didnt get what I wanted after six months has been freakin me out a little lately. It's pretty much a one shot deal because whatever I get I'll be stuck with for the next five years minimum. Appreciate all your input on this and I guess it will just come down to what I decide. Leanin toward the 8 though :D

my brother has a g35 coupe and the gas milieage isnt exactly awesome either. most of the time he gets about 16.6 mpg (says on the navigation). im not sure what people get on the 8 tho

Lets not forget 9,000+ RPM! :eek::D

Basically a flooded engine = a dead engine. You can try some techniques to get your engine running again but sometimes it'll require a tow to the dealership and them fixing it (and replacing your spark plugs).

This CAN happen when you shut your engine off cold. The new flashes should've mostly eliminated the problem but you can still potentially have this happen to you. If your engine is warmed up (check your temp needle) then your engine will not flood, even if you turn it on and off again immediately.

Just avoid turning off your engine when it's still cold if possible. Or if you have to shut it off cold, it's recommended you rev the engine to 3K rpm and shut off the engine while doing so.

This and the extra oil use is the added maintenence that some people don't want to put up with. But before you freak out...

I learned how to drive stick on my RX-8. That means countless stalls while the engine was cold. I'm talking like at least 20 times where I stalled when the engine wasn't warmed up yet. I never had my car flood on me. I think I almost did once though, but it started up after a few more cranks (though it did get me worried since I stalled in the left turn lane and stalled long enough to miss that light).

As for the oil thing... unless you're pushing your car excessively hard, you should have to put in more oil every 1000-2000 miles. In fact I only added oil twice and I'm up to 9000 miles. I've also had 2 oil changes though and each time the dealership over filled the oil. :O

I used to get about 15mpg mostly city and like 16.5 mixed. But after adding a few gas saving techniques to my driving I get like 17-18 mixed (like 30% freeway). I get around 19mpg when I do more freeway (ie like 70%). I've never broken the 20mpg barrier but my last tank was 19.9mpg. :)

A buddy of mine has the G-35 and he was quite impressed with the 8, as I am with the 35. We both agreed that the 35 is a little heavier feeling and strangely that the interior feels a little cheaper. But the 35 has some serious strong points with it...in particular it has better torque. I personally like the 8 better because of the ease of the back seats and the rotor. It also feels very nimble, quick acceleration (not mind blowing but quick) yet even though it is lighter it still feels solid and safe. As far as 0-60, I think the 8 is a little faster according to some tests

I own both, and they are both great cars. The 8 is more fun to drive only because it feels more spirited on turns and corners. The G35 is definitely more powerful, brute force even. Both rides pretty well. If I had to say a negative thing about the G is that the interior is somewhat tacky... plasticy looking. The 8's negatives have already been mentioned. Both gas milage aren't that great, but the G does get slightly better.

At 19 years old, either car is a good deal.

that was my dliemma as well and I settled on the rx8. The g35 just didn't tip the scales inall the categoies like the rx8 did. the rx8 was a nearly perfect balance, was cheaper and had lower insurance costs. Plus it looks so sexy :)

To defend the 'sexiness' of the G35, it can look pretty dang sexy too. It'll just cost you more that's all. :)