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

RogueDPS

I promised myself I wasn't going to do this, and here I am on only my second post. I have both an RX-8 and a 370Z. I love them both. I've had the RX for a few years now. I've had the Z only a few weeks. They're both great cars and they both put a smile on my face . . . they just go about it different ways. The RX is like like dancing with a ballerina - subtlety and poise that can really get you in a zone. The Z is more like one of those hot beach volleyball players - balance and grace in spades, but man she can knock your socks off.

Threads like this encourage us to stand up for the cars we love but at the same time Mook is trying to bait us into dumping on other great cars.

Here's a couple of crappy photos.

Attached Images

	RX+Z.jpg (45.2 KB, 49 views)
	Z+RX.jpg (52.7 KB, 26 views)

Lug

Oh, I hate you now!

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SnakeBitten

Truth. Not to mention that its 4+ sec slower than the Rev Up Z that set the Lightning Lap LL2 class record at VIR 4 mile track. Now imagine what an HR Z with the 245/265 tires would do to the MS3 on VIR or the Ring. Or even a Nismo 350 Z

I have alot of love for the MS3. Its a great car and a lot of potential but its not in the same league with the Z stock to stock. Modded its anybodies game however and every car has potential when modded and needs to be respected.

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stag3

the ms3 is good for what it is, but it's not in the same class and shouldn't be compared to a Z, we should be comparing an ms3 to the sti and evo

just got the call from the dealer, my Z arrived just now
i'm scheduled to go tomorrow after work and look at it
finally i get to drive one and make my decision.
the biggest question is do i want to go 17k more in debt after
my trade in, i'm only considering it since i'm way ahead on my
car loan. i paid 23k for my ms3 9/07
i owe ~8k as of today, i'm getting 17k for my car in trade.

decisions...decision

Lug

Actually and STI now costs more than a lot of Z's
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Pricing for the high-performance model WRX STI, which for 2010 features black alcantara trim and a black center console with red stitching also remains unchanged at $34,995.
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2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Pricing, Images, Specifications - egmCarTech

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kdoske

asfasdf

stag3

heh i'm going by the 8k off msrp and 0% subaru had a few mos ago
and the 8k off msrp and 0% mitsubishi has now

i wish they had those deals when i got my ms3

Red370

S2000? are you serious? Read the new issue of DSport, turbo'ed S2000's posting slower track times w a pro driver than a stock 370, your comparisons are proposterous. MS3? Really? BTW, if you can afford a Cayman, you can afford an M3/Used M5, both are far superior IMHO.

gnarf

who in their right mind would pick a 265 hp fwd hatch thats only 100 lbs lighter than a 332hp rwd coupe that was made as a sports car to begin with (that whole power to weight mumbo jumbo is bs)..sorry Mook...but you def did not drive the 370z hard enough to appreciate it...the sensation of speed is dulled in a 370z because it actually makes the driver feel comfortable at higher speeds (even the GT-R is like this)..i could fall asleep at 110 in my G37..the s2000 and rx8 on the other hand..despite being amazing handling cars lack top end and do not feel as composed at higher speeds..which is probably why you felt faster in those cars...go to the RX8 forum...even those guys say the 370z is better in every way and even they would consider a 370z...the 370z posted faster times than the EvoX in BOTH Top Gears and it has almost never lost a comparison (except the revised Cayman with PDK)

if you want to feel like you are going fast in a 370z or any nissan/infiniti...open the windows...

RogueDPS

Untrue. I track my RX-8 regularly with minimal mods (brakes, wheels, tires) and it is completely composed at speeds well in excess of 110.

This one made me chuckle. I've belonged to that forum for years and the vast majority are as loyal to their cars as are the people over here. The 370Z is not superior to the RX in "every" way. It is superior to the RX in several significant ways. There are few absolutes in life.

mook

Naturally, performance wise 370z owns S2000 and a V-8 M3 owns Cayman.
The issue I have with M3 and M5 is weight. I am really looking forward to the 1 M series. That might be perfect for me.

I drove two Caymans recently and it's very cool how the thing turns. The engine in the middle makes a lot of difference. I used to have an MR2 but Cayman is longer so you really notice the difference (I'd hate to swap ends in this car by accident, must be pretty tough to stop that rotation).

Even a 50/50 car like S2000 lacks this feel, maybe because the rotating parts in the engine create extra resistance when trying to turn, kind of like a gyro, not sure. BMW boxer (motorcycle, not car) engines used to have this problem - wouldn't let you lean the bike.

I think for drifting a front engine car might be superior, though.

Robert_Nash

Perhaps you should just buy one of everything and that way you can drive the absolute perfect car for that particular hour of that particular day!

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mook

Actually, am selling MS3 and all set on buying 370Z.. Instead of reading all the trigger happy fan boy off-topic tirades, take a look at the actual posts.


MS3 obviously is not a better car than 370Z. And my first post deals with all the shortcomings (steering feel, cheap transmission, fwd, top end drop off, etc).

If you really want to be anal about it, the "feel" is all about the torque, which is the ability to change speed, not in the HP, which is ability to maintain speed.
We have 280 lb torque @ 3000 rpm for MS3 vs 270lb @ 5200 for the Z.

Besides, the top hp in the Z comes at 7000, MS3 - much earlier @ 5,500 rpm. The gearing may also be a bit too tall in the Z contributing to the lack of low end "power feel".

To top it all, ms3 can be about 200lb lighter.

If you don't think 200lb is a big deal - put your mother in law in your trunk and drive around.

Put it all together, and on a straight line from a rolling start you get more excitement out of MS3. Now, if you actually enjoy getting creative in turns once in a while - there is no comparison. Drag race, same thing. Almost any tight RWD car has a huge advantage.

All in all at about 4000 rpm the 2 cars may feel about equally powerful but one has more weight.

Take a look at this comparo that I just found: Winding Road Magazine | Issue 46 - page 146 ("for the starters 370Z did not actually 'feel' that much faster than any of the others... The engine is adequately powerful, but doesn't feel as willing to rev or as potent as the horsepower numbers might lead you to believe...") Of course, they go on to say that 370Z is the best overall car, no doubt about it.

I don't understand why it's suddenly offensive to talk about shortcomings of a car. But hey, if everyone is so offended - I will go away.

theDreamer

We talk about all the short comings all day long here, but when you go about it in certain ways you are going to get hit back with what you throw. Come in talking about how you are looking at a Z but feel that without the turbo it might "feel" lacking, even though the Z is all N/A it lacks that low punch, it is all about presentation.

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mook

LOL Point taken... I just didn't think I need to worry about touchy feelings when talking to people who are supposedly all about fast cars (why else are they spending the extra cash on a Z).