RX8 beats S2000 & 350Z in March 04 Motortrend!
 

I just picked up the new March 2004 Motortrend and the RX-8 was placed 1st overall over the S2000 and 350Z. I hope next year or the following year the relase a Mazdaspeed turbocharged RX8 it will look great in my garage next to my FD:D

Where did u get March '04 motortrend

Borders Bookstore here in New York.

Shit! It ain't even Feburary yet! WTF?

Managed to skim through the mag in the bookstore today. All three cars match fairly closely performance wise, toss up really, they gave it to the RX-8. Depends what you really like and need out of your car, that is the right choice..

"In some regards, the RX-8 is a small exoticar with marvelous engineering innovations. "

Rotary Nut, dude, that was kinda funny (lol)

agreed
 

At least we agree on this!!!!

Yeah i read that article... GOD made RX-8 ...it is the best sports car out right now... even though its slower.. it still wins.. i drove one man i didn't want the test drive to end.

Imagine how better it would be with 50 more horses... man it would give corvette and 911's a run for its money...

RX-8 isn't faster... buts its a better sports car of the 3. PERIOD.

Also in the article ...
They compare top of the line 350Z... TRACK MODEL
Top of the line S2000
BASE RX-8 with no sport suspension and it STILL won.. "our tester wasn't even the sport suspension equipped version."

1.) RX-8 - $26,680
2.) 350Z - $34,180
3.) S2000- $32,800

The interior in the rx-8 was base-trim... and it was better then 350Z well-equipped..

"Magical Mazda".. haha hell YEAH

"sport suspension"? if it's the 6MT model the "sport" suspension is standard. they did test the manual right?

Sport Suspension?? hmmm... RX-8 only come with one kind of suspension doesn't it? S2000 too, only one suspension... 350Z in the other hand got track package and all ...

IMO, performance wise, rx8 really can't compete with S2000... but the extra two seat, suicide door, great interior, exterior design, unique rotary engine is probably what won RX-8 first place.

If it was BEST Performance Sport car... i think (IN MY OPINION) S2000 deserve that spot. but if it was BEST overall Sport Car, then RX-8 deserve the spot.

.....and if it was UGLIEST interior... 350Z definitely holds a strong first place, in that case! =)

Yeah, if the 8 is a 6sp, then it's a "standard suspension," but compared to the auto I guess it is sort of a "sport" suspension.

Yeah, I also think the 8 is slightly out of place there with 2-seaters. Kind of odd. Especially the S2k, as that is about as pure a sports car as you can get.

Either way 13-B... I'd have to agree with you on all accounts. :)

Every one is going to treat this differently. I am sure the guys on my350z are screaming bloody murder because the Z beat the 8 on the performance tests. There are so many variable, it all depends on which is more important, and everyone is different.

BTW, aren't all 6MT equipped with the "Sport Suspension" and all AT not?

I thought only the Sport and Gt models have sport suspension

The Z guys are crying but I think they should be used to it by now.

Rx-8 vs 350Z vs Monaro (Gto)

http://www.drive.com.au/news/article...XB1MMNXHD.html

a few highlights:


Fuel economy still appears to be something of a rotary bugbear, though. Our RX-8 drank 14.1 litres of premium per 100km, which was bad enough to put it behind the significantly heavier and more powerful Monaro. Not quite enough, though, to put the kiss of death on the most exhilarating and enjoyable engine here.

Sealing it for the Mazda is ride quality, which quietly soaks up most surface uglies without drawing them to the attention of the occupants, making it a good option for long journeys. It does this while maintaining a strict sense of handling discipline and control, which makes it the top choice for drivers who want the best of both worlds.

