I love my RX8. I have a sportbike (Daytona 675), so not having the sportiest car doesnt bother me one bit. I love the 3rd door and makes it convenient for any passengers. Lacks a little power on the low-end, but once it gets going, it can be fun. Overall a great car.
looking forward to get a manual one. any guide to what to get and what model year? btw i don’t really care about tech and display and stuff. would appreciate an answer tho!
its such a shame the solstice came with such terrible tires. this just killed its performance and killed in in reviews like this. its like Pontiac wanted this car to fail. ive never seen a sports car come with such awful tires in my life. you swap out the stock tires and its like a completely different car. with mine i just put in ssr wheels and falken 615 tires. just transformed the car. later i did a solo cat and exhaust and trifecta tune. that just turned it into a beast. all together spent maybe $3500 and had the car they should have sold in the show room. anyone who ive let drive it now is just blown away.
Renaldo Nelson I don't remember. Goodyear of some sort. They looked fine but they didn't work at all. OH and they were expensive. Soon as I got my car I shredded a tire and it was $300 to replace. But it wasn't the same with any other car. This was by far the worst I have ever experienced. The 2006 model didn't have traction control. Didn't have much power either but the 2006 guys were putting these things into gaurd rails like nothing and swear they were just driving normal. Just to put the final nail in the coffin... I had mine in cruise control on a drizzly day. Not raining but the roads were wet. Doing about 60 and the car was spinning the tires. And in contrast to that when I first put on falkens and did a tune and exhaust I was tearing down the highway at 140mph in the same sort of condition with no problem.
Yeah GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA were the OEM tires on most Pontiac G8's so i wouldnt be surprised if that is the same tire for the solstice. Everyone i've ever read a review from HATES to goodyear eagle RSA's
I own the BMW 135i and I'm in love with it, but I just test drove the the Nissan 370Z and I can see why it rated first place; you get more options for the price, and it performs extremely well. What I favor about the 135i, though, is the more responsive feel. When you step on the gas, the Bimmer reacts immediately, whereas the 370z demonstrated more latency in accelerating. Also, the 370z's interior is less sophisticated looking than the BMW's, but still a great car overall.
If I had the money I'd get the 8 hands down - for me it's a spaceship in terms of power - way more than I need. I'm used to driving an AE86, and I can get that little thing through traffic great even with 70HP Yes, 70HP. :)
Mazda is in the works on addressing this issue with their next generation Renesis engine. It's called the 16x and it has a higher displacement and somehow this equates to more mpg in addition to more power and torque. They're also changing the fuel injection to direct rather than port injection. I have an '06 in red and I'd love to put the new engine in mine.
I like the way you just pick bits and pieces of what I write and respond to them and disregard lots of other points. Anyways, the reason they regard it as 2.6 is that it's twin rotary, so they're considering one sweep 1.3x2. I was using the Veyron and GTR as crude examples because you made an equally crude and very sweeping statement about the Nurburgring, which is one of the most prestigous tracks in the world.
The solstice and the Saturn sky redline is the same car....same everything besides body style. Lol both are made by Gm , same chase , same motor, same parts!!!! Why would they do both???
Having test driven all but the Solstice recently (I did drive the roadster), I think Car & Driver did a great job. I had to go with the BMW. The Z is a great car. Power & handling..great! Cons: Road Noise, Visibility. The BMW is a sleeper. The 135i is stupid quick, but can work as a daily driver. I still keep finding little things it can do that surprise me. I was able to get a great deal on the BMW that put the price below what the dealer would do for the 370Z. I got more car for the money.
I have a 2019 370Z sport coupe and yes the visibility is restricted. However, the road noise is actually tire noise to a great extent. The OEM Bridgestone Potenza tires were pretty quiet and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that I put on later are even quieter.
CJSchecter96 No, neither the Mazda nor the BMW are in production either. The Solstice is the only one whose parent company no longer exists, the other two are out of production for various other reasons.
I completely agree. The only thing that has me rooting for the 135 is how short it is. I have 14 feet of garage room and want to get a sports car. Pacing off cars from bumper to bumper plus 1 foot, the 135 is the only thing I found that fits.
I actually went to a dealership to get a part for my BMW and asked about the 135i. They told me it was detuned to be slower than the E92 M3 since when it was built it ended up being faster at half the price. A simple chip to the 135i costing about 200 bucks can get you about 50bhp and 80lbs of torque easily.
Best cost to own is the RX-8, dirt cheap insurance and low cost to actually buy at 12-15 grand. Gas is pricy, but if you were also looking at V6s, it is just slightly lower fuel economy. And the Re-builds... it's once every 100k miles if you treat the car right. Rotory's require more love and attention than piston engines so any complaints people have about it are simply them not doing their research. So yeah, Mazda FTW!
A Solstice (ragtop) starts at about $7k, and 2 years ago when I wrote that I had no idea how expensive RX-8s were, after owning one, I can attest to their thriftiness, You can get a working RX-8 for $5000 or one with a million misfires and low compression for $3000, a rebuild on the broken one will get you back up to $5500. Now, you might be right about the Solstice being cheaper longterm, but you probably wont see the RX-8 catch up for about 2 years.
