vApor

i heard g35's have lots of probelms.. after a year of driving

rx8wannahave

:D
I wrote this to a friend on what it was like to drive a RX-8...

Finally, I did more than sit in the RX-8….I experienced it…

First, the car is so comfortable and as with my wife’s Mazda6 I love the interior. I really like the G35 but the RX-8’s interior is much better looking. I know the cars (NEW) are kinda sorta close in price but the 8’s interior looks like they paid attention to every part inside.

Smooooooooth….

My goodness, was the engine ever on? The rotary is silky and I never felt like the car was underpowered at all…at any RPM in any gear. (Keep in mind I did not push the pretty girl, but I doubt I would have any complaints if I did)

The raspy and sporty BUT NOT ANNOYING music coming from the tail pipes was sweat. It reminds me I’m in a sports car yet does not REMIND ME I’m NOT GOING DEAF.

It’s sexy shape that reminds guys why we love women so much. The 8 looks nice from every angle, from the outside to the inside. Most importantly, because now a days the designers can’t make a car with a nice butt (poor 350Z), the back of the car looks great. With or without a tail the butt looks exactly like it should. It’s the J-Lo of cars in my opinion….a VERY NICE BUTT!

It felt very tight and never felt cheap! The ride was very nice for a sports car and I felt like (as all sports cars should feel) like the 8 was as much a part of me as I was of it.

The sifter is real nice and takes no effort to throw it around. I love how it falls perfectly where it should allowing your arm to rest and not strain because it’s positioned incorrectly (poor Mustang). The little rotary type **** is a nice touch too!

My few complaints…

A grabby clutch (but it was probably me considering I only have experience with OLD clutches and sticks) I think I just was pushing in the clutch too much.

I spent too little time to get a good feel for the girl!

I hope, GOD WILLING, that next year I can own one of my own and be like the rest of you guys….loving life in their RX-8.

As promised...

WarpFactor

Like yourself, and many others, I was down to a RX-8 and G35 as my final choices too. The main reasons I went with the RX-8:

Price - The G35 was more expensive
Rarity - There are a lot more G35's around my area than RX-8's
Uniqueness - the suicide doors & rotary engine
Sportiness - RX-8 wins in my book
Sexiness - RX-8 wins again.

You can't go wrong with either car, but I went with the 8.

Oh, and ignore the arrogant know it alls on this board. Always something to add, but nothing to say :p Most people are quite helpful and friendly on this board.

rx8wannahave

Don't worry, I have noticed that most people are helpful...some, well...they did not get enough love at home or something...poor babies...

Either way, JESUS still loves them...so I'll overlook their...hummm...thoughts...

klegg

There are a few here that even jesus would have a hard time with......

Mitch Strickler

Most of your questions have been answered correctly, but I have a slightly different twist. The short-trip scenario you described should not cause flooding. It might have on early models, but Mazda reflashed the ECU to lessen this tendency. Unlike a few others who talked about the desirability, or even need, for warmup before driving, I say it isn't necessary. This isn't just my opinion; every car manufacturer and auto writer I've ever come across says that you will do better for your engine by driving away immediately, but gently. The engine warms up more quickly than at idle. (If you have to gun it into fast-moving traffic in the first 20 yards, warmup might make sense.)

You asked whether the rotary runs hotter or colder. A good deal hotter, and unfortunately Mazda did a lousy design job on keeping the heat out of the car. The nice console that runs the length of the cabin gets hot, including the beverage holders. Mazda put out a supposed fix for the holders, but it was installed in my car and was little help. The heat also can be felt from the lower portion of the dashboard, and through the air vents. I have had my air vents emitting warm air (with the temperature gauge full off) at outside temperatures in the mid-50s. That leads to more use of AC than is desirable, and makes the AC's job harder in summer. (Personally, my car's AC has been up to the job even on sunny days in the 90s, but others have been less satisfied.)

Mitch

rx8wannahave

Please...not another issue about the RX-8....

But, I'm just kidding since it seems the issue is a minor one. Thanks for the temp information on the rotary...I was waiting on an answer on that one.

Now, that leave me wondering...why would a rotary be warmer than a piston engine? I guess it's the high RPM's it can reach or more friction? Humm...

Got me thinking now, but again...THANKS for the extra information!

