370Z Sport Package vs Mazdaspeed 3 GT vs S2000 vs Cayman S vs Mazda Rx-8

zZSportZz

Why would go through the trouble to make an account here just to post that?...unless you just want to stir the pot. Have fun in your little Mazda. Its a cute little car. My neice wants one.

m4a1mustang

My sister looked at a Mazdaspeed 3 GT but decided to go for something a little less girly.

Her new Nissan Cube is awesome.

__________________
- Steve

Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!)
LIKE us on Facebook!

Educ8r

So true, best reply so far!

__________________

imagination + creativity = endless possibilities

mook

Actually, speaking of performance and numbers, I just found something.
Check this Japanese racing video out:
YouTube - Z34 vs 911 vs Cayman vs S2000 vs 135i

S2000s vs 135i vs Cayman s vs 370z vs 911

370Z blows the doors of all the cars on a track except the new more powerful cayman S. S2000 horsepower is pretty outmatched by everything here and it is driven by the worst least agressive driver.

Also most would say it's because of Tsuchiya that Cayman comes in front.

Whichever car is driven by Tsuchiya is the one that usually wins.

Also, the best lap times stack up like this:
1. 911
2. 370z
3. CaymanS
4. S2000
5. 135i

I want to see him in an S2000 in this match up -it is clearly the fastest through turns. He is famous for pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

Dude outdrove the fastest Lambos, Turbo Porsche and a Ferrari in an NSX until the last lap.

Anyone speaks Japanese?

Greg

__________________
Chef Greg At Your Service

need4speed

MazdaSpeed 3's aren't cheap cars and I wouldn't call what he wrote hate. He gave a series of evaluations and he felt the Z was less enjoyable. He's entitled to feel that way.
He brought up some legitamate points but I do not agree with him though.
Obviously his driving style warrants his enjoyment for fwd drive cars.
He pointed out the only value of RWD was rear swinging. Says a lot about his style.
Another good point he mentions. "He says maybe in a year he would have confidence in a Z."I can see him feeling that way. The Z has a blind spot that's only worse in those new camaro's. Its drive-by-wire steering is a next level system and should only be used by seasoned drivers. The RX-8 also has this type of steering system but 232hp 161lbs tq doesn't put so much jolt in your drawz that u will fear losing control.
The s2000 as he said... pre 04 was uncivilized. Those were more like pure race cars then over time they refined them in order to sell better. S2000 sales have always been lackluster though the car is iconic. So honda sold out some of its purity for luxury 05 n up.
He's a novice driver. There's nothing wrong with that and driving enthusiasts should respect it. At least he wants to hone skills with all the right cars.
And the mazdaspeed 3 is a great car. The turbo gives it punch which gives him the "ILLUSION" he's going faster than in a 370z. But remember the 350z n the mazdaspd3 get very similar track times. Near identical. The mazda is no slouch either. We kno it can't best track times of the 370z, but its not alwayz bout track times. Driving style n personal preference will play a big part in wat car u think is best.

You got alota guys buyin the Z that u know belong in sum FWD boy racer cuz they jus don't have the skills. But they r in a Z cuz it looks nice n they wanna impress chix... lol
N wat cracks me up the most is when people say the Z is mature... lol on what planet?
I luv the Z. I'm 2 months short of owning one. But I'm not foolon myself... lol
That fish face front is just as boi ricer racer az the eclipse open mouth front.
Only the Nismo to me has a more mature front fascia while staying true to the Z heritage.
And tho I will admit the Nismo looks more mature. I luv the base/sport better.
See in the end I prefer the immature looking version of the Z. So wat!?

mook

Thanks for understanding.

Actually, if you read my first post it clearly says that I can't stand FWD and that is why I am getting rid of Mazdaspeed (which I still enjoy very much) after 1 year of driving it in favor of a used Cayman S. I firmly believe in steering with the throttle =). As one great Grand Prix racer once said, refering to the art of four wheel drift: one who keeps his wheels straight the most - wins. Not that Mazda can't do that, it's just well it's missing some of that old school RWD flavor. This is also, why (aside from the weight) I don't want those psycho 4wds like WRX - too much push, not enough swing.