Not so sure about insurance, but for consumables like gas and oil, yes the RX-8 consumes more, remember though that with the car being much cheaper than the solstice, the total buy-in can be cheaper depending on how long you keep the car.
In some markets, maybe. The average price where I live for the Kappa cars is about double that of the Rexys. I'm just saying if given the option in my market, it would make more sense to go with the Mazda. That's all I'm saying.
When I test drove the 370Z the first thing I noticed was how much the interior had been upgraded from the 350Z. The hard plastic look has been muted. I think they took notes from the Infinity division. I thought the fit & finish was nice. Not hip on the GPS though. I would save the money.
I had a 135i I regret selling. FBO and stage 2 tune was pushing about 370whp. A custom tune and e30 mix would have put it in the 450-500 whp. The 370Z is good looking but the one thing that puts me off is if you want more power out of it you really need to go force inductions. I don't know why but turbo kits for the Z's are stupid expensive compared to other cars. You would think with as many Z's that are on the road they be a little cheaper.
I read something that said the Nissan's Engine doesn't works as well in hot conditions and in a 90 degree test it got 5.5 secs to 60 when the same testers got low 5 in cooler temps earlier.
Honestly my GF's 2006 V6 handles pretty good, since it has the Pony Package, which includes a couple of suspension tweaks from the GT. There is hardly any body roll, and the car has good grip with the GT wheels. BUT, the limitations of the solid axle are apparent over bumps, especially in the corners. The suspension tends to clunk and crash over potholes, and the rear like to step out at the wrong times.
Actually, you're wrong on that front. The RX-8 averages 17-23 MPG. The older RX-7s, both the FC and FD, both had similar MPG figures, and they both had turbo chargers. With the next generation rotary, Direct-Port injection is being used, which will bump the engine into the low to mid 20s. If anything, adding a turbocharger would be counter-productive, since the Renesis motor is already high-compression and would require lower compression rotors from its older bothers to run effectively.
@OrangePHX Its not about horsepower. Its same as 1 turbo, the two smaller ones completely eliminate lag, and create a huge torque curve of 300ft/lb at just 1,500rpm all the way up. This engine tuned can make 400hp.
I love the RX8, I've got one myself, but I cant help but think It'd be better served by the drive train from the Caterham CSR260, or even Mazda's very own, very excellent V6 engine. And now I'm reading that unless profits turn around for them that they may be going out the door soon. Sad times for a proud company which has achieved so much in the world of motorsport.
I'm about to get rid of my RX-8. Even though it's not as fast as these cars, it's still faster than most cars on the highway. The handling is so good and has saved me from plenty of accidents from Florida drivers. If anyone knows what I mean, I'm talking about people who keep running red lights, who go without the right of way, and who cut you off so closely without knowing where the turn signal switch is. I'm glad to have had my Mazda, but it's time to move on to something different now.
The only model that still exist in current production out of the 4 cars is the Nissan 370Z. BMW and Mazda stop making the 1 series and RX8 and Pontiac as a whole doesn't exist anymore. So the champ is the Nissan 370Z in more ways than one!
So crazy. I just got a 2023 Grand Touring Mx-5 for $32,800 OTD, which is what the unreliable, soon to be defunct GXP cost 14 years ago. The other 3 cars low mileage and good condition can push $30k in 2023.
I own an RX8. All I could say is, the rotary is meant to be paired with a turbo or a supercharger. With the excellent handling, give it a boost and it will own!
While the RX8 is lighter on its feet, and more agile, that will not make up for having less grip and significantly less power. It might have a slight advantage when flicking it into the beginning of a turn, but once both cars settle in and start to generate G's, the 370Z's grip will make up for it. You will be able to push it harder through the turn and carry more speed out of it. I do see the RX8 being close on a track with lots of short and very sudden left to right turns, though.
Haha thanks man. Sorry for sounding so snarky, it's just... I want to love the 8, but I have such a hard time considering it when even the Mazdaspeed 3 is faster in a straight line. I'd also have a hard time on the track every time a 370Z ($3k cheaper on my area) beat the RX-8. =/
The 135 is for adults that like an excellent drivers car that is confident in most any situation. Yes it is pricey, but there is still nothing out there that is better (IMO) for the money. I drive mine in WI winters and with winter tires its amazing - and fast bum warmers! Good car and surprisingly practical.
They ranked these cars terribly. 1. 370Z - Most technology and bang for the buck. 2. Solstice GXP - Limited production. Future classic. GMPP Tune takes HP from 260 to 300 for < $300. ZOK susp. adds race handling. 3. RX-8 - Slowest to 60, But great handling. Smooth engine. Rough ride on road. Pain in the butt to maintain. (I own one). 4. BMW 135i - Most expensive by a longshot. Add $5,000 to any of the other cars and the BMW will get it's German britches embarrassed. Looks dorky and cramped.