Omicron

Like many of us here the G was my other finalist. The G is definitely a nice car, but I don't regret buying the '8 at all. Here are my reasons (not in any particular order) for buying the '8 over the G:

Comfort - The RX-8 is much more comfortable. You sit ON Nissan seats, not IN them.
Price - The G35 was more expensive
Insurance - The RX-8 is cheaper to insure.
Rarity - There are a lot more G35's around.
Uniqueness - Unless you know what they are and appreciate the details, they look a lot like a Camry Solara or any other generic Japanese sedan. The '8 cannot be confused with anything else.
Thoughtful design - Everywhere you look, the car is remarkable. Mazda put a lot of thought into it.
Power - While the G is a tic faster, it's not enough to be a big issue.
Handling - G's handling is less nimble. Feels ponderous by comparison.
Sportiness - RX-8 wins hands down for me.
Sexiness - RX-8 wins again.
Dealer Service - Extremely spotty, even more so than Mazda's. Also, the nearest Infiniti dealership is 75 miles from me through (shudder) Denver traffic.
This forum - Believe it or not, this was a factor. The G35 forums seem to be populated with middle-aged men with a "trying to be a teenager again" attitude. I tried posting on the G35driver forum about this very same subject, and got a bunch of jeering, adolescent responses about the RX-8 being soooooo sloooooow. Not one nice, objective comment - just slams. This community, on the other hand, is mostly helpful and a great place to be. I felt like I was joining a real family when buying the '8, while the G would have been "just another car."

jakes8

get the RX-8. it's just freakin' cool, OK?!

Mitch Strickler

I rarely disagree with Omicron, but his comparison of Infiniti and Mazda service puts anecdotal experience against fact. Infiniti started out having to compete with the new level of dealer quality that Lexus used to barge into the luxury segment. Mercedes and BMW owners who had been dumped on by snotty dealers, at great cost, found they were treated like royalty at Lexus and Infiniti dealerships. Mazda is a run of the mill operation, selling cheap to moderate priced cars, and it is in the same mediocre class with similar brands. Nor is their owner, Ford, a paragon of service. All this may be opposite in Denver; I don't know. But look at nationwide data and infiniti comes out way ahead.

While I'm on the subject of service, my own reaction (fom experience with my 8 and reports on the forum) is that Mazda is trying to fix problems -- flooding and squealing brakes, for example.

Mitch

G-ReX

I just sold my Probe GT yesterday after getting my RX-8 on the 3rd. I was leaning toward the Infiniti until I drove the cars, then it was an easy choice for the 8. You've got to drive them back-to-back. The only problem is many Infiniti places have a designated test drive car and it's an automatic. If you've been looking at the G35C forums, you know those guys are universally happy with their cars and their service. I think you'll get more hit and miss service with Mazda. If you're looking for a sports car, you'll like the RX-8 more.

The day I got my car, I was driving near my house and I saw a red G35 coupe with a tail spoiler coming at me. That car had been my screen-saver for months. The woman driving it practically snapped her neck as she drove by, looking at my car. No regrets. :D

TODreamer

get the 8... it delivers everything it implys and or says plus more

The G35 is nice, luxurious ride (but a lacking interior IMHO), decent handling and has power... but....

I cant stand when a car implys or says it does something when it obviously doesnt.

What I mean is.... the G35 has a back seat but you can use it .. its utterly useless. I got in the back of a G35 and right away my head hits the back window.... and I'm far from a tall guy... only 5'10" and I have a short upper body too (I'm all legs). Someone hits you in the pants in that car and your rear passengers will platter their brains all over the back window for sure.....

that being the case, whats the point of a G35? Just get its 2 seater cousin, the 350Z which is a little cheaper, sportier (better handling, and a touch faster) and just as nice

Eddyx

Don't expect EPA type gas mileage from the G35, I would typically get 18-20 combined driving. Best was 22. On the plus side the G has a 20gal fuel tank.

rx8wannahave

WOW, that must have felt nice!



My LORD...can you describe that in more detail...LOL, but you brought up a true and good point...

THANKS!

titaniumgrey

get the G35 coupe 6 speed dude!!! my brother has one!!! its f***ing nice! , kid was running 14.2's the first day he went to the track with it ....

rx8wannahave

Well, the G35 is sweet...no doubt, and it was my first choice before I heard about the RX-8. While it's a good battle...I think the RX-8 has a price, interior, and comfort for rear passengers edge.

Don't forget the easy in and out with the rear..."doorlitz"

The only way I would get a G35 now is if I found one for less than the 8 and that seems impossible.

