RX8 VS Infinite G35 VS 2003 BMW 330CI

[VAD0R]

Originally Posted by BlackGT2000

I don't care if it handles marginally better, every day driving you won't notice that. I have never been to a road corse so its not an issue to me. The 350 Z looks better and has more power and better fuel economy apparently.

Well, like I said before you're right about the fuel economy. But the suspension setup and better handling do contribute to a more sprightly daily as well as a tighter turning radius which is good for parking.

Did I also mention with that E pillar going horizontally across the trunk, it would make it a pain to pack any luggage or other larger things in the 350? Which oddly enough the G35 doesn't have.

You also have to consider the fact that a fully loaded RX-8 is just as lushly upholstered as a 330CI but at thousands less.

In other words I would recommend theRX-8 unless you take hourly daily commutes where the horrid fuel economy of the car will hit you hard. If thats the case, you should go with maybe a used 330CI (since the new ones are thousands more then any of those three) since it is the only other coupe in this selection that has a fair balance of power, handling and luxury.

[DinanM3_S2]

RX8-
Pros: handling, easy to get to rear seats (if that matters), price
Cons: power, styling (IMO), interior quality, fuel economy

G35c-
Pros: The engine, sports car with luxo interior, some people like styling
Cons: handling (not bad, but not as good as the BMW or Mazda), I don't like the styling

330Ci-
Pros- best interior, good handling, styling few don't like, pure joy to drive
Cons- price...

Im more then a little biased, but I'll tell you that the 330Ci is the best choice anyways.

"The BMW has better moves, lighter controls, and more fluid power delivery" (C&D 1/03)

[VAD0R]

I always thought the RX-8 had a pretty good interior, at least that how it seemed like to me when I sat in it at the NYC Auto Show?

Also, with what you want out of a sports coupe as a daily driver with some punch I at a fair price I would also recommend the 2006 Elcipse.

It has a nice 280hp with stock cold air intake and MIVEC, great handling for a FWD which can compete with the likes of RWD cars such as the Mustang GT and 350Z, not to mention an interior that is equal if not better than the 350Z for thousands less.

Just check out what R&T thought of it.

Which also brings me to the new Mustang GT, if you can avoid dealer markups.

[SuperHighOutput]

I'd recommend the G35 for you. It's an all around great car, with more than enough power. If it were me looking for a car I'd consider the RX-8, I just like the looks and I'm pretty fond of the interior as well, even if it does get worse gas milage than a Corvette C6.

[BlackGT2000]

Yeah for me I love that new GT, but you are right, its selling for nearly 10000 more than what it will be next year. They can't keep them on the lot despite the markup, I had tried to test drive one 3 times before I left and they couldn't let me because all of the GT's on the lot were sold.

[drunken monkey]

the interior of the RX-8 looks quite good (when you don't go for the body coloured options) but it isn't that good in terms of actual material quality. Don't get me wrong, it's not creaky, loose panel, 80s style but here's still a bit too much hard, hollow sounding scratchy plastic and the occasional slightly loose feeling on the switches/knobs which you don't get in the BMW. It does have more comfortable seats though.

[mason_RsX]

IMO the Rx-8 isn't in the same category as 330Ci and G35... I also think its generally an inferior car compared to the 2

I would take the 330Ci over the G35 and just by a hair....its generally a more driving refined car, better handling IMO, but the ride is stiffer...I dont take anything away from the G35 its an amazing car and the 2nd best in its category...but the 330Ci is very nice amazingly engineered piece of German work

[VAD0R]

Can you go into a little more detail on how exactly is the RX-8 inferior to the 330CI and ecspecially G35?

And don't tell me its because of brand, since that is utter BS in my opinion, and fuel economy as well, since that has been already touched upon many times.

[mason_RsX]

Its inferior because, without touching on stuff before, it has a few major downsides to ownership...The entire point of the entry level luxury vehicles (330, G35, A4, TL, S-type) is that they are supossed to be strong performers in every aspect, like a luxury car, at a price thats relatively un-luxury car like

The Rx-8 looks distinctive, but doesn't look as good as the G35 or 330 IMO...also IMO the 8s interior looks overdone and tacky compared to the 330 and G35...the engine can't compete with the 280hp monster, or BMW's famed I6 engines both hp wise and torque wise...its a very sport car, but it does not blend the elements of luxury + sport, and thats why I think its inferior

don't get me wrong I like the Rx-8 and am considering getting it when I graduate...but its a budget sports car, G35 & 330Ci are entry level luxury cars...

[drunken monkey]

but.... the RX-8 isn't supposed to be a luxury car.
that doesn't make it inferior.
that equates to saying that the BMW is inferior because it isn't as light as a proper sports car.

don't forget, the list price for the 330ci is £30,000; that's at least £8000 more than an RX-8.

[VAD0R]

If you don't think the RX-8 is a balanced touring sports car, aside from the mileage, you never seen the GT trim. This trim is not only about lip, side and trunk top spoilers either as it also has plush leather seating in an interior that might look sporty but not tacky, sun roof with cover as well as tighter tuned suspension for even sportier handling.

You can get a RX-8 GT with a couple thousand for not much more then a 4 or more year old 330CI with 20,000+ miles. Now don't get me wrong older BMWs have iron clad reliability but if someone was searching for a good daily driver they would rather opt for a year old at most RX-8 GT with 2k miles then for about the same price a 5 year old 330CI with 40k.

Unless you have always wanted a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus one should rather opt for a cheaper branded sports car since you can save thousands on finding one with just an about just as good trim (as in content more then quality at times) or for pre-owned allot less mileage as well as one which is potentially newer compared to a same cost luxury branded counterpart. Which is probably another reason why I would recommend the new Eclipse GT as well, not to mention you could bargain at a dealership or buy off of Ebay. But online purchasing tends to come with its own set of precautions when obtaining a vehicle.

[mason_RsX]

Price has not been talked about until now...

if your going for a most value for your dollar then yes you can include the Rx8 but you can also include S2000, and a Cobalt SS which would be competitive against a 330Ci and a G35 in value


BUT im not including money in this and in my opinion

Luxurious car with handling acceleration and top speed > handling acceleration and top speed

[drunken monkey]

well, the price issue only comes into play if you compare the bmw to the mazda and then say the mazda is an inferior quality product because it's not as luxurious.

"Luxurious car with handling acceleration and top speed > handling acceleration and top speed"

yes but at the end of the day, that added luxury, you pay for and again, if we go by list price, you pay at least £8,000 if brand new. That's a lot to pay for that luxury if the cheaper option (without as much luxury) is at most £22,000 as the RX-8. £8000 is almost a third more than the cost of the car.

if you want to put that into a different perspective then for £8000 more than the BMW 330ci, you can get a TVR Cerbera or a V8 S4. One is better built, the other is faster and more exclusive.

[DinanM3_S2]

The title of the thread is "RX8 VS Infinit(i) G35 VS 2003 BMW 330Ci. The BMW is used.

I am assuming he has a price range of about $32,000-$36,000 because a Mazda RX8 (w/ GT) costs $32k (no other options), and the G35c 6MT costs about $35/36k on average. It shouldn't be that hard to find a certified used 03' BMW 330Ci w/ 10,000 to 20,000 miles in that price range.

[drunken monkey]

ah..... missed that bit.
if that's the case then i guess the first question the buyer should ask himself, is if he wants a second hand car more than he wants a brand new one.