new z's dont have tire feathering problem any more, the suspension geometry is supposedly improved after 04, also the tread design on the factory tires have also undergone changes

the only things i've heard of s2000s ever was number 4 cylinders failing under high G-loads due to oil starvation, but that was like the very first years they ever came out.

S2000 has its fair share of problems such as transmission 1st, 2nd gear (resolved later), then there's this thing with insufficient oil pressure which leads to engine failure. An engine rebuild or some replacement screws to fix the problem but these are all minor cases.
All three cars have some minor problems but in terms of reliability, all three aren't far from each other.

There's an old, but still interesting, comparison of the RX-8, S2k, & 350Z Track Model over at Motor Trend. Yes, that's the order they ranked them in (based mostly on the superb handling of the light RX8), even though it's also the order in terms of increasing price as tested ($27,200 $33,840 $34,890). Of course, the RX-8 is an even better bargain now. Keep in mind that MotorTrend was comparing the 350z Track Model (lightweight forged-aluminum wheels, larger-diameter Brembo brakes, limited-slip differential, and sport-tuned "harsh" suspension) with a first year stock RX-8. With 4 seats, the stock RX-8 is a great compromise sports car for Dads (or Moms), but it's nice to know that it also compares well to 2 seaters.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ree/index.html

the crossfire beats all 3 of them

gross

It's funny how rarely the Crossfire even gets mentioned around here...

Or even the Audi TT

That's because it's a pile of crap. It's more expensive, slower, has worse handling, and feels less detached than an 8. The only version with some kick is the SRT version which costs $45k. It's more like a crappy rendition of a Mercedes coupe than a sports car.

Agreed!

Oh, and Saturn is a blasphemer!



CROSSFIRE!

Chiming in late as usual. Haven't driven a 350Z, but I'm sure all I have read on various forums I would agree with. It's definitely in my top 5 cars I could afford that I'd own. Being that I sold my RX8 to buy an S2K (convertible fun car factor) I still have to honestly say MO, I give the RX8 the nod on looks by a bit, although the looks of the latest S2000 looks nicer then my 01 IMO. The tamer look on my S2K has grown on me though. It's a very classy looking car, even if it doesn't drive classy. Although subjective, I feel more comfortable with the S2K long term in reliability. I had just as much fun driving the RX8 as I do my S2K, but the rawness of the S2K makes it a perfect fun car for me. It feels like it has considerably better handling then the RX8, but a lot of that can be the small size almost go cart feel. I have a blast driving cars like the RX8 and S2K, much like I do my STI, but for an entirely different reason. The S2K has two personalities, and I love how I feel like I own two different types of cars, depending on how I feel like driving. There's something about the mellow feel of the S2K in lower rpms, like it's a civic, yet this complete personality transformation that takes place in the higher rpms. The RX8 builds, but the feel is so much smoother, and the personality change is not as noticable. RX8 ay 9krpms feels like it's loving every minute of it, the S2K at 8900 feels and sounds like it's gonna blow up. I have to plan to rev the S2K up because you hear and feel the engine, but the RX8 could fool me all day when I'm revving it. If there was an RX8 convertible, I'd be in a serious dilemma over the S2K and RX8. Overall, you are looking at three fine automobiles.

A friend of mine owns a 350Z and he put $8k in the car and its producing 600HP and that is the fastest car I have ever driven and I wish I would have bought the 350Z track because its just what I wanted beacuse the Rx-8 is not fast enough in a straight line. It barely beats an accord coupe v6 in straight line. If u really like the looks than Rx-8 is the car but performance on a 350Z is way better.by the way mileage on the Rx-8 is like 15 top which is real disadvantage

For $43k (350Z Track + $8k upgrades) you can make an 8 do some pretty interesting things. Since you can get a new 8 for ~$25k that's $18k (give or take a few thousand) for mods. Guys in Puerto Rico put on a turbo and 3-rotor swap on their 8 for under that price and are running 900+ rwhp.

