HELP! final decision between buying a used 04 rx8 or 350z
 

Hey everyone. I needed some advice on what to do. Two offers have been made to me and I can either get a clean trade on my car for an 04 rx8 with 38k. or I can get a 04 350z same miles and add on 1500- 2000$ to the 13,700$ (both have no warranty) I already owe on my car i have now. Ive drove both and like the rx8 better ( except for the lack of power in the rx8) but am scared because of the rapid depreciation of rx8s, the gas mileage, the recalls (especially on the 04), and the fact that i've never had a car with a rotary engine before. If you guys could just ease my mind and let me know what im getting myself into exactly. Tell me what your paying for your gas right now and what you pay a gallon, and any problems you've seen with 04s, or rx8s period. Also am i ever going to get an rx8 to keep up with a 350z from a dig without turboing it? Thanks guys let me know soon because the deals are pending!

okay sounds like the rx8 isnt the car for you considering that i pay around 40+ dollars for fuel every 2-4 days depending on how much you drive. 350z vs rx8 in a straight away is a drivers race, but more than likely the 350z will triumph. Getting an rx8 faster than a z in the straights will require a few thousands of dollars. If you are really worried about depreciation value and gas mileage then you should choose the z. The 8 is a car only for certain people who will attend to its needs.

btw, searching is your best friend

after reading, Z is the one for you my friend

Theres no doubt the RX8 is a better looking and performance car all round...but by the way your prioritys lay I'd go the 350Z....

i fourth the Z route.. :) .... buuuut if you wanna be 1337 like us, you know were we are :P

Depends on how much you drive your car. For me, work is only 5 minutes away so a tank of gas could last me 2 weeks if I have no long trips to make, but I usually have to make a trip somewhere or just plain want to drive. I go through about $40-$50 in gas a week. You'll find yourself taking the long way home and like said in another thread, you'll find yourself constantly looking back at the 8 when you go to walk away from it. The whole rotary thing used to scare me, but then I realized its just a car. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

yea pretty much how deep are your pockets and what are you looking to do. if you have deep pockets and want to mod. imo the rx8 is the way to go nothing like making the slower different car faster and more appealing even yet. remember youll be adding oil to it every few fill ups. i have an 04 and i buddy of mine has an 06 and in mechanical wise ther was no difference. the rx8 also has much nicer interior better sound and can hold more then two ppl also cheaper on insurance. and once you learn to drive it you should be able to take a stock z. thts my exp. and two cents

the gas in my town is pretty much the most expensive in the entire country, the best deal I can get for premium these days is $3.58 a gallon. so 16 gallons of that adds up slowly, but you're buying a sports car so that shouldn't even be on your mind, if you want fuel economy then dump both and buy a civic.

I've never driven a Z, but according to clarkson (who is not a fan of the Z) the 8 is a better cruising car, "it doesn't wear you out when you drive it". the 8 is also more practical with 4 seats. And it's the better handling of the two as you know.

And yes the 8 is an enthusiast's car because of the rotary, you have to take precautions when running it, warm it up in the mornings, check the oil, rev it up every day (that's a hard one ...) and so on.

I bought mine because I love the concept of the rotary, love it's simplicity and I wanted to be a part of something truly unique and special. Every time I start it up I can picture the rotors turning right next to my feet. I also think that the 350Z is an ugly car, I'd take a G35 coupe over it any day of the week, and at this point if you're going nissan it's either get a 350Z or save up for the GT-R which will be 10 times the car the Z is.

If you're looking at 04 models tho, the 04 rx8 is the least reliable of the series and probably less reliable than the Z. If you really want an 8 over the Z, then break down and spend a bit more money on something newer. If you want to keep the price around there then go for the Z in my oppinion.

