I merely mentioned, that the RX-7 (Spirit R, from Japan) will destroy the G35 in a straight line, and around curves at a track.

That being said, the Mazda engineers developed a stiffer platform for the RX-8 than the RX-7. Add to the fact that the RX-8 is already throwing .90gs on the skidpad, it's an easy assumption that the upcoming RX-8 will handle very, very well. It won't be as fast as the RX-7 (due to no turbos), but it will handle well.

Now consider the fact that they UPGRADED the interior build quality from the Millenia (which was already good). The G35 sedan's interior is cheap. I don't expect the coupe to be much different.

I am making all my statements on inferences. I infer that since the G35 sedan interior sucks, the coupe will as well. I infer that the build quality of Nissan's G35 and my Maxima sucks... so will the G35 coupe's. I infer that since the RX-7 (Spirit R) will destroy the G35 Sedan in a straight line and also around curves, that similar statements could be made for the RX-8, though not straight line performance as much.

And what can we infer about the G35. It's a good car. Nobody disputes that. But making a decision between the two, I would not touch the G35. In a year or two, everybody on the road will have one, just as the 3 series BMW has been over-done. The RX-8 will remain a gem in the rough, and I'll be glad to own one.

Put it this way, my opinion may not mean anything to YOU, but it means everything to me. And if I like the RX-8 over the G35, there's not much that can be said to talk me out of it. That's what you're trying to do. I believe you liked the RX-8 but went for the G35, but not everybody here will wake up to YOUR realization and get the G35 as well.

We are rotary lovers, and until you understand rotary.. you don't understand the passion on these boards.

 

i agree with you herc except that gem in the rough statement. the rx-8 should be a fully cut and polished gem before i buy one. for $30,000 u.s. i want the rough edges smoothed out.

 

I understand your points very well....but the RX-8 is not even close to the RX-7....

And unless you are covered under Ford/Mazda's X/S Plan (I am) and you think you are going to get a loaded Rx-8 for $30k...you are in for a ruuuuuuuude awakening.......if I don't like the Coupe interior THAT much....I'll drop by Mazda and use my "S -plan" Ford/Mazda employee incentive to grab the RX-8 under invoice.

I am not trying to sway anyone from one car to the next (what the hell do I care what you or anyone else drives?!?!?!?!)

When you sit in each car, (production models), only then will I give your posts an ounce of credit....until then, it's all pure speculation.

 

I'll get it for no more than MSRP, and that's all that matters to me.

 

I meant a gem in the rough, since the RX-8 is clearly the best car that Mazda will offer

Not that it has any rough edges.

 

I would be absolutely shocked if the RX-8 qualified for S-Plan pricing. The only way I can see it qualifying is if it completely bombs and they can't move them off the lots.

But, I'm often wrong. I certainly wouldn't expect it to be included.

 

natev,

Good luck trying to get the rx-8 on any plan! Have you tried getting the new Thunderbird on that S plan? My understanding is that you cannot!

I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for the rx-8 to qualify on any of your plans.

 

That will all depend on whether it is at the discretion of the dealer or not...my friend is the Sales manager at a Mazda dealership here in Boston. I'll probably end up with the G Coupe anyways though.....b/c it will be here in about a month and a half (del date is Oct 28th) and the RX won't be around for another year....by then, if I'm sick of the G Coupe, I'll sell it and try out the RX. Either way I'm looking forward to the "Sports car" improvements over my ever-lagging '00 Millenia S.

 

Thanks for snapping these picks, it's nice that it was sitting still for you. I've seen the new BMW Z4 driving around here for the past few months in various disguise configurations, but never sitting still so I could take pictures.

I agree that the G35 coupe is more attractive than the 350Z. I think there is a market for both of them in the Infinity/Nissan line up. I would never consider the 350Z since it is only a two seater.

I have spent over an hour test driving the G35 sedan in various configurations. I am considering trading my wife's BMW 328i for one. I say trading, but I would have a G35 right now if the dealer didn't try to stick it to me on the trade. So now I'm selling it on my own. --Hey, anyone want a 1996 BMW 328i, 4-door, auto, Oriental Blue, sunroof, power everything, CD-changer, 90k miles, great condition, blah blah blah-- $13,999 Shameless plug there.

