DevinB

Hello all. im am currently in the market to be purchasing a newer car. Right now i have narrowed it down to the RX8 and a 350z.

I have a few questions if you dont mind and i appreciate those who respond.

What are, if any, issues are there with the rx8? (I heard a rumor on oil consumption)

What are these cars putting to the ground stock? (I hear negative things as well)

Does the car respond well to the basics? And if so what are the standard mods people start off with and what kind of gains are people putting down?

Are you as an Rx8 owner content with the power of a stock rx8. (Most likely would keep mine stock if purchased.)

I have test driven one in particular and loved the way it drove. It accelerated nicely but i did notice the lack of torque. The car handles amazingly and i do love the styling of the both the interior and exterior.

and finally what is the one thing you love about your 8?

Thanks for taking the time to respond. And hopefully i will be purchasing my 8 soon.

Skythe

You're going to get told to search, and with good reason. These questions find their way on this forum multiple times throughout the weeks.


Follow these links please.....

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/impressions-first-2000-miles-82888/

In particular read this one....

https://www.rx8club.com/purchasing-financing-insurance-56/350z-82791/

And this one

https://www.rx8club.com/purchasing-financing-insurance-56/interested-rx8-what-about-service-%24-83702/

Happy reading!!

Moumtz

Buy a 350Z. Keep my car exotic. Thanks.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

haha Yea, I use to think like that too... until I started seeing 2 or 3 a day. Why'd you copy me? you made my car less exotic.

DevinB, Did you happen to test drive the 350z as well? Outside of all the maintenance and mods, find out which one you like driving better. oh and btw, modifications aren't that effective on the 8 right now.

DevinB

moumtz i wont make it that easy. I just want your guys criticism. I read those threads and they were helpful. The more responses i get will make me more aware of my decision.

btw im 20yrs old and will be financing so the 8 is a little cheaper. so in that sense practibility is not my concern. But i love the handling of 8, especially coming from a V6 Camaro 5 Speed. Which has a tendancy of handling like a SUV.

DevinB

i have driven both and the Z does seem faster but i cant help the uniqueness of the 8.

And im sure everyone is aware of the staple car for the new fast and furious movie

Flop

Well, if you are 20 and you are financing this (and paying for it by yourself), I'd recommend the 8 solely based on price (although I like it better than the 350 anyhow)

Low interest rates on the 8 and you can get a GT right now for 35-36 if you don't mind less selection in colors...

DevinB

i would be buying used, but i have an 04 rx8 picked out with 4,800 miles for 23.9. I do believe it is a GT. xenon, two tone leather, power everything..etc.

Raptor75

First I would say both are good cars. The 350Z has more torque and 0-60 speed but it is a heaver car and drives like it. The RX-8 is far more agile and the ride is considerably better then the Z, the Z is a kidney buster. The Rx-8 is a far more refined car then the Z also better fit and finish, better build quality, smoother in all operations. The Z can be clunky when working with it.

RX-8 is a far more livable car room for 4, bigger truck and much nicer interior. Nissan has had a quality problem wit it interiors for years now and the Z is a perfect example, the interior seems very cheap and poorly done. The RX-8 has an excellent interior.

Exterior design is in the eye of the beholder. I like both but prefer the RX-8, it has some very beautiful lines.

You won't find modes very rewarding for faster 0-60 times as of yet. You will squeeze some HP but your looking at tops of maybe 30 with out a turbo.

Oil consumption is normal in the RX-8 because of the rotary and it is very low 1 quart for 1.5 to 3K.

Now for my short list of concerns with the car.

Gas mileage is the worst I have seen in a car, the car sucks it down. I have a new RX-8 700 miles and have not seen over 12.5 mpg city. I believe there is something wrong but feel that I only have about a 20% chance the dealer will be able to do any thing. Some are getting better; I was hoping for 15-17 but have not come close has of yet.

The only other complaints are small, heating system sounds like a jet at any setting over the lowest setting. It also dose not work that great.

No recess in the center console to store things. There is a small doored area but I would prefer a recessed bin.

The windowsill is to high to rest your arm on it when driving with the windows down.

Stock tires cannot be used in the snow.

The only other concern I have is a still developing issue. Last summer in hot climates during a heat wave there were a series of engine failures. It is generally believed to be poor oil cooling in stop and go traffic on hot days. It affected mostly autos with the single oil cooler but some manuals with the dual were also affected. It appears that the oil cooler would benefit from fan cooling. Last I heard Mazda has yet to address this issue.

Over all I love the car but hate the mpg and the fact that others with the same car and driving styles get better mileage.

dazygirl415

Normally, I'd take the time to answer these type of threads since you're really only wanting help. At the risk of sounding like a b!tch, please search. I promise you, there are SEVERAL threads that discuss every single one of your questions, each thread with SEVERAL responses.

