Hi guys, earl here. Well my friend and I have been test driving to two vehicles over the past two days. He is looking to buy a new car (upgrade from his rx-3). To me the vehicles are tip for tap-overall, but I don't know very much about cars.

Performance
Rx8 - rotary engine with about 240 hrs
350 z- 308 hrs (but its a heavier car)

He's basically a "mazda guy" so he's kinda leaning in that direction. On top of that he mentioned adding an intake and exhaust to the mazda, if he purchased it. Me, I was leaning more towards the Z because you really don't have to add anything as far as performance. The interior seemed more roomier. The only thing I didn't like was it had zero trunk space.

I would just like to hear some input from you peeps and your opinions. Like I said I don't know very much about cars and I know that we have some experts here in the garage, lol. If there is a thread about this already, my apologies.

4/6/2007 3:21:47 PM

Z

4/6/2007 3:22:35 PM

z

4/6/2007 3:29:06 PM

z

4/6/2007 3:51:44 PM

both suck

4/6/2007 3:58:53 PM

The Z's too heavy, the Rx-8 is too weak. So I dunno. Z I guess.

BTW, how the hell do you think the Z has a roomier interior?!

I'd suggest an S2000.

4/6/2007 4:34:42 PM

hrs? you mean hp.

advantage of rx8 is back seats. if at anytime you plan on having a family or going on a trip with friends, rx8 is a clear choice.

and oh, it is actually a good looking car

or get a G35/G37.

and what's an rx-3?

4/6/2007 4:43:38 PM

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

is real fun to drive, but yea if you want to carry more than 1 other person around you're in trouble. i always use mine as an excuse as to why i cant drive to the bars, no seats, so then i can get drunk w/ no DD responsibilities
and i def like the Z's looks more.
it was an mx-3 right?

4/6/2007 4:54:22 PM

I've considered both of these cars.

I'd say he owes it to himself to test drive an S2000 and an Evo IX before buying either an RX-8 or 350Z. I've owned one of each.

The S2000 is the best pure sports car of the bunch, while the Evo is the overall most capable performance platform AND the most practical (and is far and away the most tuneable). The 350Z...well, I don't really know why you'd get one over an S2000, personally...and the only reason to get an RX-8 over an Evo is that you can get one a little bit cheaper (but it's a lot less car, too).

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 5:16 PM. Reason : asfd]

4/6/2007 5:14:22 PM

^^&^^^you know guys, there were RX models before the RX-7. All of Mazdas rotary powered cars are RX-x.

The more you know...

4/6/2007 5:20:58 PM

My bad, I meant mx-3 haha. Well...isn't the s2000 smaller than both? Something relatively the same size as the Rx and the Z is more considerable. I don't think he wants to go smaller. The acura models might be the next look.

Quote :

" how the hell do you think the Z has a roomier interior?!"

Well when I drove it, it seemed to have more foot space for some reason. Maybe I have erred here.

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 5:47 PM. Reason : .]

4/6/2007 5:44:36 PM

I'll be one of the only rx-8 proponents here, I guess



mainly on the fact that it is one of the sexiest cars on the road

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 5:54 PM. Reason : .]

4/6/2007 5:53:10 PM

Evo IX

4/6/2007 5:54:13 PM

I have an RX-8 for going on 3.5 years now. It definitely could use about 20-30 horses, but its soo easy and giddy fun to drive deep and hard. The only thing Ive done to it is a shifter, so Ive been satisfied with the power for this long.

I thought the S2000 was a fun car, but its too purpose built. The RX-8 rode better I thought, and the back seats seats definitely nice. The trunk isnt too bad on the 8 either, just a small opening.

I think the Z interior is a little on the gaudy side. Other than the back seats, I would say the forward cabin area of both the Z and the 8 are the same.

I do 1-2 dragon runs a year, but dont track it, yet.

Mileage on the 8 averages out to about 21 mpg over 39.5k miles on 87. My friends Z with an auto gets slightly better at 24, but I dont know how bad it uses gas when on it.

