bz268

Hi,

I tried to search "RX8" or "RX" but found nothing. So, if there is a post already... sorry.

My friend is sick of his 350Z. He likes the power but he doesn't like the brand... or the interior... I don't know... He is full of it...

So, we went to test drive the loaded Mazda RX8. I liked the power myself... but he was still not satisfy... I told him that the car had a 9000 rpm. He reved the thing around 5000 rpm at 3rd gear in the freeway. So, I told him that he was just using half the power.

The saleman asked my friend what car he had... After that, even the saleman had no opinion... no more.

I, myself, is driving my 4 banger over-priced Honda. So, I have no opinion on how fast is "fast" either.

So... how is the RX8 stack up with the 350Z?

The selling point for me is the RX8 can seat 4 and very litte blind spot The Z... well can't do crap with the Z but to go forward... The Z has so many blind spots... Can't see anything with the Z... Can't put anything in there...

95gt

RX8 = great handling

RX8 = power less than a 4 door sedan.

Sorry if you friend is looking for power that is not the way to go. If you friend is looking for an easy, no maintenance car, that is not the way to go.

RX-8 is a great fun car, handles better than most other cars on the road but between its glaring lack of power (unless launched like you hate it), its burning of oil, its amazingly bad gas mileage, it is really not a great car to own.

RX8 = love to drive it but would never own it

sbuswell

why not a new mustang GT or hemi charger?

Moog-Type-S

Wow! Hating the 350Z

Stay away from the RX8 if you came from a 350Z
RX8 underpowered and horrible gas mileage.

Might want to try a Subaru WRX STI.

bz268

Yes, we were thinking about the STI. We decided not to bother 'casue there is no dealer around here. Maybe just 1 in Signal Hill...

And the Evo too but the dealer is just so horrible... no treat... no test drive... no nothing... for a car that cost $30K+ hard earned cash!!! Everytime we go to a Mitshibishi dealer (any!!), we are treated like some sort of criminal!!!

Moog-Type-S

Mitsu not worth it IMHO.

....and you live in California....and you can't get to a Subaru dealer?!?!!?
Seriously..now.

TL CHROMETIDE

DUDE! I live near an area known as signal hill. do you live in the 562 area?!?!?!??! I know a subaru dealer not too far.

EmuMessenger

The STi is a great car. Awesome brakes, too. Seems the Sub dealers are a little more friendly.

cusdaddy

I have a 350Z and I would never consider the RX-8 in a second. It has no power for a sports car, handles nice but not much better if at all than the Z and if you want room for 4, get a G35c or a Evo/STI if those types of cars float your boat.

sbuswell

why not consider the hemi charger, mustang gt, new grand prix gtp or does it have to be foreign? Let us know what he is looking for and what is most important. 1. power 2. style. 3. practicality 4. MPG 5. coupe/sedan 6. sports car/sports sedan?

F23A4

My best friend has the 8 and is thinking of trading his for either the Z or G35C 6MT. He's pretty discouraged with its power and even more discouraged with the fact that there's very little in the way of a performance aftermarket.

F23A4

I was treated likewise by Brad Benson Mitsubishi in South Brunswick, when I brought my son there to look at the Evo. These guys were pretty loose if you wanted to look at a Galant or Endeavor ( ) but, the moment you walk towards an Evo it seemed like they were going to call the police.

bz268

I am in Glendale. I know what dealer u r talking about. I've been that dealer before. Anyway... so the bottom line is unless I am comparing the old RX7 with twin turbo to the Z, nothing else can beat the Nissan... huh... in term of price and performance.

sbuswell

why not a 97-98 supra TT manual? Those are much faster than 350Z and performance aftermarket is limitless!

synth19

why doesn't he upgrade the interior of the Z? the new '06 models are a vast improvement from the previous models, look into some '06 parts. I for one want to change my interior door panels for the '06 ones. your friend could also consider some custom work to the Z. But I agree with everyone else, the power in the RX8 and gas situation would deter me from that vehicle (although I do like the interior).

synth19

He's not setting up the mirrors correctly.

subinf

yeah if he doesnt mind getting a used car that is the way to go. i had a 97tt that was awesome. dont have it anymore, but it still ran hard with over 115k on the motor, orig. turbos, etc. very little problems aside from always filling up the tank. car was simply amazing.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

RX8

SpeedyV6

Did you try rx-8 & searching the entire post?

iTimmy

One of my good friends also has a 350z and is sick of it, a number of small problems, and a lack of dealer support has left a bad taste in his mouth. He drove the STI, EVO, RX-8, et al... prior to purchasing his Z, doesn't like the way AWD feels, and the RX-8 was WAY to slow for him. So he is in the same boat as your friend, short of a C6 Z06 not many cars interest him any more. But he was displeased with his C5 Z06, so who knows.... I don't think he will ever be happy with a car.

EmuMessenger

Yeah, that C5 Z06 was a lousy car, too.

sbuswell

Your friends sounds far too picky. does not make sense to me why he woul be displeased with any of the cars you mentioned save the rx-8.

