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

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.

gnarf

I apologize for that misunderstanding..I read that in an automotive forum not an RX8 forum...but in that forum a bunch of them were going "if the 370z came out sooner" and "seems like I will go for the 370z as a next car" I meant no negative aspect about the car..I usually get heated when people make false accusations...not sure if you have had some serious seat time in a 370z or G37..but in those cars its cake to drive them at higher speeds...the RX8 takes a bit longer to a hundred..though I love the handling of both the RX8 and the S2000..they just dont do it for me with the lack of torque and power..
Im sorry if I came up a lil aggressive but if the OP comes in here and as his first post he says "test drove the Z...didnt feel that fast at all...Cayman S is awesomezzz"...then he should buy a cayman S instead of ranting about how the Z was a letdown at actual Z owners or how awesome a discontinued s2000 felt or how great a used 45k car felt..

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).

Robert_Nash

Offensive?

For someone who doesn't own a 370Z to join a internet forum established specifically for 370Z enthusiasts and give everyone his/her learned opinion about what's wrong with the vehicle isn't offensive; just rather dumb.

Maybe I should go join a forum dedicated to the C6 Corvette because I've thought about buying one "sometime"...I can then tell them everything I don't like about the car...I love the engine/drivetrain; even in the base model but I really hate OnStar, the 'Vette's crappy seats and it's vacuum tube based navigation system...I'm sure they would be real receptive over there.

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gnarf

dude i dont get this post at all...what are you trying to imply...you want to buy a 370z..but you give me an essay on how awesome the torque and power comes out sooner in the MS3, how its lighter, and then you take an article describing the lack of feel in the Z...i know you are trying to give me an understanding...and I know as a prospective owner you have the need to know the Z's shortcomings...but bringing up these negative posts while NOT being a Z owner will only turn you away from buying a 370z..Im sure youll be impressed once you own a Z...but hey if its not for you..there are plenty of choices that will fit your needs..

chuckd05

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
****
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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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.

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.

kdoske

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