370Z could have saved me a bit of dough.... but some things are just a matter of taste.

Noone probably cares by now, but The 05 and up S2000 has slower steering, stronger engine and better planted rear end, although just as easily drifted. Some of the fun was definitely gone.

I heard that few companies wanted to insure the old S2000 anymore, since so many of them were wrecked by inexperienced drivers. Once it swapped ends on me at 60mph on bold tires in the rain just from hitting a puddle (and I was going nearly straight). It snapped the tail, hydroplaned and no amount of opposite lock or throttle play could get it away from the curb, which was coming at me all of a sudden at a good clip. I locked up all four wheels. spun it out and finally found some grip... rolling backwards and away from the damn curb. Car stalled (did not clutch it on time, once it spun), and with traffic coming up fast, that Start button suddenly became very handy LOL.

The old turbo MR2's had the same problem.

As for the steering, I kind of love the direct feel of good old unassisted rack, like they have on a Lotus (dream car, eh?) Purely matter of preference, I realize.

Oh, and I love the Nismo looks =). It's the Nismo that I would buy, if I went with a Nissan. I am sure I would enjoy the firmer suspension.

stag3

i currently own a ms3 gt and am waiting for my 370z to come in, i'm on the wait list, i did not order one to be made. when it arrives, i may not like it at all. i love the way it looks.
i hope i do like driving it, that and the evo X are the only 2 cars i can see trading in my ms3 for.

i do notice a lot of kids with ms3's now which is a bad thing. the main thing about the ms3 is it's affordable ~25k, decently quick, handles well and insurance is CHEAP.
most insurance companies list the ms3 as a regular mazda 3 still, i pay 675 a year full coverage on it. it is a blast to drive, but i do wish mazda put the ms6 awd system in it.
the main reason i want the Z is for rwd. i used to have an mr2 turbo and that is the car i miss the most out of all the cars iv'e owned.

i have also driven the s2k and hands down that was the most fun car i've driven, handling wise, since it's like a big go kart. i thought about buying one, even considered a cR, but after driving the ms3 for a year and a half now, the s2k felt so slow, almost civic like. i know its a hair quicker than a ms3 but w/o the torque, my brain can't compute lol.

i'm reading a lot of reviews that say the Z is the perfect car @ ~30k
i'm hoping the "its heavy and you know it" feeling doesn't come. but if it does
i'll just keep my ms3.

ok done rambling, my thoughts were all over the place

mook

Only brand new 09' Caymans come with a limited-slip?!!! #@$%#$%^!!!

I am gonna need that.... and I sure as hell not spending this kind of cash on a new Porsche. Nor will I have any cash left over after buying a used older one to tinker with it.
Oh well, back to the drawing board for me or maybe just hang on to MS3.
this sucks!

mook

Seems like we are more or less in the same boat and have similar experience and taste in cars - I could have written all of that above myself. Please post a review once you get your hands on a Z.
After I found out that drifting in an older Cayman is going to suck compared to what I am used to with S2000, I am actually considering giving Z another look. Of course, could look for an S2000, but I really want a hard top this time. When the moderate weather comes, I just ride my motorbike or the scooter and don't even look at my car.

Either that or wait another 2 years behind the wheel of MS3 (not such a horrible fate after all =) until I can afford an 09 Cayman S with LSD

Oh, by the way I heard that Evo IX is actually more fun to drive than the X - never tried it myself, it's a bit on the heavy side for me.

stag3

i could care less about drifting, i just miss having rwd.
i cant afford a cayman rofl, ~30k is about max that i could
spend on a car, i'm not balling by any means.

ive driven the evo IX and X, the IX - boost comes on like crazy like being shot out of a cannon, X - more linear but you still get a good kick when boost comes on, i completely prefer the X over the IX. what held me back from the X was gas mileage, people are getting 200-220 a tankful? wtf, my work commute is short but screw that mileage.