But, the G is a sweet car too...both of them are, the 8 is great...

kantonm

I have to say that I was trying to choose among alot of the same cars that you are. I too removed the IS300 but for different reasons, among them the fact that the body style is now 4yrs old and will change soon and comparably equipped the lexus was about $6000 more expensive.

To help you.. this is my second rotary and I have found that if you properly break in the motor the oil consumption is far less than you'd think. I add about 1qt per 3000 mi (when new) and I have also noticed that when I hit 10000mi the consumption went down. The gas mileage is not an issue between the infiniti and the 8 because they both have horrible mileage when driven as intended...if you baby the cars you'll get better mileage.

I have had my car for a while and have NEVER had the car flood...I do alot of short trips and don't have the flooding problem

if you are still in doubt drive the infiniti on a long test drive on the freeway...the car will rattle your teeth out...the ride is much harsher than the 8...also the 8 isn't as common...don't want to pull up to the same car all the time. I have also had 15 other cars (90 300zx, Porsche 944, 98Prelude among them) and this is by far the most fun. I never tire of people asking what is that? and "is that the batmobile?"...

StewC625

Here's the best reason now to NOT buy the G35 - the 63 year old grandfather down my street just bought one.

The G35 is an OLD MAN'S car - it's a good-performing luxury coupe. It's the 2004 equivalent of the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado ... good performer, but a personal luxury car, not a sports car.

The RX-8, despite the existence of the back seat is a full-on, full-metal, wild eyed sports car.

rx8wannahave

Thanks for the input and like I said before, RX-8 owners love their car (99.9% of them). My real worry is more with the type of engine it is and if it will be good to me and will I be able to do basic to moderate maintenance on the engine. GOD WILLING, I'll be in an 8 early next year...

LOL, maybe true...but young people get it too and love them (99.8% of them) too. LOL But, with that said...I"m pretty sure it's the 8 I'll be getting...

StewC625

Apparently my comment struck a nerve because this morning, I received three grumpy-grams via PM that took exception to my comment about the G35 being an OLD MAN's car.

Allow me to explain as I did to them: My grandfather (dead about 20-some years) was a "car guy" like me, like you. He loved cars - and finally, in his 60's he could afford a great car - he chose to drive the Olds Toronado, although he'd rather have had a Jag or a Corvette, because it was a big luxury AND performance car ( the original Toro's were serious performers, and serious handlers, at least compared to the other boats on the road at the time).

If I think of him now, and I think of what he'd be driving now, he'd likely be driving a G35. Just like the 63 year old down the block.

Now lest you think I'm some high school kid, I'm not - I graduated high school in 1980.

f852rx8

You did the math. You did a thorough evaluation and probably a trending graph or two.
I went through the same thing. Well, maybe no graphs, but I had a comparison spreadsheet.
Here is how I decided:
I drove the RX-8. Then I realized that this car, with the rebirth of the production rotary, was going to be a legend. And the G35 was always just going to be a 'nice coupe'.
You can't go wrong with the RX-8.
It still boils down to your needs and preferences. Good luck deciding.

rx8wannahave

Most likely true and I bet he could have given us some good advice about the RX-8 Vs G35 saga....

I"m glad I'm not the only one! It has been a very hard decision but since it will be my first newISH car (I've had 2 cars and both over 100,000 miles when I got them) in my life I'm asking alot of questions and reading everything I can on the 8.


Again and again, I say thanks to all of you for your input! I drove the 8 once and it was a very short drive but I had a grin from ear to ear after the drive. I did not get to really...really get a feel for the 8 but I was very pleased with the little time I had with it. Maybe I'll test drive a G35 before making a final decision but right now it seems to me that the 8 is the perfect sports car for me.

Maybe I'll paste my spreadsheet to this post so you guys/gals can have a laugh and see what I thought about all the cars I was thinking about.

THANKS AGAIN! :D

bean438

In my opinion the G35 is just a plain ol' regular looking car. There is one down the street from me. He does not get stares when he drives like an 8 does.
Don't get me wrong, the G35 is a nice looking car, but so is a Honda Civic, or any brand new car for that matter.

rx8wannahave

Come on, how can you even mention a Civic compared to a G35...that's just crazy...LOL

I think the G35 looks great but the RX-8 looks more like a sports car and is unique from the engine to the curves outside.

bean438

Whats so crazy? When I see a G35 I say "hmmm nice looking car". Same thing when I see a Civic.
When I first saw an RX8 it was something like" what the **** was that? ".
My point is that the G35 is an average everyday looking brand new car. It doesant stand out like the RX8 does.