My thoughts on the G35 sedan are that it's is two totally different cars with or without the sport package. I couldn't believe how big of a difference this relitivly inexpensive option made. Plus you need to get the sport package to be able to get the aero package. They've got some wierd option packages (winter pkg w/ sunroof, etc) IMHO, the sedan kind of needs the aero pkg with rear spoiler for the butt to look good. On the contrary, the coupe's rear end looks much cleaner without the spoiler and it should be left off. Overall, I don't have a problem with the interior, it's just different. It has a very modern feel to it. I hate the seats though; worst thing about the car. They don't lower far enough-my head touches the headliner, the rake adjustment doesn't tilt far enough back-I feel like I'm sliding out of it, and the side bolsters are weak-not holding you in enough on tight corners. I won't bore everyone with my complete evaluation, this is a RX-8 forum after all. Overall the G35 is a great sports sedan, with more of an emphasis on sport than luxury. It's a great drivers car, but you'll always hear people complain about interior trim, etc; pick what is important to you. That we will be buying one when the BMW sells should tell you something though.

I'm still planning on getting an RX-8 for myself. A smaller, lighter car is much more in line with what makes me happy behind the wheel. I love the idea of the rotary engine and great handling combined into a beautiful and practical package. Of course I haven't driven one yet, but I fully expect to like the RX-8 better. Just beg Mazda to keep the weight down. The G35 coupe and sedan are world class sports sedans and GT cruisers respectivly, but in no what are they competition for the RX-8. For the enthusiasts, there is no competition.

 

I will admit, I have sat in many G35 coupes and their interiors are pretty good to me, but I have also sat in many Audi interiors (A4 and A6) and I will tell you that the two don't compare. The Audi's interiors are the one's that all other car maker's interiors should be judged by. Sitting inside an Audi is like sitting inside a quality bubble, if you can imagine anything like that existing.:D

 

i heard somewhere that the nissan g35 is supposed to be the watered down NA version of the skyline? is this true?


much like the is300 is to the altezza.

 

uh, somebody linked a magazine "sneak peak" article which said that ya, basically there will be a GT-R in a future Infiniti line-up, i don't know under what label (can't remember), and the pic of the concept was horrendous... :P
but this one?? i think the platform (FM series or something) it shares with the 350 Z is from the R34 GT-R, but the bodies of both the 350Z and G35 are completely different from the GT-R... check dimentions, i don't think they're the same. (i haven't, however, and could be extreemely wrong)

 

Wow! Thanks to tribal azn for taking and posting those pics! I love it. I've been drooling all over it since I first heard about it. Anyway, I'm going to address a couple of points and arguements brought up (no, I'm not bashing Mazda or the RX-8, so lets not go there).

Infiniti (Nissan?) has promised the G35 coupe to start at under $30k like they promised with the 350Z. So figure a fully loaded one to be around the same price as a fully loaded 350Z at around $37k (WAG, but probably not far off).

There are pictures of the coupe on Infiniti's site with and without the spoiler. That leads me to believe this is an "Aero Kit" similar to that offered on the 350Z. (I love the spoiler. Very in your face without being too ricey.)

Weight is approx 200 lbs more than the 350Z. But there are two extra seats and lots more interior room and trunk space. It only loses 7 hp (reported by Infiniti/Nissan, subject to change) to the Z, but that's still up 20hp over the sedan. And all of the options are approximately the same.

The interior is very different from the 350Z. If I had to guess, I'd say it would be almost exactly like the sedan, if not totally interchangable.

I personally like the rear of the coupe hundreds more than the rear of the Z. And the front isn't too appealing, but it's not ugly.

tribal azn: I hope you don't mind, I've downloaded your pics, and will be circulating them among some of the Z crowd. There's been quite a debate about the 350Z and G35 coupe competing for the same spot. And lots feel the coupe is a 350Z with back seats.

Also, platform sharing is the only way for manufacturers to keep production costs down. If there were a different framework, motor, etc for every model, production costs would go through the roof. That's one of the major contributors to the demise of the 300ZX, Supra, and RX7. They were great cars, but they were priced into extinction partially because they cost a lot to make.