Rx8 r3 or g35 coupe

MSPturbo3

Member
(help) i am looking at buying a coupe. i am considering an 06-07 g35 coupe 6MT fully loaded or 09-10 rx8 r3. i am currently driving an 08 mazdaspeed 3, which i am trading it for a cx9 for the wife. i am not looking really for a car with a lot of hp since the speed 3 i rarely boost the car. i am just looking for a good looking car i can cruise to and from work. I am 30 with 2 kids and not looking to do the whole speed racer thing since i have more than enough tickets from my honda days. Please give me your opinions on which car you think is right for me? i know it will probably be onesided due to the forum, but any good opinions will help?
 
since infinity's r everywhere.,.,RX-8's r head turners if u have the right color.,.,
 
Talked about many times here. I too was in the same boat. However my love for Mazda, the price of pre-owned, and the uniqueness of the RX-8 help make up my mind want I wanted. Puts a smile on my face everyday.
 
Both of the cars you are looking at are great. I am not a fan of the new G35 look, and I feel the same way about the new 8. Drive them both and see which one speaks to you. Sad to say, I think the mpg for the G35 will be a bit better than the 8. I also have two kids (12 and 5) and they both fit in my car just fine. I see thqat you will have another car if the family is takinga long drive, which is good. Neither of these cars will work well as a long distance tourer for 4. Moving form the MS3 to the 8 you will miss the mid RPM "push" that boost provides, but the well balanced chassis and percise handling more than make up for it.

I guess if you prefer to get your adrenaline while going in a strait line, go for the G35. And if you prefer to get your kick carving up corners, then the 8 is for you. Right out of the box the 8 is an exelent track car, and that speeks volumes for the great design. Even if you never plan on tracking the car, the fact that it was designed well enough that you can take it right out an track it says a lot about mazdas design procees.

Both cars should be more than adequate, and fun, for you. Drive em both and see what you like. Maybe the dealership will let you take the cars for a few hours? That way you can get a really good feel for them.
 
How far do you commute to work? Because RX-8's with even mild driving are gonna be somewhere in the range of 17-18 mpg.. and some spirited driving and your probably at 15 mpg... they look OK.. but you CANNOT beat the sound of the G's stock exhaust.. plus its going to be alot more car for your money, and an overall better "investment"
 
just cause i see fewer of them than the G35, and also cause its a mazda my vote is for the RX8
 
A good friend of mine has a '06 G35 coupe w/sport package.....65,000 miles and no problems other than a replaced driver window motor. She's as in love with it today as she was when she first laid eyes on it. I love the 'right now' attitude of the car. Even with an automatic, the car drives like it runs on caffeine...and that exaust note is pure music. Stiff ride, but overall a great package. Don't ever plan on hauling your kids in it. Very tight out back. Not sure if a car seat would even go back there.
 
Thanks for the good info.i have alot time before i buy because i still have to sell my cbr 1000rr first. i only comute a couple of miles right now. i want a car that i will want to keep a for a long time. i would really like to meet some guys in the charleston area who owns these cars or close to them.so i can see and try the cars out in person. I hate going to the dealership and dealing with the bs when looking at cars.
keep the opinions going i know there are others out there in the same boat.
also I like the new ft-86 and ft-86A what do you think?
 
The only knock agaist the RX8 R3 is the lack of power. I believe most reviews that put it against the 135i and 370Z say that it would come on top if only it had more power. But if that is not a concern of yours then I would definitely buy it.
 
i love mazdas, but i'm going with the G35. It's a much more well rounded car imo. Or you can opt for the G37S...AWD and looks better than the rx8...

g35-6.jpg


rx8.jpg


all in all...it's up to you
 
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I usually stay pretty neutral in these discussions, but.....

I think the G35 is a good car, but keep in mind that it is a product of many compromises. It shares its engine, chassis, drive train, etc with X number of nissan/infinity products....jack of all, master of none. I know there are people who are going to point out that the 8 does the same.....not really. The MX-5 started to use the 8 chassis, trans, but both systems were designed from he ground up for use on the 8. That makes a big difference in the outcome. There is nothing out there that looks like the 8, and that is a big plus. Given the right body kit, you should be able to make one of the new Altima coupe's look a lot like the G35.

The best advice i can give you is drive the 8 and see if you love it right off the bat. If you get done with the drive and start thinking about what you can do to make it faster, then move on and get something else. As I have stated before, this car doesn't grow on people. You either love it or don't, right from the beginning. It was designed from the ground up to be exactly what it does. It is a near perfectly balanced sporty car that seats 4. I dare you to try to take a drive on a nice twisty road on a good day without smiling.......impossible IMO
 
Well I'm a rotorhead, but I think maybe the G35 would be my choice. I like the Rx8 & all, I just think that the G's have a little more to offer. Happy shopping.
 
Stick with your "known" product.

By keeping to a familar brand, your RX-8 will be more comfortable & enjoyable for you.

Made that Nissan or RX-8 call myself a few years ago. Was mighy glad I picked the RX-8.

May lack a few kw, but What a package

REgards
 
The evo is one hell of a ride, but it is not anything like the 8. It is much faster, but the ride is exponentially more rough, BTW the same holds true for the STI (at least last gen). When I got mine, I test drove everything I could think of (STI, Evo, S2000, 350Z, G35, even Eclipse) and the only ones that were close to the 8 were the 2000 and the G35. The G35 just felt too big, I like small cars. And the S2000 was too small, no trunk to speak of and it only seats 2. Of course this is all highly subjective. The final decission between the 2000, 8, and G35 was difficult. They all had advantages and disadvantages. All the others (STI, Evo, 350 and Ecipse) were easy to eliminate after a quick test drive. I drove the 8 last, and knew right away that I was hooked.
 

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