I bought mine because I lost a good deal on a used 04 330i, and havent looked back. Other than early ECU calibration issues and two trim pieces, its been trouble free. Rotaries are a blast.

4/6/2007 6:16:18 PM

G35 coupe

Mazdas are Japanese fords. The g35 is the 350z with no compromises; stylish and loaded like the 300ZX was. There are faster cars out there, but if you're complaining about trunk space and shit, the G is for him.

^That mileage is better, though. G35's average around 18mpg on premium. But hey, you got to pay to play.

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 6:34 PM. Reason : .]

4/6/2007 6:20:24 PM

my gripe with the rx-8 and rsx is it just takes so long to get to the fun part of the tach
its so much more fun to have that power just sitting there playing with you while you are rolling low rpm around town.

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 6:34 PM. Reason : .]

4/6/2007 6:34:06 PM

how do you know how many hours? are manufacturers supplementing odometers now? hours is more accurate, but i didnt know any cars kept track of it

4/6/2007 6:54:14 PM

i don't like either for the price you could get something better

4/6/2007 7:31:10 PM

Quote :

"mainly on the fact that it [RX-8] is one of the sexiest cars on the road"

Truth.

4/6/2007 10:44:40 PM

Quote :

"I thought the S2000 was a fun car, but its too purpose built. "

haha, my complaint about the S2000 was the opposite--too soft and candy-assed for my tastes. still a great car, though.

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 11:30 PM. Reason : i had more hardcore expectations judging from what i'd read]

4/6/2007 11:29:48 PM

Time out:

Are these brand new cars in question? If you buy an Rx-8, you need to be REALLY careful what year you get and what ECU flash it has had done. STAY AWAY FROM A 2004 ESPECIALLY. If you get an Rx-8 the newer the better.

Now, speaking as an owner of two Rx-7s... the handling on an Rx-8 is sick and it still has a reasonably smooth ride (way better than a Z) and the loaded models have good interior comforts (heated seats etc). It's really hard to get any more power out of an '8 so you should build it for handling.

I wouldn't get a Z. Just get a G35 if you go that route.

If you get a 2 seater, get an s2000. If you want a 4 seater get a G35 or an Rx-8, but that depends on how much you care about handling and what you think of the styling of the two.

4/6/2007 11:47:00 PM

rx8 just kidding they suck ballz


ZZZZZZ

4/7/2007 11:30:47 AM

Here's the difference if it's between these two cars:

In 5-10 ten years when you want to get something new, the RX-8 is going to be leaking oil and the resale value is going to be FAR below that of the Z.

I love Mazda cars, but if you don't know the Rotary is a limited life engine, you don't need to go anywhere near it.

4/7/2007 11:43:52 AM

there is some truth in that... but the motors tend to be pretty cheap because of it.

if the rx8 just had say..75 more hp it would be an awesome car but to be honest its alot of money for something a mildly modded jetta 1.8t will pull from.

and if you get one... don't get the body kit on them it makes them look chunky and that car should look as light and nimble as possible imho


now the 350/g35 they look chunky and wear it well but again... i think both of these cars could use more low end power for their weights.



[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 11:53 AM. Reason : .]

4/7/2007 11:52:44 AM

wtf wrong thread.


[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 12:01 PM. Reason : .]

4/7/2007 12:01:11 PM

save your money

they are both some junk

4/7/2007 12:37:41 PM

and i also concur with getting the G35 instead of the 350Z, although I personally would choose the Evo over either, unless I wanted a 2-seat, "purist's" sports car, in which case I would choose the S2000.

4/7/2007 12:50:06 PM

What are 5th-gen vettes going for these days? Seems like you'd get a lot more car for your money going that route.(If this guy is serious about wanting a sports car.)

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/302168152.html

[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 1:31 PM. Reason : .]

4/7/2007 1:27:55 PM

I drove both before I got the scoobie. The 350 definitely has more balls but i didnt like the interior styling as much. The RX-8 is underpowered and had too many blind spots and felt too cramped for my taste.

As some others are suggesting you can get more car if you go used. Plus you wont eat the depreciation. The G35 is hot but from what I can recall considerably more expensive than the Z. Maybe you can pick one up used? Just my $0.02

[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 3:03 PM. Reason : ..]

