Mazda RX8 vs BMW Z4 2.5

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Thinking about getting a nice sport vehicle for the wife and I. Wouldn't be trading in any of the cars, and basically just using it on the weekends and such.

I have a Mazda6 and have been real impressed by it, and the RX8 looks great. So doesn't the Z4 but it costs a little more.

Thoughts?
 

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
Assuming you only need two seats, the Z4. It looks much better, has a drop-top, and would seemingly be more fun to drive than the torque-less RX8.
 

amcdonald

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2003
4,012
0
0
I voted for the rx8. It just looks better IMHO.
The z-series cars have a "old guy or young woman" look.
I'd change my vote if the interior in the rx8 didn't come close enough to the bmw.
 

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
1
0
I don't see how you can compare the RX-8 to the Z4. I mean, the RX-8 is nice and all, but the Z4 is a very kickass car.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
personally, I'd got for a Z3...the Z4 just looks funny IMHO.

Another thing you could try is a Monster Miata :D Now THAT's fun.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Originally posted by: KingNothing
I don't see how you can compare the RX-8 to the Z4. I mean, the RX-8 is nice and all, but the Z4 is a very kickass car.

I was thinking the same, but I just can't seem to keep my off of the RX8.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
61,356
16,900
136
Get an oldie and restore it. Or a restored oldie. Karmann Ghia with a turbo... mmm...
 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
Originally posted by: amcdonald
Originally posted by: CPA
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Not a fan of the 350z?

aaaaaahhhhhhhhh, more choices.
There's a gabillion of those things on the street.
I'd never buy one. Its like buying a Maxima.

A sexy Maxima. A Maxima is like a hot mom, and the 350z is like the hot mom's even hotter daughter. It can't hurt to test drive it just to see, along with the S2000 or whatever roadster is in your price range CPA.
 

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
10,484
12
81
Well, my take is that each one has good qualities. They are both very fun to drive with good handling and transmissions. The RX-8 would be more practical and cheaper to buy and own. The torquier engine in the Z4 means it's just as quick and probably more pleasant to drive around town. The RX-8 looks better IMO although the Z4 has grown on me somewhat.

However, since this is a pure "fun" car, the fact that the Bimmer is a drop-top cannot be ignored. I love convertibles and that would probably sway me in that direction.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Well, my take is that each one has good qualities. They are both very fun to drive with good handling and transmissions. The RX-8 would be more practical and cheaper to buy and own. The torquier engine in the Z4 means it's just as quick and probably more pleasant to drive around town. The RX-8 looks better IMO although the Z4 has grown on me somewhat.

However, since this is a pure "fun" car, the fact that the Bimmer is a drop-top cannot be ignored. I love convertibles and that would probably sway me in that direction.

the drop-top is very convincing.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I thought I saw they released or were going to release a convertible 350Z?

they have them. of course, they're a little pricier. but they look much better than the hatchback.
 

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
For a fun car I wouldn't even consider it if it wasn't a drop top.

Z4, 350Z, and S2000 would all be good choices.
 

atom

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 1999
4,722
0
0
Between those two, the RX-8. I dunno about the Z4, it just looks very odd to me. It has a very good interior though, I'm pretty tall and it was fairly comfortable in the Z4. Personally I'd get a S2000 over a Z4 if I wanted a weekend drop top.
 

fs5

Lifer
Jun 10, 2000
11,774
1
0
if it were a weekend car (just for fun car)I would definitely get a convertible of some sort, Z4, 350Z roadster, or a S2000....
The RX-8 isn't a sports car, it's a sports sedan, no matter how you make the doors, it's still got 4 of 'em.

edit: whoa didnt read DougK62, but I echo'd his post exactly, freaky...