Immi

I don't own a nissan, but I do own two hondas. The interiors do NOT suck.

If you find them boring or are jealous of the car - dont get one, no point in teasing fine machinery.

There is a reason why Car and Driver's Top 10 for the last like 10 years have had atleast two honda's in them every year.

This year has what: 3

Hercules

Just went over this

The interior doesn't suck, it's just plain and boring. The quality is quite good though, but no Honda can touch the quality of my Millenia's interior.

And if Mazda says that the 6 and RX-8 are getting higher quality than that, I can't wait. Car and Driver mentioned already that the interior of the 6 feels like a BMW. Good praise

irresistibo

I do not retract my statement. I drive a Accord EX now, unfortunatly, due to the fact that i go to school 1000 miles away from home, in the middle of nowhere and i dont wanna pay 1000k for simple repairs. So i am speaking from experience. The interior may be ergonomic and functional, very well suited for that purpose, but whats up with the materials? All i see are cheap plastic pieces everywhere and some vinyl. My accord is a 96, and my families 1992 Mazda MPV basically has the same level of materials used in its interior. If you compare current vehicles, a 2002 honda civic does feel cheap compared to a MAzda Protege. Wanna argue with me? First go sit in a Protege then sit in a Civic, the difference is night and day. Sure the Honda may be put together well, but please, the plastics are from the mid 90's and the design sucks. Im sure the new Accords interior is no where near as nice as that of the new 6.

Theres a reason for this, Honda is happy making boring vehicles that outsell everything in its class. People expect that kind of boring styling. Mazda is working on improving its image, so they have to build everything better than its competitors. These companies are out for a profit, Honda is the big dog in the industry and doesnt have to make nice cars, they sell because of the name Honda. Why should they innovate? theirs no reason to and thats why its stuck in a state of myopia.

By the way, have you seen the new Accord? Ugly!

Nissan just smells funny to me for some reason, i dont like them. Every nissan car ive sat in feels american.

Hercules

One thing that Honda has done well for the last 15 years or so, is to NEVER mess up their image.

If they go for too much, they don't appeal to many buyers. If they go for too little they don't appeal. I think that Honda makes VERY calculated design changes, because their past 15 years of being #1 sellers reflects that.

While I personally think the new Accord is ugly, there will be HORDES of people to buy one, because it's a Honda, it's reliable, and wow look.. it's a change from what they have now! It's simply moving up the evolutionary Honda ladder.

While boring, it still provides the function over the form, and that has been Honda's bread and butter for some time.

Immi

I know this had already been discussed - I had the urge to say something - don't I?!


What Honda are you comparing your 30, 000 USD Millenia to? Atleast make a realistic comparison - an accord is atleast 6000 dollars cheaper. Dude, I own a TL and I'll guarentee you that the interior destroys your Millenia, not only that - but in every comparison possible.

You guys give to much false credit to Mazda - they haven't had a good history in sales and were recently on the brink of bankruptcy.

*note - I only care for the RX8 - cause its kick *** - I don't care about Mazda's other line up*

Hercules

30k for a Millenia? Are you on crack? 21k out the door.

And the interior in that car is better than any 21k car you can show me.

Quick_lude

Are you sure about that? Afair the Millenia in Canada was about $35-40K which is comparable to an Acura TL and not the Accord which is about $25-32 right now.

Hercules

Positive. With dealer incentives and rebates (which have been on for a year on this car), you can get this car CHEAP.

That's why it's so much better than the other cars in its price range.. if you want to judge it based on class yea, it will lose. Mazda didn't put the bucks up for that car and it was slow, and comparitevely missing a lot.

Immi

On crack eh - than the people at carpoint, car and driver must all be on crack.

I took the list price (which 99.99999% of the people get it for) and used that to compare the two cars. WITH OUT A DOUBT - the TL is a way better comparison to the Millenia than the Accord is.

Even if you want to compare the two cars - I don't see the Millenia winning any awards!

Don't forget man - we're talking about a Mazda here.

Hercules

My best friend has a TL he just got... I'd say the the Millenia's interior QUALITY is just as good if not better than the TLs. Granted, the TL's layout is a bit better, but as far as the materials that were used to make it.. I'd say Mazda used higher quality plastics and such, but the radio is SO ugly..

Brian_RX

The objective opinion that both are have their own style, and difficult to tell the difference between them except the color of the materals. According to one Chinese magazien, Mazda will do the best every car they produced in future because Mazda only has 2% selling market in the United States. Especially, the RX-8, and it the Mazda's RED CARD. :D

BitTwiddler

Let me first admit that I own a 350Z, so I can't claim a totally unbiased opinion as I've driven one (unlike many of you who).

I spend a lot of time on car-related forums, mostly 350Z and bimmer (E46). It is my opinion that the opinions on this forum would be more founded if a) you had actually driven a 350Z and b) you left out all the diatribes and dogma. Blanket anti-Nissan statements and obvious RX-x fanaticism don't prove any points.

Look at the 350Z forums (http://www.my350z.com): note how the opinions on the car are objective and are lacking the nauseating dogma of your "opinions." If the people in this thread are the kind of people considered RX-8 enthusiasts, then I am even more elated to be a part of a more objective, rational, and mature community.

Enjoy your car!

