Hey Everyone ...
Did anyone get to see the Nissan 350Z face off between the Mazda RX-8 on Fifth Gear that aired on August 18th, 2008?
I've seen many threads here where others questions which car to get...blah blah blah....the Nissan 350z or the Mazda RX-8; with people weighing the pro's and cons. However, it's always best when the test results come from a better source (Fifth Gear, Top Gear, Car and Driver magazine, ...etc); ok, well maybe it's not EXACTLY better. But, it sure is fun watching!
Considering that most of us have 350z's here (I being one that has the new HR version) I thought I would summarize the results from their face to face challenge. However, if anyone watches the BBC hopefully they will get to catch it!
On the show, the Nissan 350z faces off on a few track laps against the Mazda RX-8.
In regards to the 350z: Tiff says, "It just gots this wonderful meaty feel about everything: the steering is a bit heavy and chunky, but loads of feedback from the wheel. The engine is torque and powerful and grunty. The breaks are so impressive. The manual six speed gearbox clicks from one gear to the other."
The 350z “laps in 33.32 seconds.”
"Time for the RX-8 and it's retched-beeping-rev-limiter"
In regards to the RX-8: Tiff says, "The first impression to the Nissan is that it gives a much better ride over this ribbed concrete track. There is less kick through the steering. The whole handling is more balanced and more poised. But of course you are lacking the power and your are lacking the torque. So fact: to get the most performance you need the revs high to keep the power up. This is going to be an interesting battle between a very neutrally well balanced car and the wild thing that is the Nissan"
"Start the clock!"
"1st checkpoint the Mazada is 0.04 seconds down!"
"At the 2nd spit the gap has risen to 0.78 seconds!"
Final Results:
"The RX-8 completes the lap in 44.51 seconds
; 01.19 behind the 350 zed
".
Now doesn't your 350z give you nice fuzzies?
Jason