You can make any car fast if you're willing to throw down tons o' money. Let's try and compare apples to apples here.

I think you're overstating the difference between a stock Z and a 8 (and I actually defend the Z here all the time).

The Z is slightly quicker to 60 than the 8, and about 5mph faster in the 1/4 mile.

Of course, any car with 600 horsepower is going to embarass an 8 or stock 350Z.

Is your point that the 8 is not easy to mod? I'd have to agree with you there.

my point here is that the sticker on my 8 was 31k and it was Gt package and I m not saying that i dont like the car but I would say that 350Z could have been a better buy in this case because u cant really modify the 8. Also thre top end power on the 8 is a big disadvantage because after 120 mph the car doesnot have the energy to go up. I have taken it to 135 but thats what it does I guess......

Maybe you should sell it and buy a Ferrari so you can go 200 and stop complaining ?

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!

Bah, just carry smarter passengers and you'll be fine. I trained a 7-year-old to manage the rear-door business. I never compared the RX-8 to an Impala or a Subaru Wagon, I compared it to the 2005 Mustang (Winning Blue, of course) which we test-drove and almost bought. Having no rear doors and a really cumbersome climb into the rear seat proved to be a deal-breaker.

The 8 is harder to get big power gains from regular bolt-on parts, but FI seems to do the trick if tuned properly.

The 350Z and 8 give you very different things. While they tend to be two cars that are compared a lot (by myself for one), they're different in terms of practicality, price, power, handling comfort, interior quality, etc. If YOU didn't research the two adequately before buying why do you expect to have everything work out?

I'm definitely in the camp of the-350Z-sure-is-fast-and-I-wish-the-8-had-more-power, but I'm not going to accidentally buy a car I don't like and then only realize it when my friend who's dropped $40k+ comes over and pwns me.

I got owned by a drag modded Civic CRX - man, I totally bought the wrong car. :hahano:

The 8 is the only sports car i know with true rear seats. That was a major factor for me. The fact that the inside is top notch, it's sexy from the outside and handles like a go kart was all extra perks of my purchase :)

First of all whoever told you $8K for 600 hp is lying to you, or will blow his engine very soon. Unless yhe is his own mechanic you can not even get all the parts necessary to get to 600 hp for $8K. The turbo kit, the rods, pistons, engine sleeves, etc. By the time all is said & done you are looking at $10K+. Stock 350Z are good for about 375-400 whp, after that they turn into grenades. If the only way you judge cars is modifiability then why even waste your time 350Z ? Why not just get a Mustang. Even more modifiable, and a better starting platform for high hp car.

Me and two people I know took our cars to the race track.
Me(Rx-8 stock of course)
One friend had Infiniti g35 stock
Another one had Infiniti G35 modded (with close to 700HP in it, sounded like a jet plane going off everytime it passed us) all nism'ed out

Anyways we were t the ESPN Racing Driving school and we had one hell of a time. There were Porches old and new, old ferraris, new vette's and vipers.

The instructors would drive a test practice lap (being the novice I had class time) to get us familiar with the road and we took our turns.

Suffice to say all the drivers wanted to take turns driving my RX8. They loved how it handled on the cornering and turns. We were taking hard S's and corneres going extremely fast. I didn't think the 8 could handle it. I would beat all the cars on cornering and pass them, but when it came to straight aways, i had to let the viper and ferraris pass.

I wish there was more pick up, but I am happy with handling and cornering. At least I can credit the 8 on that.

Just remeber, Honda 3/36 warranty and NO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE!!!!!!

if you're so dissapointed then trade your 8 in for the car you're drooling about!... and quit your bitching.

You may have seen these before, but here a couple of evaluations by a couple of crazy British blokes, for what it's worth.

350Z - http://www.persianrap.com/video/Top%...o%20147Gta.wmv

RX-8 - http://www.car2max.com/video/Top%20G...azda%20RX8.wmv

I agree! :ylsuper: :ylsuper: :ylsuper: