CarAndDriver

Ooops....I meant to say Mazda doesnt have the reliability reputation that Toyota and Honda that halos over every car.

Phantom Menace

The 350's frame is made from 24k gold! That's why it's so "heavy!"

GeTcRuNk

i agree about the engine recall...and normal people (even those who get sports cars) do not maintain their vehicles every month or so which is what we have to do...people who own sports cars should maintain their car and take care of it like we have to with a rotary...yet those who just want power and performance expect it to come without any work on their part...i love my car and will do whatever it takes to make it work at full potential...even if it means spending 5 dollars a month on a quart of oil (which is not a lot in my opinion)

kartweb

Pickles nailed it. Americans care more about dragstrip numbers then anything else. Hovering at $3 a gallon they also care about fuel consumption. There are a lot of good used cars in the RX8 class on the market. The 350Z is doing about the best for resale in the class but compared to a Civic or a Mazda3 the sports car class loses value quickly.

filterban

Yep, you are exactly right. It's funny though - the type of person who buys a Z buys it because of its baseline stats (0-60 times, etc). Nevermind the fact that 80% of Z drivers never actually use that extra 70 HP. Americans buy HP, and that's the bottom line.

Nevermind the fact that the Mustang feels like a third grader designed the interior and it handles like a smelly pile of crap -- Americans buy them like crazy.

Razz1

They keep the RX8 in the back lot with only one up front.

Pretty hard to sell a car when it's hidden.

They are afraid of all the critics and only want people that are enthusiast to buy the RX8.

Then the 8 will get it's reputation back instead of all the damn cry babies.

donack456

Filterban wrote - Yep, you are exactly right. It's funny though - the type of person who buys a Z buys it because of its baseline stats (0-60 times, etc). Nevermind the fact that 80% of Z drivers never actually use that extra 70 HP. Americans buy HP, and that's the bottom line.

Nevermind the fact that the Mustang feels like a third grader designed the interior and it handles like a smelly pile of crap -- Americans buy them like crazy.
*

The type people that buys Z-cars are older past Z-car drivers who know what they had and see the 350Z as a upgrade to that. It also intices the new Sport Car drivers that want perfromance and handling. They find it impressive that though all the newer cars are winning the reviews they can see through the smoke screen.

RX-8 users talk about balance but in truth the Z-car has balance though it does it, differently and maybe not as graceful as the 8 and far better in another in regrad to immeadiate speed anytime. As for using the extra 70hp daily most Z-car drivers are older and know that means a ticket. Unlike it is with Rx-8 using 70% can be experinced at 40-50mph in a curve, the Z-car's full potential is like play above the rim. Its like driving 100+mph all the time, which can be done in a blink without reving past 5k rpms.

The reason the Mustang out selling all is because of reasonable price, has a past history and this covers amost every age group from 16-60 years old that want a Sport Coupe and remembers what a mustang was, 2005-2007 is an improvement over the last Mustang design even though its using old technology.

I would say that US market isn't blind to a balance of performance because the Mazda Miata is the Car that sparked other Auto makers to notice that there is a viable Martket for a reasonable price Sport Car. Now that didn't effect Mustang sells. The Miata success was based on handling, sporty amenities and European flair without the maintenance required for the European Coupes.

I find it unreal for Mazda Rx-8 users to say the Z doesn't handle when it beats the 8 in every track event that has a straight away longer then a half a block long. The Rx-8 is a good and well built idea and car. But it lacks in some of the things that I consider a real Sport car should have. But it Excels a redefining what a Sport car can be.

eforer

I would argue that the miata's sales can be attributed to the fact that at many times in its long production run, it was one of the, if not the cheapest rag top. I think thats what helps spread their appeal to many non-enthusiasts.

RX26b

Who the hell said the 8 is pure sportscar anyway? It's a 4 door/4seater which behaves like a proper sportscar should. That's more than can be said of the cramped interior and less-handling abilites of the Z which is labeled as a "sportscar". See the irony?

donack456

No I don't find it Ironic have you ever sat in a Porsche or any well known sport car it doesn't sit like a Benz or LTD ford it has a fits like glove feel not roomy and airy.

Not that the Rx-8 does, it has that fit like a glove feel, so what are you talking about the 8 has rear seats thats great its not a 2 seat sport car. It handles and steers likes one. But so does the Z-car and other heavier vehicles they just do it differently.

I'm 6'3 225lbs and I fit in Z-cars Comfortably as Comfortably as I do in the RX-8.
We don't disagree its just that I include more viable cars then just the RX-8. I do understand this is a RX-8 forum but ask for a little more open minds.

The success of a vehicle is how it appeals to the Sports Car public. The Z-car obviously has this appeal new and used car sells.