Morpheus XIII

Well this was certainly a tough decision for me. It looks like both Nissan and Mazda are taking a step back in time, when they, along with Toyota ruled the import streets of the past.

I've loved every U.S. destined Nissan and Mazda sports cars, and can't ever take one over the other. But if it came down to it, I would take the Mazda, since it feels to be of higher quality in the term of "sports" (aside from the 2 extra doors and seats). When you check its intricate craftsmanship, you see that the detail in shape and purpose come alive. Even the Rotary engine is known to be among sports cars primarily.

As nice as the 350Z is, you can still feel a slight sense of 'recession' within the company, shown to you in the car as a whole (undedicated chassis/engine). I'll still love Nissans, but I just can't pass over something as tidy as the RX-8.

350Z Pros: two seat simplistic design, torque monster engine, turbochargeable future, reliable powertrain with many replacement parts from many different Nissans, expensive feel for bargain price, beetle-like retro effect, rear tower stabilizer.

350Z Cons: parts-sharing slighty reduces the car's perfect conceptual shape due to and double-dutying the engine and chassis. Not as much absurd acceleration due to heft and relatively undeveloped suspension & engine tuning.

RX-8 Pros: the trick door, niche-type car, heavily developed 13B parts available for the Renesis engine, screaming rotary, fresh and new anime-like body aesthetics, expensive feel for a bargain price, in-cabin design.

RX-8 Cons: questionable reliability, RX-7 still better for all out performance, slightly controversial look.

NismoDrifts

nissssssssssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!!!!!

i dunno, whats odd is i would take the newest rx7 over the 350z AND the rx8.......just how i am.......they both look too retro to me, but 350 looks the best, and, i love it when its decked out in race style (see freshalloy.com's banner) and i dunno, has the 350s performance specs been confirmed yet?! coz they kept changing...... which makes for a bad comparison from that point of view.....

TatII

i think that the RX-8 will be faster then the 350Z since it has similar horsepower (unofficial spec) and it weighta a whole~ lot lighter!! plus its more of a conventional sports car. it has 4 seats!!!

Jay!

I'm in for the RX-8.

3-rotor - (excess turbo heat) = one cool engine! :coolguy:

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NismoDrifts

uh oh, 3 and 3, we're tied now.....

come on peeps! be seduced by the whine of that nissan's turbo spooling up!

TatII

but see Nismodrift. the 350Z isn't goin to be any kind of force induction. its goin to be a big block ( to japanese standards ) VQ35DE engine. its goin to be all motor.

Morpheus XIII

On the other hand, a turbocharged RX-8 may be released sometime in the future (actually, I've heard even a possible 350Z Turbo may be produced as well). But the RX-8 would probably take turbo duties much betterl, since its heart sharing brethren have already been worked up for turbos.

NismoDrifts

Yeah, everything ive heard has said the Z was in for some forced induction.......

F20C

This is what been rumor for a long time.

350Z 280-300 hp
350Z Turbo 350 hp
GT-R 400 hp

Turbo is consider for the VQ Engine Series.

RX-8 250 hp
RX-8 Turbo 330 hp

Turbo is consider to improve on the 160 lb-ft torque.

Turbo is defitnitely in the work for both Nissan and Mazda.

Morpheus XIII

I concur; those are the exact same numbers that I've heard.

Hopefully, the turbo models won't be too expensive.

fortyoz2eric

the rx-8 has a 13b engine...doesn't it only have 2 rotors?

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Morpheus XIII

Yeah the RX-8 has a Renesis 13B, which is differentiated from the RX-7 13B by the lack of turbos, and more importantly, by the exhaust and intake ports being integrated into the side housings of the motor. Not only does this reduce port overlap, thereby promoting combustion, but it also shaves some weight off the engine. Furthermore, the intake ports open sooner, and the exhaust port open later, all adding up to a naturally aspirated motor which is almost as powerful as the Seven's 13B.

But we all know that this engine was meant to be turbocharged... Can't wait!

F20C

Morpheus do you subscribe to Options magazine?

Morpheus XIII

No, I have to buy it at the store. But damn it's expensive. I haven't bought one since '96.

F20C

They sell it in LA?

I bought a lot on my trip to asia this winter. Option's complete set to modification magazine edition 2 etc. I am a big fan of Spec R magazines as well.