efini-17

I originally started a thread for s2k vs rx8... but after test driving a 350z I kinda like the whole torque concept . I however found out that the weight distribution is not 50/50 like the rx8 but is 53/47, which causes it to slightly understeer. What do you guys think about the comparison on these two cars?

Revvittupp

The 350z is more powerful, and faster in a straight line. Everything about it is bigger and heavier and it feels it. The controls are all clunky, weighty and not very well placed. It pushes like a madman through corners and then picks it's nose up on the straights. To me it isn't nearly the drivers car an 8 is, but if yoiu wanna go fast it's not a bad option.

Z1NONLY

You are going to have to nail down your priorities. The Z handles very well but feels a little heavy when driven back to back with an 8. The 8's power feels fine, until you drive it back to back with a Z. All cars involve a set of trade off's. What matters most to you?

Z1NONLY

Damn, it's not that bad. The controls feel great, although pedal placement in the 8 is perfect for heel-toe. I was able to get rid of the understeer with simple tire changes. (less stagger) The 05's+ came with stiffer rear ends and mine doesn't pick up the nose baddly. It's more of a driver's car than you give it credit for.

shakRpahX8

you can search

Raptor2k

Are you kidding me...

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

I can't believe you can't decide on a car. Now your asking about the RX-8 vs the 350Z.
You need to do some research on your own.
I had a 2006 Z for three weeks uncomfortable, noisy, hard to see out of, no room for anything. And who needs 6 cup holders in a 2 seat car?
Sure it has power, has to make up for it's short comings somewhere.
I would never buy one. If one was given to me I would trade it for an RX-8.

delhi

Where's my icepick..... Get either. It's more fun driving them than posting questions on an internet board!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

you are not old enough to know how to use either...

spend the money on a driving school.


beers

Socket7

2 seats.

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

Easy sums it up. I was looking at the Z when I was car-shopping earlier this year and the RX-8 obviously is what I ended up buying.
I would add that I wasn't impressed with the layout, fit and finish of the Z interior, and the car didn't feel nearly as comfortable as the 8. Yes, it was noisy. Add those uninspired pod-car looks, and I ended up leaving the keys with the salesman and walking away.
Nine months later I still find myself just staring at my 8 from time to time, and each and every drive is always anticipated with pleasure.

The 8 is an integrated, total package. Like no other car in the low-to-mid-5-figure price range, at least.

ayodog

a driver's car can normally be said one that doesn't do alot of the work for you. You should also be able to feel everything thats going on with the car.

Z33 doesn't make corners super easy and there is ALOT of feel when you're in that car.

You're ignorant if you're going to deny the z's handling .

The one thing i have heard from many around me is that the rx8 simply doesn't give you the same feel as say.. the rx7 did in a corner. FC and FD. Rx8 seems to do alot of the work with keeping you comfy instead of out of your seat. This is just an observation from what i have seen and been told of course. if you have ever driven an rx7 though you know what i mean.

Soo test drive and take turns fast. Scare the salesman. If hes not scared then you arn't going to find out whats so unique about both the cars.

delhi

^ The RX-8 is to a RX-7 like what the 997 is to a 993.
Get the Z. Lots of parts available - console from circa 2002 Altima, engine from Pathfinders to Nissan Quest, undercarriage from G35, wheels from Maxima etc....
With the 8, parts are fairly unique because stupid Mazda decided to build this car from the ground-up and refused binge from the parts bin.

Z1NONLY

The place we bought my wife's Magnum RT from had a Viper totaled on a test drive. Push it, yea. But pay attention and be careful.

This is what happens when you're not ready for the Z's power...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_6Ei5j9YY

DarkBrew

How about reading through the previous threads before posting another?
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=rx8+vs+350z
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=rx8+vs+350z
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=rx8+vs+350z
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=rx8+vs+350z
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=rx8+vs+350z

chetrickerman

you CANNOT compare these two cars!!

Suprfly2k

It doesn't take much to break the rears loose on an autocross track. That video didn't show me anything of the Z's torque...only poor driving.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

This has never been done before.

efini-17

I have actually done tons of research on these two cars same with the s2k... But I just wanted to see others point of view. I decided to post this question here because I dont want to sound like a jackass but people on z forums are really stuck up about their cars(Im not saying all just what I have been reading). The guy who traded in his z for an 8 got flamed on that forum because some people are to immature to admit their cars are simply not the best. Anyway thanks for the input and I am going to try to test drive the 3, s2k, rx8, 350z to the fullest that I can before making a decision... What I really want is an FD but I really am afraid of them... reliability wise... My freind has had one for 2 years with no problems... but others I know have blown their motors quite quickly... Only time will tell what I will buy, for now I am just confused lol.

Thanks guys

tajabaho1

get a Z man, do it, its pwnage, it will rape the rx8...........

here, go post here, they'll help u out!

www.my350z.com

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

taj, you should get one too.

chetrickerman

rootski, what happened to your avatar?

tajabaho1

nah I cant, unless u are willing to buy my car off me for 27k

Z1NONLY

That track has good traction. The guy that spun my Z is an experienced autocrosser, but with Miata's. He had no problem giving that much throttle, on the same track, in his MX-5. ( but we were not in his MX-5 )

Which was the point of my post. If you don't expect/respect the power, it will bite you.

As for the poor driving comment; Yes, driving a 300hp car the same as a 166hp car is a bad idea. ( I tried to warn him. )

Soravia

Put in the VQ35HR engine into an RX-8. I've seen people put them into the old S-13 chassis 240SX. There's at least 4 of them.

RX-8 has no torque compared to the Z. The driving style for the cars are totally different. If you are getting the idea of RWD cars by watching Initial-D think of the RX-8 as AE85 type and the Z as the Turbo Charged Supra. If you just keep pushing on the gas on car with so much torque the rear would lose traction. On the lighter RX-8, using advantage of the lower momentum to keep the car rolling is the way to drive it so that it won't be having a hard time picking up speed again.