Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It's lighter than the GTO...Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
Too heavy, pretty shabby interior.Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
mustang GT, anyone?
350Z weight: 3,300 lbs
Mustang GT weight: 3,400 lbs
GTO weight: 3,700 lbs
Evo weight: 3,300 lbs
STI weight: 3,300 lbs
Your "heavy" Mustang is a mere 100 pounds heavier than the 350Z, STI or Evo (a 3% weight difference). It's not significant.
In a comparison by Edmunds.com, the Mustang GT came in a strong first above both the 350Z (2nd) and the RX8 (3rd). The 350Z was fastest around the track, but it was judged to be very impractical for everyday use. Unlike the 350Z, the Mustang has a back seat , a larger and more useable trunk, and better ride quality. The Mustang also is happy with regular fuel instead of the 350Z's requirement of Premium.
For a car that is going to be an only car and is going to be driven every day, the GTO, the Mustang, and the base WRX are the only real options in this category. The Evo and STi are simply not practical enough given their harsh ride and the 350Z lacks the ability to carry more than one passenger, plus it can't carry as much in its trunk. The 350Z is an exceptional sportscar, and is one of the best "second cars" on the market, but it is a very poor choice as an only car.
ZV
Originally posted by: Chrono
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It's lighter than the GTO...Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
Too heavy, pretty shabby interior.Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
mustang GT, anyone?
350Z weight: 3,300 lbs
Mustang GT weight: 3,400 lbs
GTO weight: 3,700 lbs
Evo weight: 3,300 lbs
STI weight: 3,300 lbs
Your "heavy" Mustang is a mere 100 pounds heavier than the 350Z, STI or Evo (a 3% weight difference). It's not significant.
In a comparison by Edmunds.com, the Mustang GT came in a strong first above both the 350Z (2nd) and the RX8 (3rd). The 350Z was fastest around the track, but it was judged to be very impractical for everyday use. Unlike the 350Z, the Mustang has a back seat , a larger and more useable trunk, and better ride quality. The Mustang also is happy with regular fuel instead of the 350Z's requirement of Premium.
For a car that is going to be an only car and is going to be driven every day, the GTO, the Mustang, and the base WRX are the only real options in this category. The Evo and STi are simply not practical enough given their harsh ride and the 350Z lacks the ability to carry more than one passenger, plus it can't carry as much in its trunk. The 350Z is an exceptional sportscar, and is one of the best "second cars" on the market, but it is a very poor choice as an only car.
ZV
I daily drive a STI and the ride isn't harsh at all. It simply rocks to be honest.
Originally posted by: jimbob200521
Sorry if this has already been suggested, but I didn't read the whole thread first. Having said that...
One car that I think is worth a look is the Pontiac G6 GTP 2 door. It's got to be the GTP if you want performance, and the 2 door if you want looks.
Performance is comparable to a Nissan 350Z, but maybe a tick slower. Comfort level is high in the car, as well as the smoothness of the ride. A friend has one, and it is quick car, as well as one of the best looking in town. He always gets looks/compliments because although there are a ton of G6's around this area, none of them are 2 door, or GTP's. And although the pic I linked to above is a good looking car, the white one stands out even more
Edit: Pic of the interior
:thumbsup:Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
The sports car I'd go for in that range is the Pontiac Solstice GXP but its more around $26k. 260hp, lightweight, 2 seater, and convertible.
Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI
The RX8 is a good car but it has a lot of negatives. My friend has one and I have driven it on a number of occasions.
1. It is incredibly loud on the freeway. So much tire noise.
2. After only 10k miles the auto transmission seems to be acting weird shifting at stupid times (it didn't do this when he first got it)
3. They are small, they seat "four" but really its cramped as hell. But honestly it is nice that it can seat four, especially when you really need to move people. Kind of a nice backup plan.
4. The blind spots on the car are horrible, the "racing seats" make checking your left blind spot very uncomfortable. You have to basically have to stretch your neck around the side of the seat to see out the left window.
Honestly I would never buy it. My feeling is that if you want a sports car, you shouldn't get a sports sports car because they are not practical. Cars like BMWs offer a great balance of performance, handling and practicality.
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI
The RX8 is a good car but it has a lot of negatives. My friend has one and I have driven it on a number of occasions.
1. It is incredibly loud on the freeway. So much tire noise.
2. After only 10k miles the auto transmission seems to be acting weird shifting at stupid times (it didn't do this when he first got it)
3. They are small, they seat "four" but really its cramped as hell. But honestly it is nice that it can seat four, especially when you really need to move people. Kind of a nice backup plan.
4. The blind spots on the car are horrible, the "racing seats" make checking your left blind spot very uncomfortable. You have to basically have to stretch your neck around the side of the seat to see out the left window.
Honestly I would never buy it. My feeling is that if you want a sports car, you shouldn't get a sports sports car because they are not practical. Cars like BMWs offer a great balance of performance, handling and practicality.
I would imagine that the RX-8 is a total dog with 4 people in it too.
Originally posted by: AMCRambler
In a straight line the GTO wins just because of the 400hp. If you're talking quick in a straight line and in the twisty's probably the WRX Sti then. Putting a turbo on a car just seems like cheating to me though.
There's a difference between people like us (if it wasn't 20 years old, I'd drive the 951 every day) and your average driver.Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Yeah, it's not bad. My biggest complaint with it was road/wind noise. There isn't a lot of sound deadening in that car but otherwise the ride wasn't bad. It's a bit bouncy in the back seat but the ride in the front seats is pretty good.Originally posted by: Chrono
I daily drive a STI and the ride isn't harsh at all. It simply rocks to be honest.
Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
So GTO, Mustang Cobra 03-04 year, or a WRX?
I guess this isn't new cars only then? Personally I wouldn't consider the Cobra, but that's me.Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
So GTO, Mustang Cobra 03-04 year, or a WRX?
Originally posted by: Fmr12B
A regular WRX does not handle all that well. 14.6 second in in the quarter mile is also not that fast when a GTO is 13.4 and Mustang GT is 13.8.
The STi version is another story.
Mazda RX8 made the ten best list for Car & Driver for '04 & '05 & '06. 0-60 in 5.9 seconds on one of the best handling cars.
RX8 handles way better than the sloppy Mustang GT.
fanboy!!!!Originally posted by: Insane3D
As far as Mazda's go, the MS6 outperforms the RX-8 in just about everything IIRC...