which one and why, please lets keep the opinions non-biased

 

350Z...

The RX-8 is fugly!!! and has no torque....

 

Do you need 4 seats? If so, the RX-8 is the easy winner.
The RX-8 will also have a high revving engine and will prob. be lighter...I'm guessing it'll be in between the Z and the S2000.

I'm not too enthusiastic about the RX-8's looks, but I could say the same about the 350Z until recently. The Z looks like an awesome car for the $, so w/o driving each, I'd go w/ it over the RX-8.

 

The RX-8 is a really good design, but it just doesnt have the performance of the z.

 

anybody have specs for this car and the pricing? I'm still leaning towards the Z, but the RX-8 does have that exotic car look as well.

 

How would you know? I think it's a little premature to draw such strong conclusions!

 

By reading the predicted specs and first drive impressions in mags and on the internet. The specs arn't likely to change that much from the predicted ones (look at our very own Z), and all of the reviews indicated that the car looks great, but just seems to lack that low end torque. The RX-7 is mazda's sports car, not he RX-8.

 

I heard 250hp and like 2900lbs (i think).

Also, the Lancer EVO is now "close to 270hp". That number keeps dropping.

 

The S2000 lacks that low end torque, but compensates w/ high end HP. From everything I've seen, it's as fast or faster in acceleration. Regardless, I'm sure the Z will feel faster in everyday driving.

 

SO far we don't know the price or the actual power/weight, but it has been estimated that the engine will be similar to the S2000 with 250 hp and 150 torque, but the car will be slightly heavier than the S2000 so it is sure to be slightly slower than the Z. Price has been estimated to be in the $30-35K range. I happen to think the Z wins on looks as well as performance, but if you want 4 seats the RX-8 is an option.

 

the Z should be faster wid out a doubt!
but if i had to get a 4 seater i would go wid da rx-8.
rx-8 has no torque just like the s2k. but i think da
s2k will be faster though cuz of da weight.

 

If you want a real comparison then start talking about the next RX-7. It will use the same Renesis engine making 250 or so bhp and will also be extremely high revving, but will have power throughout.

Also, the RX-7 will likely have a forced induction system as well. Then you have a car several hundred pounds lighter generating much more power.

What it really boils down to, and the RX-8 is the testbed, is the reliability and acceptability of the new rotary Renesis. If the RX-8 is a hit and can sell enough cars, then the RX-7 will likely head to NA.

 

wait I thought the RX-8 was the RX-7's replacement?

I think both the Z and RX-8 are beautiful cars. I think the front of the RX-8 is more aggressive BUT the Z has a nicer profile. the RX-8 looks too long from the side. I wish they would lose those funky passenger doors, make it a bit smaller and lighter and the car would be awesome.

in any case, I'm going to wait until next year to get a car b/c 2004 will have more cars competing in the $30,000 price range and so I should get a better price + I'm sure there will be a few small bugs that Nissan will fix for the 2004 350Z.

 

RX8 is scheduled for late 2003 model year release. The following year the RX7 is slated to come to NA assuming the RX8 has a successful production run, meaning profitable.

The cars are relatively similar, but I do not know a ton about the differences. The RX7 specs havent even been released aside from that it will use the same engine, with a possible turbo setup.

Also, it would be a good idea to wait 6 months if you are considering a RWD 2 seater. Rumor has it that Toyota is cooking up the Supra MKV and rumored to be well over 300hp in the base model (non-turbo) and then you get to consider the RX-7/8 which will be a possibility.

Also, if you flip sides, you can see alot of hot sedans coming to the market in the form of the G35 coupe (2+2), the TT is getting alot of reincarnation work with some real powerplants, and the new 4.2L S4 which is supposedly over 400bhp.

 

I get excited just thinking about next year

 

Yea, well, its still too early to tell. I also dont like the concept art of the RX7 and Supra MKV, but that is concepts and normally very far from the way it is.

If the supra at 350bhp from a V6 is where they say it will land (30k) then its going to reallllly hurt the Z's.

However, my argument at that point is simple, how often does an everyday driver get the chance to say "This car is a 13.5s quarter, while my other is a 13 flat".

Its really impractical at this point. Its just hard to justify the 50k+ sports cars when the difference is now measured in fractions of a second, a few feet in braking, and a hundreth more in the lateral skidpad, all the while have a price difference of 20k+.

Sure, build quality is something, but take it from someone currently driving a E46 M3, its not all its cracked up to be. I have had more problems with the M3 than I had in many many years of driving VW's and domestics.