Mazda rx8? or Nissan 350z?
06-06-2008, 02:37 PM
#76
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06-06-2008, 02:38 PM
#77
El Terrifico
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WOW. You guys should seriously go over and read a little in the 350z forum. Its a whole different vibe over there. There seems to be a lot of smart *** remarks over here, but it all seems in good fun. Over there...not so much. Everyone seems to be hating on everyone else. So many different views on these two cars. Once again IMO a 350z is for the "bling" factor. Keeping up with the Jones' if you will.
After months of owning mine and driving my mothers 350z I still perfer mine. I come from a place in the world where there are more paved streets per capita than anywhere else. Its situated on the prairies. You can't ask for any flatter and more straight aways. Its a perfect place for a 350z. You can tell by the sheer number of them I see here.
So even though there isn't many twisties here I will still chose the 8 over a 350. After the sheer giddy pleasure of jumping off the line in the 350 its just not a "drivers" car. I will still enjoy my 8 because there is really no place other than a track where you get to experience the real power of either vehicle legally, and we really don't have a drag track here. In the end I would like a nice smoother, daily driver. I would rather a jack of all trades than a one hit wonder.
People tend to be obsessed with tq/hp but not often do you get to flex its muscle. Its fun when you do, but I'd rather experience joy all the time with the 8 and not 5 seconds of pleasure everystop light...as long as someone is there to "race" me, and no cops are around to ticket me for doing something illegal. Stunting, racing, speeding etc...
Although if you like to play with aftermarket toys, the 350 has a lot more, although being a lot more 350s on the road, it becomes harder and harder to become unique. Too bad more people can't experience both sides of the coin before ripping into each other. I would just like to point out the numerous tests between the two cars, In the end its usually the same outcome. The 350 is faster but the 8 is more enjoyed.
PIE FTW...THUNDER CATS....HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
After months of owning mine and driving my mothers 350z I still perfer mine. I come from a place in the world where there are more paved streets per capita than anywhere else. Its situated on the prairies. You can't ask for any flatter and more straight aways. Its a perfect place for a 350z. You can tell by the sheer number of them I see here.
So even though there isn't many twisties here I will still chose the 8 over a 350. After the sheer giddy pleasure of jumping off the line in the 350 its just not a "drivers" car. I will still enjoy my 8 because there is really no place other than a track where you get to experience the real power of either vehicle legally, and we really don't have a drag track here. In the end I would like a nice smoother, daily driver. I would rather a jack of all trades than a one hit wonder.
People tend to be obsessed with tq/hp but not often do you get to flex its muscle. Its fun when you do, but I'd rather experience joy all the time with the 8 and not 5 seconds of pleasure everystop light...as long as someone is there to "race" me, and no cops are around to ticket me for doing something illegal. Stunting, racing, speeding etc...
Although if you like to play with aftermarket toys, the 350 has a lot more, although being a lot more 350s on the road, it becomes harder and harder to become unique. Too bad more people can't experience both sides of the coin before ripping into each other. I would just like to point out the numerous tests between the two cars, In the end its usually the same outcome. The 350 is faster but the 8 is more enjoyed.
PIE FTW...THUNDER CATS....HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
06-06-2008, 02:46 PM
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Kind of interesting this topic came up. My friend recently bought the 2008 Nismo 350Z, with the hand welded chassis and fully upgraded and tuned suspension. I'm over here with my bone stock 2004 4 speed AT. We've ridden in each other's cars before...I haven't driven his car myself because I don't know manual and I don't think he'd let me drive it anyways. He has driven mine before.
On the last cruise we had just a few nights ago, my friend came away particularly impressed after having ridden with me, and requested if we could do a drive up in our usual mountain area, with him following me. I guess because he now has a sports car of his own, his mind had a new frame of reference he wanted to compare to something...to me it was just a same ole drive. And I was certainly going into this like it was just another typical drive, because in my mind, I consider the Nismo Z to be a completely better car. I didn't think I'd be able to just lose him anywhere, and to my mind, that car has such major suspension and chassis upgrades, as well as wider tires that keeping up shouldn't be a problem.
And so we went at it...I kept an eye out in my rear view mirror through the whole drive, and it looked like my friend was easily maintaining pace through the whole drive, as expected. When we chatted about the drive later, I was really surprised when he said that when it came to the curves, there were some where he was absolutely scared to attempt to follow me in at the same speeds I had went in at (average entry and exit speeds into these curves were between 60-70 MPH, with some long sweepers hitting 80+). All I could comment on was that to me, it was just a typical drive...whatever he thought looked insane from his end, felt absolutely effortless and like duck soup to me. He came away extremely impressed with the RX-8's handling more than ever, having made an attempt to keep pace with me. And I can tell you, his comments weren't made from lack of driving skill. I'd consider him a very good driver. There are things he's done with his cars while being able to maintain absolute control that I sure wouldn't attempt myself for safety's sake.