Get a 370 Z, you will not regret, it is not a car it is a classic piece of art, a real head turner. I purchased mine online from Arizona (I live in ME), it was delivered at my doorstep in a closed container. Before purchasing it I thought about Viper, Alpha Romeo, Miata, and even Hellcat Red eye; I am glad I settled for this beauty. I only wish when I leave this world (being 73 you have less in-front of you than behind) the other lucky person loves HER like I do, and that person better know how to shift gears.
My post was referring to what ambientflier wrote, not you. Secondly, don't bother with the argument that the RX8 has narrower tires, less hp etc because we're not talking about what-if's here. We're talking about the 2 cars as they stand. Thirdly, the RX8 and Z's are coupes, the STI and Evo arent, so that's another moot point. Fourthly, just because the 8 has 4 seats doesnt make it practical (oil/fuel consumption). Fifthly, the Z is by no means a drag car. "You must not know much about racing".
mmm nissan 370z is expensier than that. besides, 350z should be in here, cause that was made to compete with these others. if it would be a 350z instead of a 370z, RX8 would be first or second.
1: The 350Z never disappointed; it won many awards. 2: You need to look up the 370Z specifications. The only leftover item from the 350 is its name. The frame, body, motor, transmission, interior, suspension, etc etc are completely different.
I have only seen two of these cars at actual road course tracks. The Solstice, which dominates its SSB class, and the RX8 which is a monster in Le Mans.
how come the rx-8's paint in this video is different from the blue paint for R3? the blue paint offered for R3 is much lighter and brighter than the one in this video, i really like the dark blue paint job in this video
Yeah I know the difference between a tourer and a sports car. So what do you make of the RX8 Touring package and the 350Z Grand Touring package? Do you think they're both designed for touring possibly?
I have a 135i, and its a blast, although i must say i havnt driven these other cars, but i have always liked the build quality of the euro's. The 6 speed manual is great, but i did find the footwell was small for me as im 6 foot with big feet, and i found when i first got it, i was hitting the brake as well as the clutch by accident, but i got used to it after a while and it is all good now. Seats force u to sit upwright unlike most bmws which u basically drive lying down, great car overall
Yes, exactly. It's got to seperate the 4 specs somehow. The Grand Touring spec has everything the Track spec has, and more. For example, if you're to get the M Sport package on your BMW, it'll upgrade your brakes/suspension... that doesn't mean the BMW was designed for a track. So, in you saying all that, you are actually of the belief that the 350z is a track car... Btw, I really think you should take these TV shows reviews with a pinch of salt.
@AndroidJdm the only problem the RX8 has is its lack of power; they should of added a turbo-charged version like the efini's. The Rx7's problem is that it was too expensive and competed with Porsche boxsters rather than being an entry-level sports car
I was looking at the RX-8 last year and I was turned off by the interior; seemed to be tailored to an audience I wasn't a member of. Mazda seems to have some wild ideas for instrumentation sometimes, like the weird backlighting on the dials of their new crossover. When I got the 135 last year, the 350z was Nissan's only offering, and I didn't like it. I think I might have opted for the 370 if it were out there; it would have been close either way.
Everyone under estimates Pontiac. I have an 03 Bonneville and it's gorgeous. Park it next to an 03 Impala or Taurus and it makes them look like absolute shit.
***** Ya that's a nice car. I love that thing. You're kind of cheating though if I'm honest. You're taking one of the nicest looking pontiacs and comparing it to some of the more "eh" cars in the segment. lol. An equal year lincoln continental and cadillac cts/eldorado are quite a bit better looking from a design standpoint. I still think the Bonneville is a nicer looking car than both but there is competition.
@John27346 Yes the ZR1 sure is a "shopping trolley". We have more roads in Texas than you have in your entire country. So what kind of cars does the Emerald Isle make? Do you want to take credit for the DeLorean?
Because I don't think that the motor can be tuned for more power without sacrificing the fuel economy even more. That's just the limit of that 2-rotor engine. I hear that Mazda IS working on a new 3-rotor design for the next RX. Think of it as the Honda S2000. Good numbers stock, but pretty much maxed from the factory unless you run f/i.
Depends where they are built,.. A lot of Euro cars are being built in South and or North America, and that build quality is a lot les. I own a 2006 VW Golf 2.0 tdi and a 1995 BMW m3 conv. and they are both in excellent condition,but both come from the Euro plants. And I've seen a lot of South Am. ones fall appart in the first years of driving
@cliffkemp i got the 135i and the numbers are amazingly alike to the M3. so, if you mean the 135i its not worthy of being called "fun to drive" its just because its a serious thing to drive bro cheers and greets from Mexico
@Ensilvanation car and driver has a certain amount of feet before they start the time for all cars on the launch so times are a little faster than from a stand still
TT is a great gimic, and imo USED to be the best compromise for what they gave. But variable geomtry turbos, ball bearings, theyre being phased out. For the price, theyre great- and hard to beat. But they can be, and are. To many, its just not worth the cost to do so considering how much it takes to try and edge them out. Nothing more Nothing less. Hi my names matt, Im a technician with DCP. We maintain and modify 1-4th gen vipers. I do Suspension, Brakes, engine, boosting etc. Look us up
It lost because it's not a track machine, they remarked (3:30) that the suspension is meant for the daily driver and they complained about the lack of driver space. It's as ugly as hell too. New sheet-metal+2-seater=serious contender.
