Lensman

Here.

Spin9k

Interesting to read, they don't sound like terrible happy Z owners or wannabe owners do they?

It will take them more time to admit what they don't want to... the RX-8 is a great looking true sports car.. that rides way better.. that holds way more people and things to live a real life with, that may not go quite as fast, but has class in spades!

The 350Z is a car designed by a straightedge and a vacuform machine around it's innards IMHO. The rear end esp. looks awful, the lights weird, the intrerior well, what can be said, and I've heard no one like the ride. Usually goes something like, "well it may have a rough ride, BUT... "pick your compensating good point". And of course there are several fortunately!

Still the Z is way better looking than many to be sure, but doesn't strike a fire in me compared to the musular look of the 8, esp the 8 from any front angle. In the end, any sports car is OK by me, as we have been without them in significant number for a decade or two.

ggreen29

I'm wondering if Nissan tried to copy the 911's rear. I came up behind a modded Z w/ a huge whale tail and until I got close to it I thought I was looking at some bizarre 911. If Nissan did try to copy the 911 rear they missed by a country mile. It's really a puzzling part of the Z.

Lensman

I quite like the Z from some angles, especially in grey paint, but this angle lets it right down. It's a great car though and destined to be a classic so I'm not saying it's better than the RX-8, just different. There are aspects of the Z I prefer and aspects of the RX-8 I prefer. Ideally I'd own both but as I can only have one then the Mazda gets my vote. You're on shaky ground criticising the Z's lights though: that's the first thing that most RX-8 haters go for too. VERY subjective!

Cylo

I believe the Z is a beautiful car from all around. The side view of the 8 isn't as nice as it could have been. It would have looked better if the nose came down farther and the wheel wells were pronounced on the profile (like a prowler or a kit car). She is still kinda cute though. Great rear end

I am thinking about adding a ski rack so I can make some more crude comments... j/k

RomanoM

350Z is nice, but when I test drove a Track model I got out thinking this car does not feel or look like a $35K car. Especially the interior. Nice engine, but poor top end, a sportscar should have a great top end engine.

My impression was that this thing would make the best Mustang ever. To me it's more muscle car than sportscar.

ggreen29

OUCH! I think you hit below the belt on that one. No soup for you!

Skyline Maniac

When it comes to automobile styling, it's usually one opinion against the next. When the 350Z came out, many loved it, and some hated it. The same thing with the RX-8..... I think the black side grill, front air dam, rear lower bumper, and particularly the suicide door are very controversial on the RX-8. Either you like it or you don't. The suicide door is a very unique design, similar to the saturn but looks better. Anyhow, I must disagree on the point that the 350Z is a 911 wannabe, since seeing a 280Z and 350Z side by side and you will see the unmistakenable DNA. Also, the interior of the 350Z is not as bad as many makes it out to be, I would consider it to be comparable with the interior of the RX-8. Modern, stylish, but not necessarily solid or luxurious.

RomanoM

Soup ****:D :p

DisneyDestroyer

Hmmm, I think my favorite view of the Z is...

in my rearview mirror.

Cylo

My household owns both, and while the Z's interior is not the worst in the world, the RX-8's interior is leagues above. Obviously this is all subjective.

Skyline Maniac

Well, subjectively, I think the RX-8 interior definitely looks more high class. However, knocking on the interior parts (other than the dash, which is rock solid) yields kind of a loose fitment and hollow sound. The Z interior feels like hard hollow plastic. That's what I meant by feeling 'solid.' Either way, both cars have very good looking interiors on photos.

MPester

Good one.

ToRX-8orToZ

QUOTE]the RX-8 is a great looking true sports car[/QUOTE]

Does anyone here really think the 8 feels like a true sports car? I think it feels like a true sports sedan... which is not a bad thing at all.