can't decide if this is the right car for me

Originally Posted by TypeOne

I've owned a ton of different cars including a DC5.

I did a LOT of shopping around before I chose my Z... I drove:

350Z
370Z
S2000 (04+ AP2)
Genesis Coupe 2.0t & 3.8 GT
Mustang GT (2010 model as the 2011 wasn't out yet)
RX8
EVO X GSR( I sold my STi slightly before the Z so I wasn't really interested in owning another Subaru so soon)
Camaro SS (although it was a bit out of my price range)
BMW 335i Coupe
BMW 135i Coupe

I looked into all of them, did all of my research and honestly, the RX8 was out of the picture from the beginning. I'm not a fan of RX8s.. I never have been. They are under powered and yes, they might handle well, but they should because they are so light. I don't like the rear seat deal... I wanted a legit 2 seat sports car. So... I lost interest early on.

When I did the math, considered what I wanted and what I was buying, my choices were narrowed down to the 370Z, S2000 and the Gen Coupe 3.8.

I've come from a heritage of Hondas (about 10 or so in the last few years,) I wanted something new (to me.)

The S2000 is a great car. It has a great engine, great gearbox and it will last forever. It is pricey to get big power out of them and the rear ends blow up with the slightest of hard launches. It is small and somewhat under powered if you're used to torque.

The Gen coupe is just garbage IMO... but I know people frown upon hearing the truth so I will make this brief. It's cheaply made and the technology and heritage just isn't on par with the Z. I drove the first 3.8 Track that came to my local dealer ship the DAY they unloaded it.

I was disappointed with the clutch and the gearbox. The power wasn't really there either until you rev'd the piss out of it.

I really thought about buying the Hyundai because of the value, but then I asked myself... what is important to me?

I went back and saved up a little more cash and planned out my purchase of the 370Z for a few months. I was a member on this forum for a few months before I ever found the car I own today.

Everyone is different, but the Z has the quality of Nissan (they make one of the best supercars in the world, yes I called the GTR a supercar) and some of that technology is going to trickle down into there other cars.

Long story short (I know I wrote a book just now) but I got out of the Gen Coupe, went across the street and drove a Z and it was so obvious, I felt like an ******* for thinking of spending my hard earned money on an inferior car.

I love my Z. I would suggest going to a dealership and driving one for yourself. Try to drive them both in the same day to really keep the comparison open.

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

o rly?

Originally Posted by mikeSS

coming from a X rx8 r3 owner, i got the car right when it came out. the handling and the looks of the car is what got me. when i got it there was no camaro or 5.0L mustang or 370z out. it was the 350z that was still at dealerships. i miss that car everyday. they fixed most problems in the 2009+ rx8s.

pros- handles like a dream
- fun 9.5k redline
-the seats are BA
-the R3 rims go great with the car
- VERY all around smooth car
- you think the 370z is a rare car ? think again rx8 r3. i have seen one in my area. not including mine.

cons
- no power what so ever in a straight line. still fun when cornering
- bad MPG, but who really cares its a sports car right ? but its still pretty bad for how much power the car has.
- the car is not mod friendly at all. engine wise.
- the suspension was pretty rough, and i live in MI roads which are not good.

veridic

the car is very rare, and looks cool. its a fun car, but i feel the 370z is a better buy because it has both ok handling and power in the straights. and thats what makes a great sports car.

Originally Posted by Hambone1

They are pretty common around here. Don't see a ton of R3's, maybe one every couple of days, but far from rare.

Originally Posted by mikeSS

maybe its your area, i see very few 370zs, and only one time saw a rx8 r3. i see more Bentleys and Ferraris then 370z or rx8 r3s. lol.

but ya the older rx8s are much more common.

Originally Posted by Hambone1

I've always felt like the RX-8 is kind of a quirky man's sports car, hence the low sales volume.

Originally Posted by Davey

Overstatement, but it is true the weak link in the S2000's drivetrain is the rear end.

The clutch delay BS on the AP2 is annoying as hell, too.

Originally Posted by 1slow370

I've seen a z32 pumpkin swapped in an s2000 it's that bad

Originally Posted by mikeSS

ya i feel you on that. its a drivers car, but takes a certain person to really want it. over a 370z for example. i know they are well balanced and handle great but they have to many draw backs.

the reason why there car sales are low is one true reason and that is the car is just to underpowered. even the rx7 was fast for its time, but had sooo many problems with the engine. mazda needs to drop its rotary engine if they want to compete with sports cars. like 370z or mustang for example. and sales prove people want 370zs and mustangs over rx8s.

and rx8 owners always, say " If mazda made a bigger or turbo rotary its would be a lot better." but i always say then why don't they ? because there will be to many problems and MPG on a bigger rotary would be nuts. and a turbo rotary would have problems.

Originally Posted by happytheman

Just take the X out of the equation, and your problem is miraculously solved! There ya go! Glad I could be of service! +rep if this was helpful!

Originally Posted by Hambone1

I think it's a combination of being underpowered and also all of it's quirks. I'd be willing to guess that 50% or more of it's potential customer base barely know what a rotary engine is, let alone anything about it. If I'm car shopping, and suddenly find out the car I'm looking at is some engine I've never heard of, I'm gone.

I've heard those arguments for a larger or boosted engine, and it would be completely retarded. You'd get like 5 mpg, and if it was boosted you'd be swapping engines once a week from blowing them.

The thing that is strange, is that I realize it sold well early on, and the Wankel is part of their heritage and they don't want to completely get rid of it, but considering that they have some pretty decent motors in-house, such as the 4 banger in the MS3, and even the V6 in the MS6 isn't bad. Plus I'm pretty sure they can still raid the Ford parts bin, I don't know why they aren't snagging Eco-Boost and doing something with it