The RX8 has been proven time and time again that it's slower on a track than a 350z, so to say it could beat a 370z is just ridiculous. As the previous poster hinted on, the RX8 is lighter and nimbler, so can carry more speed going into a corner. However, it's inferior torque means that the 350z and 370z both power out of the corner faster. So being able to corner faster are a moot point considering the Z cancels that out when leaving the corner... not to mention on the straight.
The motor itself might be putting out good power for its size, however it's far outclassed in this group. Kinda like a civic si 1.6 puts out a great amount of power for its size (160hp), but would barely move the RX8.
I know what you mean. To be honest, the 2010 Mustang is just a stopgap... a sort of "placeholder" until the 2011 GT is released. For now, I'll admit the 370Z is the superior car... but Ford has a few tricks up it's sleeve. You'll see.
I looked for that clip just so people would know what had been done to that Mustang, there were other clips that did not cover the mods. Still all those parts can be ordered from Ford, which shows some of the flexibility of the design. To be frank I am pissed with Ford for holding to the solid axle. The heavier Camaro with a multi-link rear is faster in the slalom. Still there are less parts to break in such a set up so I am confused as to where you got your "break every 20-25K mile" figure.
Oh yeah, I know that.. I was just saying that when you upgrade a car, and tune it.. then you're a tuner.. but that doesn't mean you're a ricer. ;) Both are totally different than each other.
Really don't understand how anyone would even consider the Mazda. If u want Mazda handling, the mx-5 is so much of a better choice, IMO. Better gas mileage, styling, and braking as well. BMW is the best of the lot. 4 seats, 300bhp, 300lb/ft.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I like how the noise of the cars drowns out the narration.
Yeah, you'd expect better sound editing from C&D.
😂😂😂😂😂I agree
All my Friends are dead: The History of Nissan 370Z
228i, and that’s really all lol
BMW M2 still exists fortunatly
@@gilbertosantos2806 And we are blessed to have it
The Rx8 is still around
I love my RX8. I have a sportbike (Daytona 675), so not having the sportiest car doesnt bother me one bit. I love the 3rd door and makes it convenient for any passengers. Lacks a little power on the low-end, but once it gets going, it can be fun. Overall a great car.
1. solstice
2. 370z
3. 135i
4. rx8
I work as a mechanic and i have drove all of these cars and the solstice is by far the best to drive.
Me when I lie:
Have a 2018 370z love the car it’s fast handles like a champ and turns heads everywhere I go❤️
looking forward to get a manual one. any guide to what to get and what model year? btw i don’t really care about tech and display and stuff. would appreciate an answer tho!
Nissan 370Z and BMW Z4 are like best friends. Just like 350Z and Z3. Hyundai Genesis Coupè and BMW 335i Coupè is cool too
I originally wanted to get a Z4 but wound up getting a 370Z sport coupe 6M, a great car.
its such a shame the solstice came with such terrible tires. this just killed its performance and killed in in reviews like this. its like Pontiac wanted this car to fail. ive never seen a sports car come with such awful tires in my life. you swap out the stock tires and its like a completely different car.
with mine i just put in ssr wheels and falken 615 tires. just transformed the car.
later i did a solo cat and exhaust and trifecta tune. that just turned it into a beast. all together spent maybe $3500 and had the car they should have sold in the show room.
anyone who ive let drive it now is just blown away.
+OutlawUniverse Same thing with any car, went from non competitive in local scca events to top 3 after switching to 615k's.
what were the original tire make and model and sizes that came on it...i am curious.
Renaldo Nelson I don't remember. Goodyear of some sort. They looked fine but they didn't work at all. OH and they were expensive. Soon as I got my car I shredded a tire and it was $300 to replace.
But it wasn't the same with any other car. This was by far the worst I have ever experienced. The 2006 model didn't have traction control. Didn't have much power either but the 2006 guys were putting these things into gaurd rails like nothing and swear they were just driving normal.
Just to put the final nail in the coffin... I had mine in cruise control on a drizzly day. Not raining but the roads were wet. Doing about 60 and the car was spinning the tires.
And in contrast to that when I first put on falkens and did a tune and exhaust I was tearing down the highway at 140mph in the same sort of condition with no problem.
pretty sure they were good year rs-a
Yeah GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA were the OEM tires on most Pontiac G8's so i wouldnt be surprised if that is the same tire for the solstice. Everyone i've ever read a review from HATES to goodyear eagle RSA's
I own the BMW 135i and I'm in love with it, but I just test drove the the Nissan 370Z and I can see why it rated first place; you get more options for the price, and it performs extremely well. What I favor about the 135i, though, is the more responsive feel. When you step on the gas, the Bimmer reacts immediately, whereas the 370z demonstrated more latency in accelerating. Also, the 370z's interior is less sophisticated looking than the BMW's, but still a great car overall.
i once drove the pontiac and my god it was fast got from 40 km/h to 140km/h in no time!!