Ask yourself this, would you rather be in a cult or in the mainstream? 8 owners are in a cult that is understood pretty much by 8 owners and few outsiders. Of course cosmetically the 8 is admired by most, but the acceleration numbers are misunderstood by many and that fact pretty much trumps all the 8's other superior/unique attributes.
The Z is among the fastest in its class. The 8 is among the slowest in its class.
So why is it that the 8 wins every road test comparison (C&D, Road/Track, ect.) it is involved in against cars like the Z, Stang GT, Audi TT? Well, you have test drove one, so you KNOW why. Either way the Z has a huge mainstream following and great rep.
The wants and concerns in your message point to the Z, no doubt IMO its the choice you should make. After you get the Z and join their forum, just remember how much you liked the 8; try to educate those fellas over there!

thanks guys i really appreciate it. Im still in college so i def think ill have to go the z route. but of course if i had my choice and a fat wallet it would be the 8. but this leads me to another question. Should i continue searching for another car? what can keep up with something along the lines of z or a wrx? and is about the same price? 2 doors or four doors doesnt really matter btw. im looking for all around performance and style.

Oh boy...........you ain't gonna like this. You're in school...........get something mundane, boring, yet very dependable. Concentrate on school.......graduate, and then get the vehicle you want. There is a whole host of reasons I could list for my take on this, but you already know them. I understand and do see your side as well.

If you are just hell bent, then go with the "Z" based on all you've written.

^^^Agreed.

Ur in college man, so many reasons why you dont want (or need) to have a nice ride while in college. The list would take too long to write.
My college rides: 85 Chevy S-10, 85 Ford Escort, 95 Ford Contour (all three combined $4,500 got me through 5 yrs and alot of abuse)
...and i still got plenty of ass and had a freakin blast. You have too many things on ur plate as it is dog, enjoy college.

im in college. the 8 is a really nice ride, and a lot of guys at my university seem to agree. there are literally dozens of 8s where i go. they even probably outnumber 350zs.

if you are ready to spend 2k more on a 350z. then gas mileage really isnt going to bother you. that 2k will last you (in gas) for a few years before the 350z would break even (total money spent.)

no the 8 wont beat a 350z in a straight line. but, is that all there is to life? beating other people? uh.. i sure dont think so. i want to have fun in my car, my own personal fun. and that extends to the fact that i can fit 3 other people (ok, girls really) and have a fun ride by myself on the back roads.

rx8 > 350z

I would have bought a 350Z if it was 400lb lighter with 4seats.

The rx-8 felt too weak in the HP department so I bought a used 05 with turbo kit and could not be any happier!!

I have an '06 RX-8, and love how it handles and drives. My friend has a '06 350Z convertible, and we have traded a few times. I like how fast the Z can pick up and go...it definitely beats my 8, in a straightaway, but I like how my car handles. The Z is a fun little car, but not as functional (for me at least), as my 8. I am able to get my beagle to sit in the back and have 2 more passengers, making for fun road trips. My trunk in my rx8 is definitely more roomier, and can hold more.
The thing that sucks is that the 8 loves gas, and you have got to stay on top of the maintenance...but it's a sports car, & deserves it, and will be good to you, if you treat it right.
Check out the June 2007 Car & Driver...there was a good comparison article with the RX-8, 350z, Audi TT 2.0T & Ford Shelby GT. Here's the article's findings:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/...ortscoupes.pdf

They ranked the RX-8 as number 1. :) However, it sounds as if the 8 might not be a good fit in your life right now. It does have high insurance and gas/maintenance needs.

if you are in college and dosnt have a lot of financial help from your parents or job, the upkeep maintenance required to properly own a rx8 is probably not good for you.
If you routinely park on campus, owning a nice car is not a good idea period because your car will get dinged up.

The differences in cost to operate between the 8 & Z are pretty close. Where fuel may be a little cheaper with the Z, the difference in insurance cost (lower on the 8) will definately balance that out.

Depreciation won't differ much at this point.

Maintenance costs are similar although the Z tends to consume tires a little faster.

I love my 8 despite my troubles I have they are relativly nothing to worry about but as everyone has said before your in college just get somthing that works well, but if your hell bent on getting a nice ride go with a wrx they are durable and very sup'able.

On another note in the Import tuner mag I just got there is a Z acticle, says the Z is the most widely tuned car in the world=lotsa go fast goodies for it.