I ordered my Blue RX-8 tonight after test driving both the RX and 350Z at the same dealer, within minutes of each other at Culver City Nissan Mazda.

RX-8

-Smoother, quieter engine
-Accellerates smoothly but lacks punch on launch.
-Very quiet cabin, might be too quiet for sports car fans
-Firm, intimate ride but surprisingly comfortable on 18" wheels. I drove over a railroad crossing and over rough asphalt with no discomfort. "Rides on rails" as everyone describes it, and it's true.
-Better visibility.
-Great shifter, very short throws, precise and smooth with little effort, not notchy like the RX-7. Clutch was smooth and easy to engage.
-Precise steering, just think where to go, and the RX-8 goes there.
-Turns great, very tossable, effortless 180 degree turns.
-Great ergonomics, felt like this car was designed for me, though it may not fit others.
-"Distinct" looking. Ugly rear end. Doesn't look like every other car on the road.
-Plain interior, a bit stark.
-Seats mediocre.
0verall: Styling is distinct, not the prettiest car, quiet, nice ride for sports car, excellent clutch and shifter, steer by thought. Everything felt precise, something lacking in my old RX-7. Effortless to drive.

350Z
-Very nice interior, like a luxury sedan more than a sports car.
-A GREAT looking car. Very integrated, flowing styling, though a bit fat. If I bought my car on looks alone, like a lot of guys chose women, I'd have gotten the 350Z.
-Better seats, better support, but sitting position felt awkward in relation to steering wheel and instrument panel. Possibly just didn't adjust the seats right.
-Engine was very rough compared to the rotary. Sounded like rocks knocking about the engine compartment. Throaty exhaust, very robust low end. Impression of power.
-RIde was jiggly, felt tossed about, not one with the road, wouldn't want to drive from LA to SF in one.
-Steering took effort, always correcting the steering wheel to go the desired direction.
-Shifter too long, imprecise compared to RX-8.
-Clutch was grabby, imprecise with very long leg extension.
-Restricted visibility except forward. Felt like I was sitting in a tub, unable to look down without stretching my
neck, and I have a very long torso. A bit claustrophobic or protective, depending on your outlook.
-Very compact body

Infinity G35 (test drove a month ago, a bit hazy).
-Nice rich looking interior like the the 350Z, but a bit sedate.
-Jiggly ride, felt like the tires weren't in good contact with the road.
-Nice looking car but a bit chubby looking.
-Very light and quick, but imprecise steering.
-The engine had a tinny metallic sound under acceleration. This really put me off, though it is probably fixable.
-Impeccable fit and finish.

Deciding factors: Before the test rides, I leaned toward the 350Z for its great looks and reputation for power. I Chose the RX-8 primarily for the precise, instinctive steering, low road noise, confidence inspiring ride, four seats, bigger trunk, better highway manners. It felt right.
The 350Z LOOKED like an expensive car, but the RX-8 FELT like an expensive car. A touchy-feely type person would buy the RX-8: a Hollywood/movie industry type would buy the 350Z for its looks.

Bad News: I bought the automatic transmission despite the wonderful manual shifter and clutch. I'm getting old and I can't stand the constant shift/start/stop/shift/start driving in west Los Angeles. Giving up 40 horsepower and the precision driving of the manual hurts me deeply, but I refuse to shift/stop/shift every 50 feet in rush hour traffic (it lasts four hours in LA). I also got the (gasp) 16" wheels for a better ride to fight LA driving fatigue. If you live in a more benign part of the country, get the manual, it's great.

 

wow. i can see why someone would choose a rx8 over 350z (there are plenty of reasons, depending on the person), when comparing 6MTs. but if you care about performance and you need an automatic, the z absolutely kills the rx8. and since these are the cars you were deciding between, i'd assume you DO care about performance.

 

Like I said, I'm getting old. Comfort and ease of driving won over performance. The decision was very, very close between the three cars. I wanted all three. Had the 350ZX been just slightly smoother in ride, shifting, steering and engine, I would have bought the ZX for it's stunning looks and raw power. Don't think I won't have a twinge of regret when I see the 350's zooming by me at the stopllight. Sure, I'd love to have an automatic RX-8 with power equal or better to the 350Z, but it doesn't exist...yet. But the 2004 automatic RX-8 was the best combination of features for me, outweighing it's weaker performance.

 

I too am confused as to the Auto decision, this car is very easy to drive in traffic.(at least compared to my old evill lightened fly wheel puck clutch 7)

Fantastic post, your thoughts are almost identical to mine and many others.