If I had the money I'd get the 8 hands down - for me it's a spaceship in terms of power - way more than I need. I'm used to driving an AE86, and I can get that little thing through traffic great even with 70HP Yes, 70HP. :)
The 2019 370Z still looks line that
Mazda is in the works on addressing this issue with their next generation Renesis engine. It's called the 16x and it has a higher displacement and somehow this equates to more mpg in addition to more power and torque. They're also changing the fuel injection to direct rather than port injection. I have an '06 in red and I'd love to put the new engine in mine.
I like the way you just pick bits and pieces of what I write and respond to them and disregard lots of other points.
Anyways, the reason they regard it as 2.6 is that it's twin rotary, so they're considering one sweep 1.3x2.
I was using the Veyron and GTR as crude examples because you made an equally crude and very sweeping statement about the Nurburgring, which is one of the most prestigous tracks in the world.
Wish all these cars were still available
Z IS STILL sold
The Saturn Sky Redline never gets credit
The solstice and the Saturn sky redline is the same car....same everything besides body style. Lol both are made by Gm , same chase , same motor, same parts!!!! Why would they do both???
Because it's related to the Solstice and both of those cars are driven by hairdressers and cougars
@@pontiacGXPfan I put 40 feet of rubber down with my Sol GXP last week. in 1st. Only 5 in second.
@@bbb462cid exceptions to the rule
@@pontiacGXPfan My first Sol GXP was faster, lol
Having test driven all but the Solstice recently (I did drive the roadster), I think Car & Driver did a great job. I had to go with the BMW. The Z is a great car. Power & handling..great! Cons: Road Noise, Visibility.
The BMW is a sleeper. The 135i is stupid quick, but can work as a daily driver. I still keep finding little things it can do that surprise me. I was able to get a great deal on the BMW that put the price below what the dealer would do for the 370Z. I got more car for the money.
I have a 2019 370Z sport coupe and yes the visibility is restricted. However, the road noise is actually tire noise to a great extent. The OEM Bridgestone Potenza tires were pretty quiet and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that I put on later are even quieter.
The RX8 is the best handling car out there.
Not a good sign when only 25% of the cars in this video are still in production =P
the solstice is the only one out of production.
CJSchecter96 No, neither the Mazda nor the BMW are in production either. The Solstice is the only one whose parent company no longer exists, the other two are out of production for various other reasons.
you are so wrong man. theres still a 3 series and 5 series not just even numbers. the price gap from a 3 series to 6 would be insane.
Michael Sclafani No you daft idiot 2 and 4 series are brand new cars.
I have to agree. Dynos have proven that BMW underrated their 3.0 liter twin turbo (N54) engine.
I completely agree. The only thing that has me rooting for the 135 is how short it is. I have 14 feet of garage room and want to get a sports car. Pacing off cars from bumper to bumper plus 1 foot, the 135 is the only thing I found that fits.
I actually went to a dealership to get a part for my BMW and asked about the 135i. They told me it was detuned to be slower than the E92 M3 since when it was built it ended up being faster at half the price. A simple chip to the 135i costing about 200 bucks can get you about 50bhp and 80lbs of torque easily.
still remember the time when I watched this video for the first time when it came out... now I feel old.
and out of these 4 cars - one's engine no longer exists, one's brand no longer exists, one got a new name, and yet one is still for sale.
Best cost to own is the RX-8, dirt cheap insurance and low cost to actually buy at 12-15 grand.
Gas is pricy, but if you were also looking at V6s, it is just slightly lower fuel economy.
And the Re-builds... it's once every 100k miles if you treat the car right. Rotory's require more love and attention than piston engines so any complaints people have about it are simply them not doing their research.
So yeah, Mazda FTW!
A Solstice (ragtop) starts at about $7k, and 2 years ago when I wrote that I had no idea how expensive RX-8s were, after owning one, I can attest to their thriftiness, You can get a working RX-8 for $5000 or one with a million misfires and low compression for $3000, a rebuild on the broken one will get you back up to $5500. Now, you might be right about the Solstice being cheaper longterm, but you probably wont see the RX-8 catch up for about 2 years.
Not so sure about insurance, but for consumables like gas and oil, yes the RX-8 consumes more, remember though that with the car being much cheaper than the solstice, the total buy-in can be cheaper depending on how long you keep the car.
In some markets, maybe. The average price where I live for the Kappa cars is about double that of the Rexys. I'm just saying if given the option in my market, it would make more sense to go with the Mazda. That's all I'm saying.
remember reading this issue back in march 09, still want the rx8
When I test drove the 370Z the first thing I noticed was how much the interior had been upgraded from the 350Z. The hard plastic look has been muted. I think they took notes from the Infinity division. I thought the fit & finish was nice. Not hip on the GPS though. I would save the money.
