Nissan 370z vs. Mazda RX8

Endgame · 01-14-2009, 09:02 PM

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 · 01-14-2009, 09:08 PM

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 · 01-14-2009, 09:29 PM

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

Endgame · 01-14-2009, 09:56 PM

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

bossman · 01-14-2009, 10:04 PM

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

giodachamp · 01-14-2009, 10:04 PM

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

frost · 01-14-2009, 10:10 PM

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

RCZ · 01-14-2009, 11:04 PM

eats oil, next.

Endgame · 01-14-2009, 11:33 PM

funny thing is, my 8 does not eat that much oil! I have not fully exhausted 2 'bottles' of oil and I have about 10k miles on it.

and I got tired of waiting for them to update the RX cars. can't wait until 2012 for the new rotary...

AK370Z · 01-14-2009, 11:38 PM

This would be a very interesting match. RX8 is lighter and handles a little better than the 350Z but 370Z has much more power and is a bit lighter than the 350Z. When comparing power, 370Z will be the unmatched winner but handling wise, I really can't say anything yet. The new 370Z DOES have better suspension than the 350Z and it's 4" shorter. I guess we just have to wait and see?

nogoodname · 01-14-2009, 11:41 PM

I read somewhere that the 370Z engine sits a bit lower then the previous Z for a better center of gravity...... that helps quite a bit in the handling.

Endgame · 01-14-2009, 11:51 PM

I read one review of the Nismo Z that stated it handled like an RX8. If the 370z handling is on par with the Nismo Z, then it should come close to the RX8.

I will try and test drive a 370 soon and give my thoughts... But my RX8 has the Mazdaspeed suspension...

wj4 · 01-15-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 01-15-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

wj4 · 01-15-2009, 01:01 AM

^I really like the RX8, and it handles pretty well. I also like the interior finish a lot. It's not the fastest car out there, but it's such a fun car. A lot of people were just disappointed and dissing the car because they had high expectations of it because of the legendary RX7. It's a head turner too. Up to date, I don't think I've seen more than 5 nicely done RX8's on the streets.

01-14-2009, 09:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	Nissan 370z vs. Mazda RX8 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?

01-14-2009, 11:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	This would be a very interesting match. RX8 is lighter and handles a little better than the 350Z but 370Z has much more power and is a bit lighter than the 350Z. When comparing power, 370Z will be the unmatched winner but handling wise, I really can't say anything yet. The new 370Z DOES have better suspension than the 350Z and it's 4" shorter. I guess we just have to wait and see? __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

01-14-2009, 09:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 18	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.

01-14-2009, 09:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	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

01-14-2009, 10:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
bossman Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 169 Drives: 04 Xterra SE 4X4 S/C Rep Power: 0	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

01-14-2009, 10:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
giodachamp Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 17 Drives: 1993 Nissan 180SX Rep Power: 17	The only thing that i don't like about the rx8 is the terrible gas mileage

01-14-2009, 11:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	eats oil, next.

01-14-2009, 11:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	funny thing is, my 8 does not eat that much oil! I have not fully exhausted 2 'bottles' of oil and I have about 10k miles on it. and I got tired of waiting for them to update the RX cars. can't wait until 2012 for the new rotary...

01-14-2009, 11:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	I read somewhere that the 370Z engine sits a bit lower then the previous Z for a better center of gravity...... that helps quite a bit in the handling.

01-14-2009, 11:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	I read one review of the Nismo Z that stated it handled like an RX8. If the 370z handling is on par with the Nismo Z, then it should come close to the RX8. I will try and test drive a 370 soon and give my thoughts... But my RX8 has the Mazdaspeed suspension...

01-15-2009, 01:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
wj4 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Burbank Posts: 70 Drives: BMW 335i Rep Power: 16	^I really like the RX8, and it handles pretty well. I also like the interior finish a lot. It's not the fastest car out there, but it's such a fun car. A lot of people were just disappointed and dissing the car because they had high expectations of it because of the legendary RX7. It's a head turner too. Up to date, I don't think I've seen more than 5 nicely done RX8's on the streets.