Motorweek - RX-8 Aces 350Z
 

Enough Said

John

Just finished watching the opening segment of Motorweek. The $27000 RX-8 Manual vs $33000 350Z. End result RX-8 wins despite slower 1-60 and 1/4 miles. Win based on handling and agility - along with cost and 4 seat practicality.

YES !!!!

John

What bat channel? Bat time?

On PBSX - 4PM today.

John

You've got to check on the pbs website - every local pbs station will air it at a different time. I just set my VCR to record it at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. Sweet!!!

Thanks for the heads up.

ByeByeSaturn

Great - hopefully the word will get out so others can watch and tape.

It's a balanced show on both the RX-8 and 350Z.

Never seen a RX-8 / G35 comparison to date.

John

Thanks! I forgot that it is on PBS.

I thought that it was TLC or DISC!

History repeats itself.

I recall the exact thing happening when the FD was compared to the 300 ZX TT and the Supra Turbo. Both were faster in a straight line but the editors all liked the RX-7 better.

Mazda knows how to make sports cars.

...and of course our PBS had to have some fundraiser crap on instead of Motorweek today.... motherbleepers

you can also look on-line at www.pbs.com then do a search for motorweek. they have both cars 0-60 and 1/4 times. the Zs 0-60 in 6.1 sec and the RX8 at 6.6 sec. This was do to very cold tires and conditions on the track or as stated both cars would have run earlier times of 5.5 and 5.9 to 60. but most importantly the handling of the 8 edged the Z as well as being the drivers prefered car, Yeah Baybee!

I noticed that MW was still quoting the HP at 250 for the stick and 210 for the auto. When did they film this last summer?

Um, the 300ZX TT was not faster than the rx-7. The rx-7 was faster although both cars had a 13.7 @ 102 tested from R & T in a head to head comparision.

The supra was a little faster in stock form, but that changed once you mod the rx-7.

They liked that the smaller engine closer to RX-8's center avoided the nose-heaviness of the other car. As Scotty was fond of saying; "Ye canno' change the laws of Physics"!

When somebody asks you what's so great about a rotary engine; this is one of the things.

I didn't have to call Miss Cleo to know the 8 would win.

Duh, its not fair comparing the 350Z and rx-8, the 350z isn't half the sportscar the 8 is.

Where have you been? ;)

Car and Driver Test, April 2003 - comparison of RX-8, G35C, and Mustang SVT Cobra. That was the first upset victory for the RX-8, where it was ranked 1st even though the G35C and SVT were quicker.

Regards,
Gordon

Scorp76

Unfortunately a lot of car magazine/critics base their rating on 1-60 and 1/4 mile times NOT drivability / value / etc.

Some magazine now use other measures such as 10 to 50 (or 60)times and highway passing.

RXs have also been graded high based on Gs too.

RX8_GT

Seems to me most mags are getting away from the 0-60 obsession. Rarely is the fastest/quickest in the #1 spot anymore.

Now, if we could just get Nissan to realize there is more to a car than HP and just going fast in a straight line, they'd build some halfway decent cars.

Lost in space ?

Missed that comparison - or simply forgot about it - will pull issue when I get back from work today and read it .

Thanks

John

Are you implying that the Z doesn't handle well?

It is nice to see that the RX8 won, but the negative comments on the Z on here seem overstated to myself as well. It still is a fine performance machine.

Monday......
 

This weeks show is being repeated (on satellite, anyway) at

8:30pm Pacific,
5:30 pm Eastern,

Monday 8th.

TIVO time!
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doc

I personally don't think it does. It's just OK, like everything else about the thing.

its not that the Z doesn't handle well, its actually very good handling. The problem IMHO is that the Z doesn't transmit the same kind of feedback that the rx-8 does. The rx-8 feels lighter on its feet and is way more agile.

That I will agree with. I personally did not like the feel of it when I checked one out which I guess is the point these reviews are making. I just looked at it as it is not for me.