I had a 135i I regret selling. FBO and stage 2 tune was pushing about 370whp. A custom tune and e30 mix would have put it in the 450-500 whp. The 370Z is good looking but the one thing that puts me off is if you want more power out of it you really need to go force inductions. I don't know why but turbo kits for the Z's are stupid expensive compared to other cars. You would think with as many Z's that are on the road they be a little cheaper.
I read something that said the Nissan's Engine doesn't works as well in hot conditions and in a 90 degree test it got 5.5 secs to 60 when the same testers got low 5 in cooler temps earlier.
Honestly my GF's 2006 V6 handles pretty good, since it has the Pony Package, which includes a couple of suspension tweaks from the GT. There is hardly any body roll, and the car has good grip with the GT wheels. BUT, the limitations of the solid axle are apparent over bumps, especially in the corners. The suspension tends to clunk and crash over potholes, and the rear like to step out at the wrong times.
the auto-rev matching feature on the 370z sounds cool.
Actually, you're wrong on that front. The RX-8 averages 17-23 MPG. The older RX-7s, both the FC and FD, both had similar MPG figures, and they both had turbo chargers. With the next generation rotary, Direct-Port injection is being used, which will bump the engine into the low to mid 20s. If anything, adding a turbocharger would be counter-productive, since the Renesis motor is already high-compression and would require lower compression rotors from its older bothers to run effectively.
Great video I'd take the solstice, BMW, the 370z than finally the rx8.. Think I missed one lol
@OrangePHX
Its not about horsepower. Its same as 1 turbo, the two smaller ones completely eliminate lag, and create a huge torque curve of 300ft/lb at just 1,500rpm all the way up. This engine tuned can make 400hp.
I love the RX8, I've got one myself, but I cant help but think It'd be better served by the drive train from the Caterham CSR260, or even Mazda's very own, very excellent V6 engine. And now I'm reading that unless profits turn around for them that they may be going out the door soon. Sad times for a proud company which has achieved so much in the world of motorsport.
thanks i have a 370z. it did have the best all around package for a small sports car.
I'm about to get rid of my RX-8. Even though it's not as fast as these cars, it's still faster than most cars on the highway. The handling is so good and has saved me from plenty of accidents from Florida drivers. If anyone knows what I mean, I'm talking about people who keep running red lights, who go without the right of way, and who cut you off so closely without knowing where the turn signal switch is. I'm glad to have had my Mazda, but it's time to move on to something different now.
The only model that still exist in current production out of the 4 cars is the Nissan 370Z. BMW and Mazda stop making the 1 series and RX8 and Pontiac as a whole doesn't exist anymore. So the champ is the Nissan 370Z in more ways than one!
So crazy. I just got a 2023 Grand Touring Mx-5 for $32,800 OTD, which is what the unreliable, soon to be defunct GXP cost 14 years ago.
The other 3 cars low mileage and good condition can push $30k in 2023.
I own an RX8. All I could say is, the rotary is meant to be paired with a turbo or a supercharger. With the excellent handling, give it a boost and it will own!
While the RX8 is lighter on its feet, and more agile, that will not make up for having less grip and significantly less power.
It might have a slight advantage when flicking it into the beginning of a turn, but once both cars settle in and start to generate G's, the 370Z's grip will make up for it. You will be able to push it harder through the turn and carry more speed out of it.
I do see the RX8 being close on a track with lots of short and very sudden left to right turns, though.
Haha thanks man. Sorry for sounding so snarky, it's just... I want to love the 8, but I have such a hard time considering it when even the Mazdaspeed 3 is faster in a straight line. I'd also have a hard time on the track every time a 370Z ($3k cheaper on my area) beat the RX-8. =/
Gotta love it that the rx8 is with cars with 100 more hp
my 87 325is begs to differ, still going strong with nothing more that minor maintenance.
Good point - I have the 40th aniv edition, and while i love it, i needs another 50 hp or so.
The 135 is for adults that like an excellent drivers car that is confident in most any situation. Yes it is pricey, but there is still nothing out there that is better (IMO) for the money. I drive mine in WI winters and with winter tires its amazing - and fast bum warmers! Good car and surprisingly practical.
You can get a 20-30k miles c6(2005, 2006) for less than 30grand, and 06 z06's are dinging in 35-40 now.
They ranked these cars terribly.
1. 370Z - Most technology and bang for the buck.
2. Solstice GXP - Limited production. Future classic. GMPP Tune takes HP from 260 to 300 for < $300. ZOK susp. adds race handling.
3. RX-8 - Slowest to 60, But great handling. Smooth engine. Rough ride on road. Pain in the butt to maintain. (I own one).
4. BMW 135i - Most expensive by a longshot. Add $5,000 to any of the other cars and the BMW will get it's German britches embarrassed. Looks dorky and cramped.
Get a 370 Z, you will not regret, it is not a car it is a classic piece of art, a real head turner. I purchased mine online from Arizona (I live in ME), it was delivered at my doorstep in a closed container. Before purchasing it I thought about Viper, Alpha Romeo, Miata, and even Hellcat Red eye; I am glad I settled for this beauty. I only wish when I leave this world (being 73 you have less in-front of you than behind) the other lucky person loves HER like I do, and that person better know how to shift gears.