On my end, the 350Z has never been a car I ever considered; for one, it's completely out of my price range. And for another, I've never really cared for how it looked. But that aside, I definitely feel like I picked the right car anyways. The Z may have more power, but when even a good driver behind a Nismo Z's wheels, with all of its suspension upgrades, feels afraid to follow a stock RX-8 through the curves...that says it all for me. The RX-8 is truly an amazing car in that it feels so incredibly effortless, right up to its limits. I think the Nismo Z should be able to outhandle an stock RX-8 without a doubt, but at the end of the day, just the way the car feels at its limit is going to make the driver hold back.
I love my RX-8 dearly, and I REALLY love rotary engine. It's not about the power to me, it's all about the balance and ease of an intense drive through curves.
On the last cruise we had just a few nights ago, my friend came away particularly impressed after having ridden with me, and requested if we could do a drive up in our usual mountain area, with him following me. I guess because he now has a sports car of his own, his mind had a new frame of reference he wanted to compare to something...to me it was just a same ole drive. And I was certainly going into this like it was just another typical drive, because in my mind, I consider the Nismo Z to be a completely better car. I didn't think I'd be able to just lose him anywhere, and to my mind, that car has such major suspension and chassis upgrades, as well as wider tires that keeping up shouldn't be a problem.
And so we went at it...I kept an eye out in my rear view mirror through the whole drive, and it looked like my friend was easily maintaining pace through the whole drive, as expected. When we chatted about the drive later, I was really surprised when he said that when it came to the curves, there were some where he was absolutely scared to attempt to follow me in at the same speeds I had went in at (average entry and exit speeds into these curves were between 60-70 MPH, with some long sweepers hitting 80+). All I could comment on was that to me, it was just a typical drive...whatever he thought looked insane from his end, felt absolutely effortless and like duck soup to me. He came away extremely impressed with the RX-8's handling more than ever, having made an attempt to keep pace with me. And I can tell you, his comments weren't made from lack of driving skill. I'd consider him a very good driver. There are things he's done with his cars while being able to maintain absolute control that I sure wouldn't attempt myself for safety's sake.
On my end, the 350Z has never been a car I ever considered; for one, it's completely out of my price range. And for another, I've never really cared for how it looked. But that aside, I definitely feel like I picked the right car anyways. The Z may have more power, but when even a good driver behind a Nismo Z's wheels, with all of its suspension upgrades, feels afraid to follow a stock RX-8 through the curves...that says it all for me. The RX-8 is truly an amazing car in that it feels so incredibly effortless, right up to its limits. I think the Nismo Z should be able to outhandle an stock RX-8 without a doubt, but at the end of the day, just the way the car feels at its limit is going to make the driver hold back.
I love my RX-8 dearly, and I REALLY love rotary engine. It's not about the power to me, it's all about the balance and ease of an intense drive through curves.
06-06-2008, 03:29 PM
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06-06-2008, 03:37 PM
#81
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From the little reviews of the Nismo Z, it seemed that it is not worth the money over the regular Z. Does Nissan still have the Track version? I thought about getting that before. Anyhow from the accounts with the Nismo Z, now the handling is almost as good as the 8.
I used to hang out at my350z.com and another Z forum (zcar.com?) to read about the new Z back in 2003/4. The 350Z vs. The World is great for entertainment reading how a Z can outrun a 911 or an M5. I even remembered a long thread about how a Z was able to out drive an STi in the wet too. Fantastic there. Always learned something new. It's very Sesame Street.
I used to hang out at my350z.com and another Z forum (zcar.com?) to read about the new Z back in 2003/4. The 350Z vs. The World is great for entertainment reading how a Z can outrun a 911 or an M5. I even remembered a long thread about how a Z was able to out drive an STi in the wet too. Fantastic there. Always learned something new. It's very Sesame Street.
06-07-2008, 09:52 AM
#85
I don't usually cross-post, (or double quote myself), but...
I just got around to watching the old RX8-M3-Z TopGear segment (on youtube) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrjBsSHB-DM
1. They're dead on that the 8 is the most fun car out there and easy to drive it fast
2. They said exactly the same thing about the Z-car lineage (I guess they lived it, as did I)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huey52
Alas I must agree that if I were shopping today I wouldn't buy the RX-8.