Sealing the win for the Mazda is its classy, non-conformist design, good ergonomics, impressive build quality and unmatched sense of occasion Our choice is the RX-8 because it caters to both requirements without compromise. It performs strongly and handles better than the Monaro and is more practical and comfortable to live with than the Zed, thanks to its adventurous door system.


from edmunds.com 350Z vs rx-8

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...9/page003.html

Although most editors agreed that the RX-8 would be just as good with two less doors and a more traditional shape, no one was complaining after experiencing the car from the driver seat. With its lightweight feel, incredibly smooth power delivery and stylish cabin, the RX-8 offers a combination of performance and comfort that few sports cars can match. Its personality doesn't overwhelm you at first, but spend any amount of time behind the wheel and the value of proper balance, minimal weight and a precisely tuned suspension become immediately obvious. If the RX-8 represents the future of the sports car, we can't wait to see what's next. The Z may be faster, but the Rx-8 is the better sportscar

top gear on the 350z:

part of the reason nissans Z cars came so fat and so heavy is cause they were designed for the american market and the american car is as you know an enormous sofa. this one wasn't just designed for the americans, it was designed by the americans. to be honest it looks a bit of a mess. but it would cause its a jap car designed in america and the head of a project was an indian and the engine is french. we have had fusion food before, but its the first fusion car. Think of it as being a raw hamburger curry served in a disinterested way in a bed of garlic ajuis. If your the sort of person that likes to cruise the stsreet annoying everyone with the stereo this car is for you.

it doesnt take very long to work out that this car has many weak links and the weakest link of all is the engine. first there is the noise and its just a noise and annoying drone and it gets on yoru nerves. Then there is the perfomance. they say it will do 0 to 60 in six seconds ...but it never feels that fast. when you look at the 350Z you expect it to be light, sporty and agile, but its not. I was expecting it to be like a mx-5 fun...but its not. not even a little.

What it is is a ton and a half of iron mongry. its just a muscle car and muscle cars should be fun but its not. The noise is driving me mad. The hard ride and the effort it takes to drive this car makes it one of the most exhausting cars I have ever come across. The look of the interior is fine, but what is not so good is this (showing the flimpsy build quality) I've seen better build quality in an allotment share. There no practicality. The 350 is a 3 out of 10, it could do better.


top gear on the rx-8
while its not the torquiest engine in the world, nor is it the most economical, but God its smooth. Because it doesn't feel like its running on anything as crude as petrol, it seems more like double cream. This is one of the easiest cars to drive fast that I have ever come across. Its just so forgiving. Its like a punching bag. You can give it absolute hell and it just never fights back. Of all the cars I've driven this year, Im fairly certain this is the best one

Gosh, C & D did a comparison and the rx-8 won too. I'm seeing a trend here.

Hardly...but you can continue to think so if it makes you feel better. when you have to put other cars down to make you or your car feel better, what do you think that means?

Why all the hate against the Z?.....I love it. I just love the rotary more. Both are great. We are all lucky that we have these choices. RWD sports cars at decent prices....it's great!

I'm not saying that anybody has in this thread really bashed the Z. But I feel it coming......I've seen how it starts in all the other threads....

Now, what I will never accept is calling a FWD car a sports car...no matter what numbers it puts up......it just ain't right.

I don't know about all this other stuff cause I like my 8 too much to worry about anything else.

BUT RX_999 THAT'S SOME FUNNY SH!T...

After whipping out my RX8 brochure thats by my bed, I found the sport suspension and large brakes are standard on all 6 speeds.

:)

They should be used to it by now, or at least GET used to it. Now that the Z isn't the newest toy on the block and its true colors are showing, no one is gushing over it anymore. Personally I can't see why anyone EVER gushed over it, but that's just me.

If they judged cars on interior ugliness only, Nissans would ALWAYS come in first place.

That seems to be your personal perception, however, the Z has been out for over a year and a half, and it's still talked about frequently, in magazines, amongst peers, and forums (especially on this board). On the other hand, the RX-8 IS the newest toy on the block, and it seems like its publicity is slightly diminishing already. However, like your quote, this is merely my perception. The difference between our perceptions, is that I still consider the other car (in this case the 8) one of the best cars on the market in its class and can admit it. I would own an 8 and Z if i could. However, these cars are so unique and each has its own strongpoints that there is no way for me to declare an all-out winner.

I'm not putting the Z down. Its good for what it is. I read all the threads over there and it does appear they are crying.

Didn't mean to offend you. The 350Z is a fantastic car.

Ok?

The fact is, the only all-out winner is the car that YOU choose based on YOUR needs.

If performance is paramount and by performance, I mean power... then there are cars for you there. If it's handling, then there are cars for you there too. If it's the best of all worlds, the RX-8 has fit the bill for many of us and will continue to.

No awards or comparo tests will change that fact.