Hi, I'm new to the site and I've found lots of helpful information browsing the forums... But I'm requesting a more direct response to my specific situation if anyone would like to share any input. I'm sure this is something that is a common debate, however I truely am trying to decide what my next car will be. I am currently working on my car and it will be down for several months and will not be able to be daily driven when I am finished. I am simply looking for a fun sporty car that is reliable and practical for a daily driver. The 2 main cars I am comparing right now are the RX-8 and the 350Z. (Hope that doesn't make you roll your eyes ) However, I have done all of the research I need on the cars in general and I absolutely LOVE the 8 over the Z. Here is my question though. I am going to be looking for a car within the 50k mile range, used. I will be commuting about 60 miles a day, 5 days a week. I have heard that people have had problems with the 8 and its reliability, but I also know that every car has it's problems - I just seem to hear more about the 8 being prone to larger issues. if this is untrue please clear that up... I feel like I may be putting my self in a bad situation if the RX8 will not be truely reliable to me as a DD. What I am looking to hear is if this is seriously something to consider, not just "every car can have problems" Is the RX8 a car to be overly watchful for for serious issues? And may a safer bet for the amount of driving I'll be doing be the 350Z? Thank you for your time!!

BTW: If I wasn't doing so much driving, the RX8 would be my only choice!

 

Your choices are nice. The RX8 does have a bad view from the general public, but in turn does that make our cars bad? No.. Most complaints come from none enthuisiast that just went out and purchased a car and not bother with understanding a rotary engine and its requirements. Although thats not saying that mazda was 100% perfect either. Test drive one, make sure its in great shape, and enjoy.

 

Personally I haven't had any problems with mine (and it's an '04) aside from moisture in the tail lights.

If you're fine on having to check the oil often then you should be ok. Least, that's how it is from my view.

 

wow,

that is super terrific great... but really.. do some reading....

i suggest consumer reports....

then do a google search.. really.. i got another idea. ask the z forum what they think first...

great first post... really, no one has ever asked such probing ?s... you are ahead of the game..

btw, since you are new to this whole internet thing... i would google sticky.. and search..


beers

 

You just need to put some extra effort in maintenance. Generally, my daily driving includes the following for maintenance purposes:

-Ensure engine reaches operating temperature before moving. IE, when you start your car, leave it to idle until the tach reads 1000rpm consistently.

-Redline the car once a week. It's recommended that you do this once a day, but I don't have that kinda time. This keeps carbon buildup from the engine.

-Check oil levels every weekend or so. Fill up to full before a race, if you race, and check oil levels. Some recommend putting two stroke into the fuel before a race. DO NOT use synthetic oil.

-Try to minimize start-stop usage. I'm not talking about traffic jams. I'm talking about constantly starting and stopping the engine done during moving the car short distances. There's a card that comes with the car detailing steps to follow if you absolutely have to do start-stop.

-Read FAQ on RX8Club.com

-Most important: READ THE MANUAL.

 

Don't think you can go wrong with either choice. The evidence for common poor reliabilty on the 8 is just not there but there are some who are completely disgruntled just like any other car. If your doing the hwy often that's where the 8 shines imo. The ride is smooth and it can dash through clutter like a gazelle.

 

^That, and the high speed stability is just confidence inspiring. Especially if you are consistently whipping through traffic at 100mph.

 

I had a 2007 350Z for about 2 weeks. I have to admit the power was nice, but. What I didn't like about the Z was it was so small inside. I would not like to go on any extended trips of more than 2 hours. No trunk and only 2 seats. The ride is a lot rougher than the RX8 and the road noise was very much worse than the RX8, Handling was good but, as a lot of people have mentioned, and I agree it's a heavier fealing.
Where as the RX8 is light and nimble. A lot more comfortable inside and a lot quiter inside.
Although the Z did come with 6 cup holders. Another thing I noticed is the Z does not have a glovebox.
Oh and if your 6' or above, do not park the Z next to anybody in a parking lot, you'll never get out. The doors are so wide (panels) that even my wife who is 5' had a hard time getting out. You can't open the door wide enough parked next to someone.
For daily driver give me an RX8 any day.
As for problems, all cars have them. I have had my share (maybe more than most people), 37 warranty issues, but everyone of those has been taken care of without question by my dealer.
Like was mentioned research and do some extended driving in each if possible.