But this is not unusual in the automotive industry. The original Datsun 240Z comes readily to mind. Every subsequent version further perverted the original simple elegance. Marketeers will always recommend slapping on some more/different plastic and calling it 'new and improved.'
On the plus side, most of the more popular options are now included in the base.
No matter to me; I'll have my '8 for a good long time.
I just got around to watching the old RX8-M3-Z TopGear segment (on youtube) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrjBsSHB-DM
1. They're dead on that the 8 is the most fun car out there and easy to drive it fast
2. They said exactly the same thing about the Z-car lineage (I guess they lived it, as did I)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huey52
Alas I must agree that if I were shopping today I wouldn't buy the RX-8.
But this is not unusual in the automotive industry. The original Datsun 240Z comes readily to mind. Every subsequent version further perverted the original simple elegance. Marketeers will always recommend slapping on some more/different plastic and calling it 'new and improved.'
On the plus side, most of the more popular options are now included in the base.
No matter to me; I'll have my '8 for a good long time.
06-09-2008, 05:31 AM
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When it comes to dollars...the 350Z is about 5K more than the RX8. IMO the 8 is a lot sexier in looks and the Nissan has more power, however the RX8 handles the corners a lot better. Personal choice at the end of the day....
06-10-2008, 03:29 PM
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simple decision...do you want a problem car or do you want a great car with great resale in the future? Just read this site for 15 minutes...theres not a person here without a million issues. Quite honestly its ridiculous to have so many problems on new cars. Save yourself the trouble and get a 350 bro. THEY ARE BETTER CARS AFTER ALL.
06-10-2008, 03:41 PM
#88
simple decision...do you want a problem car or do you want a great car with great resale in the future? Just read this site for 15 minutes...theres not a person here without a million issues. Quite honestly its ridiculous to have so many problems on new cars. Save yourself the trouble and get a 350 bro. THEY ARE BETTER CARS AFTER ALL.
I smell a troll.
The Z has had its "issues" too.
And my car is worth the same today as when I bought it. Resale is AWESOME!!!! (maybe $1k down)
My buddies $38,000 Z on the other hand, has lost tons.
Now go back to the Honda forums
Last edited by rglbegl; 06-10-2008 at 03:57 PM.
06-10-2008, 04:18 PM
#89
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simple decision...do you want a problem car or do you want a great car with great resale in the future? Just read this site for 15 minutes...theres not a person here without a million issues. Quite honestly its ridiculous to have so many problems on new cars. Save yourself the trouble and get a 350 bro. THEY ARE BETTER CARS AFTER ALL.
06-11-2008, 02:39 AM
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06-11-2008, 03:10 AM
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When I bought my RX8 I was also shopping for a 350z and had a chance to test drive one. Later, for giggles, I picked one up as a rental while my RX8 was having the PCM replaced. My thoughts during the test drive and driving the rental were pretty much the same.
This is my own experience but it helps understand why I love my RX8.
The interior felt really cramped for being a 2 seater. I'm a bigger guy 5'11 approx 280 lbs. but I found even people who were much lighter than myself complained about the seats and interior being small. I didn't know how to drive stick very well, but I didn't fine the 350z easy to handle.
During my rental experience, I had an auto so I was able to focus more on the car's handling. Overall, I felt like I was driving a boat. While the 350z had more power, I felt like I had to fight it to move quickly in lane changes and around corners. Also the lack of cargo space and no back seat meant hauling anything short of some groceries was impossible.
The RX8 was very nimble and quick on it's feet. Not the fastest runner for the cash, but by far had the most grace. As I was new to driving stick, this car was by far the easiest I had driven all day. The car's output was smooth and not jerky. Overall, it was much nicer to drive.
As it was mentioned, the 350z is a popular car and as such making a unique one is very hard. I can honestly say there isn't another RX8 with my combination of mods in the Southwest, and I know there's not another one like it in Arizona.
The rental was better than a Ford Taurus, but I was very happy when I got my rX8 back. The bolstered seats fit better, the wrap around cockpit like interior is more welcoming as well.
It's all up to the buyer, but I was sold and I still am everytime I get into the drivers seat.
This is my own experience but it helps understand why I love my RX8.
The interior felt really cramped for being a 2 seater. I'm a bigger guy 5'11 approx 280 lbs. but I found even people who were much lighter than myself complained about the seats and interior being small. I didn't know how to drive stick very well, but I didn't fine the 350z easy to handle.
During my rental experience, I had an auto so I was able to focus more on the car's handling. Overall, I felt like I was driving a boat. While the 350z had more power, I felt like I had to fight it to move quickly in lane changes and around corners. Also the lack of cargo space and no back seat meant hauling anything short of some groceries was impossible.
