370Z Takes on Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

ClevelandCWRU

I'm not sure who you're talking to, I'm not a "kid." I've been working full time as an engineer/technical project manager for for several years, right now I'm a process improvement engineer and capital project manager for a global specialty steel maker. It doesn't get much more "real" than being only a few feet from 300 tons of 3000+ degree steel, having people's safety and lives directly dependent the quality of my work, and balancing several multi-million dollar improvement projects at once. It's a "real" enough position that my company is paying for my PhD too.

My forum name pays homage to my alma mater, a fantastic institution that I love and help support financially through the alumni association. I no longer go to school there and I no longer even live in Cleveland, just recognizing two places that are near and dear to me.

Getting back to the dealership to close the deal has been tough, as their hours have been out of my reach lately. Even though I typically work straight days, my plants run 24/7 and I have to be there whenever I'm needed. The past week and a half, I've been working 7am-6pm. Even making progress on my dissertation has been pushed aside this week. Driving 20 minutes to a dealer that's only open until 7 and haggling a deal isn't really that high of a priority at the moment.

AppleZ

[QUOTE=ClevelandCWRU;1194762]I’m not going to be “modding” or tuning the car so I don’t care about unlocked potential. I won’t be taking the car to the track, and the kid the in the mustang/camaro/etc. can rev his engine at the stoplight all he wants but I still won’t race him. I don’t ever race or drive all-out but I do enjoy spirited driving when safe. All I really am looking for is a sporty and capable RWD performance coupe that is reliable, fun to drive, and available with an automatic (to ease the commute).QUOTE]

Just my opinion, but I would get neither based on your requirements above. I mean, why consider a sports car, without driving it as a sports car? I'm not saying you have to race every douche Mustang owner everytime he revs his engine at a red light, however, I think you wouldn't be investing your money wisely. Why not shoot for like an Audi A5, or another coupe? Not a sports car, but luxurious with a sporty feel, all while still a coupe. I'm not a fan of automatics in sports cars either, however, the paddle option in the Z is a great feature and most of the top class sports cars include them nowadays. But, let's be honest, would you use them?

cossie1600

its all about , hey look at me

[QUOTE=AppleZ;1211301]

Shamu

The G Coupe beat a Porsche GT2 RS up pikes peak.

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AlphaSnacks

Mazda was selling 15-25K RX8s per year in the United States until 2006, when sales declined to below 10k, and after 2009 they pretty much flatlined. I believe in the US over 100K RX8s have been sold. Not exactly a rare car by any stretch.

Methodical4u

Not to get off track, but a friend of mine owned an RX-8 and it was/is one of THE MOST disappointing supposed sports cars out there. People say oh well it handles sooooo well and this and that but guess what? The car is slow so it BETTER handle well because my Sister in law's mini van could beat it in a straight line.

Great looking car IMO, but if you ask me one word that defines the RX-8, that word would be SLOW.

cossie1600

It wouldn't be so slow if it gets 30 or 40mpg. My Prius is slow, but I love it because it gets 45mpg driving like a maniac. Plus it is all relative, the Z is slow to Mustang drivers. At the end of the day, it's all about driver's preference.

Methodical4u

To what mustang drivers exactly? The Z can beat A LOT of mustangs stock for stock in a straight line, let alone on a actual road course.

From car and driver: The 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the latter on a gloriously flat curve that peaks at 4250 rpm, are achievements. It’s enough to knock out a 60-mph sprint in 4.6 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 109 mph, which are more or less Camaro SS times. Finally, a Mustang engine that doesn’t have to eat dust from a small-block.

Now i'm quite sure many can run the new mustang faster than 13.2, but we've got our guys here who run the 1/4 in 12.9 too.

The RX-8 to just about ANY sports car owner or anyone with even a honda civic is still SLOW!

Oh yeah... your Prius isn't likely much slower and the RX-8 yields AT BEST probably 18-20 mpg... it was an absolutely AWFUL car and Mazda seriously screwed up when they made it.

cossie1600

I don't keep up with a lot of straight line stuff, but a quick search on google shows people doing 12.5 to 12.8 on a stock GT (priced similar to a 370). Road course it would depends on the course, in theory there is an extra 80hp for about 500lbs in weight penalty. It should be helpful in courses with long straights.

You define sports cars as something that is fast through 1/4 mile, some people doesn't. Do you know what is the best selling sports car of all time? Miata. Lotus seems to be doing okay with cars that can barely hit 13s, you saying they don't have sports cars? Straight line acceleration is not hard to accomplish, building a car that is fun to drive and can sell to the masses are much harder to do. My wife's SUV does 14.0 flat, that shows how lame comparing 1/4 time is.

Mazda had good intentions with the car, but they made some serious blunders on it. At the end of the day, the project was a success financially as the car sold 100K unit in its run.

Methodical4u

That was doing a quick search on the GT... 12.5-12.8 seems pretty low for a completely stock GT, but i'm not saying it would be out of the question for a car with it's power output.

I am not one who really cares much about straight line honestly, but like I said... it's just because I did just a quick search and was comparing that the power of a 370 vs the GT isn't in the same ballpark, yet the 1/4 times are. They had a 13.2 (perhaps with a bad driver or bad conditions) vs the Z that most have had at 13.3-13.5 that people here are regularly running very low 13's and occasionally high 12's.

rebe945

Mustangs are nice muscle cars. They are everywhere though. Fine car , decent lines , nice exhaust note and good power. I'd be proud to own one. Z's are a step up in looks. Strong, beastly and sexy are descriptions often heard. Acceleration, cornering, overall handling, smooth ride, and more of a rarity are why a Z is my choice over both the Mustang and Genesis. Hands down.

Methodical4u

anyway, yet again we have gotten off topic .... and again sorry OP, keep us updated on if/when you get your car.

cossie1600

Unless you are racing, everything is just personal preference.

han_douche

^^ 3.8 that is

Hambone1

Not that close to the Z in performance....

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