Better and more classic is the 300zx twin turbo.
Agreed. As tupac said live and die in LA its the place to be. you gotta be there to know it. Just like owning an RX-8 R3. gotta own one
I have a solstice gxp and it’s a really fun car because it’s fast and cool design
My post was referring to what ambientflier wrote, not you.
Secondly, don't bother with the argument that the RX8 has narrower tires, less hp etc because we're not talking about what-if's here.
We're talking about the 2 cars as they stand.
Thirdly, the RX8 and Z's are coupes, the STI and Evo arent, so that's another moot point.
Fourthly, just because the 8 has 4 seats doesnt make it practical (oil/fuel consumption).
Fifthly, the Z is by no means a drag car.
"You must not know much about racing".
i am proud of car and driver they've always been so bmw biased but they finally broke the mold.
mmm nissan 370z is expensier than that.
besides, 350z should be in here, cause that was made to compete with these others.
if it would be a 350z instead of a 370z, RX8 would be first or second.
Love the solstice it's jazz from transformers
Just got an RX8
In acceleration the Z is slower than a base C6 vette, BUT it has more grip on the skidpad, so on a track it might be even.
1: The 350Z never disappointed; it won many awards.
2: You need to look up the 370Z specifications. The only leftover item from the 350 is its name. The frame, body, motor, transmission, interior, suspension, etc etc are completely different.
Damn, an 11 year-old video on YT.
Man I feel old.
I still have this magazine article same lol
that REALLY depends a LOT on what youre doing and what kind of turbo youre using.
I have only seen two of these cars at actual road course tracks. The Solstice, which dominates its SSB class, and the RX8 which is a monster in Le Mans.
OSUCherokee1 The RX8 a monster at Le Mans? The fuck? You mean the 787B that ran in prototype...... not a garbage Renesis RX8.
how come the rx-8's paint in this video is different from the blue paint for R3? the blue paint offered for R3 is much lighter and brighter than the one in this video, i really like the dark blue paint job in this video
Yeah I know the difference between a tourer and a sports car.
So what do you make of the RX8 Touring package and the 350Z Grand Touring package?
Do you think they're both designed for touring possibly?
I have a 135i, and its a blast, although i must say i havnt driven these other cars, but i have always liked the build quality of the euro's. The 6 speed manual is great, but i did find the footwell was small for me as im 6 foot with big feet, and i found when i first got it, i was hitting the brake as well as the clutch by accident, but i got used to it after a while and it is all good now. Seats force u to sit upwright unlike most bmws which u basically drive lying down, great car overall
Yes, exactly. It's got to seperate the 4 specs somehow. The Grand Touring spec has everything the Track spec has, and more.
For example, if you're to get the M Sport package on your BMW, it'll upgrade your brakes/suspension... that doesn't mean the BMW was designed for a track.
So, in you saying all that, you are actually of the belief that the 350z is a track car...
Btw, I really think you should take these TV shows reviews with a pinch of salt.
135i is very fast so from thats one car that smoked my evo x my car was stock when raced twin turbo in that little car nice
@AndroidJdm the only problem the RX8 has is its lack of power; they should of added a turbo-charged version like the efini's. The Rx7's problem is that it was too expensive and competed with Porsche boxsters rather than being an entry-level sports car
I was looking at the RX-8 last year and I was turned off by the interior; seemed to be tailored to an audience I wasn't a member of. Mazda seems to have some wild ideas for instrumentation sometimes, like the weird backlighting on the dials of their new crossover.
When I got the 135 last year, the 350z was Nissan's only offering, and I didn't like it. I think I might have opted for the 370 if it were out there; it would have been close either way.
The solstice is the only one still worth it's sticker price in the used market....really wish these pros knew their stuff.
Everyone under estimates Pontiac. I have an 03 Bonneville and it's gorgeous. Park it next to an 03 Impala or Taurus and it makes them look like absolute shit.
*****
Ya that's a nice car. I love that thing. You're kind of cheating though if I'm honest. You're taking one of the nicest looking pontiacs and comparing it to some of the more "eh" cars in the segment. lol. An equal year lincoln continental and cadillac cts/eldorado are quite a bit better looking from a design standpoint. I still think the Bonneville is a nicer looking car than both but there is competition.
yuk lol they all look like grandma cars imo
Solstice GXP, who out there remembers the triumph GT6?
We had a 1972 GT6… fun little car! Very good handling for its time too
Well, the Z has a 3.7 that revs like crazy and puts out 332hp, while the bmw makes 300 from a smaller 3.0 liter on low boost.
@John27346 Yes the ZR1 sure is a "shopping trolley". We have more roads in Texas than you have in your entire country. So what kind of cars does the Emerald Isle make? Do you want to take credit for the DeLorean?
Because I don't think that the motor can be tuned for more power without sacrificing the fuel economy even more. That's just the limit of that 2-rotor engine. I hear that Mazda IS working on a new 3-rotor design for the next RX. Think of it as the Honda S2000. Good numbers stock, but pretty much maxed from the factory unless you run f/i.
