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2003 Sports Car Shoot-Out from Edmunds

are designed to look fast and go even faster
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i've never driven a rx-8, but i seem to recall a lot of people being disapointed that it was nearly as fast or powerful as most people would have liked it to be. (being said, still a quick car)


anyhow.. I think the nissan wins on all fronts. Better performance, awesome ride, solid VQ engine (no crazy rotary problems and expensive maintainence)... THe rx-8 has a back seat (sorta) which could be nice.. but from a stricly 'sports car' point of veiw-- is really irrelevant in my opinion.

oh well. maybe i'm biased.


Shift_
 
I like the RX-8 more and more every day, and the 350Z less and less. The Z just seems bloated. A tourer, not a sports car. I guess I'm gaining appreciation for high rev horsepower.
 
The folks at TopGear ripped the Z350 a new one! They hated it, and it does nothing for me.

As a Miata owner, I do have some loyalty to Mazda...
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The folks at TopGear ripped the Z350 a new one! They hated it, and it does nothing for me.

As a Miata owner, I do have some loyalty to Mazda...
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i think thats going to be the way it is with any sports car.. becuase by nature- sports cars are cars for enthusiasts, and car enthusiasts, in my experience, tend be extremely brand loyal.


and-- how can anyone 'rip the 350 a new one?'--- wasnt sports car of the year last year?! (ranked by autoweek or edmunds, something along those lines)
 
here is what i dont like about that review--

in the end, the thing that pushed the rx-8 over the 350 was more or less, day to day driveability and comfort. WHICH-- i'll admit, is very important. BUT we're comparing SPORTS CARS. If you want comfort, buy a Mercedes or some other luxary car.
again-- this is just my opinion,... but the fact that the 350 has a super stiff ride, and doesnt do all the work for you-- is what make it a better sports car, Or at least, a more fun to drive sports car. (never been in an rx-8 though... but i'm speaking in more general terms)


anyhow--- I wonder how the Rx-8 would stand up to the G35 with the same reviewers... seeing as how its more or less a 350 made to be a daily driver-- and, give or take a thousand-- in the same price range.
 
Originally posted by: Rallispec
here is what i dont like about that review--

in the end, the thing that pushed the rx-8 over the 350 was more or less, day to day driveability and comfort. WHICH-- i'll admit, is very important. BUT we're comparing SPORTS CARS. If you want comfort, buy a Mercedes or some other luxary car.
again-- this is just my opinion,... but the fact that the 350 has a super stiff ride, and doesnt do all the work for you-- is what make it a better sports car, Or at least, a more fun to drive sports car. (never been in an rx-8 though... but i'm speaking in more general terms)


anyhow--- I wonder how the Rx-8 would stand up to the G35 with the same reviewers... seeing as how its more or less a 350 made to be a daily driver-- and, give or take a thousand-- in the same price range.
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Comfort is a criteria for chosing a car but how important it is to the type of person who is in the market for one of these cars?

 
I thought the rx8 would rock, until I saw it in real life. The lowers aren't painted on all the ones I've seen so they're all one color then black plastic on the bottom. Then it looks all squished. There's too many curves in such a small space. I think the z looks much better, although it's kinda fat and it's reverse lights should not be strips on it's butt 😛
 
Originally posted by: Rallispec
here is what i dont like about that review--

in the end, the thing that pushed the rx-8 over the 350 was more or less, day to day driveability and comfort. WHICH-- i'll admit, is very important. BUT we're comparing SPORTS CARS. If you want comfort, buy a Mercedes or some other luxary car.
again-- this is just my opinion,... but the fact that the 350 has a super stiff ride, and doesnt do all the work for you-- is what make it a better sports car, Or at least, a more fun to drive sports car. (never been in an rx-8 though... but i'm speaking in more general terms)


anyhow--- I wonder how the Rx-8 would stand up to the G35 with the same reviewers... seeing as how its more or less a 350 made to be a daily driver-- and, give or take a thousand-- in the same price range.
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Well if you want a true sports car, for this price you'd be better off with an Elise - provided you're willing to wait until next year. I find the RX-8 a better balance of driveabiliy and sport. Not that I'd kick either vehicle out of bed for eating crackers.


Car and Driver agrees with Edmunds as well.

Shootout: RX-8 vs G35 Coupe vs Mustang SVT Cobra
 
I've not driven a 350z, but I've driven an RX8. It was a very nice car, but I'm sorry to say it's not as good a sports car as the 350z. It would get smoked on the highway, smoked at the lights, and smoked on a track. Which would I personally rather buy? That's a different question, since the rx8 has a REAL back row that can seat adults. But, which one is the better SPORTS car? Come on now!

Truth be told I think that a 6 second 0-60 in a "sports car" isn't very good. The RX8 has a mere 238 horsepower, and it's not as if the thing only weighs 2500 lbs, to let it get away with that.
There's no discernable power peak so every stomp of the pedal generates a nearly identical reaction. It's more like an on-off switch than a gas pedal. It's hard to knock a car for having power at every rpm, but more than one driver complained of the V6's lack of personality.
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I'm baffled reading that. The RX8 required you to rev it up to 9500 to get the minimal torque peak, and they're knocking the 350z for having a flat torque curve? Weird.
0-to-60-mph acceleration, sec. 6.6 6.0
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Those are freaky high numbers compared to what C&D makes.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
I'll take a GTO.

kthankxby!
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Agreed!

