Hi guys as the title stats ive been looking at getting a 350z for about 3 weeks and i was prolly set to get it in a couple of days

Well today i saw a 2004 RX-8 on the lot and gave it a spin WOW what a awesome car ! after 3 weeks of looking at 350z's one test drive made me almost complety switch to the RX-8

i say almost because i feel the power is lacking compared to the 350z...so how responsive is the RX-8 to basic bolt ons? with the money im saving im sure ill be able to mod the hell out of it

Also is there a thread out there somewhere that talks all about the RX-8? like basic mods,vendors, dos and donts etc?

Im coming from the Mazdaspeed Protege forums and we had a sticky of EVERYTHING you could do to the car and that would be very helpful

thanks for reading looks like i just might keep it in the mazda family !

 

Save up around 4k and you'll be able to get a supercharger that gets 50-80 more hp.

Or save up around 6k for a turbo that will get you 80-120 hp.

Or around 10k for one that gets you 150 hp.

Most other mods return hardly any gains.

 

i like blue.

beers

 

yea, basic bolt on mods don't do much. if you end up getting the 8, save up for FI

 

If power is your most important criteria, I'd have to say you'd be happier with a 350Z. The RX-8 is much more of a driver's car, but compared to the Z it is a bit lacking in grunt.

 

Greddy turbo kit + Interceptor EMS=$5k. -> Much faster than stock 350z.

 

A good number of us 8 owners were probably looking at getting the 350Z initially. I chose the 8 for looks and space over the Z--but also I was underwhelmed with the feel of the Z. It lacked the finesse and connection the 8 has. The Z is a great car but I didn't feel like I was in complete control in the corners and it feels its weight. Either vehicle you chose will be a good choice but it all depends on what is your #1 sports car priority--scapel like driving feel or stoplight battles. Oh, the manual tranny in the 8 feels much much better than the Z.

 

Only people that ever try to race me is high school kids.
I drive 20 miles to work and back in heavy traffic.
I never go to the track.

To me the Rx8 looks fast and feels fast. Its fun to drive and I love how it turns.

In the end thats my day to day life. I wanted to get something in the 300hp range and do this and that to it. When I stopped to think about who I would be impressing (other guys....)and would I really do any of this or make use of the power, I was able to make my choice. Also the insurance is alot cheaper on a 4door 4 seater then a 2door 2 seater.

 

Greddy turbo kit + some minor tooling = $2.5k. -> still much faster than stock 350z.

 

hey man...turbo's impress the ladies too

 

You are better off sticking with a Z if you find the 8's lacking in power

 

I went to test drive a 350z the day before I got my 8. I liked the power of the 350z but it felt like something was missing. Although the 8 has less power I was really impressed with the ride. I liked everything about the 8 except where the spare tire is mounted. Besides I think chicks like the 8 more....at least my wife does.

By the way a friend of mine who is a Nissan technicain says the 350's are know to wear out tires.