Knerk

Here is what I got from the show

the Z kicks ***
the 8 also kicks ***

be proud if you own one or the other.

LimeCat is pleased with Motorweek and he will not smote them... this time.

KCROTOR

Is there a way to see this segment again? Did anyone record it so it can be posted?

RX8_GT

See the other thread on this program. One of the forum members is working on it. John

boarder

Yeah, please be easy on the Z ...

I just got a new Silver RX8 and love it, but the Z is a nice car as well. I hope Nissan keeps improving it and makes even more like it. I figure the more cars like these and we all win.

8 still wins though

blue flash

just another reason to own an 8 zooooom zooooom

rx8cited

Here's the transcript of the show for your reading pleasure. /rx8cited

From the transcript:

"So in a mano a mano road course grudge match, who ate whose dust? Well, when you factor in performance, refinement, and bang-for-the-buck, it looks like the Nissan 350Z sucked up just a little more grit than our winner, the Mazda RX-8. But it was a close match, a match that we'll be glad to repeat any time that we can put these enticingly-fast sports cars, and an empty race track, together as one."

rotary-convert

i thought there would be more 8 bashing by 350z drivers? not that i would want a z driver to bitch on a rx 8 forum..

also where's ike?

ByeByeSaturn

Motorweek usually has nothing useful to say - they never have enough negative to say about the cars they test, so it's hard to really tell how much they liked the car - it's like they're always hiding something from you.

One intersting thing from the show (Which I have on tape and would digitize and host if I could - sorry ) is that they put "everyday driveability" in the Z's corner, which they justify because one can extract power from the 3.5 without revving it, but that completely ignores the fact that the RX-8 is much more everyday driveable because its suspension is much more forgiving.

They also put styling in the Z's favor, which is fair, but I still prefer the 8's looks.

downshift

Motorweek is crap compared to shows like Top Gear and 5th Gear. The commentary is boring and cliched and the soundtrack is weak. The way they presented the comparison didn't make sense to me either. Why pit those 2 cars in the track when performance didn't really matter to them in the end? Don't get me wrong. I'm happy that the 8 won the comparison but the show is just.. bleh.

Hercules

After they gave 'car of the year' awards to the Thunderbird and PT Cruiser... i always yuck it up when I read their drivel.

Even if the RX-8 wins in that magazine... it's not going to mean much to me. Give me a Top Gear, CAR, or Evo any day.

Formula 420

and then there was one.

and i will buy an 8

RodsterinFL

Rotary Nut,

They quoted the correct horsepower and torque - 238 and 159 on the 6spd. I remembered it. The transcript says so also.


It says a lot about the RX - a 238 hp 159 ft lb. car running against a 287hp 274ft lb beast and still nearly running with it AND having 4 seats and better balance and ride. The only point I thought was a stretch was that they mentioned that the testers preferred the hefty torque more for everyday driving vs the RX's. The one thing that helped me make the decision between the two was that the RX8 rode like a sedan, had low road noise yet could handle fantastic too - unlike the heavily compromising Z. I did love the sound of that V6 engine though.

Rotary Nut

Akk

There are two road tests here is the one that I read:

RX-8 road test #2232

RodsterinFL

Ok sorry. Just watched and then read the trans.

SDFLY

I'll second that, WHERE IS MY FAVORITE MAZDA FAN IKE?

zthang

Nothing major to bash really. It's a good car overall. The only time I say anything negative is when some 8 driver thinks his car is God or better than every other car. Those are the guys I'd bash because of how ignorant they are, but the 8 doesn't deserve bashing.

zthang

This kind of comment for example.

OBryanRX8

ive test drove the Z, G, S2K, IS300, and the 8. i drove the 8 first and loved it, but didnt give in just yet so i test drove the rest to make sure i gave every car a chance. but after driving each of these nothing IMO compared to the 8 and i couldnt wait to drive it again before ordering. and i honestly think that is i drove the 8 last i would have just forgot about the other cars.

happy rotoring

Preacher

Last week I drove a 350z and an Rx-8,after MUCH research.....
The Z's interior (touring) was okay,but the rear window was obscured by the rear brace,the seat travel was poor (I'm 6'1")
and the instrument panel and dash were,imHo,poorly fabricated and constructed.....the Z had more torque,but it was rough and jumpy,not clean and smooth like the RX.....I can only imagine the 'Track' model Z must ride like a covered wagon.
Long story short:
I bought the RX-8 and am very happy with it.
It wasn't really even a contest.

Nissan needs to refine the Z car a LOT more to make it competitive,quality-wise,(not HP/torque,you KNOW what I mean!)with the RX.....they just did the Maxima and Altima's interiors,I'd suspect the Z will be next,if it hasn't already been done for the convertable.



My two cents.

RodsterinFL

You're right Zthang about the ignorance of bashing.

Each time I drive around certain cars catch my eye - boxsters, cobras, 350Z's, miatas, corvettes, G35 Coupes, and S2000's. They are all great looking cars to me all with very different quirks and benefits - just like the RX. Each of us bought hopefully the car that met our preference. Your photos of the Z (is that one yours?) is a great looking car.

zblue70

WOW...you guys are pretty amazing believing the RX8 beats out the 350Z. I can't even count the number of times a RX8 has pulled up to the line wanting to race, and I smoked them with my Z. The 8 is a nice car, but in no way beats the Z. Handling.....handling....wow great. How about performance, the sound of the car as it accelerates, and the fact that your driving with a rotary engine, and the look of the 8 which I still can't figure out. RX8 makes a good car if you have a couple smaller people you need to carry around, but the Z is far better.

Z wins in the end. By the way that show had a lot of facts about both cars wrong. They stated they were using a 350Z Touring when in fact you can see the Brembos which are only on the Track Model.

Elara

Please don't troll. Opinions are subjective. No one car is better than any other. They're both great cars, but personally, I like the 8 a LOT better than the Z, in all categories you posted. I get linear acceleration, great handling, a great interior, and a really cool jet plane noise. I think the Z looks like a sack of potatoes, the interior is hideous, it sounds loud and annoying, and the strut brace in the back makes it useless for carrying anything. (I can't say anything about it's performance because I haven't driven one, and have no desire to). But I don't go to Z forums and post that because 1) it's my opinion, 2) it's rude, and 3)would cause an instant flame war. We expect the same courtesey from Z owners on here as well. Check our Zthang's posts for an example.

KrustyKlown

MY storm 0wnz j00!

From What Would Jesus Drive

Skyline Maniac

Sheesh, enough with magazine/tv racing. If you are truly interested in how your car performs or handles, take it to the nearest track and do some laps. You know why some people complain the 350Z has too much understeer? Try to swing the rear end out with lift throttle oversteer at 50mph and you'll know. You want to know why every review points out the RX-8 doesn't have enough torque? Try to power through the apexs of a 60mph sweeper and come back with some worthwhile debate.