Cheers mate, check my post in the Aust Forum for my last fun with the Z

 

I can understand the auto, but I'm suprised at your feelings about the interior- every time I've been in a 350z, I've been amazed at the awful expanse of cheap metal-colored plastic, uncomfortable seats and the stark interior. I found the 8's interior more luxurious, more comfortable, and better quality. But each to his/her own, I suppose!

 

Did you drive the automatic Z?
It has a five speed automatic, whereas the Rx-8 has an obsolete 4 speed.
The mileage of the Rx-8 leaves much to be desired, only 18/25 auto, Z 19/26 and it is a significantly slower car.

 

Rodmeister - quick question - how the heck did you get to drive the RX-8. I live literally 1 mile away from Culver City Nissan/Mazda, am dying to drive the car or at least be in a moving one ( I plan to purchase in a couple of months and have never owned a rotary). The salespersons are so stubborn and won't let me (and supposedly anyone) drive the car without a credit check and serious intent to purchase - purchasing that day or within the week. I have been following this car since concept. I don't know where to go to drive it without having a credit check run (credit is excellent, but the check is unecessary)

If only I could drive this car. I too am considering an Acura TSX or G35, but my heart is and has been set on the RX-8. Alas, no matter how much I've read about the car and love it, you don't know it 'til you drive it. Damn Culver City - so close to home.

Tangier

 

rodmeister - by the way - I bought my protege from Culver City Nissan/Mazda and go there for all of my maintenance - you'd think they'd throw me a bone and let me drive the 8.

 

tangier

I got to test drive at Culver City 2 weeks ago - salesman was Zacherie, and he asked his boss who said OK. I just told him I was weighing it up against a G35C, and wouldn't be able to make any kind of committment until I tested it. They were pretty cool about it, andno credit check required. It was a good long drive too, but in LA rush-hour so didn't realize the full potential of the car. In fact I had to cut it short because I had to get back to the office! Suggest you ask for Zach

 

Got it. Thanks.

Tangier

 

Tangier, They seemed hesitant to add mileage to the display model unless I was very serious about buying. I probably looked hungry to buy because my 1991 Dodge Stealth finally died on me. I had to undergo the credit check, but they really perked up when I told them I worked in Civil Service for 22 years. Act real anxious to buy a car, right now, and they'll probably let you test drive it. Talk to salesman J. Brownell, a young friendly guy, real anxious to sell cars.

I used to take my RX-7 for servicing at Culver City Mazda, and I prefer it to Santa Monica Mazda, though SM is closer. The Culver salesmen are young, enthusiastic, friendlier and more relaxed. Be sure to drive over the railroad crossing nearby to experience the wonderful suspension working. The Culver City location had a nice variety of road surfaces nearby.

Oh yeah. I'm already imagining my drive up Highway One from San Simion to Big Sur, down Sunset Boulevard from UCLA to the Pacific at night, and up the Malibu canyon roads. Oh, yeah!

 

ditto with the G35c...the exterior is beautiful but why couldn't they pull it off on the inside? it was an eyesore looking at and feeling the cheap metal-colored plastic and the fact that the buttons weren't even uniformly lit up...i'm sure you can remove that one-piece plastic center console covering and replace it with something better but i just felt it should have just come with it being Infiniti and all...

 

Very good observations rodmeister. I did not have to test any other car. The car fits me like a glove.
Cheers

 

I just drove the RX-8 yesterday. Out of these three cars I would pick the G35 Coupe over the RX-8. Two reasons:
1. Not enough headroom in the RX-8. I'm used to having more headroom. I guess I could get over it after driving the car for a week. Not enough cargo space (I play hockey, and I need more space)
2. I think the G35 looks a lot better from the outside. The interior is more luxorious. The only thing I would take from the RX8 are the gauges, and the shift ****.
I def. think the RX8 drives better, handles better, and is probably better for the track and Autocross. I would take the G35 Coupe for everyday use.

 

errr...

Yours mystified.
Lensman

 

I like the 350Z for some reason I have a soft spot for that car, although I probably will test drive it and won't buy it based on the 2 seats and tiny trunk. The G35C, I am not even considering, just based on the fact that the interior looks more boring and stale than something I would see my 78 year old grandfather driving. I like the RX-8, its interior design is fresh, really nice and the exterior is ok, I like it but it doesn't neccessarily move me. I think I am going to go with the Audi TT 3.2. it's interior and exterior are both equally awesome, but as I been saying, I want to test drive each before I buy the one I am going with. But as of now I been leaning towards the TT. My close second choice is the RX-8.

