what to do
 

Well, I bought my nordic green 8 new in 03'. I love the performance (still stock) and the looks (just a few mods i.e. wheels and exhaust). Thing is I have this problem where sometimes I feel like I want something else. As much as I would love to, I don't have enough experience or money to get into the turbos. I have been looking a little at the TT convertibles and the G35 coupes (obviously). I am not married or have any kids but I do prefer to have a back seat to throw shit as needed to the TT really isn't ideal. G35..... any opinions out there on these cars. Also, the trade in on the 8s suck ass but my overall question is just what do you guys/gals think about the G35 compared to the 8? Thanks in advance.

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If you have the money to trade in an 8 for a G35, why not turbo?

warranty would be voided by adding a turbo. if I had someone I trusted to work on the car that would help out a lot.

I like the G35. There's just too many of them around here.

Well the 8 is usually rated as a better overall car than the z, and the 35 is a fatter version of the z, make your own conclusion??

You don't sound completely sold on getting a new ride....I think there are a lot of things you would miss about the 8 if you got a G35 (handling, uniqueness, attention, adding oil :rofl: , and so on. The 8 is a special car that has a lot of attention to detail. I am sure the G35 is great too....but you need to weigh all options.

Get a project car to satisfy your tinkering needs.

yeah, it does get a lot of attention, thats for sure. i wouldn't say there are more G35s then 8s around here so thats not an issue for me. maybe just going with a MS front end will fix my delimma

The best solution for you, is to go test drive each car first, then come back and post up what you experienced. I drove them all, and the RX8 seems to fit me like a glove. :)

Its been two years into your warranty. Try to wait another 3 years and then hit that turbo. :)

Then you will have no warranty to speak of.

Yea, wait for the warranty to expire, then bolt on some puppies

Also...just remember why you got the 8 in the first place.

maybe he's just fickle, and want to have something new every 2 years or so

should've leased the 8 instead of buying it!

Is the Tubeless Tire (TT) really better/quicker?

1.3L

i didnt really read the thread at all but i agree with ne one that says to get rid of the rx8 cuz it licks balls... you will always be humbled by the FC and FD... go home juniour

What drivel. I've ne'er been humbled by any other car, and I ne'er shall be.

the class of individuals from rx7club often leave much to be desired....

I frequent both forums on a daily basis, and that's a bit harsh IMO. But yes, the 2 forums definitely have a different "atmosphere". Certainly the membership there is generally younger and many seem to be less knowledgable about rotary-engined cars and cars in general but I don't think that translates to less "class". Unfortunately, many of the younger members use ghetto-English posting styles to be cute and that gives the impression of illiteracy.

Sigh, I guess I'm getting old--actually I am old. :nopity:

I had a G35 Coupe before the RX8, and there really isn't anything bad I can say about the G. In my area, there are a lot of Z's and G's so the 8 is more of a rarity.
I can comment on the points that are important to me:

Rear seating:
Sitting in the back, you get plenty of leg room (for a 2+2) but no head room in the G. The 8's rear seats are more comfortable and usable but both have more rear seating space than most cars labeled as 2+2's.

Power:
As far as power, the G pulls harder off the line but for me, the 8 has ample power.

Ride and Handling:
Both my ex G and 8 had lowered suspensions. Tanabe on the G and Mazdaspeed on the 8--both also rolled 19" rims. When it comes to ride, both are very well composed but the G feels like more of a heavy Gran Tourer in the corners and the 8 feels like my Evo (I had the Evo before owning the G). Handling definitely goes to the 8. It is very "evo-esque". The 8 is more responsive to steering inputs/corrections and rides like the asphalt is one long sheet of flypaper. (I do have mazdaspeed suspension, f/r antiroll bars, strut tower bars, and upgraded rims/tires so maybe this isn't a fair comparison)

Interior:
As far as interior fit/finish and creature comforts, surprisingly for a car with a base price in the 20k's, the 8's interior seems much more refined and detailed than the 30k+ G. The 8's cabin is a very nice place to call home for an hour every day.

Dealer:
As far as dealer support though? I have yet to visit the Mazda dealer (Only had the 8 for a week) so I cannot comment on that. But the Infiniti dealer has been stellar--better than BMW and Mercedes. I work close to the dealership and when I needed service and oil changes, they would send a porter to drop off a complimentary loaner for me and then pick up my G or wifey's FX35 at my office to complete the service--then the porter drives it back to my office serviced and WASHED. I never had to step foot in the dealership or take time out of my schedule. (I'm wondering if infiniti will service my 8? lol)

Exclusivity and looks:
In my area, there a lots of G's but I never see ANY 8's let alone a Mazdaspeed kitted RX8. So for me, the 8 is more exclusive. As far as looks? Stock verses stock, the G wins hands down for me. I just don't like how the 8 looks stock.-- but perfectly install a Mazdaspeed body kit on the 8, and it has one of the sexiest profiles of any car on the road regardless of price. (my opinion)

In conclusion, in the 4 seater realm, you can't go wrong with either really. If you are planning on staying stock, I would prefer my G.
No holds barred performance? I'd have bypassed both the G/8 and would have chosen my old Evo.
But for now, the Mazdaspeed equipped RX8 is my cup of tea. Good performance, great handling, refined interior, room for 4 full size adults, and soooo damn sexy.

Good post benduen.

For the MT versions, the G35C really is NOT an upgrade from the RX8. There are sacrifices made if you go from one car to the other. The extra hp is cancelled out by the difference in weight. The G35C pulls stronger because of the torque while the 8 needs to be revved, which that engine was intended to do. The G35C has torque up the ass and the ability to pull without downshifting, but the steering and actual driving experience through a connection with the car are diminished. It really feels heavy and disconnected (but strong). The Infiniti brand carries more luxury but Mazda is known to be more sporty. It feels like there is more back seat room and definately more trunk room in the 8. Also consider the current G35C has also been out 1 year longer and design changes are in the works.

That was the absolute most informative thing I have read on this forum. It wasn't biased or off topic. I really appreciate the advice benduen. I'm hoping if I just invest in a body kit it'll satisfy my urges. Any of you guys have any suggestions on where you purchased your kits from? I've seen them on a variety of sites. I'm not sold on a certain kit. but I do like the ings plus one or the ms kit. I have the factory apperance package now, so I think I'll just go with the front bumper to start and see how it looks with the factory side skirts.