If you buy the RX8, you'll love it. If you buy the 350Z, you'll wish you bought the 8. Good luck.

UFGator12

HAHA I love that advice. Yeah, everytime one of these come up now I'm going to say that. Man, that's classic.

Blue87Sport

Why worry about what "numbers you're putting to the ground". You're not driving a set of numbers, and numbers alone don't tell the story of any car. You drove the car, you decide if there's enough power to keep you happy. Is the driving experience of the 8 better, to you, than the driving experience of the 350. That's what really matters in the end, not any numbers or what somebody else thinks.

Look at the first and third sticky here: the satisfaction survey and the "little things" threads. Those threads best capture how the owners here feel about their cars.

Good luck with your decision.

P.S. If you're really hung up on numbers, count how many RX-8 there are ahead of the the top 350Z in this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-25/rx8-winner-nationals-75112/

RX8Dragon

Here watch this,
RX8 review vid
The RX8 actually tied with the 350Z not bad for a car that is probably out HP'ed by 50-60 wheel hp.

saturn

Yeah, there are hundreds of people in the same boat trying to decide between a 350Z and RX-8. Just search for 350Z.

This isn't an easy comparison. The RX-8 is very unique. It's not a slam dunk winner because it does have some compromises. But, then again, so does the 350Z. I think the information about them is pretty clear, so it's just a matter of making up your own mind about what's more important.

But, if you watch that Top Gear clip RX8Dragon posted and still are on the fence, the RX-8 is most likely not for you.

CrazyRX88's

Hey Devin,

Look under the "$8000 off MSRP" thread in the purchasing/financing section...
$24 040 for a brand new GT is a great deal!
I spoke with Mike from the Evanston dealership a couple days ago and he still had a few in stock, worth checking out IMHO.

Kings8

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search


Google's your friend. Lots of other good links there.


Here's the head to head shoot out between the 8, Z, and 2000.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

playdoh43

just test drive dude, that helps a lot more than anything people can say here. just keep in mind of the possible problems of both cars. 350z = potential tire feathering. rx8 = potential bad gas mileage and engine flood. good luck car shopping.

Raptor75

That's where I bought mine and it was a great experience and the price was in line with what you quoted $26,300 out the door for a GT with a spoiler. You can't bet the price for this car.

PS Good to hear from another north sider.

DevinB

thank you for all the links and posts. i apologising for not searching beforehand. i have test driven both cars and i guess ill head out tommorrow and drive them again. then go from there. i appreciate the help.

1.3L

First off, congratulations on narrowing down your search to a couple of really nice cars; both are great cars, in their own ways.

The oil consumption "issue" with the 8 isn't really an issue, if you understand the Renesis engine. It was designed to use a bit of oil, so some consumption (more than a piston engine) is normal.

I've heard 170-180 HP to the rear wheels. I don't know what is normal or what is expected. All I know is that for tiny, 1.3L (80 cu. in.) engine, it makes a good showing for itself. A muscle car it is not. The Z is more of a cross between muscle and sports, in my opinion.

Am I content with the power? You bet. I test drove my new RX-8 6-speed before buying and decided it was a barrel of fun. Are other cars quicker/faster? You bet. But, I don't care; I'm HAPPY with my 8! I doesn't matter a hoot and a holler how happy someone else is with their Evo-Sti-GT*-whatever; I'm happy with MY car.

There's a lot of things I like about my 8. First off, you don't see 2000 of them on the street everyday. They look different. They sound different. They handle extremely well in stock form.

Dare to be different.

1.3L

BlueEyes

I agree, classic. Nothing says exotic like a 30,000 dollar mass produced Mazda!

AQA101

Too many things to list, but handling ranks #1.

Krankor

Main Entry: ex·ot·ic
Pronunciation: ig-'zä-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin exoticus, from Greek exOtikos, from exO
1 : introduced from another country : not native to the place where found
2 archaic : FOREIGN, ALIEN
3 : strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual
4 : of or relating to striptease <exotic dancing>

Hate to break it to you, but nowhere in the definition is "expensive" or "hand-made". For 30k, I'd say the RX-8 is the most exotic car you can get. Despite mass production, people generally don't know what it is, and are mystified by the rotary engine. And the vast majority of owners do indeed find this striking and exciting, even if you yourself do not. I'd say the 8 fits the definition to a tee.

sti_eric

Hate to break it to you, but in the automotive world, the term 'exotic' means the following (taken from cars.com):

Cars that are high-priced and produced in limited numbers; head-turning styling, a potent engine and unusual design are other key elements.

Calling an RX-8 (or any car under about $100K) 'exotic' is incorrect use of terminology.

FABRO

I would agree, that is why I say our cars are "unique" rather than "exotic".

But anyways, have you given any thoughts about getting a Honda s2000? I wanted to get one a few years ago before the Rx-8 and 350z came out.