Ken1997TL

I agree with what everyone has said about the RX-8

Its a GREAT car let down by lack of torque and too much gas/oil consumption.

Love the interior, handling, driving experience and its looks though

Why not an '06 Z ? G35?

MarbleGT

i dont know why anybody would suggest buying a car that looks like this..........

invincible569

LOL

Shoofin

^^ It's not THAT bad!

cusdaddy

I'm looking for a car when my Z goes off lease in a couple of months and I now have a longer commute in areas that get a lot of snow in the winter, so an Evo or STI are 2 of my top choices. I prefer the STI in almost every way, but I can't get over the fact it is ugly as sin. I'd hate looking at it each time I walk up to it.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

STI's aren't that bad looking. Especially when they are modified:

iTimmy

I know it, he comes from a family with a shit load of $$, his father has owned a number of Ferraris, porsches and various other exotic sports cars. He also has lived a sheltered life, he has a great understanding of many things, but he doesn't comprehend that so many people just don't care about doing things right(car dealerships) - to him he just assumes things are done right the first time and handled in a timely manor. When that doesn't happen, he gets confused and doesn't understand why - while I in a perfect world I agree, but having been in the "real world" for long enough I know its just not the case and don't come to expect it.

Minch00

NBP_TSXY

One question- Have you ever been in one?



For your sake- I hope you say yes or you're going to sound like a huge idiot. Actually if you say yes you're still going to sound like an idiot.

cusdaddy

No amount of pictures are going to make it look attractive to me. It looks like a polished ugly car in those pictures. Better? Yes, but still an ugly car.

It's an amazing car otherwise, so that's what makes it so painful to me. I'll probably have to end up with an Evo which I'd prefer not to just because I can't get into the STI's looks.

MarbleGT

Ok, heres my story. First off, I dont like either the evo or the sti. Both ugly and look to be cheaply built. Big wings and turbochargers, notfor me!! I personally wouldnt buy a car whos only thing going for it is performance (NO luxury, NO good looks outside, etc.) 350z's look VERY, VERY good on the outside and you can get them with lots of luxury. You can get a MUCH better quality car that starts off at $32,ooo. Dont anyone get offended, these are just my opinions.

MarbleGT

Never an STI but WRX yes. Im confused on why i sound like an idiot, i never mentioned anything about the inside in this post? I dont have to get in a car to see that the outside is ugly, unless your talking about the performance. To me a great car has excellent performance (such as the STI) but also has the looks of say a ferrari.

MarbleGT

ok, I changed what I think needs to be changed on the new WRX STI's to make them look better. Do this, throw in some nice leather, navigation, etc. and we have a bad ass car.

NBP_TSXY

^^ I said it because your original post said this:

"i dont know why anybody would suggest buying a car that looks like"

You even admitted that it has excellent performance. Thats all some people care about. People don't buy BMW's for their notable interiors granted BMWs are a bit more sexy than Imprezas but to each his own...

And about the second post with leather, nav, etc...
the STi and the EVO were both made basically to come as close to "ready to race" cars and they were with intent that people were going to mod the hell out of them... the STi just started coming with stock stereo. So Sub and Mitsu arent going to offer those- leather and nav b/c thats not what they are going for with that car......

againstallodds1

Once I put my supercharger in my 3rd gen TL ill own any wrz sti out there. The 3rd gen TL supercharger test car with after tranny cooler (blow off valve ect) runs 12.3 in the quarter. That is over 1 sec faster than the STI and EVO. And I have Navi leather heated seats. Install some headers when they come out and I should walk into the high 11's. Yes stoked

MarbleGT

front grill and spoiler kill me

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

As a former RX8 owner I can tell you that I agree with pretty much everything that was typed on this post. I bought a 2004 in May with 5150 miles... sold it in September with about 5800 miles. It was a third car which is why it wasn't driven much... just on nice days and such. That and I work from home, so I really don't go anywhere anyway.

Anyway, the main reason I sold it was gas mileage. I got about 17 on my first tank... and that was about 95% highway. The next tank I completely babied it... and got 19.2 with about 75% highway. But that was no fun babying it since all the power is up high... but driving it like normal only yielded about 15-17 mpg... and that was mostly highway. If I did city driving, I'd probably be at or under 13mpg. Rotory engines also burn oil by nature... and this car was no different, although it was better then I thought it would be. Mazda recommended checking the oil every fill up, which I did... but I only need to add oil about every 3 tanks on average... which wasn't so bad. Since the car was eventually going to be my primary car down the road... I sold it.

Power was OK. Wasn't really that fast. My TL-S is faster. Handles like a dream though. I found that the 350z had kind of a rough ride.... this was smooth as butter and handled like it was on rails. I loved the way it looked too... but those reasons were not enough to keep it.... so I sold it and got basically what I paid for it... so it was a free rental for 5 months

Here's a pic I took when listing it for sale:

NBP_TSXY

junior that car is sooo sexy! I really wanted an RX-8 too but couldnt do it with the gas and oil.. just too much money and maintenance. But they really are so hot IMO but I also was disappointed with power...