That's why ended it with, "that's just me," because I don't give a **** about a track since I don't LIVE on one like the avg Honda lover. And anyway, away from the track, the S doesn't shine as bright....once more, TO ME.

 

There isn't any option for the S2k other than a hard top so it is not really "top of the line".

BTW they picked the RX8 base on the overall car, including space, backseat. Not base on the sportyness of the car.

 

Actually no... Nissan wanted to make the car heavier in the front so as the car power out of the corner it will shift the weight "back" and become closer to 50/50. This will reduce pushunder exiting a corner, which reduces understeer. So it is more like 54/46 for the Z.

 

I agree with Hanzo, I remember reading that statement on the website when I was researching the car (right before I purchased the 8).

 

Understeer though, seems to be the Z's biggest handling problem. At least it was when I drove it.

 

Well, there is the problem with Nissans' logic, the car will not understeer on corner exit however, it might understeer on corner entry depending on the spring rate and dampening in the front.

Since understeer in corner entry means loss of traction in the front wheels the front spring and damper must be stiff enough to reduce amount of weight shift to the front.

Since the car is heavier in the front more weight is pushed down on the front wheels overloading the front tyres causing understeer. I believe Nissan need to fit a higher spring rate in the front and maybe turn up the dampening a notch as well.

Most people will encounter understeer on corner entry instead of exit anyway so I think nissan is just using that logic to cover up the fact that they can't make the Z 50/50.

 

I've got an idea for nissan, if your gonna build a 2 seater sportscar build a sub 2800 lb one like honda and mazda did, instead of building a 2-door 2-seater that weighs more than a 4 door 4 seater. Then maybe the handling will be more neutral.

 

Weight is bound to be an issue when Nissan decided to build this chassis for multiple platforms. Mainly for the up and coming GTR which will utilize the basic chassis from the Z/G35 coupe.

Reinforcement adds weight especially when you try to keep the cost down. I believe the Z chassis is very strong and rigid so the GTR can share its chassis.

Reviewers have notice that the Z has extra suspension components to reduce torque steer however the Z is a rear wheel drive car which means it doesn't have torque steer. Reason being is because of the next GTR. That might also contribute to the extra weight in the front even though it has a midship layout.

 

What a bunch of sour grapes. Excuses and whining and hints at conspiracies to sell more mags.....LMAO.

Scoreboard!

BTW, the 8's two back seats weren't the only interior styling features that put the 8 on top, compare the interior cabin shots of all three. Overwhelming excellence in styling, while having very comparable performance numbers, hmmmm.

And when did Honda start using the red/black two toned seat and door inserts? Mazda called.....

 

I do believe that Honda had that all along with their 1st gen Silver S2000s

Or was that all red? I can't remember. :o

 

That article had alot of mis-information regarding the 350Z. 1st, you don't need the track model to get the "sport" suspension. All 350Z models (base, enthusiast, performance, touring, and track) have the same suspension. 2nd, you don't need the track model to get the LSD, all models, aside from the base model come with the LSD. And all models, aside from the base and enthusiast come with the traction control. A better comparison would have been an enthusiast model 350Z and the test car they had. They would have been closer in price and in features, Never the less, all three are awesome cars and I would be very happy to own any of them.

From test driving all three, my personal rankings would be:

1) Honda S2000
2) Nissan 350Z
3) Mazda RX-8

 

To add to that Track model only gets:

Tire pressure monitoring sensor
18 Volk Racing wheels
Brembo Brakes

 

the 350Z is over priced and under-equiped.

 

I agree to a certain extent. For the best "bang for your buck", I wouldn't buy anything over the performance model 350Z. Still can't go wrong with 287hp with the capability of running high 13 sec 1/4 miles bone stock.

 

I'll give the Z credit for being N/A and being a low 14 second car, but its slower than the car it replaced and slower than all the Japanese "supercars" of the early 90's (Rx-7, Supra, 300ZX, VR4, etc) with the exception of the NSX (the early 90's NSX).

Atleast Mazda had the good sense to publicly say the rx-8 is not a replacement for the rx-7.

 

It is not a supercar. And it is supposed to pickup where the old 240Z left off not replacing the 300ZX.

The 350Z is quite expensive but so is the RX8.

 

Its a 2 seat rwd sportscar just like the 300Z. While it started out as a "tribute" to the 240Z, the car became just another model in the Z lineup. The 350Z is a replacement for the 300Z, the same way the 300Z replaced the 280Z, the 280Z replaced the 260Z and the 260Z replaced the 240Z.

The rx-8 is an absolute bargain, imho.

 

The idea is to build an "affordable" sports car which wasn't for the 300ZX, it was way over price especially for the twin turbo.

Even with the 350Z Track model, it is still cheaper than the 300ZX back in the 90s.

 

The ZX was also a MUCH nicer car than the current model.

 

I dont exactly see how the 350Z is "afordable". I mean, sure if you get a stripped down base the price is ok, but look at one with any equipment in it. Take a 350Z "Roadster" (I put roadster in quotes cause I dont think a 3500lb car should be called roadster), anyway, compare the price to an S2000. The S2000 is a better car all around is way, way less.

 

I still don't get how Motor Trend was able to pull off a 13.77 1/4 with the Z. The quickest time I've seen with a bone stock Z is 13.98.

 

No argument there, if you are talking about the "roadster" version the S2000 is definitely a lot better and on the price. But as a base car it is in modern times fairly priced consider the horse power and torque.

 

Do you have a link to the 13.77?

 

Just check out the current issue of Motor Trend.

 

Loved the article...confirmed everything I was hoping to hear.

Unfortunately, I've never been an S2K fan (derivative styling, dated interior from the date it was released, no torque engine) or the 350Z (TT wannabe, plasticky interior bits) so the 8 was a winner in my book before I even turned a page.

-Eric