:D

zeroday

To all those who fault the Z for it's 53/47 weight dist, you should really look into the facts behind those numbers. It was designed that way purposely to rival the bmw 330ci style 50/50 wieght dist. This link may help explain it to you:

"Its well-balanced 53/47 distribution puts weight on the front tires when turning into a corner, but naturally transfers it rearward during acceleration for a 50/50 split. It has a wide (60.4-inch) track and long (104.3-inch) wheelbase to further reduce pitch, squat and roll. The suspension is mostly aluminum, and "ripple control" shocks dampen small bumps. "The concept of sport driving has been redefined," says Mizuno. "This is the ride of the 21st century."


http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/article/0,16106,387676,00.html

Hercules

That may be true zeroday, but unfortunately instead of achieving that which they claim, every review says it understeers instead.

zeroday

http://www.epinions.com/content_77601148548

"Traction in this car is a non-issue, pushing hard on the upstate NY backroads, I was extremely impressed with the initial bite both traction and steering - I experienced nearly no understeer except in extreme opposing weight entry situations hard on the gas - a quick tap on the stoppers into the next corner was all she needed - excellent reassurance of the dedication of the high performance rubber and the precision of the Nissan suspension package. "

http://www.nctd.com/printversion-rev...?ReviewID=1303

"The Z feels taut and well controlled. It really stuck when accelerating through fast sweepers on California's Palos Verdes Peninsula. The steering is sharp and accurate and the Z changes directions brilliantly in transient maneuvers, without excessive understeer turning in or sloppy oversteer coming out. Cornering is flat, without much body lean. "

My point is in part, that you really shouldn't say 'every' review, because it's just not true. I notice alot of blanket statements like that in this thread. People should stick to the facts instead of making generalizations. As an owner of the car, I haven't noticed anything less than stellar performance in the corners if you know how to drive the car. I've driven s2000's, BMW m3's, and a few porsche 996's, and the Z can hang with the best of them in the turns. IMO it handles differently than a 50/50 car (however arguably better), but that takes some getting used to; something that some reviewers probably didn't have the time or desire to do.

L28E_280ZX

Seriously guys; I don't even understand HOW in the bloody hell you got the numbers that say a 350Z runs 16 second 1/4's. I run a 280ZX, 1979 model with an engine in ****-poor condition cos it'd been neglected for years before I got it, but the 280ZX, non turbo and unmodded runs mid 16's. Post BPU mods, it's down to high 14's. It's a heavy car; 3200 lbs, to be precise; and running under 200 hp. Stick a 300 hp engine into a body that's under 4000 lbs, you're still going to haul ***; and a 350Z is NOT heavy.

I have a lot of respect for Mazda and their use of the Wankel engine; but you guys are giving the RX8 a bad name already by just sitting around and talking about cars you undoubtably have NEVER driven; the RX8 isn't out, and the Nissan Dealers aren't allowing test drives till you put 1k down.

And as for the marketing campaign, let's see Mazda do something like "THE RUN" done for the RX8, or the rumored new RX-7

Anyway I'm done here.
Try and keep it real guys;
I mean really, I respect the RX8 for its FR platform. Rather than trying to slander the 350Z, why don't we focus on the true enemy: THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE PLATFORM. Any car that has FF sucks. And will ALWAYS suck. Regardless of what it's running under the hood, it's still going to suck. Sorry, Honda.

Peace, and keep driving Rear wheel drive!

Zio

I think this car looks killer. First I was kinda feeling as if this car wasn't powerful enough, but I dont really care about that anymore because I rather have the cool interior and the fairly decent power rather than a car that I can only enjoy for its engine. Besides with a new intake and an intercooler ill be able to take on anyone, well maybe not anyone. The rotary engine sounds awesome and I cant wait to rev it up to 9000 RPM .

L28E_280ZX

-_- the RX8's renesis is N/A for reliability reasons.
Have fun blowing your RX-8 with too much boost.
(going beyond redline is just STUPID. don't do it.)

Front wheel drive is EVIL and must be wiped from the earth.

Sputnik

Why did these Z enthusiasts decide to stir up a 5 month old thread?

---jps

Zio

I wasnt planning to go past redline since redline is at 9000 RPM... :/ Rotary technicians also said the engine was designed to take boost...

nk_Rx8

Your right. The new March Road and Track just tested a Z track edition vs a 'Vette Z06, M3 SMGII and a 911 Targa. The lap times are:
Z - 1:40.06
Z06- 1:36.5
M3 - 1:40.09
911- 1:40.79

PS Some of us here do appreciate the Z also.

Elara

Sputnik, I was kinda wondering the same thing. If you want a Z, buy a Z. If you want an 8, buy an 8. Does it REALLY matter what anyone else thinks anyway?

Fëakhelek

I agree. I think the problem is that there are some aspects of the Z that we would like (torque) and some things the 8 has that Z owners would covet (back seats, styling, interior). Anybody that drops 30k wants to feel like they got a great deal on a unique and superior car. Trouble is that it is human nature to make youself feel more positive about your choice by finding fault with the alternative you passed up. I am sure either car will be fun as hell and get you chicks (or dudes as the case may be). Relax and enjoy, we are all getting kewl toys.
:D :D :D

Rotary Soul

it doesn't matter if it's the z or the 8. they are both great cars. don't hate or flame other cars because you're not buying it. personally i prefer the 8, but the z is still a great car. turn the tcs off and 99.9% of you guys will never be able to drive it at it's full potential. just love the cars. they're all cars, and as a car enthusiast, i love both the z and the 8. i do have somewhat of a problem with the mustang, but only becuase it was not developed with the kind of spirit and care that was put into the z and the 8. the mustang sells no matter what, so the developers didn't need to put effort into it. the z and the 8, on the other hand, had something to prove. don't hate just because.

jbebernes

Hey, I think a ton of spirit and care was put into the Mustang. Problem might be that the majority of that effort was back in 1964...