The fact is that most people here are just expressing opinions about the Z. I for one dont find the car to be all that great looking. But if one likes to brag how fast their car is it is a good car. But relax these are just peoples opinions.
But anyway good luck with your car Rx8Racer.

 

Whoa! I have posted my opinion on the Z car many times on this board. What I hear you say more loudly than anything else is that:

"anyone would be crazy to drive a new car for 5000 miles and then have the option to turn it back in for the money and not do it. "

That is the issue here. What several are saying here is that they too looked at the Z and found it to be lacking in comparison overall to the 8.

Graphicguy brought up a good point too. "

How many people who own a G35/Z Nissan car would return their car given the same option?"

I believe many would. I know of one person myself who is disappointed. One major problem many people exhibit is lack of contentment. We want something badly but then as soon as we get it we want something else or different once the newness wears off. The G35 and the 350Z are nowhere near the design plan that the 8 is. THis is factual not opinion. Consider the G35 coupe. That car is designed to be a rear seat passenger car yet due to the steep rake on the rear window, adults cannot sit in the rear. The large rear glass acts as a sun magnifier into the interior of the car. The 350Z has its quirks too. For the first time I can note that the designers of a car, the RX8 really took the time to think out many things; to make the car as flexible as possible given what it is. I spent a great deal of time rethinking my first decision during the buyback period and looked at these "other" cars. The RX 8 is a fantastic car. I am glad for you RX8racer and your resolve yet I believe the greatest reason you gave was the financial one more than anything else.

 

Ok time for my opinion on this... like you needed it or anything lol.

First and foremost, the thing you said about being able to drive a car for a couple of months, put 5k miles on it and then sell it for what you paid for it was the best point you could make and I completely agree with you.... Definately a wise move and a new perspective on the buybacks (especially if you like the RX-8 still and buy a new one)...

As far as the Z goes... this is the first time I've liked a car and its main rival was a car that I liked too... or a "line" I liked. I own a Camaro now and HATE....... HAAAAAAAAATE mustangs, ugliest junkers around town... But my first car was a 280 Z and I always thought the 300Z was nice (the funny thing was, the problem with the Z's was always power, as far as my family's experiences go... so I guess things have changed).... but to be totally honest, as much as I try to like the new 350Z, as much as I love the Z line... and as much as it still looks like the old Z's... I don't like the look of the Z. It looks nice, in red and stuff.... but I just can't warm upto it.

The reason I love the RX-8 so much is the looks and since it has 200 HP, which is more than my current car... I'm sure I'll be happy.

If you are a power man then this seems like a definately great opportunity. You got to test drive an RX-8 for a few months and then go to a Z.... at least you liked the RX-8 while you had it..

 

congrats enjoy your car

 

I got the 8 over the Z, WRX STi, and the Evo for the same reason, it's not all about speed! The 8 is plenty fast but the breaking and feel of the car is what got me.

And there is nothing that looks like it on the road.


If it comes down to power and price, why did you get the Z and not the Evo? I don't know if anyone else has driven one of these freakin things but it is FAST AS HELL!!!! But it's plain, very little character. These are all different animals and it seems you just picked your poison, in a way I'm glad you got what makes you happy.

 

I bought the Z in Long Island and drove it back to Ohio. All highway driving I got 29.5 miles to the gallon. I also have a Civic CVT for my work car. It will get almost 40mpg highway but more impressive is about 30mpg in the city. Tooling around town with the Z looks like it is going to give me about 16mpg but I'm only guessing right now. I've only had it since Tuesday.

 

Thanks. I actually love both cars. They both have thier good and bad points. I was debating between the 2 cars for a while. I grabbed this Z because even if I hate it after a couple thousand miles, I should easily be able to get my money back plus some in the spring.

 

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Breathe in. Hold. Breath out.

rx8racer, congrats on your new car. I hope you are happy with it!

To everyone else: if you're going to get aggressive with rx8racer for making a decision that was right FOR HIM, how does that make you any better than the trolls who come on these boards and post? The 350z is a great car. It is different to the RX-8.

Everyone has their own needs and wants in a car. For some people it is all about the straight line speed. For some it is handling. For some it is luxury. Your needs/wants aren't any better than anyone else's - they are YOURS. If we expect non RX-8 owners to come to these boards and treat us with respect, we could all try showing non-RX-8 owners some respect also. What goes around comes around people!