 

Boy, I was checking out the same cars with the addition of the S2000. I was NOT ALLOWED to drive a 350Z and so I left it as a possibility on my list 2nd to the RX8. Plastic in the Nissans IS CHEAP looking. That has been noted with regard to the Infiniti cars in a few reviews. Their engines though are great!. The coupe does have a jittery ride and sales, I was told, have dropped in my area.

 

OK folks - so if you look in earlier posts you'd see that I wondered how people were getting to test drive this car without credit checks, serious intent to purchase, hassles etc. On advice from postings in this thread I went yet again to Culver City Mazda and tired to test drive the car - they wouldn't let me do it without serious intent and a credite check. I plan to purchase in the near future. How can you assess a car without driving it. Anyhow - I sent them as well as the corporate office a lengthy letter, especially since I bought my car (2000 Protege ES) from that dealer and get all of my service there. It seems some people from this post got on the lot, asked for a test drive and off they went. I am 25, African American, live 1.1 miles from the dealer, worked 1/4 miles down the road from the dealer, been waitin' to drive this car since concept. What a dissappointment. I guess being a valued Mazda owner/customer doesn't count for much.

Congrats to all of the owners and testdrivers. 'Til I get mine I live vicariously through your posts.

Tangier

 

I think it's absolutely insane that they won't let you test drive the car. At the Galpin dealership, they are very courteous and they let me drive the 8 even when i made it clear that I had my own dealer my family does business with (he was out of town at the time).

but I was looking at the previous posts in this thread and I only noticed 2 people that have dealt with Culver City mazda. One they let test drive without the credit check and the other they let drive with a credit check. I guess every dealership has their own rules that ppl have to abide by and if a credit check is necessary by their standards, then you have a choice to either conform to it or to look somewhere else. Although i agree with you that a credit check is really unnecessary and you should only give your Social Security # at the time of sale.

I say go call other dealerships such as Santa Monica or come down to the valley at Galpin. I know for sure at galpin, they dont do credit checks as a prerequisite to test drive.

 

I cant believe a Mazda dealer would want a credit check just to test drive. The 8 is nice and all, but come on, it's not an exotic sports car.

They're not all like Culver though; the dealer I went to Saturday let me drive an 8 without even asking, and let another couple go out alone.

 

A lot depends upon demand and the number of test drives as well.

For example, my dealer let me test drive an 8 last Tuesday when it came off the carrier but isn't allowing any test drives now because the mileage is getting up there (around 125 so far)...

 

Hoooray - Galpin let me drive the RX-8 today.
AWESOME. I can see what people are talking about with not liking the low end torque. This car is sweet. Can't wait to get one.

Titanium 6P/accent/touring/nav


Tangier

 

Oh no you don't! We want a full review!:p

 

OK - the full review. First thing I notice on the lot is that Galpin Mazda (Van Nuys, CA for you out of state folks) had no mark-up like Culver City Mazda. CCM marked up their cars 2-5k. There were 2 red, 2 black, 1 yellow. I checked the red out, expressed my interest in the Acura TSX and G35 (bottom of my list among these 3 cars). Blah, blah, blah - I said can we go for a drive (fast forward) the salseman floors it right out of the lot.
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEETT!. The car is much more solid than I expected. Not the greatest pull down low, but then I'd only need that if I wanted to show off from a red light. My turn to drive. Cornering precise. Materials nice. Shift linkage great though had to get a feel for clutch. I ACTUALLY LIKE THE DIGITAL SPEEDO. Oh my freakin' (don't like to use his name in vain). The purr from the engine was seductive. I wanted to rev and drive faster just to hear it. I kept thinking, "As great as the Z is, I wish I could fit more words on my license plate to let Z cars behind me know how inferior their car is" (as an overall package, certainly not the engine). There's no mistaking this car for anything else. You can actually drive it everyday and not feel beat up when you're done. The RX-8 is like the first NSX to me - a silent swift killer - you don't think it can hang with the best at first site, but when it creeps up on you from behind and those hi beams flash you in your rear view mirror one must bow down and acknowledge the greatness in these Japanese cars. Some like the Mustang/ Ferrari loud catch you and pass you by, I like the "quiet prowl and by the way eat my dust while wondering what car this is" MUST HAVE THIS CAR....and I will too! Overall what impressed me the most was that I felt comfortable and felt like this was a driveable, welcoming sport car. Balance, poised, athletic, well built, well priced. The Acura TSX is exactly this also, but in a different type of package. G35 has a great engine, but that's not enough. The interior materials suck big time for a premium label car as does the Z. If it weren't for the RX-8, the TSX would be my first choice. The RX-8 has no equal. It's a new definition of "car" and sport car for that matter.

No more living vicariously!

 

sorry some of the mispelled words above like "site" - too much time online perhaps.

Tangier