Nissan 370z vs. Mazda RX8

Endgame

O.K. Who here has driven an RX8 AND a 370z? I am curious how the 370z handles in comparision to the RX8. I personally LOVE the way my 8 handles; the 350z cannot come close to it; but the 370z maybe able to.

Anyone? Thoughts?

bigdog1250

My buddy just got an Rx8 a few weeks ago and I happened to go on a twisty hill climb with him last weekend. Car was very flat and handled nicely, power wise it was not the greatest but was quicker than I thought. Today I just got back from driving the 370z (for the 2nd time) and the car just sticks in the corners. I'll admit I haven't done any extreme twisty driving but from the few freeway on-ramps and turns I did take it was every bit as good as the 8 plus more. Plus the power of the car feels unreal. Definitely worth driving the new Z if you are considering purchasing one. The road feel in the car is on par with Porsche.

frost

rx8 is a nifty looker and the back door actually seems practical, but very underpowered.

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370z OG

Endgame

Bigdog, the RX8 was quicker than I thought it would be also given the HP. Good to hear that the 370z was equal to, if not greater than the 8 in handling abilies.

On par with Porsche = cloud 9

giodachamp

The only thing that i don't like about the rx8 is the terrible gas mileage

bossman

nissan > mazda.. mazda tries too hard to be nissan and honda combined. you can't do performance and economy all at the same time without some sort of sacrifices. that being said, the new Z will demolish the rx.. both in terms of power and handling. i'll let the 0.99 skidpad speak for itself

wj4

With the trends of things, the '80s is coming back in style. With the likes of diesels and F/I cars for a compromise of power and economy instead of big brute force.

I don't think an RX8 can compete with the 370z because it's an older car that was geared to battle the 350z and S2000.

Endgame

We will see!! Road and Track (or was that MT???) liked the feel of the RX8 better than the GTR in their best handling car in America test...

frost

By the way, the rx8 began production in 03. Hey mazda, how about a frackin update?

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370z OG

nickcliborne

How about hey Honda the S2000 needs an update not killing off.

SnakeBitten

Are you guys talking about handling "feel" as in balance etc or in outright lap prowess, times etc? If its the latter the 350z has beaten the RX8 easily on a few road tests and tied it on some tight tracks. Both did the same time on the Top Gear test track for instance. At the C&D Lightening Lap the 06 "Rev Up" Z demolished the RX8 by 7 seconds per lap. Based on that there is no way in hell the RX-8 will compete with a 370z on a track if it cant beat a DE Rev Up. An HRz would cripple it as well especially if its one with the optional 245/265 tire setup.

If its "feel", balance etc you are refering to then it remains to be seen if the 370z can feel like an extention of the driver the way the RX-8 made quite a few racecar drivers feel. RX-8 may be underpowered compared to its rivals in class but none of them have matched it in handling refinement yet. Will wait till a head to head with the RX-8 and 370z before we can know if the 370z is on par "feel" wise imho. RX-8 is a great drivers car no matter the power/tq numbers. I love the interior over the 350z as well. Quality car. My worthless 2c

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Endgame

And indeed they were worthless! JUST KIDDING!!

Actually I was thinking of 'feel', balance, and fun factor. I know the 8 got owned big time on the track, but since I will not be going to the track often, I am interested in the fun factor of the 370z. Guess we will have to wait for the heads up test.

If the Z is suppose to match a Cayman S, it should at least match the RX8 as the RX8's handling has been compared to that. BUT is the 370z's CS comparision on track or street and is it taking the fun factor into account? Just my additional worthless .02.

SnakeBitten

^^

I agree with you on the feel, fun factor etc.....RX8 owns the 350Z on those counts from every review Ive seen. As for the 370z being as fun to drive as the Cayman S or RX8 that will indeed need to answered in a comparo. Just because the 370z can hang with the Cayman S doesnt mean its on the same level of balance and feel as either the RX8 or Cayman S. Power and enough handling can help a car make up for shortcomings like added weight, less ideal weight distribution etc. Pure track numbers dont convey the fun or balance of a car.

Example ACR horribly rapped the Audi R8 on a track. But the R8 felt much better and had more enjoyable handling characteristics compared to the mighty ACR. Im thinking its gonna be hard for a front engined, 56/44 car like the 370z to mimic the telepathic reflexes of a mid engined car like the Cayman S or the superbly balanced RX8. It may tie it or beat it on track but if past reviews are any indication the Cayman S will be the more satisfying "drivers" car. Speculation can be fun but Im hoping the 370z can at least come close to not only the performance of the new Cayman S but also come close to it in the fun factor as well.

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wj4

+1,000,000. For ~$30,000 that car is so amazing. Now Honda has nothing to offer in that department.

frost

Starts at $35K, which seems a little pricey. I'm not a huge fan of convertibles since you can only use one a month out of the year here, but I know I use to kill those things in my 02 trans am, and the 370 is a smidgen quicker than my TA was.

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370z OG