Skunk

The more i think about this, the stupider it is. Parts sharing has been around forever, and it's NOT a bad thing, even in a sports car.

The C6 Corvette shares it's engine with half of GM's lineup. The Vette in general pretty much always has. It shares it's chassis too, with the XLR. The Lamborghini Gallardo shares it's engine with the Audi S6 and S8. It's chassis will be used in the R8. Hell even the Dodge Viper shares it's engine with the Ram pickup. The mkIV Supra shared it's engine with the IS300 and SC300. The 300zx with the J30. Hell even the Porsche Boxster shared much of it's front end mechanicals with the 996 911. It and the Caymen use engines derived from the 911's. Ferrari has been using basically the same V12 design in it's cars for the past 30+ years. Even the NSX's engine was a retuned version of the V-6 found in many Accords and Legends. Are none of these true sports cars because they aren't unique?

May I remind you that the FD RX-7 shared it's engine as well? Not to mention the earlier RX-7s?

By your definition there are almost no pure sports cars in existance. The real definition of whether a sports car is pure or not should come from it's driving experience. And the Z is no slouch. Indeed it's one of the most competitive sports cars on the market, especially for it's price.

playdoh43

well I wasnt going to type all this for a newb, but since you got into it.

couple you missed include, ferrari also shares engine and/or platform with the masserati quatroporte sedan as well as the MC12 (yes even the enzo shares engine and platform). corvette shares platform with CTS sedan too, lamborghini shares engine with bentley sedans, the lamborghini countach v12 also goes in the lamborghini LM002 SUV. audi tt platform is the same as the golf's. aston martin db7 shares engine with ford svt cobra and lightning truck as does the Jaguar XJR.

and yep, the Mazda savanna platform that the RX-3 sport coupe/sedan and wagon was on also underpined the rx7, and was shared by the Mazda Familia, a station wagon

but shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... they are not pure sports cars

Skunk

Yeah, i realized as I was typing I could keep going for days.

P.S. My join date is two months after yours, newb.

playdoh43

i was actually refering to rx26b, sorry for the confusion

Razz1

Sharing an engine is different than sharing a platform, chassis aka frame etc..

playdoh43

350z dosnt share chasis or frame with anything else and there was plenty of examples of platform sharing sited. not just engine

RX26b

Absolutely, driving experience and feel is first and foremost. You, and many others, are misinterpreting the statements. Cars, and sports cars can still be "pure" while sharing platforms/engines/transmissions/differentials; the problem becomes when that sharing becomes too widespread. You mentioned the Enzo/MC12- though I wouldn't really call what they ride on a "chassis" since it's more a carbon tub and 180 degrees different than a steel unit body of almost all other cars sold today.

When a certain platform is meant for a vast array of vehicles it then becomes watered down. Imagine if the XLR was built off the Yukon's platform instead of the Corvette's; it would lose 90% of its performance character, would it not? The upcoming Audi R8 shares its with the Gallardo, not an A4 nor an A6. When Lotus was developing the Elise/Exige did they say "let's cut major costs and base our little sports car off, oh, the Ford Escape. It'll have wonderful feel when climbing up gravel driveways in remote parts of the world."

Take a S2000 vs. a 350Z and tell me the Honda doesn't come out ahead in all performance parameters; all one has to do is take a leisurely ride around the block, navigate a few curves at moderate speed and they'll instantly know one is alot more pure than the other. In steering, feedback, and just overall the way it reacts to every input. Honda didn't inject those intangible qualities by designing their sports car off the CR-V's. No, they took a purer, less compromised route by making their performance car its own.

sosonic

Its just a sad reflection on Mazda, that Pro tuners like MazsportScott Turbo, PTP, Pettit, Hymee, Axial Flow by RP, etc... have to solve Mazda's issues. This SS9 should be a good year for Mazda. I agree with what was said, those guys will have finally solved 90% of the RX-8's problems. Something Mazda should have taken the lead on.

Nissan, at least, has taken the lead in giving its people an improved product. Problem though, for the 350z, is that it appeals to those that just primarily want to 2 seats and a mini-tank looking car that goes really fast. But it you can get past the 350z weaknesses, that extra power will be a thrill.

playdoh43

RENESIS_NEENJA

^^Nice find.

