Puppy1

Thank you for proving the Z's styling is trendy (HIP=TRENDY, and TRENDY means it will go out of favor).

Once you turn 25 you will start to realize, some things never go out of style. The original 240Z is a classic, the 300ZX is also a classic, far better looking than the current model.

I agree that the 8's Alteeza lights are a blemish on an otherwise beautiful car. They are trendy, and that trend has already long passed, as will the 'hipness' of a certian squshed back 2 seater that is very powerful but more importantly, NOT fun to drive. Over time, that will lessen its apeal greatly.

We will probably see many rear lamp treatments available in aftermarket to fix the trendy ones in the 8. In order to fix the trendiness of the Z, you would have to exchange the whole car for the far better styled G35c.

P00Man

actually ive heard that rotaries are more reliable than piston engines, or as reliable anyways, as long as they remain NA. and that the unreliability issues of the 3rd-gen were due to overheating turbos and not the actual engine.

true, they dont get great gass mileage, but people getting below 18mpg are just driving wierd since a lot of people are getting mpg's in the low 20's and some even beyond 24. also remember that the rotary hasnt had near the development of the piston engine, so its efficiency is probably nowhere near where it can be.

this is only what ive heard from here on the board and in some car mags, i personally think both cars are great and dont see why people have to whine and cry about one or the other.

oh, and the illusory missing HP is not related to the engine at all and is, in all likelyhood, an ECU issue with fuel maps, many have speculated it runs a "break in" map for x miles to protect the engine from ign'ants at the dealer, dropping the AFR to 12 or 11:1 even in the upper rev range, hopefully that will be FULLY resolved soon and that ponderance will be turned into fact

ciao

edit:
since i was typing this and you guys posted about altezza lights...
wtf are they? are the lights considered "altezza" because of the round iris-type main bulb or what? they dont look anything like the lights on the is 300, or the civic for that matter

droidekaus

What exactly is your idea of fun to drive? If you've never really driven a Z, and I mean flogged the **** out of it, you have no idea just how fun it is to drive. It is a pain in the *** to tool around town in, especially after a suspension upgrade. Borderline uncorfortable depending upon your outlook, but at 120+ it is GLUED to the road. GLUED. You can't putz around in it.

delhi

I disagree that the Z will lose it's luster after ten years. Looking at previous Zs..... actually the 240Z and the 300ZX in particular, they both look great even today. How can one pass judgement on the current Z when it's only about 1 year old. I personally think it is quite a successful design. It's a simple TT/911-like design that is aging gracefully. The only thing that bugs me about it is that almost all of the new Nissan cars are sporting similar design to the Z which really detracts the Z's uniqueness. I mean when I saw the new Maxima's taillamp, it immediately reminded me of the Z. Not to mention pretty much all Nissan/Infinity vehicles now share the same VQ engine. Crikeys... talk about cost savings!
Same thing with RX-7s.... they age gracefully as well. the 3rd gen rx-7 is still a fine looking car after 10 years!
cheers!

Blue 350z

I just turned 25 on July 29th thank you very much... I also get old guys complementing the car and little kids with jaw dropping action so age range has nothing to do with it. And for you people that some how think a Z is not fun to drive? Well have you ever driving a car that can hit 100 mph in under 14 seconds? I am guessing 99% of you people have never even drivin one hard unless you own one, or even drivin one peroid . Also around town traffic is obviously not fun, no car is fun in traffic, but my heated seats, auto climate control, pow seats and 300 watt bose stereo keeps me happy and comfortable.

I like the rx8, I am NOT here to bash it, but I will defend nonsense comments about the 350z.. And I have driven cars before with high HP and low torque, wasn't very fun to me at least, no get-up and go unless you downshift, and pop on the AC and your car turns into a total dog.

IIIseries

Z owners really are a trip, I tell you. I hate that my little bro is part of that group. At least he, at only 19, has more maturity than most of the owners I've come across.

***moderator edit***

Blue 350z

LOL.. Did I hit a nerve? Is your 19 year old brother your older brother? I think so making an intelligence telling post like that. No wonder you don't like the Z, you have no clue..

PS: Soon as I get a recent digital pic of my car I will post it here. Then I want you to say it looks retarded.

IIIseries

You dont read very well do you? Little brothers typically aren't older, last time I checked. I have all the clues in the world, my man.

You're the one with no clue, since you just can't seem to grasp that your car isn't for everyone. Quit acting like a bitch with his feelings hurt.

Man you can post all the pics in the world (but for the love of GOD, please spare us), and I will stiill say your **** is ugly. I've driven them enough and seen them enough to know.

Blue 350z

You sound like an angry person, maybe its time to see help or get a new job or relive your missing childhood. If you have to resort to name calling in a car forum you are acting like a kid, thus my comment about you being younger then 19.

Hey, I see you own a Mazda6 - Sweet ride, what color? Now thats a sharp looking car, much better exterior then the rx-8 IMO.

IIIseries

Angry, no. ******* willing to share my opinion, most def. I don't recall calling you any names, but that can change easily since I hate you after only 2 exchanges.

Yeah, I know the 6 is sweet. Coming from someone with such obvious bad taste in cars, that's a surprising compliment.

m477

Okay, I'm gonna use some pictures here to illustrate:



This is a badass Nissan.