The RX8 was very nimble and quick on it's feet. Not the fastest runner for the cash, but by far had the most grace. As I was new to driving stick, this car was by far the easiest I had driven all day. The car's output was smooth and not jerky. Overall, it was much nicer to drive.
As it was mentioned, the 350z is a popular car and as such making a unique one is very hard. I can honestly say there isn't another RX8 with my combination of mods in the Southwest, and I know there's not another one like it in Arizona.
The rental was better than a Ford Taurus, but I was very happy when I got my rX8 back. The bolstered seats fit better, the wrap around cockpit like interior is more welcoming as well.
It's all up to the buyer, but I was sold and I still am everytime I get into the drivers seat.
06-11-2008, 10:33 AM
#94
I test drove a 350Z last month just to see what all the fuss was about.
Engine: Great. Was lots of fun playing with the extra torque. The sound is amazing too. Doesn't really 'feel' as fast as in RX8 though.
Brakes: Very quick and responsive. Dare I say better than the RX8's?
Shifter: Perfect. No other word for it. Very precise and solid. You KNOW that you're in gear when you switch.
Suspension: Better than I thought. Turning was tight and it responded fine. I decided to take it over a decent bump, thinking such a tight suspension would break my back. I waited for the bump and just kept waiting...
Clutch: Useless. Zero feel to it what-so-ever. Your foot will be 3/4's of the way off the clutch you'll still be sitting there. Only in the last 10-15% do you start to creep forward. Completely negates the fun of the engine in traffic. Unless you're at the head of the line, you'll want to be in a different car.
Price: Horrible. I don't care what options Nissan says come with the car, I test drove a Z with cloth seats, rubber pedals, cheap black plastic everywhere, etc. The only upgrade I noticed was the convertible top. Asking price: $30,XXX.
Overview: It was awesome blasting around town in. When your on and open road you don't notice the horrible clutch or cheap *** walmart interior. But in real world driving with traffic and stop lights, it's not a nice experience. After 10-15 minutes of driving I was honestly tired (especially my left leg) and ready to crash in bed. Lots of simple fun, but it lacks a lot in the areas of a daily driver. RX8 ftw.
Engine: Great. Was lots of fun playing with the extra torque. The sound is amazing too. Doesn't really 'feel' as fast as in RX8 though.
Brakes: Very quick and responsive. Dare I say better than the RX8's?
Shifter: Perfect. No other word for it. Very precise and solid. You KNOW that you're in gear when you switch.
Suspension: Better than I thought. Turning was tight and it responded fine. I decided to take it over a decent bump, thinking such a tight suspension would break my back. I waited for the bump and just kept waiting...
Clutch: Useless. Zero feel to it what-so-ever. Your foot will be 3/4's of the way off the clutch you'll still be sitting there. Only in the last 10-15% do you start to creep forward. Completely negates the fun of the engine in traffic. Unless you're at the head of the line, you'll want to be in a different car.
Price: Horrible. I don't care what options Nissan says come with the car, I test drove a Z with cloth seats, rubber pedals, cheap black plastic everywhere, etc. The only upgrade I noticed was the convertible top. Asking price: $30,XXX.
Overview: It was awesome blasting around town in. When your on and open road you don't notice the horrible clutch or cheap *** walmart interior. But in real world driving with traffic and stop lights, it's not a nice experience. After 10-15 minutes of driving I was honestly tired (especially my left leg) and ready to crash in bed. Lots of simple fun, but it lacks a lot in the areas of a daily driver. RX8 ftw.
06-11-2008, 10:52 AM
#95
simple decision...do you want a problem car or do you want a great car with great resale in the future? Just read this site for 15 minutes...theres not a person here without a million issues. Quite honestly its ridiculous to have so many problems on new cars. Save yourself the trouble and get a 350 bro. THEY ARE BETTER CARS AFTER ALL.
RX8 owners know what they have. You can't look at a piece of paper and judge the car. Oh yeah doesn't the Z and GT-R have McPherson struts up front? Doesn't the Mustang have McPherson struts too? Sounds like Nissan is trying to appeal to the American market after all
06-11-2008, 11:29 AM
#97
I'll snap his neck.
Kind of interesting this topic came up. My friend recently bought the 2008 Nismo 350Z, with the hand welded chassis and fully upgraded and tuned suspension. I'm over here with my bone stock 2004 4 speed AT. We've ridden in each other's cars before...I haven't driven his car myself because I don't know manual and I don't think he'd let me drive it anyways. He has driven mine before.