once i drive the Z i will post my thoughts. and as for the person who said the Z isn't "mature" when i say mature i mean classy i guess, the 370z is a step above an evo, sti, ms3, all those cars look like they would have a teenager behind the wheel, but the Z is just more grown up looking, hell the rear reminds me of a porsche

bullitt5897

Mook I came from an '07 s2000 and I will tell you this. I am FAR MORE HAPPIER with my 370z than the s2000... I went through the entire modding cycle with the s2000 and had 257rwhp on my S. I had fully tricked out KW's and I tracked the car along with Daily Driving. I am still a member of my local s2k club and I take my Z to the meets and track events. I will tell you this... "The Z by FAR hands the s2000 its a$$ both on the track( tight road courses like lil tally) and on the street." You may call the extra weight gimmicky but I at least have a NAV system and full Car computer built in. The car is more comfortable for longer drives 14hrs+ and can handle the mountain roads like a champ. The Sport brakes are insanely better. while, on the track I watched as I passed fellow s2k owners going into the turn broke later and kept higher speeds through out the turn in my STOCK 370z. In my s2k I was able to pull off 1:11's @ lil tally (talladega grand prix) fully modded. With the Z I pulled 1:12's on my warm up laps and was consistently in the 1:10's in the rain!!!! so tell us why all these smaller cars are that much better... because you perceive that they are faster.... hmmmmm just doesnt cut it for me.

Recently, I received tons of hate from my once s2000 brethren from making the switch but after they drove the car every single one of them said if they had the money they would make the switch. I miss aspects of my s2000 not in its stock form but what I had made it. However, I look forward to what I am going to be able to do with the 370z. My goal 600 usable rwhp to start.

If you like your Mazdaspeed 3 go for it! for the money thats a fun lil ride! I however put it in the same class as the miata "Best fun under 90mph and $25k"

__________________
Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054

ArtVandaleigh

Oh boy here comes the mazdaspeed 3 crowd. I've owned an 04 S2K and they are fantastic cars, just unfortunately lack overall grunt (30-40 hp more and i'd be content). A good friend owned a mazdaspeed 3 for about 2 years and liked it, but the fit and finish was very cheap. The motor was nice I must say, but the tranny was junk and once you start modding or upping the boost, the FWD is worthless. He went to a 09 STI and was glad he made the change, even for a Subaru it was a substantial step up in quality.

Mergnthwirker

Sounds to me like you never really explored what the Z can do. If you shifted at 6,000, you were driving a 200hp car, not a 332hp car. Check out the torque and horsepower curves.

But frankly, you should drive whatever floats your boat. There is no better/worse, except on a racetrack.

I haven't driven the Mazdaspeed 3, but I briefly bought a Mazdaspeed6 which uses the same engine, but has AWD. It is a nice engine.

I had an RX-8 before the Z, and it really is a great handling vehicle. Plus it takes abuse well. I tracked mine every other weekend for the two years that I owned it (except in winter). I loved winding it out and shifting on the "beep". It reminded me of the S2000 in that respect. And the handling around windy back-country roads is superior, and better-balanced than the S2000 IMHO.

Where I drive most of the time, it is difficult to stay in the high revs. The S2000 is less than inspiring below 6000. It's still a fun sports car, but really not even as much fun as a Miata at 30mph. BTW, I had a heavily modified turbo Miata with about 230hp that was an incredible blast to drive. Anyway, I like the S2000 and find it a great sports car, but not really my cup of tea.

I also think the Cayman S is a fantastic sports car. I nearly bought one. But I found it a bit too refined for my tastes. I prefer the immediacy and brutality of the Z.

Again, I think you should drive what you like. What's better? Whatever floats your boat. Thanks for sharing your perspectives with us here.

HJM

stag3

i liked the sti, but even with 0% and 8k off msrp, i didnt think that was worth the $ for me to upgrade from an ms3. it felt really soft. the evo on the other hand, altho the interior is a step down from an ms3, felt like it wanted to go.

but i agree the sti interior is really nice.

the thing with the s2k is it's a convertible, that would be the only reason i would want one. even at 28k for a new cR, i couldn't pull the trigger and that was 8k off msrp. the Z however, i got quoted close to 3k off msrp and im close to pulling that trigger if i like the driving feel.

like i said before i have no issues keeping my ms3, for what it is, it's a great daily that can haul stuff around quickly.

quick question tho, i know you can fit golf clubs in a 370z, but will 2 sets of golf clubs fit in there?