 

ok where in LI did u get that price on the Z.. my friend is about to get one; got a sales person ud care to share and help out.. maybe you'll get something more back outta it.. pm me and lemme know

 

That's quite a nice shot you have: both red, side-by-side. Probably not something you see often. Just curious... could you get some other angles? (sorry didn't read the whole thread -- ie: if you took it back already).

I think they would be of major interest.

 

nah aussie i think everyone is bein mature
we respect the Z... it's a nice car even if it doesn't look as good as the 8.... the nice thing about these forums is there aren't too much bias attitudes...

i saw people on the S2000 boards somewhere saying how the RX-8 copied the S2000 etc................. yeah so what? It did but it only copied a good looking car and made it look better lol..

 

I do not understand, the two cars are not similar at all, what did I miss?

 

If you look at the RX-8 and S2000 side by side which I saw a pic of.... the front ends look very close, except the s2000 is much more boxy/straight, both look good though

 

someone posted a pic of s2000 and rx8 side by side and there is some similarities in the body lines and headlights

 

Here are a few pictures for you.

 

another

 

another one

 

last one

 

They both look very tasty.

 

Had the RX8 not become available, I too would have purchased a 350Z.

It was a tough choice for a while, especially when I couldn't get my hands on my RX8. I found myself being pulled toward the Nissan dealer quite often as I waited for the 8 to arrive.

Glad I waited.

 

Hey ex-rx8racer,

Tell us about the red duco on the z. What does it look like in the sunshine?

I got a few raffle tickets for a red z yesterday - the car was in a mall and the paintwork looked dull. Is it anything like the 3 layer pearl on the RX8?

If my opinion's worth anything to you, avoid the air dam and skirts look, unfortunately it makes the z look like a giant portable vacuum cleaner (opinion).

cheers and good luck with that piston thing :D

 

I like the red of the RX-8 better. The Z has a regular blazing red with no metallic. Nothing special but it is not dull. The X-8 looks like more expensive paint.

I'm trying to talk my fiancee into replacing her car with an RX-8. She likes it more than the Z. I think an automatic RX-8 would make a perfect car for her. She doesn't realy want the power and she loves the RX-8. If I can talk her into it, I'll be able to drive both! :-)

 

Ill admit there have been z owning haters on this forum that got you guys all riled up, but i am not one of them....however any time i post just about anything (and i never flame the 8...i usually talk about how much i like it and am just giving straight facts), i get flamed (this instance was no different)...but like some of your own board members have pointed out in this thread, you guys are just as flame happy as the trolls that come here and flame your car...you act as if youre better than them...keep flaming me if you like...its not like it affects me...sometimes it makes me laugh...i get on the internet for entertainment anyways. Wheres mental pimp? I know hes got something to say about the Z...I wonder if hed try to pick a fight w/me in person just because i own a z...

 

I test drove the Z today. My impressions are as follows as it relates to the 8 in comparison:

1. It is fast!!!!!!

2. The car is cramped and one fells as if your sitting on the ground IMO.

3. The ride/suspension was a bit harsh and choppy.

4. The car feels heavy although it handled quite well.

5. It didn't feel as nimble or responsive to my abrupt maneuvering. (I'm not saying it can't be done, but I felt more at one with the 8 while doing so.)


Overall, I think that the Z does and will continue to have mass appeal to a very different type of buyer as opposed to the 8. These two cars are different animals with different objectives. The Z most definite for all out brut power and acceleration (as it pertains to the japanese automakers). The 8 for nimbleness, quickness and functionality. All things considered, The 8 still gets my vote due to the willingness of the engine to rev at higher rpms and the fun factor and feeling I came away with after driving. I think that If I really wanted a Mazda product that was in direct competition with the Z, I would hold out for the 4th Generation RX-7. I'm sure that it will be more than an adequate adversary in that regard.

* I'll test drive the G35 later this week. I expect a more supple ride than the Z and I'll compare the fun factor to the 8 and then I'll post again.

 

i luv em both...
but i can't afford either....

if i could.. i'd take a black Fairlady and a Ti grey RX8..