The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is not well-known for its flashiness, perhaps preferring to be lauded for its differences – the obvious one being its rotary-powered “renesis” engine, which was designed to reduce exhaust emissions while producing greater power. Already considered a performance alternative, does it have a chance against the well-received new 2009 Nissan 370Z?
The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is more suitable as a family car than the 2009 Nissan 370Z two-seater could ever dream of being. The RX-8 has a surprisingly spacious interior for a sports coupe. However, a family-owned RX-8 will feel fluctuating fuel prices acutely. Only equal to the 370Z in the city and even less economical on the freeway, one could argue that the Z34 Fair Lady is a better car for those looking to economize.
As a straight muscle car, the 2009 Nissan 370Z has the 2009 Mazda RX-8 over a barrel, dwarfing the rotary engine’s horsepower capability by 100 bhp. An RX-8 offers spaciousness and the kinship of die-hard rotary drivers, but at a relatively similar MSRP as the 370Z it would be hard to choose the slower “renesis” over the cat quick V6.
2009 RX-8 Model Line Overview
Model lineup:
Mazda RX-8 Sport manual or automatic ($26,435); Touring manual ($27,860); Touring automatic ($28,560): Grand Touring manual ($31,000); Grand Touring automatic ($31,700); R3 ($31,930)
electronic power steering with tilt steering wheel; power four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS and EBD; air conditioning; Bose AM/FM/CD 300-watt surround sound with steering-wheel mounted controls; cruise control; leather/cloth Recaro sport seats; power windows, mirrors and locks; leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob/handbrake; floor and overhead consoles; Xenon headlamps; rain-sensing wipers; alarm with immobilizer; 225/40 Bridgestone high-performance tires on19-inch forged aluminum wheels
Options as tested (MSRP):
none
Destination charge:
($670)
Gas guzzler tax:
N/A
Price as tested (MSRP):
$32,600
Layout:
rear-wheel drive
Engine:
1.3-liter two-rotor rotary
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):
232 @ 8500
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):
159 @ 5500
Transmission:
6-speed manual
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:
16/22 mpg
Wheelbase:
106.4 in.
Length/width/height:
175.6/69.7/52.8 in.
Track, f/r:
58.9/59.3 in.
Turning circle:
34.8 ft.
Seating capacity:
4
Head/hip/leg room, f:
38.2/53.3/42.7 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m:
N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:
36.8/48.1/32.2 in.
Cargo volume:
7.6 cu. ft.
Payload:
N/A
Towing capacity:
N/A
Suspension, f:
independent, A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar
Suspension, r:
independent, multi-link, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar
Ground clearance:
4.7 in.
Curb weight:
3064 lbs.
Tires:
225/40R19 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Brakes, f/r:
vented disc/vented disc with ABS and EBD
Fuel capacity:
15.9 gal.
2009 Nissan 370Z Model Line Overview
Model lineup:
Nissan 370Z ($29,930); 370Z Touring ($34,460)
Engines:
332-hp 3.7-liter V6
Transmissions:
6-speed manual; 7-speed automatic
Safety equipment (standard):
frontal airbags, curtain airbags, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, ABS, EBD
Safety equipment (optional):
none
Basic warranty:
3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled in:
Japan
Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP):
Nissan 370Z ($29,930)
Standard equipment:
air conditioning, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, power locks, console, cruise control, message center, trip computer, floor shift, fog lamps, cruise control, intelligent key, Homelink universal transceiver
Options as tested (MSRP):
Sport Package ($3,000) includes 19-inch forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high-performance radials, front and rear spoilers, bigger brakes
Destination charge:
($695)
Gas guzzler tax:
N/A
Price as tested (MSRP):
$33,625
Layout:
rear-wheel drive
Engine:
3.7-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):
332 @ 7000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):
270 @ 5200
Transmission:
6-speed manual
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:
18/26 mpg
Wheelbase:
100.4 in.
Length/width/height:
167.1/72.6/51.8 in.
Track, f/r:
61/62.8 in.
Turning circle:
34.1 ft.
Seating capacity:
2
Head/hip/leg room, f:
38.2/54.6/42.9 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m:
N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:
N/A
Cargo volume:
6.9 cu. ft.
Payload:
N/A
Towing capacity:
N/A
Suspension, f:
independent, double wishbone, coil spring, gas-pressurized shock, stabilizer bar
Suspension, r:
independent, multi-link, coil spring, gas-pressurized shock, stabilizer bar
Ground clearance:
N/A
Curb weight:
3232 lbs.
Tires:
P245/40R19 front, P275/35R19 rear
Brakes, f/r:
vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
Fuel capacity:
19.0 gal.
2008 G37 Coupe Model Line Overview
Model lineup:
Infiniti G37 Coupe ($34,250); Journey ($35,000); Sport 6MT ($35,550)
Engines:
3.7-liter V6
Transmissions:
5-speed manual automatic; 6-speed manual
Safety equipment (standard):
two-stage frontal airbags, side airbags in front, full-length curtain airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control, ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, tire pressure monitor
Safety equipment (optional):
none
Basic warranty:
4 years/60,000 miles
Assembled in:
Tochigi, Japan
Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP):
Infiniti G37 Coupe ($34,250)
Standard equipment:
leather, AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system, 7-inch LCD monitor, HID bi-Xenon headlights, aluminum 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, keyless entry and starting, automatic temperature control
Options as tested (MSRP):
Sport Package ($1850); 4 Wheel Active Steer ($1300)