Renesis_8

Is that an offical picture from Nissan?
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playdoh43

nope, it is not. it looks kinda porsche/aston martinish though. id be pretty happy if it does look something like that

RX-XSIV

thats ugly. period. i dont care if the Z keeps gettin better and better.. the 8 is a nicer lookin car.. and performance wise..if u think about it..its really not that bad.. .. so what? the Z has about less than 1 second quarter mile time quicker than the 8.. its nothing spectacular..my friend has an 03 Z and i drove it..its nowehre near as fun as driving the 8..the 8 is in my opinion one of the most unique sports cars around.. performance and looks wise and its a head turner. and i may be speaking for some other people on this but a 350Z isnt that appealing anymore because everyone and their grandma has one.. as far as being practical.. the Z has 2 seats which is okay for people who dont have friends and they just drive around at night by themselves wondering why they are so lonely..its also a pain in the *** because wenever my friend wants to go out and its me him and someone else.. he cant drive anyone so we end up takin 2 cars instead of one .. hes selfish and basically forces to take his car.. so im stuck by myself driving when i really shouldnt have to.... the Z has virtually no trunk space which is okay for people who dont like to put things in their car they need .. rx8 got 4 seats..4 doors..and decent enough trunk space for me if i need to put a couple of overnight bags or a set of golf clubs or a beach chair or 2..and the interior is designed alot nicer in my opinion...maybe im a bit biased but hey.. can u blame someone for that? i admit performance wise in a striaght line the Z got the 8.. but then again the Z has a few other cars also.. but take it into the mountains on a winding road and the Z wouldnt put up too much of a fight..

CarAndDriver

Agree about the Porsche influence if thats any sort of accurate photo.

They could only improve the ride from what I read. I always read it rides like there's almost no suspension travel at all.

Looks formidable if they can improve the suspension and improve the style and fit/finish of that cheap interior.

EdvinRX8

Dude i got rid of my 8 for a 07 Z. The car dose a 0-60 in nearly flat 5 and a 1/4 in 13.4 stock. They boost to 600whp every day and run 10s. For the 8 i need the 3 rotor what not. Forget it. I loved my 8, but the Z is a better car when it comes to power. And i my self like the bulky look too. I was just sick and tired or trying to get 350whp and not blowing my motor. I hate and love the rotory engine, fun to drive but crap to tune. I know it harsh but so is life.

RENESIS_NEENJA

I definitely see alot of Porsche in that pic, but not sure if I like it more than the current Z, I think it will grow on me over time though... I'm not sure why everyone says the ride is so bad, it is a little stiffer than the 8, but I think it's grossly exaggerated... (I am young, so maybe it doesn't affect me as much as the older generation ;P) The interior was my biggest complaint and overall the deal breaker, but I heard they improved it greatly in the 06' models, I've yet to check them out however..... The new Z may be my next car..

playdoh43

06 you mean? 07 Z arnt out yet.
dont worry about people like that, they are just insecure, desperately trying to convince them selves that they made the right purchase. those are not auto enthusiasts, they are fanboys of whatever car they own at the moment.

secure rx8 owners dosnt need to bash the Z because they know they got the right car for them. they wouldnt bash another car just because it does something things better and respect the Z owners for getting the car that works best for them. everyone has their own priorities of what they are looking for in a car.

playdoh43

the suspension is actually quite a bit stiffer than the 8 IMO, its more of a hardcore performer meant for the track that kind of sucks on the regular roads. every little imperfection in the road that you run over makes you think you just broke your axel. . its no comparison vs the 8 as far as comfort is concerned. the interior is indeed vastly upgraded.
thats why I dont think id ever get a Z hehe, im not a big time track person, so its really kinda hard for me to justify driving a Z for all of its compromises and the type of driving i do. I think my next car is going to be a M3 or GT-R hopefully if i can afford one 2-3 years down the line.

CarAndDriver

I think the interior update was like the mid-cycle interior update on last gen G35 of basically trying to improve the surface materials and some minor ergonomics.

It was only with the completely new overhaul of the G35 is the interior up to a quality and finish level that is expected of that class of car.

If you didn't like the current Z interior, I think you're going to have to see what the 2008 model will look like.

dmorales

How about a 3-rotar with a 18,000 rpm redline that produces 600 hp NA? But has that thing GM was using that only uses 4 pistons in the v-8 when not understrain, that way we could get 35 mpg highway only using one rotar. Then full carbon fiber body panels, and interior panels. painted body panels of course. And better insulated cup hollders.

lol

We can all dream, but we just have to wait and see. It really doesn't matte to me anymore. I can't afford to be buying an new one just because it's more powerful. well maybe...depending on how much more powerufl...
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SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Wrong. the 13brew was only used on the FD...

RENESIS_NEENJA

Man, I'd love to have an M3 or GT-R....but I can't afford one just yet

RENESIS_NEENJA

Lol. The interior was my biggest complaint on the older G35 too.. felt too "Grandpa" if that makes sense...The new G35C looks like it's going to be a killer though. I absolutely hated the interior on the Z I drove, I'd really have to check out the 06's before passing judgement, but it would have to be substantially better than the previous year model to stand a chance. I guess we'll see what happens in 08'

Skunk

Wrong. The 13B-REW was first used in the 1990-1995 Mazda Eunos Cosmo, where it originated before the FD even came out. The other engine option was the 20B-REW.

saturn

Anyone think the Z is going to make it to 350hp for 2008 like the above article suggests while keeping the prices where they are?