4/7/2007 3:03:07 PM

rx8 or g35 coupe

4/7/2007 4:12:00 PM

i had a 350z track edition. i loved that car, so the z gets my vote.

4/7/2007 5:36:56 PM

I've got a Z.

So far, Its had great build quality. but then again, I went from a 500hp cobra so anything to me has great build quality besides a ford.

I hate the styling of the RX but thats my opinion.

Resale value should be better on the Z.

My friend has an RX-8 and said that the gas milage is terrible. I get 25 mpg. plus, I beat him every time we race. and my Z is a heavy pig because of it beaing a converible.

In my opinion, get the Z or an S2000

4/7/2007 5:46:32 PM

RX3

4/7/2007 6:17:33 PM

i've driven the 350z track edition, and reg 'ol manual base z when they first come out (buddy got the track).

it's a fun car.. but interior is so shitty. also it's not that exciting of a car. i got tired of driving that shit after a while. it handled like a truck.

4/7/2007 6:24:37 PM

I would go with the Z like most others said. But I also agree that if your friend decides he's leaning more towards the Z that he should look into getting a G35...although he'd prob have to go used on a G35 because there is a pretty good price difference.

4/8/2007 2:58:00 AM

when i was pricing the Z and g35c last september it was the price difference that got me. the g35 was on average $6k more for similar mileage cars. and i really like the Z's interior, i guess thats subjective though obviously. same for the comment about it handling like a truck. i would like to drive an S2000, i've just never gotten the chance to.

4/8/2007 12:31:34 PM

buy Duke's Evo... best price/performance.

4/8/2007 12:40:04 PM

sadly, u brought up a car that wasnt asked about in the thread. and you have driven neither of the 2 cars being discussed

4/8/2007 1:12:47 PM

i like the 350s with the mudflaps.

4/8/2007 1:14:10 PM

Quote :

"if the rx8 just had say..75 more hp it would be an awesome car but to be honest its alot of money for something a mildly modded jetta 1.8t will pull from."

heh, i sat pretty even with zach in a stock 1.8T, god forbid i run into him now.

4/8/2007 1:53:02 PM

First off, thanks for the feedback guys.

I told my friend about the responses and he agreed to an extent. As far as the "oil leaking" someone mentioned in here earlier he said that the only models that did that were the older ones. The ones with the twin turbos 2/3rd gens. Due to the apex seals going bad. But the newer ones were straight. 05'-up.

4/8/2007 2:14:26 PM

FYI, Nismo-tuned 350Z coming to showrooms in July:

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/nismo_350z.asp

4/8/2007 2:23:56 PM

My friend is just a Rotary Engine fan. He claims that you can get about 400k miles out of a well kept one. Just maintain the coolant fluids because those engines ran hotter than your conventional ones.

4/8/2007 2:28:29 PM

^^ Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 mph s: n.a see base model 07 specs

4/8/2007 2:44:39 PM

WHAT IS THE INTENDED PURPOSE AND REQUIREMENTS?

4/8/2007 7:20:33 PM

Quote :

"My friend is just a Rotary Engine fan. He claims that you can get about 400k miles out of a well kept one. Just maintain the coolant fluids because those engines ran hotter than your conventional ones."

Lol.

GG Earl, you're the best troll ever.

4/8/2007 7:43:03 PM

hahahah, i dont think there's a single Mazda rotary on earth that made it 400k.

He's a complete idiot if he thinks they "fixed" the rotary problems. It's a flawed design at it's base, which, along with poor gas mileage, is why it's never made it into more models.

4/8/2007 8:04:00 PM

No, I never claimed that. So you can cease the troll accusations. I honestly have no clue whatsoever how many miles they can get. But they do run hotter than your average cylinder engine.

4/8/2007 8:06:05 PM

Quote :

"you can get about 400k 200k miles out of a well kept non turbo one. "

4/8/2007 9:16:42 PM

yeah 75-90k seems about right for the turbos.

4/8/2007 9:27:48 PM