I think the RX-8 is a hell'va of a good idea and is a nice car sorta of a catchall. I agree with interior looking a little better and the rear seats having a purpose even that the RX-8 handles and shift well.

But its not a 350Z or a Z-car the 350Z is the essence of what a Sports Car should be it is a item of desire not of multi-purpose it has one purpose delight the driver and passenger. As I mention the RX-8 is a great on paper but car that just doesn't pan out. The 350Z is just what it is with no pretense A Sports Car. In a mag review of "10 of the best sports cars" the writers were complaining that the 350Z didn't do better against $125k - $50k cars competing against Vipers/Porsches/Vettes/Lotus?BMWs/Benzes, but you know what the RX-8 wasn't even mentioned.

So no matter how many comparison that the RX-8 wins because it has back seats it will always lose to the 350Z when rating Sports Cars. One video made in the UK 350Z wins every division but they say the RX-8s the winner because a driver said with some changes the RX-8 might be the better car.
But the Z was a driver car just as it stands.

I like the RX-8 on paper and test driving, but I paid more and bought a Z-car.

 

That and looks are about the only thing it has going for it...insurance is pretty damn cheap for it.

 

I honestly feel like the reason people praise rx8 handling so often is because it is simply "eaisier" to drive. Too much throttle in a corner and you will meet the rear end of your z, whereas the rx8 is underpowered enough that it feels planted all the time. Just my 2c, but I felt like I could whip that thing around with reckless abandon.

Thats also what made the rx8 feel like a toy compared to the z.

 

ROFL, HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAH

 

agree, i cant stop laugh when i see this comment lol

 

Thats exactly it my friend, unless you're Tanner Foust and walking that line at 8700RPM in an RX-8, you ARE tame. The 8 is junk, my best friend had one and he couldnt wait to get rid of that underpowered, unreliable POS. That was 17 months ago, now the bastard had a kid with his wife....no Z for him!! LOL!!

 

Just curious (and not getting the humor)… Have any of you guys driven a Mazda rotary?
--Spike

 

And ***** are freaking slow!!!

(p.s. I agree...precise handling but woefully underpowered...)

 

I'm a Z owner and would never trade it with a RX8. But I would choose the RX8 over my car any day for Autocrossing...

 

^ wrong

 

Not arguing... but curious as to why you say this.

--Spike

 

actually coming from a rx8 i think the 350z is almost even if not even

 

I don't know.
When I test drove the RX8, I kind of got the impression
that it was a "chick" car. Just seemed to be designed for
a female, and the Z felt like it had a set...

 

That's because of lack of torque.

Z>8

 

^+1 Checkout the SCCA national results and you will see that BS (the class where RX8 & 350Zs compete) is dominated by RX8s. Reigning national champion has been driving an RX8 for the last 2-3 years.

 

That doesn't surprise me, but wondering why...Is it the car or driver skills?

--Spike

 

The car. RX8 can tweak camber, I believe, while still remaining in B Stock. It's suspension can be better tweaked while remaining stock, it has a lighter curb weight, and the fairly low speed course, doesn't really let the Z stretch its legs.

TK

 

I almost bought a rx-8. But when I test drove it and then a z right after there was no comparison. The rx-8 just lacks too much in my opinion for the price they want, and has way too many problems. The lack of power was one the main things for me. They give a 9k redline for a reason because u almost have to shift up there to feel any power in the rx-8. I got a 350z and couldnt be happier.

 

For the street a Z seems to make more since with torque down low over RX8 and S2000 imo. I looked at both and the Z by far was a better car for what I planned on doing with it. I've said this before and I'll say it again. If I was to get serious at the track it would most likely wouldn't be any one of these cars even though the Z is a blast and does road course pretty darn good. Good enough for weekend warriors anyways. ;-)

 

Another reason why autocross is gay.