 

Welcome to the forum! Please add location to your profile.
Many people have covered this already but...
You hear a lot of negative on the net; It's just human nature to post about problems rather than a lack of problems.

 

Consumer Reports now rates reliability as "average", and has added the 8 to its list of Recommended Cars. Road & Track did a long-term, 40K+ mile test and rated reliability "excellent".

 

Here's some long-term tests. Most are for the 2004 model year.

Car & Driver: http://www.caranddriver.com/longroad...azda-rx-8.html
Road & Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3949
Autoexpress: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...mazda_rx8.html
Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=102387

 

Thanks for the great responses guys, I really do appreciate it. I assumed that the RX-8 is an excellent car when maintained properly, just wanted to make sure that this was the case by getting an inside look from you guys. There are many things that make me want to pick the 8 over the Z. I apologize if this was an impolite first post, but I just wanted some answers from owners... And well, just figured this would be the place to go. You guys have been VERY helpful! And again thanks for all of your insight.



Just wanted to get some details from owners and figured this was the place to go, I apologize if my post was inappropriate for an RX-8 forum.

 

rx-8 is a hot car built ground-up as a sportscar around the rotary engine and driving goals. the z is a mish mash of parts from altima, g35, nissan quest, parts bin. apart from the vq, it is nothing special. g35 coupe would be better.

 

If you are concerned about the price of gas, get the Z.
The RX8 wins in almost every other way.


These are general numbers from me driving both a Z and an 8. Same driver, same conditions, same commutes, same roads.
I get decent mileage of about 18mpg, give or take 2mpg for driving conditions. If I drive nice, its 20. If I am on a canyon run I get 16.
The Z gets about 23mpg give or take about 7mpg for conditions. I can do over 30 commuting, but only about 16 canyon carving.

So if your driving is around town, they are the about same (16mpg vs 16mpg). . If you are freeway bound every day . . the Z wins hands down.(20mpg vs 30mpg)

 

you'll be fine. get the rx8.

 

350Z all the way if youre putting 60 miles a day on it and itll have 50K+ when you buy it. Sure most RX8s are reliable up to 100K (ie expo1) but Id definatly put my money on a 04 or higher 350Z outlasting an 05 or higher RX8. Ive sold cars at both mazda and nissan dealerships and there is ALOT more RX8s in the 50-80K range in the shops at their dealers. In fact theres an RX8 in my nissan service department right now! Not trying to bash the 8 but for reliablity but **** id put all my money on the VQ engine. Sorry guys dont mean to go against the grain but Im being realistic.

 

just short sighted..

why do you think people take the time to write stuff and get it stickied????

beers

 

This is what I have been thinking.. Considering how much driving I will be doing, AND that I will not be buying it brand spankin' new... I won't know exactly how it has been treated.. however I guess I won't know how the Z has been treated either. I've driven a 350Z before, but haven't even been in an RX-8. I'm going to go test some out this weekend. The mpg isn't a huge issue. My car gets about 18-20mpg as is and my truck gets about the same. I'm sure The Z or 8 would fit right in with my gas usage routine.

I'm not trying to start an 8 versus Z bash.. performance wise I think I would prefer the 8. But I'm not going for pure performance. I have a fast car already, I'm just wanting a fun daily driver and I need it to be reliable.

 

How about a Civic R? Saturn Sky?

 

I don't really dig the FWD thing or verts... good suggestions though. The RX-8, Z and G cars seem to be in a different class by themselves... and the only ones that catch my eye.

 

Two pretty good cars there. The 8 did get some bad press but I would say most of us have had good experiences with the car. Heck, look at Expo1's thread, he's 100,000 miles + and still running like a champ

 

I wouldn't rely on Expo....

He drives his car eveyday and then races it on the track as often as he can.

I don't think you can call that reliability.

Kwescott races his every weekend for Auto X and has 75k.

 

If anything, that further proves how reliable this car can be. HOW many other cars can you think of (in the RX-8 price range) that can handle daily driving AND tons of track time?
Most of those won't make it to 100,000 without something major failing.

 

Wat's da matter ?

Can't anyone make a joke here!

They don't call me Razz for nothin!

 

Yeah, but not everyone here knows you as well as I do. (I get the jokes)