Fifth Gear: Latest Nissan 350Z vs Latest Mazda RX-8 (August 18th, 2008)

[Faboo]

Originally Posted by WhiteNoiz

Way to be a complete dick.

OP, thanks for sharing, I didn't catch that because I dont have cable, nor do I watch TV. I find the reviews interesting, especially if they're new.

Its a british TV show...most of us in the US d/l the episodes off of FinalGear.com

[ish06FairladyZ]

Originally Posted by KManZ

Ok, silly question here, but why is there a HP difference between our US Zed and the British Zed? 306hp vs. 309bhp? Noticed that Tiff says "brake horsepower", whereas we say just "horsepower".

a simple answer...
http://autotropolis.com/wiki/index.php?title=Horsepower

[WhiteNoiz]

Originally Posted by Faboo

Its a british TV show...most of us in the US d/l the episodes off of FinalGear.com

Ah, I see. I'll have to check that website out, thanks!

[Motionblurrr]

The RX-8 is a good car. It isn't reliable as Nissan's bulletproof engines but man is that rotary smooth as butter. Have any of you driven one? I swear it's engine is buttery smooth all the way to 9k RPM's. Sure an S2K also revvs to 9k but it sounds like it's about to explode/die.

The RX-8 shouldn't be bashed on for just those things though (reliability mostly) because it's a great performer on the track and it has technically 4 doors and it's roomy.

It's really a niche car--it only appeals to a certain amount of people.

It's also crazy how a lot of 04' RX-8's are priced below a base Honda Civic. That 18mpg really kills it though

[gregom]

Originally Posted by h2kSPiG

If Mazda was smart they would take their best engine, 2.3L turbo, and put it in their "best" sports car, the RX-8. That would be a much more reliable and all around better car.

The Z was meant to the a cheap "jack of all trades". Handle pretty well, have good power, still be reasonably functional for what it is, but isn't excellent in any one category. Most other cars anywhere near the price range lack one thing or another completely.

The RX-8 may have better utility with its back seat and fold door things, but the engine is not nearly as powerful or reliable as it needs to be. It is just different in its design.

Interesting thought... but, the only flaw in that argument is it defeats the purpose of the RX in the first place, which means rotary doesn't it? I think we should respect it for what it is...

Now why don't they put the 2.3L turbo in their MX-5? That thing is quite slow as well... that and an more aggressive would actually put it into my "considering to purchase" category. I never considered it because it had little power and still looks too girly in my opinion.

From what i've heard all the reliability issues have been sorted out in the latest revision of the engine. I do have a friend who bought an 07 RX-8 new and I think has about 20,000 miles on it with no problems at all. Granted it still needs a few years with no major problems before I would call it reliable, but so far its proved fine. There is a certain technique and mechanical sympathy required to properly maintain the car. Maybe the owners just don't have that and thats why they have reliability issues.

Anyway the RX-8 isn't that horribly slow... the only reason it loses so many drag races is because people don't know how to launch it properly. Lots of people don't know how to launch properly in any car. You don't need that skill nearly as much in a car like the 350Z, or a Corvette, because it has plenty of torque to get out of it.

[kacz07]

RX-8 sucks and will never be modified efficiently from the factory or anywhere else cuz you'll end up getting 7mpg.

[Ebony350]

That fuquing beeping was killing me : /. Aahhhhh i can still hear it.make it stop make it stop

[Spork]

Originally Posted by Blk03G35

RX8 would be so sweet with a factory turbo

Funny thing... Even with a turbo... You're only gonna be looking at 240rwhp anyway. with less than 220 torque

[PikesTourZ]

Yeah, I don't know why Mazda doesn't drop a super or turbo charger in the RX-8. It definitely needs a power boost.

[New JerZ]

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/F...-vs_178134.htm

[JJ350]

I disagree with the 2.3l turbo comment, the RX should always have a rotary engine or else it should go under a different name.

What Mazda should do is offer their 2.0l 3 rotor engine for the R3 package RX8, that would offer much more power while still maintaining the RX's signature rotary platform.

[dhays]

The version of the 1.3L rotary that is in the RX-8 is a very good motor. The rotary got it bad rep (deserved) from the turbo charged motors in the 2nd gen, and the 3rd gen twin turbos. A boosted rotary is an amazing experience, but the price you pay in reliability is pretty high. The 3rd Gen RX-7 had problem in the stock configuration with over heating. That is fixable, but many have modded the RX-7 to the point of being very unreliable. An NA rotary OTOH can last for a couple hundred thousand miles if it is maintained properly.

The rotary is an amazing engine to drive hard. Keep in mind that the RX-8 has a 1.3L engine. The Z is a 3.5L V6. Even given this disparity RX-8 can hold it's own really well and does it with a much lighter engine.

A rotary will never be a fuel efficient engine. Too bad.

Before trashing a rotary, try driving it sometime or watch how well a well driven RX-8 goes through an auto-x course.

Or better yet, buy my '94 RX-7 Touring so I can buy a Z. I'm ready to settle for less driving thrill, for more creature comforts, better reliability, and better gas mileage.

Zoom Zoom....

[Nexx]

but if the track was a figure 8 with no straight aways the RX8 would have won!

[Fairly Z]

. . . So, the British Z has 309 HP to the wheels? No way. He's talking about 309 horses at the flywheel, no?

[Faboo]

Originally Posted by gregom

Now why don't they put the 2.3L turbo in their MX-5? That thing is quite slow as well... that and an more aggressive would actually put it into my "considering to purchase" category.

Miata with the 2.3l turbo and stiffer suspension would own everthing this side of a boxster s and maybe that as well ...270hp + 2500lbs ftw

Thats what i hate about Mazda..great handling and shifters...low weight... and then they KILL it with weak engines......

[Nexx]

Originally Posted by Faboo

Miata with the 2.3l turbo and stiffer suspension would own everthing this side of a boxster s and maybe that as well ...270hp + 2500lbs ftw

Thats what i hate about Mazda..great handling and shifters...low weight... and then they KILL it with weak engines......

they wouldnt weight 2500 pounds with a v6 or v8...

[Faboo]

Originally Posted by Fairly Z

. . . So, the British Z has 309 HP to the wheels? No way. He's talking about 309 horses at the flywheel, no?

when they say BHP.....brake hp...they mean flywheel

last time i remember a companies HP claim was at the wheels was the 03/04 mustang cobra.....ford said 390 horses...and they ended up dynoing at around 375-380whp.....so they actually had closer to 415-425hp

[Faboo]

Originally Posted by Nexx

they wouldnt weight 2500 pounds with a v6 or v8...

who said anything about a v6/v8?????

2.3L turbo 4 from the mazdaspeed3. 270hp/280trq

[Silver_Z33]

I thought the mazdaspeed3 was 263hp? Either way, i heard those cars are pretty quick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDyl6s9UYPQ

i dont know if the Z wasnt really getting on the gas or that car keeps up with the Z, it doesnt say if the mazda is stock but i figured i'd throw it up here. not gonna lie it kinda makes me sick lol

[Sensi09]

Originally Posted by Fairly Z

. . . So, the British Z has 309 HP to the wheels? No way. He's talking about 309 horses at the flywheel, no?

Same engine, different ratings.