I like the feel of the 8...it lacked a little more power...and now with FI its complete...

But I "like" it...not for any other reason than it "feels" good to me...

heh...try to convince me meow that a ferrari is better...

who cares?

 

my power issue is getting resolved. slowly, but surely

 

I was browsing on edmunds earlier and looked at their review of the '08 rx-8. Pretty laughable. Im summary they pretty much said is sucks as a sportscar because of the lack of power. This is probably the same editor that was drooling all over the same car a couple of years ago.

 

sheboygan falls, where is that by?

 

^^^abut half way between Milwaukee and Green Bay, just off of I-43

 

ah, ok

 

^^point beach

 

not saying you'll crash, but i just don't think a first car for anyone should be a rwd sports car.

obviously your parents have the cash... if they insist that you blow 35k on your first car, if i were you, i'd get an acura. trade it in in a few years for a rwd. there's no rush. enjoy the process.

 

I was actually in the same situation as you, just this past week. I test drove the 350z about a month ago and recently a rx8. Both base model MT's.

What i first noticed was the difference in power, the 350z does beat it in a straight line and has the numbers to prove it. 0-60 times 2007 350z (306hp) at 5.2second... The rx8 hit 60 at 5.8-5.9 sec. So from a red light the 350z is a animal. Up top though both cars were very similar. With the high revving rx8 it seemed as if you could definitely push it to its limits and rev it out, has a nice little beep when it comes close to redline telling you when to shift. But yeah at higher speeds the 350z and rx8 were pretty even! Couldn't tell you much of a difference in that aspect.

The 350z and rx8 handling was different in more ways then i thought. Yes around turns it was pretty similar, besides the 350z did feel a little heavier and the rx8 seemed a little bit more controllable! But driving on rougher surface the z's suspension was to stiff felt like i was riding on bricks. The rx8's was softer and felt great over small bump, almost like my stepmoms 328i. All in all in the handling aspect the rx8 takes this one home.

Believe it or not, top gear actually did a shoot out on these two and they had identical track times!

If your looking for something fast in a straight line and don't mind the rough ride the 350z is the way to go, also the normal bolt ons can give you alot more horse power gains then the rx8 bolt ons can. Since Mazda tried to get the most out of the 1.3L rotary even an exhaust and intake setup will only give you 4-8hp gains. You would need a turbo kit to make the rx8 a competitor to mildly tuned wrx's. With the bolt ons being very expensive for the rx8 the 350z you can get performance parts at a cheaper rate.

It was a hard decision but im satisfied with my rx8 bought it brand new 2007 with 45miles on it, and couldn't complain, just that its not the best on gas.


Regardless about which one you choose, post pics once you get either one!

Good luck!

 

Depends on if you want to upgrade or downgrade.

If you want to downgrade, the 350z is not a bad option. Pretty good actually.

 

G35/37 coupe is another option.

 

Drove my girlfriend's Z for 10 months before buying my 8 a couple weeks ago. The Z's slight edge in power is undeniable, but also unimportant to me. I need a car with a back seat.

I prefer virtually everything about the 8 to the Z. They've all said it: better looking car, handling, suspension, etc.

I *love the 8; I respect the Z.

 

Great quote, thats my stance on the whole RX8 vs. Z neverending battle

 

Those Z350s look like Porsche knock offs. They do look sharp, but there's no room on the inside, no luggage space, very cramped and it's just too big and heavy for my taste. I'd rather have a used Vette. I'm real happy with my 8 and have no regrets buying it, I can feel the quality and refinement when I drive it. It's all I need in a sports car, small sedan and roadcar. Love that rotary. Hope Mazda never stops making them.

 

i wish the guys over at the Z forums had the same idea as you

 

Go with the 8. The Z feels like a go cart, sure it has more torque but the tranny and suspension suck so bad you cant enjoy it. The 8 is cheaper and why do u need all that power stock? For higher insurance? Buy and 8 put FI or NO2 on it and get some poonanee wit it. You can fit 2 more chics in the back that like almost triples your chances of getting laid compared to a Z... Cmon

 

I think both sides have very valid arguments, so I will say that both side lose and fails.........

tajabaho1 wins

moving on...........

 

rrrright

 

if you compare RX-8 to newer Z's in performance, then it's big difference. but if compare them in practicability, comfort and material, I think 8 wins in every catagory.
btw, there are few stock Z's owners have run low 13's @ 107mph in 1/4. and I don't see any BMW 335i and IS350 can run at such high trap speed in 1/4.

 

what is so great about the Z? its not that great of a 2seater... really. my dad just got a Z last year, and i'm like *sigh*. he's an old guy now, let him enjoy the car he likes... but if i'd had anything to say about it, i'd tell him to stick with the honda brand that he had and get the S2k.

thats where the comparison should be, 2seater against 2seater sports cars. only thing is that at least the S2k will come with a convertible. even though, its not much of a comparison...the S2k will smoke the Z outright and doing so efficiently with only 4 cylinders dropping the 9k rpm hammer.

with that said... its only sad that the honda is a bit more hefty on the price and doesn't have different level of pkg to choose from, or a choice in transmissions. its all manuals... a truer sports car.

but still... the Z's cool. it sounds great, too. almost too cool for my pops.

 

get the 2seater... so what? you only get to be young once. i'd only wish 30's wasn't right around the corner so i would've given a real hard look into that S2K.
don't knock on the honda's....they're damn reliable cars. but i guess i caught the rotary bug back in the day in my rx-7... so this was a good option. only wished it had more power or turbocharged. not like i got it knowing its good on gas

so yeah, if ur young then getting the Z is definitely chic magnet status. and having the convertible S2k will definitely get u bitches with the top down. convertibles has its own advantages...like always having an excuse to ask a girl to get in a bikini to head out to the beach....trust me, i've done it. but in a miata that **** was slow with the ac on.