Ah, what's the point? We all know the Escudo Pike's Peak will beat them all, and it never really has to change tires the entire race.

(oops, there I go again -- can't separate GT3 from real life).

 

I love the styling of the new rx-8. I love the interrior. I love the suicide doors. But have you seen the power figures? This car has no torque at all? B/c of this, it'll never compete w/ the Z speed-wise, but it looks damn nice (although not as nice as the Z, but I'm biased).

Anyway, we'll have to wait for the new generation rx-7. With the turbo, it'll give the rotary the torque it needs (not to mention the modabillity).

 

Interesting side-note: Mazda has already publicly stated that the re-release of the 7 in the states is contingent upon the market success of the RX-8. If that's true, I'm a bit skeptical that we'll ever see the return of the almighty 7 in the states.

 

Personally I don't like the look of the RX-8, it's a bit too sedan looking. I have a 2001 Mustang SVT Cobra, I test drove a few weeks ago, the 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra. The 2003 is probably the most overall power you can get for the Money, the Z06 is in a whole different price category. Realistically you cannot do justice by comparing american V8 muscle to the 350Z, RX-8, New Supra. There is a totally different feel when driving. My 2001 will hold the corners, but it doesn't have a stiff corning feel, the 2003 improves it but I doubt the handling will match the Z (If I freak'n had mine yesterday when my Dealer initially told me, I could give a real comparison). For hitting the twisties you gotta compare the 350z to the Porsche Boxster S. You take a Boxster S or the 350z and you find the curvy back roads. The stang and other american muscle is for straight line, drop you back in the seat as the heavy body and the wheels do battle, the torque kicks the tires into a spin for burnouts - and of course load obnoxious grumble so all your neighbors know when your coming and going.

 

I've heard that too. If we don't get it, it'll be sad. Mazda shouldnt base their decision on the success of the rx-8, as its not a true sports car shouldnt be in the same catagory. I'm sure if the 7 comes it'll get a lot mote salese than the 8, and it'll be good cometition for the Z and (maybe) new supra.

just me .02 for mazda

 

I saw an estimated 1/4 mile time of 14.9 for the new GTO

 

CF hood wont be cost effective, gartuneed. I would recommend sticking with the alum. stock hood since the weight savings would be minimal and the out of pocket is substantial

 

My experience with the Pontiac is a lot of lost power in the transmission.....too sluggish.

 

Honestly who would even want to drive a 'Pontiac' regardless of country of origin..., not a comparison in my opinion.

 

First of all, alot of stock Z06's are running high 11's in 1/4's with nothing other than different tires. Second of all, the Z06 is still drivable!!!!

You can modify a lawnmower to run a 10s quarter mile if you are going to trailer it around and drive it 10 miles a year, not to mention strip out the interior, rip everything out to save weight, and gear it for strictly quarter mile runs.

Then you get to trash the engine and tranny every year to rebuild from the stresses of the car.

Supercharging a Z wouldnt come close, might bump you to 350bhp, still alot shy of the Z06 and the Z06 has a ton of other performance advantages on top of it.

Dont get me wrong, a Z is a great car for the money, but it wont come close to competition with a Z06, even after heavy mods.

 

Uhhg

hideous.

 

It will depreciate faster than the Z. All american cars do except the vette.

 

the 350z will eventually have the afermarket to beat a stock zo6 and be streetable, rest assured. I think braven's statements is definately a fallacy.

 

errr....zo6=vette

 

First of all, superchargers normally will get you 50-75 bhp with realistic psi. (ie not blow up your engine). Secondly, I stand by the statement that a 350Z will not "tune" to beat a 12s flat car. The only way I could see doing that would be to get some turbos in there which there isnt really a whole lot of room for one turbo, let alone two, let alone getting the plumbing for an intercooler. Same problem with a supercharger. Obviously you can destroy your car to beat just about anything, but thats a bit out of bounds in my book. Tweaking and tuning with only mild detrimental side effects is one thing, running massive boost and taking the life of a car down to a measure of months is just idiotic.

Again, you can make this comparison all you want, the 350Z and the Z06 are not in competition, they are in entirely different leagues and price ranges.

 

now now guys... The 350z is not the fastest car out there, and yes it can be made faster. However, this is not a z06 and it is not meant to be. The 350z is a hot looking car at a nice price, and has quite good performance. You should support it just for that fact, and that is the reason one would buy one presumably. So when people mention faster cars it is not necessary to say "my car will blow out a mclaren with a rocket powered engine!"

 

If you are going to bring aftermarkets into it, you think the C5 aftermarket is small?

Comparing a stock car to a HIGHLY tuned car is still silly, even though your best dream might get you close to a Z06, however if you want to talk about exceptionally tuned cars then hand a vette to Lingenfelter or some other major tuner.

Its really moot, and the one thing I see on most dedicated brand forums is people will blindly protect their ego which is still on an umbilical to their car.

Its not a BAD thing to get beat by another car, especially when its nearly twice the price. Sheesh.