Thats my gripe. I don't care if a car revs to 9500 RPM's. If it doesn't make power in the first 4-5k, then WTF is the point, especially for a daily driver. If its going to be a track only car, I can understand that. But I would like something with a little torque, especially after driving my dad's Z06.

Racecar engines make crazy power throughout the ENTIRE powerband, not just the top 3000 RPM's. Thats the difference between them and the Renesis.

 

Mmmh, most race car engine can barrely idle, or idle a 1-2000 rpm not to stall. They have a narrower power band than most street engine.

Anyways, this whole topic of RX-8 vs 350Z is lame. Reducing each car to a simple engine comparison is pretty narrow minded. It's obvious the VQ35 produces bigger numbers. But an engine is just part of a car...

On track, both car had the same lap time when driven by the Stig at Top Gear. That's the sort of comparison I care for.

Seems lots of people are unable to recognize the qualities of cars other than their own. Grow up kids and open your eyes to the world outside...

 

I am a 350Z owner. Tested both the RX8 and the 350Z extensively before I bought. Neither of the two is any match for the vehicle I was replacing (2004 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa) LMAO....Anyway, I considered the RX8 to be more of a gentlemens sports car, but I aint a gentleman. I have loved Mazdas (for some reason) ever since I was a kid and saw the RX3. But for my money the 350Z won hands down.

I got the base, because I can add anything that I would want on a "SPORTS CAR". My nephew was the salesman at the Mazda dealership and was pissed when I bought the "Z", thats life, and he wasn't giving it to me, I was buying it.
after considering the two for a couple of months the main thing that helped me decide was the oil issues with the RX8. Also, I hate anything FORD has its hands in ever since my CAM sprocket failed on my V8 SHO and they wouldn't back their product's repair knowing it was a common issue that should have been recalled. The repair through FORD was $15,000. The car ended up costing my $8,000 just to get rid of.

The RX8 is a slick car, but I don't think its worth the money. i also found the acceleration to be sluggish, and the ****-pit uncomfortable.

 

Did the FOCKER just tell me to shut up? I say let him go on about his gas mileage and what "he thinks is a better car"..... hate seeing panzies driving z's on the road anyways : people who drive exactly the speed limit while everyone on the road is doing 15-20 over ( anyone disagree with me?). Drive your Rx-8 and "Zoom-Zoom" all the way.. bi@tCH! He pissed me off, I was being nice. RX-8's are the biggest pieces of $hits on the road in my humble opinion and shoulden't be called a sports car with the gay 1/2 size saturn wanna be doors......

 

OK folks, I test drove both cars. I planned to get the RX-8 initially. It is an interesting looking car and the rotary engine is unique. I always wanted an RX-7. That plus usable back seats is a major practicality plus. I lurked on the RX8club website and watched and learned. The gas mileage wasn't what was claimed, the power wasn't what was claimed, and the A/C seemed to have some issues. In spite of itslack of torque the RX-8 was quite enjoyable to drive, I found that I just had to drive it very hard. Partial throttle acceleration is less than satisfying. Then I checked with my auto insurance folks and they told me the RX-8 premiums would be higher than the Z. So for the RX-8 I'd get lower gas mileage, lower horsepower and torque, and higher insurance premiums. I suspect there are and always will be fewer after-market parts and support for the RX-8 as compared to the Z. I can't criticize anyone who buys the RX-8, it still turns my head and I find it an interesting car. I bought the Z, 2005 Daytona Blue Performance. Yes, it only has two seats, poor storage in the hatch area, difficult to access storage behind the passenger seat, and not the best stereo. People had problems with tires, transmissions, and windows. In the end, for me, I found the Z to be more of what I wanted in a sports car. The sound of the Z's engine is intoxicating. Partial throttle response is substantial! It is both a pleasure to behold and a pleasure to drive. I give credit to Mazda for keeping the rotary alive and I appreciate folks having the choice of buying RX-8s. I hope Mazda ups the ante in the future with increases in torque and horsepower. If everyone drove a Z it would be a less interesting world. Rich

 

Sing it Sistah! thats pertty much sums up my feeling on this subject!
Zee-on!

 

That was a nice un-biased opinion. Good stuff.

 

I used to own both rx8 and a 2004 accord coupe v6. To be honest the rx8 wasn’t that much faster then the accord. Now I don’t own a z yet, but I test drove one last week, and it is way faster then the accord and the rx.

 

The Accords have pretty good power actually. They're good cars.

 

Nice to see my thread to come back to life...

Since this is my thread, I really want to add a little more of what I think about the vehicle.

Hmm..... lets see what I have done over time... for both of the cars

for the RX8.. I have stripped everything... its back to stock... but I used to have computer (CanZoomer), B&B exhaust, and Project Mu brakes pads.

The Z has... RSR exhaust (loud as a *****), Intake Pop something, Defi Guages, Nismo kit... hmm about it

So, I have had both cars for quite awhile now, and I think I can draw some better conclusions about both vehicles.

Firstly, the LSD on the Z, is sh&it. That **** (LSD), is ****. WHen the car is turning, the Z does not feel fluid like the RX8.

Lets give it an example, when one of the wheels on the Z starts to spin. Lets say, coming out of a bunch of snow and the left wheel is stepping on the snow and the right wheel is on ground. I step on the gas, and try to get out of the pile of snow, and guess what? The car gets stuck. I mean, the left wheel just spins like crazy, and teh right wheel is almost not moving at all. It feels kinda like an open differential.

On street roads, the RX8 has every reason to be faster (in twisties). The suspension on the track model is just too hard sometimes. Going over bumps and humps gives the car lots of up and down motion but makes the car kinda hard to drive smoothly.

Power wise, the Z wins, almost all the time. BUt the understeer makes the Z unable to apply throttle early in the turn. Even if you do apply gas right at the apex of the turn, sometimes that will cause push understeer. And you have to let be at part throttle again and wait for the car to come back. however, that is only very minor.

Anyhow, I like the Z better than the 8. Its just more powerful, and since there isn;t much twisties in boston. I guess... I prefer the accelearation feeling of the Z.

183 califonia street, Newton.

 

i have also drove the rx8 and the z and in my opinion ill definitely take the z,better looks better power,the 8 does handle nice though,but the z is more upgradable and to me it is just to awesome to pass up.