I kind of like the S1 better
 

I currently own a 2003 350z and have been looking into getting a RX-8. It was suggested that I get a pre-owned S2. I have to say I'm more of a fan of the S1 Styling. I'm just worried about getting an Eight with some miles on it.

Here are some of the things I like better about the S1

http://www.ocmazdaspeed.com/Pictures...derStrakes.jpg

The fender vents are just really cool looking.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadte..._left_view.jpg

I also prefer the nose and front fascia. It seems to flow with the car a little more.

Now the only thing I really, really like about the S2 is the tail lights. IMHO those are just sick looking, with the LED treatment.

http://www.distroautos.com/wp-conten...ht-590x443.jpg

I need to do search on whether these can be swapped to another model.

Styling is subjective so I was wonder if anyone else on here agreed with my opinions? Don't get me wrong, I would take a current gen R3 in a heartbeat.

the fenders are nice (but the silver strakes that are in the pic are a separate purchase)
the tail lights cannot be switched out (unless you modify it a bunch).

if you prefer the S1, get a newer (07-08). Low mileage, all upgrades.

I didn't notice that about the fender strakes. Thanks for the correction.

Sounds like you have the money to buy newer since you mentioned an R3, so if you like the S1, go with a low mileage 2008. They all came with the lastest ECU flashes after late 2005, so the reliability will be there. Don't forget that people only complain about negative things. No one comes on a forum looking for answers as to why things are working well. :lol: The other plus of the S1's is the use of an AccessPort. No such luck with S2. If you don't plan on modding at all, it's not a big deal though.

I have to agree. I like the look of the S1 over the smiley S2, but the R3 does look pretty damn good and I want the recaros.

I'm still going back and forth between the RX-8 and the G35. I'm leaning more towards the 8 due to styling and the 9K redline. I really like the hidden 4 doors. However, the G is more refined and classy and is more like my Z. I'm taking my time on the decision so thanks for your comments.

i don't know that i'd really call the G35 more refined than an 8 IMHO. It is more refined than a 350 though. The 8 has a very nice feel to the interior and it's "driving" feel can't be matched. Just my $.02

The g35 does have the low end grunt of the Z, but it feels really heavy (it is heavy). Don't get me wrong, I like them, just not more than my 8. I am biased however. I would go test drive both back to back a few times. Buy what feels right.

I also went from a 2003 350z to a RX8 back in late 2007. I say only get a S2 if you get a R3. Otherwise, save some money and get a sweet, decked out Grand Touring from 07 or 08. My only regret is that I didn't get the color Stormy Blue Mica. Check out that color. It's subjective I know, but check it out.

You should definitely be able to get one for a steal with gas prices the way they are. There is no way around it. The RX8 gas mileage is terrible (15mpg), worse than it reads on the sticker. My Z got far better mileage (22mpg). That's the only true bite in the ass about transitioning from the Z. Obviously both do better on the HWY.

Oh, and I dig those LED tail lights too. I think I read on the forum that they are not interchangeable with the S1 - at least not easily. I think it involved the whole rear bumper. Anyway, if you search around, you will find it.

That's the trick! I'm not sure I want to get rid of that pin you the seat low end power. Given my 350 is an Automatic and the next car I will get must be manual. I've really gotten into Auto-X, so the eight seems to be the better fit for me. However, I'm still weighing the options. Know what I mean, Vern?

Cool info. I might just do that and save a few dollars. I want all the options on the GT anyway. May I ask why you went from a 350z to a Eight?

I also looked at the G35 before getting the 8. The G35 is not a bad car, but:
1) It's derived from a sedan - fundamentally it's kludged to be turned into a sports car with all the compromises that entails.
2) The clutch is heavy, the engine feels crude. (The Genesis couple is another step down in that sense.)
3) The 8 is acknowledged as one of the best handling street cars in the world. The G35 never appears on the same list.
4) The G35 rear seating has minimal headroom. The 8 is smaller, yet has perfectly useable rear seats.
5) The 8 is one of the very few truly unique cars on the USA market. (RX-8, Tesla, Volt, Lotus?)
6) The G35 styling borders on generic.