Engines that have to spin above 5k to generate power are weird lol
Depends where they are built,.. A lot of Euro cars are being built in South and or North America, and that build quality is a lot les. I own a 2006 VW Golf 2.0 tdi and a 1995 BMW m3 conv. and they are both in excellent condition,but both come from the Euro plants. And I've seen a lot of South Am. ones fall appart in the first years of driving
Man, bmw's engine cover is made out of better plastics than that pontiac interiors.
@cliffkemp i got the 135i and the numbers are amazingly alike to the M3. so, if you mean the 135i its not worthy of being called "fun to drive" its just because its a serious thing to drive bro
cheers and greets from Mexico
good choice. i plan to get one next year, but the 2.0T track. i can easily make it faster than the v6 and well i just love turbos. lol.
wow the new Z is been in top of all the Tests, wish i could afford one of those!!!
You can find it on the Solstice Forum by searching GMPP Solstice Tune
@Ensilvanation car and driver has a certain amount of feet before they start the time for all cars on the launch so times are a little faster than from a stand still
TT is a great gimic, and imo USED to be the best compromise for what they gave. But variable geomtry turbos, ball bearings, theyre being phased out. For the price, theyre great- and hard to beat. But they can be, and are. To many, its just not worth the cost to do so considering how much it takes to try and edge them out. Nothing more Nothing less.
Hi my names matt, Im a technician with DCP. We maintain and modify 1-4th gen vipers. I do Suspension, Brakes, engine, boosting etc. Look us up
Gootd footage and information, but someone's gotta work on the audio mix and deinterlace the video before it's uploaded.
i agree yet at the same time its not a bad looking car... i dig it most days but i think it could use a lil something extra
it's power/weight numbers are similar to the c5 corvette so I would believe it's true in 0-60 even with 15 less horses than the old vette.
his point was to make up for the 5k difference in price. 5k more in the beamer makes it 10k more than the competition..
It lost because it's not a track machine, they remarked (3:30) that the suspension is meant for the daily driver and they complained about the lack of driver space. It's as ugly as hell too.
New sheet-metal+2-seater=serious contender.
The RX8 has been proven time and time again that it's slower on a track than a 350z, so to say it could beat a 370z is just ridiculous.
As the previous poster hinted on, the RX8 is lighter and nimbler, so can carry more speed going into a corner.
However, it's inferior torque means that the 350z and 370z both power out of the corner faster.
So being able to corner faster are a moot point considering the Z cancels that out when leaving the corner... not to mention on the straight.
The motor itself might be putting out good power for its size, however it's far outclassed in this group. Kinda like a civic si 1.6 puts out a great amount of power for its size (160hp), but would barely move the RX8.
I know what you mean. To be honest, the 2010 Mustang is just a stopgap... a sort of "placeholder" until the 2011 GT is released. For now, I'll admit the 370Z is the superior car... but Ford has a few tricks up it's sleeve. You'll see.
Is it a stock GTI? Cause my S2K can out run a GTI on the track but, I can't seem to lose a new mustang 5.0.
I looked for that clip just so people would know what had been done to that Mustang, there were other clips that did not cover the mods. Still all those parts can be ordered from Ford, which shows some of the flexibility of the design. To be frank I am pissed with Ford for holding to the solid axle. The heavier Camaro with a multi-link rear is faster in the slalom. Still there are less parts to break in such a set up so I am confused as to where you got your "break every 20-25K mile" figure.
Oh yeah, I know that.. I was just saying that when you upgrade a car, and tune it.. then you're a tuner.. but that doesn't mean you're a ricer. ;) Both are totally different than each other.
add a cobb tune to the 135i and you have a monster.
you sure do. you are suddenly in the low 4s and whoop m3s in street races
camirocz and a tune to the Kappa(Solstice) and you are looking at over 300whp on the stock turbo.
Add a jb4 tune on the 135i for $500 and it adds an extra 100HP
40rtyp yup.. put 1" lower springs and it'll hang in the curves with any of these cars...
Add a turbo or two on the rx8 and you have the best combinaison of power and handling
@MKBoyardee Care to explain how a car with a twin-turbo straight six is a econobox?
have you seen the new mustang gt interior, its amazing. blows away most of its competition.
One of the problems with the Stang is with the Coyote engine reliability and the shifter fork bending on the MT-82 transmission.
@TheHarooni Um...probably because the ad is a conservative estimate from nissan and 4.8 is what the car actually does in a test?
The rear seats are worthless unless you have young kids in the family. But you are right about the extra power.
Really don't understand how anyone would even consider the Mazda. If u want Mazda handling, the mx-5 is so much of a better choice, IMO. Better gas mileage, styling, and braking as well. BMW is the best of the lot. 4 seats, 300bhp, 300lb/ft.
It keeps up with the S2000. A race between those two cars is all up to the drivers.
Would you care to share what those 2 mods are? Or is this some sort of state secret?
Actually, I have been on the track. My local track is Hallett Raceway.