Nissan 350Z vs. Mazda RX-8

[Morpheus XIII]

Yeah they sell it in Little Toyko near downtown, but they also sell it in Torrance in this Japanese plaza. There are a significant number of japanese living in Torrance too. But it's like $8 a copy. Of course, there's all the other Japanese magazines too.

[Morpheus XIII]

Sorry for getting off topic people.

Man I can't wait until the dealers receive the first Eights. For now, GT3 and GT-Force will have to suffice. In stock, the car responds like a nice controllable rear-wheel-driver, like the S13 240SX. Of course it's a bit heavier and not as tossable as the Seven, but the freestyle doors make-up for it.

[YogsVR4]

After seeing both cars in Detroit last week, I have to pick the RX-8 just because I like the look of that car more then the Nissan.

[TatII]

yeah even though both cars look really good to me, the RX-8 is the better lookin one of the two.

[MattyG]

I went with the Nissan. Cool comparison though.

[RazorGTR]

Well from what I have seen of both cars, both manufacturers have bastardized great cars! The CEO's should shot as the lot of the exectutives.

I voted for the Nissan because it is family and that is the only reason. Hopefully neither will be built.

[NismoDrifts]

youd think theyd at least make them be able to compete with the lancer evo when it gets here...i mean, subaru is its only competition, and im pretty sure its gonna get crushed

[Morpheus XIII]

I think I'd rather have either 350Z or RX-8 than an EVO VII. Sure the rally car is cool, has a dense motorsports heritage, and has turbo-packed fun, but it would get pretty boring as a street car; it's still a compact sedan with a sedating appearance, without any real sportscar body lines (after all, its a purpose built machine). I wouldn't mine sacrificing some performance for a more elegant body design.

[pw_350Z_baby]

Definitely the 350Z over the RX8 for me, since I've ordered one already. I don't know, but I find the looks of RX8 to be really odd and somewhat ugly. I've never seen any car that resemble that. It just looks really odd.
By the way, the 350Z is promised to have at least 290hp (for the 6-sp), and its weight is likely to be under 3200 lbs. Performance wise, it should have no problem doing 0-60 in less than 5.5 secs. So far, magazines have ESTIMATED its performance to be under 6 secs, but when it will come out, owners will have no problem doing it in low 5's. I'll see to that personally.

[Bean Bandit]

real tough one. altough I'm more into Mazdas I had to vote for the 350Z . cause mazda meesed up with the design while releasing the car(I prefered the first concept pics of the RX-8).

[Morpheus XIII]

Originally posted by Bean Bandit
...cause mazda meesed up with the design while releasing the car(I prefered the first concept pics of the RX-8).

The concept RX-Evolv is almost identical to the RX-8 other than a little nose and tail treatment. They body lines are exactly the same.





I actually like the RX-01 much better than either. The concept exercise is a little dated (from 1995) but it still shows Mazda's right direction in creating a purist's sports car (that's right only TWO doors). But the RX-8 is still great, four doors and all.

[mastachi]

i voted for the RX-8 just because i love the rotary engine.. i just hope they make better apex seals for them...the lines are sick and i think suicide doors is pretty cool.. the 350Z lines look too smooth for my taste, i like the raw look of the RX-8..although the concept pics for the RX-8 and RX-01 are kind of ugly, looks like that old concept of the pontiac Banshee..fugly!

[Morpheus XIII]

Really? You don't like the RX-01? I know it looks a little too old too compete in today's modern sports car world, but back 6 years ago, it was a pretty little thing. I bet that if the 01 had made it into production, it would not have disappointed us.

The RX-8 is sweet, but its sports car intentions have really been hacked at by parent company Ford. The RX-01 was created during Mazda's final years before being bought out, and therefore is a true sports car sibling of the RX-7.

[mastachi]

i just didnt like the front end of the RX-01..looked to robotic, for lack of a better word.true about the issue of the RX-01 though, it would have been a truer sports car, but i dont think the RX-8 will dissappoint us.

[Morpheus XIII]

Oh absolutely. The recent review by Road & Track of the RX-8 cover car shows real promise for this new Mazda.

One question, would any of you consider this to be another one of the "crossover" breed? I don't think it's an SUV/wagon (like Matrix) crossover, but it does seem to be some type of this sort, considering that it has 4 real seats, rather than being a 2+2.

I bet many will consider the Mazda somewhat more practical than the Nissan, being that the Z only has 2 seats. But whatever floats your boat, I suppose.