There's no doubt that the 8 requires more of the owner. The G35 makes more sense in that regard, but fun? Not so much. Series I vs Series II? If you want to do a lot of mods, get an 06-08 which has many options on the market, though many will start disappearing as the 04-05's, which make up the bulk of the production, age. As a daily driver, I'd go with the Series II which has many many improvements, particularly the oiling system, that are impossible to retrofit to earlier models. Also, while very few Japanese cars can be considered collectibles, the R3 may find its way on to that list.

Whether the rather bad gas mileage will spoil your fun depends on your $$ resources and how the car is used. I have a DD, access to bus lines, and live 3 miles from work, which getting even double the mpg's in my second car has little effect on the bottom line. Long daily commutes would be a different story.

YMMV.

+1

I definitely agree with everything that was said about the g35 vs the 8... I test drove both and the 35 didn't hold a candle to the 8 as far as the smile on my face was concerned... I did however end up getting an 04 and I wish I had researched more before I got it, and looked for a later year but what can you do? I will be doing all the reliability upgrades this summer... and for the record I have been driving it for about 2k miles with no issues

I prefer S1 styling also, including tail lamps.
I have an 06, only got 10k miles on it.

I also prefer the S1 styling. If you look around you can find a newer S1 with low miles just like you are looking for. (That is if you decide on the Rx8)

I love the way S2's look, but not enough to get rid of my S1 for it. Now, if I was coming into the picture and money wasn't an issue, there are many reasons I'd get the S2!

i test drove 14 different kinds of cars when car shopping. out of every single car, i loved the rides of the 8 the best. so smooth when just cruising. turns without fighting back. put down your foot and it shows its not all show. if youre okay with the lightly worse gas milage go for it. might i add the rx8 has a pretty damn nice safety rating, and might be cheaper to insure then the g35?

I got the RX8 after my second child was born. The Z was cool, but the RX8 has 4 seats! It's a family sports car. I always think it's funny when somebody says they are getting rid of their 8 because they had a baby. Really? How big is your baby? My 7 and 5 year old fit in the back seat with nary a problem. Now if you have three kids (as I now do) I can understand.

I also needed a fast car because I autocross very regularly and have been for many years. If I didn't autocross or some other type of performance competition, there is no way I'd have a car like this. I've never understood people who owns sports cars and don't track them in some way. You will find a WEALTH of info and tons of savvy people in the autocross subforum.

:fruit:

My son was old enought so it didn't matter, but how is it for putting young children (using reversed child seats) in the back seat? I would think it would be easier for conventional doors, rather than the "freestyle" doors.

While I know you are talking from a purely styling perspective (and I also prefer the S1 styling) the S1 allows the use of the AccessPORT so if you ever plan to turbo charge your car then it is a no brainer.

You can tune an s2, just not with the access port. I forget who is doing it but there are a few companys out there. It is just more expensive in the long run than an AP but you can also get tuned faster.

As far as I know no one offers any MAFS tuning solutions to the S2. All the options I've seen are MAP based.

Cool info :)

I read two sentences and got that sick feeling too ...

I'm not really interested in the tuning at this time so I didnt look into it at all. All I know is whats in this thread https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-forced-induction-nitrous-163/esmeril-back-213705/ and a few others. All it really says is they tune with "Microtech Plug and Play or an Interceptor X", I guess if you want/need more info you could talk with them.I also know there is a pettit super charger either in the works or out right now for the S2 they just have not given a whole lot of info about it.

I agree about styling; S1 is much better looking. To me, the S2 looks like it was pressured by marketing people (not designers) to look more "aggressive". And the new front end/grille looks like it was forced onto the car to better match up with other current Mazda front ends - even though it doesn't "go" with the rest of the car.

Yeah, I'm not into the new smiley face look Mazda is going with right now.