On the last cruise we had just a few nights ago, my friend came away particularly impressed after having ridden with me, and requested if we could do a drive up in our usual mountain area, with him following me. I guess because he now has a sports car of his own, his mind had a new frame of reference he wanted to compare to something...to me it was just a same ole drive. And I was certainly going into this like it was just another typical drive, because in my mind, I consider the Nismo Z to be a completely better car. I didn't think I'd be able to just lose him anywhere, and to my mind, that car has such major suspension and chassis upgrades, as well as wider tires that keeping up shouldn't be a problem.
And so we went at it...I kept an eye out in my rear view mirror through the whole drive, and it looked like my friend was easily maintaining pace through the whole drive, as expected. When we chatted about the drive later, I was really surprised when he said that when it came to the curves, there were some where he was absolutely scared to attempt to follow me in at the same speeds I had went in at (average entry and exit speeds into these curves were between 60-70 MPH, with some long sweepers hitting 80+). All I could comment on was that to me, it was just a typical drive...whatever he thought looked insane from his end, felt absolutely effortless and like duck soup to me. He came away extremely impressed with the RX-8's handling more than ever, having made an attempt to keep pace with me. And I can tell you, his comments weren't made from lack of driving skill. I'd consider him a very good driver. There are things he's done with his cars while being able to maintain absolute control that I sure wouldn't attempt myself for safety's sake.
On my end, the 350Z has never been a car I ever considered; for one, it's completely out of my price range. And for another, I've never really cared for how it looked. But that aside, I definitely feel like I picked the right car anyways. The Z may have more power, but when even a good driver behind a Nismo Z's wheels, with all of its suspension upgrades, feels afraid to follow a stock RX-8 through the curves...that says it all for me. The RX-8 is truly an amazing car in that it feels so incredibly effortless, right up to its limits. I think the Nismo Z should be able to outhandle an stock RX-8 without a doubt, but at the end of the day, just the way the car feels at its limit is going to make the driver hold back.
I love my RX-8 dearly, and I REALLY love rotary engine. It's not about the power to me, it's all about the balance and ease of an intense drive through curves.
On the last cruise we had just a few nights ago, my friend came away particularly impressed after having ridden with me, and requested if we could do a drive up in our usual mountain area, with him following me. I guess because he now has a sports car of his own, his mind had a new frame of reference he wanted to compare to something...to me it was just a same ole drive. And I was certainly going into this like it was just another typical drive, because in my mind, I consider the Nismo Z to be a completely better car. I didn't think I'd be able to just lose him anywhere, and to my mind, that car has such major suspension and chassis upgrades, as well as wider tires that keeping up shouldn't be a problem.
And so we went at it...I kept an eye out in my rear view mirror through the whole drive, and it looked like my friend was easily maintaining pace through the whole drive, as expected. When we chatted about the drive later, I was really surprised when he said that when it came to the curves, there were some where he was absolutely scared to attempt to follow me in at the same speeds I had went in at (average entry and exit speeds into these curves were between 60-70 MPH, with some long sweepers hitting 80+). All I could comment on was that to me, it was just a typical drive...whatever he thought looked insane from his end, felt absolutely effortless and like duck soup to me. He came away extremely impressed with the RX-8's handling more than ever, having made an attempt to keep pace with me. And I can tell you, his comments weren't made from lack of driving skill. I'd consider him a very good driver. There are things he's done with his cars while being able to maintain absolute control that I sure wouldn't attempt myself for safety's sake.
On my end, the 350Z has never been a car I ever considered; for one, it's completely out of my price range. And for another, I've never really cared for how it looked. But that aside, I definitely feel like I picked the right car anyways. The Z may have more power, but when even a good driver behind a Nismo Z's wheels, with all of its suspension upgrades, feels afraid to follow a stock RX-8 through the curves...that says it all for me. The RX-8 is truly an amazing car in that it feels so incredibly effortless, right up to its limits. I think the Nismo Z should be able to outhandle an stock RX-8 without a doubt, but at the end of the day, just the way the car feels at its limit is going to make the driver hold back.
I love my RX-8 dearly, and I REALLY love rotary engine. It's not about the power to me, it's all about the balance and ease of an intense drive through curves.
06-11-2008, 11:34 AM
#98
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topgear rx8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrjBsSHB-DM
topgear 350z: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnEckXAunK8
topgear 350z: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnEckXAunK8
anyway.
ive test drove an rsx - S, S2000,350z, evo 9 mr, sti,audi TT,and a BMW m3,and the shinka rx-8
I for one chose the rx-8.
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