I've posted a similar post to thgis one on the rx8club forum.
now, my question to everyone is....
Should i buy a mazda rx8 or a NISSAN 350ZROADSTER.

 

Depends upon what you need, convenience (RX-8) or power and aesthetics (the Z, and it isn't for everyone).

Don't get me wrong, the 8 is a nice car, but you are proposing this question to a Z board afterall.

 

ill never own a mazda.... no matter how good it looks or how fast it goes (or doesnt go).

You're on a Z forum. guess which way most peeps are gonna sway you.

 

get the Z.
both are really nice.

Just make sure to mod it.

if Z,
http://www.evolutionautosports.com/350justin.htm

if rx-8,
http://www.evolutionautosports.com/rx8ryan.htm

better yet, if you afford it get both. :-) j/k

 

Mazda dealers have no clue how to work on the rotory engine in the Rx-7.

Ask any Rx-7 owner...They will say don't go to the dealer for service.

I don't think thats changed for the Rx-8


Ken

Past 93' Rx-7 owner
present 94' 350 z owner

 

I'm a rotorhead. So I'm a little biased. I love my RX8....I got a base 6 speed, with sport package....I paid $26,000.... for that price, I could maybe get a base base 350Z, can't get an S2000, G35...yeah right....what's left? The Miata...no thanks, too impractical, not enough go for the dough, and a bunch of FWD cars....yecch. I did leave out the WRX...just don't like AWD, but that's my preference. These are my opinions, I'm sure everybody here has made there decisions and are very happy with them...as am I. So just do what you feel like.

 

Of course most people on here will tell you to get a Z, and most on rx8club will tell you to get an 8, esp. zerobanger.

By all accounts the RX-8 handles better but is definitely slower. The RX-8's ride is definitely smoother and it has a better quality interior. But for me, the suicide doors just ruins its looks. I'd also be wary of the engine troubles people have had (I've counted 10 unique people on rx8club who've needed new engines) and of it flooding easily. That's not to say the 350Z is trouble free either.

 

how to be impartial... aint gonna happen, and the rx8s will hit you with the biased stuff so here it is.

people love to compare prices. but what they dont bother to mention... 26000, IS comparable to the base, you dont get HID lights, or homelink, or any of that, Im not sure the rx8 has LSD on any models.

they love to compare the rx8 to the G35c and how expensive the G35 coupe is. but look at the options and youll realize why, the G35 coupe has all of the features of the grand touring package and then some. problem is there, they simply dont offer the G35c stripped down like the RX8.

with that said, they dyno 165ish. leading to an estimated 200hp at the wheels. they run mid 15s, low 6's. handling is above average.

*caution following statement pisses people off*

I find the RX8 to be an overpriced competitor to the RSX-S. by hp, performance, handling, and seating, it is similair.

now the thing is, the ONLY thing I see that the rx8 has over the Z is 4 seats. they like to say it has good handling, well guess what, so does the Z. Ive never seen skidpad or slalom numbers in a comparison, so I wont say the Z is better or worse, but it has got to be close.

performance, there is simply 0 comparison. one has almost 100extra wheel HP. you could turbo charge it and not match.

reliability is questionable, last I heard 10 blown engines, which is worrysome for the low sales figures.

resale, extremely iffy, rx7s always suffered because it is generally equated to a hand grenade, just waiting to blow.

service, no one knows the intake from the spark plug on them. including the dealer as someone said.

not that I dont like the car, I like the appearance, it has some neat features, but Im not sure what its purpose is, is it a sports car, is it a coupe, is it a sedan, is it a track car. I just dont know. the Z and the RX8 share that, they both follow the best at nothing, worst at nothing stance. but the Z seems to be better at a lot of things.

 

holyinfo mon

 

There's possibly an 11th guy on rx8club who might need a new engine. His handle on there is Topgun... we'll have to see what happens in the next few days/weeks.

 

I've gotta second this... I bet most of you have seen that clip with a Type-R beating the RX-8, so I guess the RX-8 falls in the same class of the type-S we have here...

 

www.bestmotoringvideo.com

go there and buy Volume 6 "The 350Z Shock" & Volume 7 "RX8/Rotary Reborn", watch those two DVDs...they should give you a little more insight into each car's performance. I personally would go with the Z though cuz the RX8 looks kinda ugly in my opinion (especially if it's in that hideous bright pale yellow color)

 

That is the most bs I have ever read. The latest test betwen the 350Z, RX8, and I believe S2k? The 350z and S2K ripped it to shreads. But some how the rx8 won with the least amount of points.?.

Anyways if you have to ask get the RX8.

 

OK...my $26,000($28,800 sticker) was a six speed. All Six speeds are mechanically identical. Bigger brakes, 18's, LSD, sport suspension, etc. The sport package on the 6 speed adds Xenons, and DSC/TCS. Hey, I just got what I liked...no big deal. The Z that I liked I couldn't afford, the S2000 I liked I couldn't afford...no biggie. Get what you like. You can't go wrong with any of the Japanese RWD sporty cars out on the market now.

 

I own neither....not until Mid April anyways. So i'm kind of neatrul

I almost bought the RX-8 a few weeks ago, but the sales manager was being a dick....i was going to sign the papers that day.

Thank god i walked out and found the 350Z...you can't compare the two.

so many problems with the RS8 its not funny.
Do you want to move your car from the garage into the driveway, and have to call a tow truck because the engine wasn't warm when you turned it off?

So many little issues its not funny.

RX-8 = girl car.

350Z is a sports car

 

If you have to ask....then get the RX8.

 

The Z roadster is a lot less practical than the 8, but is faster. As for the looks and the interior, well those are things you have to evaluate for yourself. I'm still wary of the Renesis though...unproven technology can prove to be very risky.

NzZ

 

Get RX-8.. They are sure way better on all fields, power, price, handling, looks, and most importantly they are very reliable.

 

Errr... ok... I'm w/dave079 on this, most of what you said is BS other than the handling part. Even the biggest RX-8 fanboy will tell you that the 350Z has more power.

As for looks, that's subjective. I'm not a fan of the RX-8 styling, but can understand it if someone likes it.