Oversteer

Having owned many Rx7's over the last 14 years, I've been following the story of the Rx8 for some time. I couldn't resist placing my order for a Silver GT with Red\Black leather. I was very hesitant to leave the deposit with the dealer since this is car that none of us have had the chance to drive and many of have never seen in person. I really wish Mazda had stayed true to the mission of the original Rx7 and built a real sports car. It baffles me every time I see the plethora of Mazda 6 ads on TV. It seems like these cars are targeted to the same market??? So, having been a big fan of the new 350Z, I decided to take one for a ride. Even though I haven't driven the Rx8, I immediately regreted leaving that downpayment. I want a sports car. I don't want a sedan, or a car that can't decide what it is. Had I not left that deposit, I'd have a Z in the driveway right now!! I've never owned a Nissan but the car was very impressive. It was very responsive and just felt tight. I'm sure the 8 will be a good car but I think I'm sold on the Z....

This all leads me to ask the question, is anyone interested in buy my option for the cost of my deposit?? $500

91vert

C'mon Mike......that Z car doesn't have a rotary!!! Traitor!! :-)

I know what you're saying though.....if I did not need a somewhat fun baby hauler, I might be in the same mind set as you are.

You might want to post something out in the Midwest forum on here. Maybe someone will want your spot in the first allocation and be willing to take your order off your hands.

Oversteer

Hey Kevin...

If all else fails, I know by the time the cars come out, the dealer will have a waiting list...I raised this issue with Bommarito and they wouldn't make any promises...Did they tell you that your deposit was non-refundable?

91vert

Yes.....kinda hacked me off a little, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to love the car and it will be a non-issue. They said that they had to make a non-refundable deposit because they did not want people coming in and ordering some odd color/option combination, not really being totally serious about the car, ending up not taking delivery, and then being stuck with a car they can't sell.

I don't really understand their logic, but what are we going to do??? No deposit....no order.

If I don't take delivery of it I was told that I could use the $500 as some kind of dealer credit to put towards a different car or parts/service. I'll just have to load up on some RX-7 parts I guess. Not that $500 gets you very far at the parts counter for RX-7 parts!!

Oversteer

I'm not a fan of Bommarito but they set me up a commercial account when I used to buy a lot of parts. It worked out pretty well....got 15% off on parts...

Who did you work with?

For $500, you may be able to pick up a wheel for your convertible!! And maybe a quart of oil!

91vert

PM'd you.....thought we better quit the conversation in this thread so nobody gets creased.

Good Duck

If you have your heart set on the 350Z, then I say go for it. $500 is not chump change, but it's small price to pay for not having buyer remorse. That's would painful to live with. Of course, try your damnedest to get your deposit back. Be persistent, throw a tantrum, threaten them with bad word of mouth, ask for a partial refund, or anything else that you can muster. But if they won't budge, then just cut your lost and move on. Experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want.

quicks8

Personally I have test driven the 350Z Touring and I really liked the car. I was set to buy it until I started reading all of the reviews out there about it. I still haven't been able to find anywhere reputable that has give the Z a glowing approval rating. If you really want a 350Z go test drive one and then go test drive the comparably equipped Infinity G35 Sport Coupe. Personally after driving both, the Infinity is just a better car, but it is more money as well.

DON'T BUY A 350Z W/O TEST DRIVING THE INFINITY!

The car rides smoother and corners better than the Z and you are not going to notice a 7 HP difference. Plus the nav systems in the cars are totally different. The one in the Z is awful.

More or less for 33,100 (MSRP) you can get an RX-8 with everything the Z has and more. So you take a loss of ~37 HP big deal. Overall the 8 is just a better car.

However if you really have your heart set on a Z read the reviews before you fork out the money for one and then if you still have been persuaded not to buy one, I say go for it.

Just my .02

-Quick

ACRX8

The Z got 2003 sports car of the year!

BUT

The outcome could of been different if the RX-8 was a 2003!

Toadman

Absolutely. What competition do we foresee for that title in 2004?
The EVO? STI? The Bimmer?

jbebernes

i thought I had recently read that Toyota was coming out with a new Supra. One possible engine was a 3.5 litre V-6 making 325hp. Another article mentioned a possible 4.5 litre V-8.

quicks8

ACRX8 ---

It may have gotten "Sports Car of the Year" but I invite you to:

A) Go test drive one
B) Then go test drive its 2+2 sister, the Infinity G35 Sports Coupe
C) Then read a few articles from sources like Road & Track and Car & Driver and see what they point out as the good and bad points on the car.

