Just traded in my 2005 G35 for a Sunlight Silver RX8 (manual, base model). Only had the G35 for about 6 months, just never really liked it. Driving it on a daily basis, just too big, too heavy, back end was squirrelly.

Decided I wanted a different car, so today I test drove a used M3 (manual) and new 3 series (no manuals available). Like the handling of the RX8 the best, can really feel the lack of extra weight in it and my wife liked the RX8 seats over the M3 sports seats so we closed the deal today. Love the car so far. Now just need to get my iPod working in it .

 

Hummmm.. The G35 is a great car too, I had one as well...The 35 is more luxurious then the 8 and faster but the 8 is a hummer! Congrats!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats and welcome! Friend had his G35 at the track and neither of us could get by the other depending on who was ahead. I was stock, he had upgraded brakes and R-compounds... a lot of fun to chase around...and around..and around.

 

Welcome to the Club!
You had a nice car, and now you have another nice car.

 

Welcome to the club. The G35c was on my short list, but I ended up with the RX8 6speed instead. What didn't you like about your G and was it a Sedan or Coupe? Just curious. I hope that you enjoy your RX8. As for hooking up your Ipod check here.

 

I would never expected to hear that. But congratulations, you'll love the RX8 for the car that it is. Have fun!

 

I was on the way to look at a G35 in 2004 when I passed a Mazda dealer and decided to stop in and look at the Miata. That is when I fell in love with the RX-8 and didn't care about the G35 anymore. The G35 is a nice car but the 8 was more in budget.

Congratulations on the move. I'm sure you will be pleased for a long time. I suppose you took quite a hit on the trade-in. Your choice of color is outstanding!

 

I'm considering both right now, but have only driven the G35c once so far with the ridiculous salesman along with me--he took me to a very wide sweeping curve and suggested I take it at 40 mph to demonstrate how well the car handled. I almost dozed off. Interior was very bland and cheap looking except for the leather, which was very nice, much nicer than the 8. I love the way the 8 handles, and don't need any more power, but I'm not very good about checking my oil, and am concerned about what kind of mileage I will get averaging 8-9k rpms.

 

Woah there. You expect to average 8 to 9 thousand rpm in your rx-8?

 

well I average 10K...

 

I had the sedan. The engine in it is great, lots of power, lots of torque, but the handling just never inspired confidence in me. Also the car was larger than what I really wanted, so not as manueverable as the 8. The 8 is lower to the ground (at least driving position), lighter and just feels better to me.

Wish I would have bought it first, but I got a good deal on the G35, it was a used 05 that i guess someone else didn't like . I only had it 6 months, and it took me awhile to convince myself to get rid of it, but life's too short to drive cars you don't like.

Moral of the story (for me at least), when buying a car, don't be swayed by perceptions of what's "better" or "faster" or what the cars numbers are. More expensive cars often aren't better, regardless of what that magazines say. I had a pretty good size budget for this car so I had a chance to drive lots cars (330, M3, G35, TL, 350Z, C5 Corvette, Lotus Elise, etc). The car that completely blew me away was the Elise, but it's obviously not practical for a daily driver, especially with a kid on the way. My favorite of the remaining ones w/ the 8.

These are just my opinions of course and YMMV .

 

Leather in the G35 is very nice, much nicer than the BMW I had before that. I didn't get leather in the 8, so can't provide a good comparison for you.

 

Nice choice.

 

from a fellow 05 G35 owner,

everyone have their own things, and to each his own. glad you found a car thats better for you. congrats and enjoy your rx8

 

congrats on the new purchase and welcome to the cult.

 

I still don't quite get why you bought the G35 in the first place if you didn't like it. Just because you could get a good deal?

 

Congrats man, enjoy the ride!

 

Well said and congrats on your new car!

I completely agree with you. In my case as well, price wasn't an issue. I just picked the car a liked best for my needs, which was the RX-8. My second choice would have been a new M3. Most of my friends can't understand why I picked the 8 over the M3. Of course they are heavily influenced by both BMW's and the M3's well deserved reputation.

 

Well, that was intended as a humorous remark, but I do love the sound of that rev limiter warning beep thingy!

 

That was part of it. Main reason that I was trying to be "practical" with a kid on the way, G35 sedan has much more trunk and rear seat room and I was a little hesistant about the rotary engine's reliability after reading about some of the issues other owners have had. Unfortunately, being practical isn't always much fun, so I did the impractical thing of trading in the G for the 8 which I love!

 

now, post some pics pls !

 

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. Seems to me that the 8 is still PLENTY practical for adding a kid. Now if you told me you were gonna have triplets...

 

Congrat, that's good to hear that I am not the only one who had 'Family' in mind when buying a sport car. I loved to take the kid and the wife out together without leaving one at home. Enjoy the ride..

I never test drove any other cars (Z, G35, Evo, WRX, etc) before I bought my 04 Silver 6SPD.