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

theDreamer

Not doubting the power you can get out of a MS3, but it is not a sports car by definition. Also, the Z is not a 25-30k car, it is a 30-40k car, and you cannot get a G37 or EVO (not sure on STi) for 30k.

The bias is because you are on a Z board, but at the same time you are trying to compare a Turbo style car to a NA car, which is going to feel different and drive differently.

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JonBoy

Out of curiosity, what is the definition of a sports car?

And you can buy an Evo all day long for under $30K. A GSR can be had for under $28K, before taxes. You can also buy an STi for under $30K, in base trim. The MSRP is over $30K but the purchase price is under $30K.

theDreamer

The term sports car has been defined as "an open, low-built, fast motor car." The term describes a class of automobile with two seats, two doors, precise handling, brisk acceleration, and sharp braking — trading practical considerations such as passenger space, comfort, and cargo capacity — for driving enjoyment.

You can buy them if you haggle yes, but one person v. another might get different prices. That is why I went by MSRP, it is a fair comparison on what they should go for, not what you could pay for. Saying I can buy X car for a certain price is the same argument that any car with so many mods can be another car stock, you cannot compare (to many variables). That is why we have stock v. stock comparisons and the best way to judge something.

__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
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JonBoy

So a Z-coupe is not a sports car since it's not open?

And I hardly think comparing MSRP is fair when anyone with a brain can get them for a much lower price. The Z can be had (base model) for $28K, give or take, and the Evo X can also be had for that price. That means they are absolutely price-competitive. MSRP, especially in this economy, is pretty much disregarded by most buyers.

Stock-vs-stock is a fair comparison for performance but not for price. Common selling price, not asking, is how price should be compared.

theDreamer

The word open can be something that means different things.
But MSRP is the only basis we have to go on (such as stock performance), I got my Z for invoice but others are paying 500-1,000 over invoice. Yes it can be had but it does not mean that is how you compare an item. I was offered a Evo MR at invoice plus rebate but someone else may have only gotten MSRP plus rebate.

__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

JonBoy

What other meaning for "open" can you think of, if not "convertible"? "Lots of room"? "Without a windshield"?

I saw someone earlier (might have been you) say that the Z and Cayman were the only sports cars of the bunch so was wondering how they came to that conclusion.

Again, I agree on comparing stock performance but comparing MSRP doesn't make any sense to me if it doesn't remotely reflect the actual purchase price of the vehicle. Stock power/tuning comparisons are valid because it's the way the car comes from the factory.

Pricing is not set in stone the way performance is - it's negotiable and is therefore comparable on a "probable" level vs a "standard" level. Power/performance is not negotiable from the factory and so it is valid to limit to an absolute value (stock) for comparison purposes.