I have done all 3 and read more than just the R&T and C&D articles. From everything I have heard the 8 is just a car that is more oriented to the sports car enthusiast than the Z is.

Here's something else to really get you thinking if anyone has ever driven a Miata, specifically one of the newer ones you know that you can throw that car into a hard corner at 60 MPH and it pushes right through the corner like that's its job. Try this with a Z and it spins out like that's its job. Now if the RX-8 handles anywhere close to how the Miata handles, which is the analogy that Mazda has used for handling comparison, I would say the RX-8 is once again just a car that is more oriented to the sports car enthusiast than the Z.

Once again just my .02

What do I know anyways....?

-Quick

zoom44

not in time for 2004 voting

ACRX8

quicks8,

I had several 1st generation RX-7! They were the best cars I have ever owned. I have been waiting 19 years for the RX-8.

Need to drive one before I buy.

Drove the 350Z - nice car but I need four doors and back seats.

TJZ

I'd like to say hi to the forum. I'm new here and looking for a little info on the 8. I thought i could provide some insight into the new 350z. The Z definately feels much more sports oriented than then g35c. The coupe leaves you feeling a little disconnected from the driving experience. A couple of mags has commented on it's handling being better than the Z's. This is simply due to the fact that it has better tires. Don't get me wrong, the g35c is a great car. It's my 2nd favorite reasonable priced car out at the moment (maybe soon to be replaced by the 8, who knows?). Also, the Z handles the corners very well. But if pushed too far it has a push to it (my least favorite thing about the z). You to be pretty stupid to get the car to spin out imo (a lot of people have, lol). But to say "the z spins out like it is it's job" is just a fallacy.

anyway, how long has this forum been open? I look forward to learning more about the 8.

Zio

I think they are trying to market the RX-8 what it isnt. It's not a sports car. Its a sports sedan with 1 missing seat. Its design looks more sporty, but whats under the hood doesnt say much. Yes the rotary is unique, but its just not powerful enough for todays standards. Ill wait and see what the final product is like though. If it is still possible to mod it and make it faster then I still may purchase it, but a curb weight neering 3011? sigh...

zoom44

recent article from uk put it at 1300kg which is something like (sorry if my math is off) 2866lbs.

rotisserie

Hi Zoom44, you think you can post the link to the article please

zoom44

actually rotisserie sheylen already did in the media section here and several people quoted some stuff in the thread but read the whole article.

sheylen

4car article (I love it)

sheylen

Hi zoom44 you are to fast for me

zoom44

maybe but only by a couple of secs. and your post is coming from south africa:D i did give you credit though, i was thinking of just claiming the find for myself hehe:p

droidekaus

This is absolute HORSESH*T! Not once in five months and 8000 miles have I even come close to spinning the Z. Does that mean that it won't? No. Plenty of people on the Z boards who come from FWD Civics and the like who have no idea how to handle a RWD car have spun, and wrecked. I can put the tail out in a neat, precise powerslide and pull it right back in line with just a bit of steering input.

I don't believe for one second that you have any real experience with the Z at speed, otherwise you'd have commented on the over-abudance of understeer that's been unfortunately dialed-in, much to the dismay of many owners.

I don't care if you dislike the Z, but to spread completely false rumors about it being a tail-happy wreck waiting to happen is just uncool. I'll place bets now that within a week of taking delivery some clown, somewhere, will plant his RX-8 into a curb because it doesn't handle like his former FWD car.

Hercules

I agree with most of what you're saying but I'll disagree too

The people that are converting from FWD to the RX-8's RWD and have NO EXPERIENCE with a RWD car, probably will be smart enough to keep the DSC on. The DSC will prevent them (and from all reports it's near impossible) to break the tail loose even by full gas on a corner. That's a good system at work there.

However there will be the show-offy types and will turn it off and send their rear end flying into eternity :p

The Z however, does not have a DSC system and thus with too much gas on an exit turn, that rear end CAN (and likely will) go a-flyin'. Granted if you have experience driving RWD cars that won't happen, but many FWD to RWD transfers in the Z won't have the same luxury.

I think the RX-8 will be less prone to doing it only because of the DSC. There are idiots that can make an accident happen in any car, and some cars just make it easier for it to happen. I think the Z is one of those, however since there is a lot of understeer dialed in, even in the Z it's going to be a task. It's not a Vette

droidekaus

Wrong. The Z has VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) in the Performance, Touring and Track trimlines. The Enthusiast trim has TCS (Traction Control System) and the Base has nothing, not even an LSD. Hardly any base Zs are being sold, so the chance of anyone test driving one is slim to none.