Though, in between the RX8 and the 350z, I'd rather have a 350z over a RX8. I believe the RX8 looks nicer, has a better interior, and the ubercool rotory engine, the 350z is just a better performance car.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The folks at TopGear ripped the Z350 a new one! They hated it, and it does nothing for me.

As a Miata owner, I do have some loyalty to Mazda...
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I own a Miata as well and I do have brand loyalty to Mazda.

A sports car is not about absolute numbers, it's about how a car makes you feel, how it handles, how it sounds, how the controls are placed and how easily you can make it go fast. These are the reasons why the Mazda 6 is so well liked. In terms of absolute numbers the Honda Accord is quicker and faster but how many raves do you get on here about the pedestrian Accord? The RX-8 builds on this theme. It may not be the fastest but it feels fast. And it's handling is undeniable.

Still, would I pick an RX-8 over a 350Z. Probably not. I have never been fond of the RX-8's looks. From behind it looks fine, from the sides, to me, it looks awkward with that extra door cutout really doing it in for me. Truth be told, I'd rather have a G35, a beautiful car, over either of these cars. Besides the looks, I do not have a problem with the RX-8. The 350Z comes from the everyday Nissan parts bin and might, in the end, be easier to maintain but it's not like Nissans are known for their reliability, we're not talking about Toyota or Honda here. And there is something to be said for exclusivity, there are and will be a lot more 350Z's on the road then there are RX-8's.


A buyer choosing between these cars really can't make a wrong choice. And it's nice to be living in these times where there are quite a few good cars to choose from.
 
I own a 350Z, and I drove an RX8 while getting the Z serviced at the dealer (they're a Nissan and Mazda dealership). The RX8 was complacent in its ride compared to the Z, and I bought the Z because it seemed to be all about the driving experience and little else. There are countless other cars to choose from if comfort is of significant importance. Honestly, if I were to get a Mazda I'd just get a 6.

That being said, the ride IS quite jarring on certain streets, but what do you expect?
 
My Miata puts a smile on my face every day and actually makes my commute fun. It's small, agile, and quick enough that I can weave with the best. It's just a reliable car that does exactly what it was intended to do, nothing more. I doubt I'll find too many cars in my life that will fit the bill so well.
 
I own a 350Z as well and I thought their review of the Z was pretty spot on, especially this line:

... the 350Z is unyielding and heavy. It doesn't delicately pick its way through turns ? it steamrolls right through them.
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Coming from my old 2001 Audi A4 w/ Quattro and modded suspension which used to carve thru turns, I was a little disappointed with the Z's handling. Not nearly as sharp and responsive. And I also don't think the suspension on the Z is bad at all, in fact I find it too soft and bouncy and wish it was a bit firmer. No comment on the RX8 as I've never driven it, but for looks I'd take the Z anyday.
 
Acceleration numbers were solid, with a 6.0-second run to 60 and a 14.6-second quarter-mile time. Not the fastest numbers for a Z, but not bad for one with so many journalist miles on it.
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WTF... I thought the Z was much faster than that. An Accord coupe V-6 puts out those numbers.
 
RX-7 > All the Z's and RX-8's.

My opinion. But, I can admit I'm biased so... 😉
It helps I'm 25. I dont need smooth, buttery comfort when I drive. i dont WANT it in fact. I want ass pounding suspension, brain sucking cornering and tongue swallowing acceleration and THATS IT. Oh yeah, a CD player and A/C too.
 
While the Z is just gorgeous I don't think it's very practicle. For a realistic choice i'd have to go with the RX-8. Despite not having as much power as the Z the RX-8 does it for me with the extra doors and the back seat. I had 2drs but i like fast cars, mazda has killed 2 birds with one stone here. I love those guys

I drive a Mazda 626 and it has put up well w/ the way i drive pretty well.
 
Originally posted by: Boogak
I own a 350Z as well and I thought their review of the Z was pretty spot on, especially this line:

... the 350Z is unyielding and heavy. It doesn't delicately pick its way through turns ? it steamrolls right through them.
Click to expand...

Coming from my old 2001 Audi A4 w/ Quattro and modded suspension which used to carve thru turns, I was a little disappointed with the Z's handling. Not nearly as sharp and responsive. And I also don't think the suspension on the Z is bad at all, in fact I find it too soft and bouncy and wish it was a bit firmer. No comment on the RX8 as I've never driven it, but for looks I'd take the Z anyday.
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Do you have an '03 or an '04? I'd love to install the S-Tune to get rid of the damn bounce, but I've heard that '04s haven't the same problem.
 
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: Boogak
I own a 350Z as well and I thought their review of the Z was pretty spot on, especially this line:

... the 350Z is unyielding and heavy. It doesn't delicately pick its way through turns ? it steamrolls right through them.
Click to expand...

Coming from my old 2001 Audi A4 w/ Quattro and modded suspension which used to carve thru turns, I was a little disappointed with the Z's handling. Not nearly as sharp and responsive. And I also don't think the suspension on the Z is bad at all, in fact I find it too soft and bouncy and wish it was a bit firmer. No comment on the RX8 as I've never driven it, but for looks I'd take the Z anyday.
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Do you have an '03 or an '04? I'd love to install the S-Tune to get rid of the damn bounce, but I've heard that '04s haven't the same problem.
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An '03. Supposedly Nissan of Europe tweaked the suspension for their market and Nissan corporate liked their revised suspension so much they are incorporating it into all their global markets. Dunno if those changes have made it into the current production line yet. I am tempted to get the S-Tune as well, but first I want some 19" TE37's 😛
 
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