This is a badass Nissan.



This is a badass Nissan.



This is a half-assed Audi.



True, Nissan has had some awesome designs. But not every Nissan, or even every Z has had a great design. The Z31 for example has a cheesy dated 1980's look to it. The new Maxima looks like the ugly Renaults I seen in magazines like EVO or CAR. Yeah, the 1990s where a time of great designs for Nissan. Today, however, isn't. As a Nissan owner, I really hope that they can have another period of great, distintive styling again someday.

Blue 350z

Wow that was a funny punch line, not. Funny to see how people that can love the styling of the out of proportion photo shopped looking misfit of a wannabe coupe people don't like a clean, muscular looking performance coupe. I am beginning to thing you rx-8 folks are crazy!

But I will agree with you on one thing, the 80's 300z was no looker, expecially now. When they first came out they were chalked full of technology and gadgets for its time, but it was deffinatly not top notch styling.

Also I noticed all of this pics of Z's here are silver which is probably the worse color for a Z since you can't see the chrome accents.

IIIseries

You mean a half-assed Audi WANNABE.

Audi makes gorgeous cars; Nissan wouldn't know a gorgeous car if Ghosn was runover by one.

Winning

My RX8 is a lot more fun to drive than my other car. But my other car is a lot faster than my RX8. But I love them both.
I tested the Z before and it is not as nimble as the 8. The steering is too one dimensional. The RX8's handling is far more adjustable than the 350Z. 350Z has a more sportier suspension though. I believe if I change the suspension of my 8 to something as hard as the Z, it will corner harder than the Z. I don't mind a 350Z though, but I am saving up for the new RX7.

pic of my other car

LesPaul

See now you look at those pictures and see "badass Nissan". I see unimaginative, massproduced crap. I'm not saying your are stupid. I'm not attacking you, I'm just saying that those designs are dull, dull, dull. My opinion is as valid as yours. There is nothing there, from a design perspective, that is more interesting than any of the mindless American-made-for-the-masses McCars. Maybe you work for Nissan and have some allegiance to them, but from an honest, unbiased viewpoint, there's nothing "badass" about any of those.

Lensman

A style of light first seen on the Toyota Altezza. They are 'jewel' like and considered overtly fashionable in some circles. Expect them to go out of fashion REALLY soon. The RX-8's rears are 'Altezza'ish but in some ways more imaginative. They might endure.

Winning

The GTR, you have to see it in real life. Picture don't do it justice, it is a very menacing car in metal. I never like the look of the 300ZX and 200SX. As for the 350Z, I don't mind the look, but I like the RX8 better. Then again every individual has different taste.

Many people thinks my Sti is butt ugly. I don't care, I think it is gorgeous. Please note before saying that I have bad taste, my other car is RX8.:p

Tweety-nator

Judging the looks of a car is such as subjective thing, personally I like both of them.

We can go on and on and on about the stylistic merits/supposed ugliness of both of these cars until we are all blue in the face, but designs like the 350z and RX-8 are polarizing ...

designed to stand out of the crowd of other cars.

Both Nissan and Mazda took some stylistic risks when designing these cars. You either love them or hate them.

VandyZ

Come on guys, I am a 350 owner and I really like the RX-8. I highly doubt that the other 350Z owners made it a point to register on this forum if somewhere they really did not like this car at all. If you did register here just to make trouble, shame on you! Some are just too quick to defend their decision, especially when out numbered away from home. Everyone is entitled to their opinion . . . this is a RX-8 forum so I would expect this argument to be one sided.

Both cars are quick, both can handle off their a$$'s, both are values, and both are unique.


I wonder if Murcielago and Enzo owners get into these debates? Who knows? (I like the Enzo better myself)

neit_jnf

I like the Enzo's technology better and it's better than the Murcielago in most performace measures but... I hate its looks! The Murcielago is close enough performance wise but looks soooooo much better!! :D

Of course, opinions are a very personal thing. I may like the VQ engine but prefer it on the G35c over the 350Z, in my opinion the Z is ugly. I love the 300ZX though!! :D

Tweety-nator

Oh you bet they do! :D

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t113994.html

EDIT: Actually, most forums I see discussing the two are non-owners... I guess the owners are too busy enjoying their vehicles to even bother with comparisons :D

Puppy1

Blue 350Z:

Sorry to have caused so much bashing. I was just being light hearted with my comments. (that's why I put in the wink) If the 350z spins your socks. Great! Whatever works for you and makes YOU happy should be the only opinion that matters.

Happy Motoring.

mr_digital_uk

The Mazda Xedos design is 10 years old now, but still lives quite happily with today's cars. Shows that Mazda can create style that is timeless.

jleighZ

Just caught this, the age old "my car is better than yours" argument. :D
I ordered my 350Z back in Feb, I couldn't decide between that and the RX8, but since I could get the Z sooner, I opted for that, just to keep me and my bf sane. I love my Z so far, and I love the way it drives. The Z won't be practical for me much longer, so I will probably trade her in on the RX8. But they are both great cars and luckily pretty rare in my area :p

ToRX-8orToZ

Ummmm.... I'd just like to say.... that you are all retarded.


Oh... and the S2k is the best looking sports car to come out of Japan since the FD.

Thank you for your time,

X