Well here is the situation I am buying a toy. The 2003 touring is the one I have picked out lemans sunset 30K I just need to here that I am making the right choice the other car I have drove is a 04 mazda rx8 The only reason I even looked was I have 4 kids but the car is going to be a summer only as we have two minivans.
The price is nearly identical I know the z have some issues tranny etc but I will have factory warranty left on it.The rx8 has issues as well I hear alot of complaints about the cold start flooding problems.And I really see little comparison in looks.Tell me its ok to be selfish this time
Dave

 

$30k or 30k miles? Please God tell me you don't think $30k is a good deal for an 03! I'm selling my Twin Turbo 2004 for $25k.. I mean.. Help clear this up!

 

i say go for the Z. rx8 is too weak and you would regret if you pick up one.

 

It is good to be selfish! Enjoy.

Before buying run Carfax and have good mechanic give it a clean bill of health.

Note to others: He's in Canada so price might look high but its Canadian funny money!

 

Treat yourself to a 350Z for summer cruising. With 4 kids you deserve it.

 

If you really need the back seats and have young children a G35 may be more practical... just a thought G35x may be good in canada for the all wheel drive...

 

I paid about 2 years ago 25000 for my 2003 Daytona blue touring with 17000 miles on it and it was supposed to be 23500 but they screwed me some how 30000 is to much for that just buy a 2007 enthusasist

Ps: Rx8 is a fake sports car lol just kidden but it has no ***** and its feels cheap just me i was in the same boat as you rx8, s2000 , 350z and Sti all around z is better then all of them to me

 

O.K sorry for the misleadind post the mileage is 30k not the price the price is about 21000 canadian or 18 u.s a very clean one owner passed safety and e-test the car is in very good shape .
Clean title as I ran the vin myself thru nissan and still has remaining warranty.Maby someone can clear up how long is the standard powertrain warranty?
Thanks for the replys.
I have looked at a G35 but it was almost 4000$ higher with more mileage and no warranty!

 

I can't believe you think the RX 8 and Z looks are pretty even...

WTF mate??

 

Read the quote again I said I see little comparison in the looks meaning the Zis by far the better looking car!
Cheers

 

Sound like a good deal. I bought the same car ('03 LeMans Sunset touring 6MT with 32,000 mis) in september for $23,000. Yeah i got raped. But it was a lease turn in, one owner, with all dealer maintnence records and it was mint! Still happy, and it is a great color!!! Have yet to see another Sunset around here.

 

Well I feel pretty good about the price then mine is a lease return as well just got luck with the time of year and the snow.I can,t bel;ieve I just said lucky and snow in the same sentence.

 

Alright hahaha... scared me for a second..

Read it to fast i guess

 

OK, it looks like this thread needs a counterpoint.

You should really test drive them both as they are very different cars. The RX-8 is very fun to drive despite its' relatively low power. A cars visual appeal is subjective of course, so I won't comment on that.

For the casual sports car owner, the Z probably has less issues to be concerned with than the 8 (with its' rotary) and of course the Z has more power.

On the other side of things, the RX8 is generally regarded as having a better road feel and it has more utility with its' four doors and back seat. Plus it has a great interior.

Spend some time at RX8club.com to learn more about the car.

They are both great cars for the money, just different. And no I'm not a RX8 owner, just someone who likes the Z as well and is here to learn more about it before I decide to buy one.

 

Thanks for all the replies I have driven both and the z is the funner car to drive although the testdrive with the rx8 was with the salesperson .The power of the z is impressive but it is all relative as my toy last year was a honda 954rr.
Thanks again for everyones input.

 

I went from an RX-8 to a 350Z. Both cars have their ups and down.

350z has more power, that about where the 350z has an advantage over the RX-8 beside gas milage.

Handling they are both about the same but the RX-8 is more crisp and provides more feed back (at least in an enthusiast model z) to the driver. From my experience the VDC & TCS on the Z is too sensitive. The interior of the Z seem to be of less quality that the 8. If you are a big guy then the 8 is cramped inside, even if you don't have any one in the back seat. The seat are supportive but they are not designed for people with a tire on their waist. I like the interior of the 8 better because is unique. I hate the steering wheel and the lighting on the interior of the Z.

I never had any issue with my RX-8. I still see it every day since I sold it to a co-worker. The 8 was my family car and it was to small so it got replaced by a BMW and the Z.

The RX-8 will require some special attention though. Rotaries burn oil naturally. So you have to keep an eye on that, pretty much a weekly routine to add oil. The thing about the cold start is true. You can not just start the car when it is cold, move it 10 feet and turn it off. You will have a hard time starting it back up but Mazda did do something for this. Most people do not read the owners manual and it tells you how to unflood the motor, but is a little inconvinient. If you are looking for an ghettomatic (automatic tranny), then go for the Z. RX-8 in auto are SLOW. Gas milage on the RX-8 SUCKS!!! The thing I love about the Z is that is has pretty good gas milage.

I say go and drive both cars and make an decision on your own. You are the only one that know what you like. Do not make your decision based on this forum.

 

Didn't you say this will be a toy? If so, then why even consider 4 seats?

 

do you have kids? Reason I ask is because sometime we want to spend sometime with our kids sharing our toys. Reason why I sold my RX-7s and got the RX-8.

 

+1

 

Trust me and a bunch of other people on here, buy the Z. And in the event all four of your kids want to ride, take out the spair tire and cramp two kids under the hatch - problem solved