Should Nissan and Mazda get more powerful 350Z, RX8

[gottacatchup]

Both the 350Z and RX-8 are supposed to be modern day semi-lightweight but most of all affordable sports cars. I really dont think mazda wants to go back to when the RX-7 cost over $40,000. Both the cars are supposed to be practicle for daily driving yet a blast for enthusiasts.

At the same time i think the RX-8 would benefit greatly from a turbo. If they ever actually release the Mazdaspeed version of the RX-8 it should have a turbo on it like all the others along with the tuned suspension and styling changes.

[Vansquish]

There is a Mazdaspeed version of the RX-8 actually...it's in production, but we can't get it in the US...I believe it's called the RX-8 A-spec or something to that effect...has a wilder bodykit and more aggressive wheels and tires...but I don't know that anything has been done to the engine.

[T-Bird]

you can get the Mazdaspeed bodykit and wheels from the dealer aftermarket but I haven't heard anything about engine mods.

[sentra_dude]

300hp Law?! LOL Come on people...remember the R34 Skyline? Umm, those have at least 320hp and maybe as much as 350hp (at the crank) which sounds like more than 280hp or whatever that silly 'agreement' was.

Originally Posted by SilviaEvo a 350z against a Gallardo??? BHAHAHAHA. that's funny remember the Focus VS. Gallardo? btw i think Nissan and Mazda should both dump their ugly ideas of sports cars. the 90's were Japan's ultimate time. The I-6's were the ultimate from Japan but now they are long dead. and Mazda with the RX8 which is an horrible car all those ricey stuff like altezzas and crap along with the Mitsu basing the EVO on a Cedia what the hell is wrong with them?!!? 300ZX replaced with a fat ass ugly car called the 350Z and they plan to remake the Skyline with the horrible 350Z type styling?!!? Japan's cars to me have died off in the 90's. Hope they come up with at least a decent looking one :roll:

Wow...that's some closed minded thinking right there. So, when you drove all these 'trash' cars what was the worst thing about the driving experience, was it the steering, or the brakes, or the handling in general, or too slow in a straight line, or maybe rough & unrefined engine?

and Mazda with the RX8 which is an horrible car

Oh really...so all those people talking about its brilliant handling are just stupid?

all those ricey stuff like altezzas and crap

So because it has 'euro-tails' its automatically ricey? Wait, I thought you said all the I-6s were dead...last time I checked the IS300 had a I-6...

the Mitsu basing the EVO on a Cedia what the hell is wrong with them?!!?

I don't know...I mean those Evos are so crappy, and slow too, I guess pulling track times close to some supercars and having exceptional handling is a bad thing...what do those Mitsu engineers know, they should hire you, the expert.

300ZX replaced with a fat ass ugly car called the 350Z

Ugly is subjective, weight is not.
1995 T-Roof Turbo: 3517lbs
2003 350Z track: 3225lbs

[davidoff]

As gottachatup said the aim of the companies is making faster but cheaper cars.(GTA , cupras ,type-r)and you can´t compare them to old glorys simple because the have a totally diferent concept.

[TransAm]

Originally Posted by Vansquish Originally Posted by everso i think the limit of japanese production cars *in* Japan is 300hp, not 280 as some have said. It's neither...to be exact it's actually 276bhp, or 280ps...which is what everyone seems to refer to.

here here.

[Paco]

I wouldn't be surprised when the RX8 would come with a turbo. This to stay up to par on the sports-coupé market with the future plans of Audi and maybe Nissan (or even Mercedes).

[PaulGT2164]

if nissan and mazda doesnt sell higher output versions of their cars, there is already an huge aftermartket for both cars that will glady help out and make them better

mazda and nissan know this, so i dont forsee any huge leaps in power for the cars, although there is a rumoured turbo rx8 on the way

the "gentlemans agreement" is just hat
the skyline, the supra, 300zx and the 3000gt vr4 all put out more power than 280 or 300 the agreement is

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by thamar Dude, it's Japanese LAW. Cars produced in Japan, or by Japanese firms can't have more then 280bhp. That's why the Impreza, Evo, NSX, Skyline ... all have 280bhp. In Japan the speedo doesn't even go higher then 180km/h

It's a Gentlemen's Agreement. Same as the Germans with their 155mph speed governors.

But I could bet that Nissan will release a turbo Z and Mazda already stated that they will produce a RX-7 again, which means you probably will not see a RX-8 Turbo.

[capore]

Haven't you thought about the difference of guarantee that offers the new RX-8 and the old RX-7? Or the new 350-z and the old 300 ZX? The quality of its engines...
Moreover, in Japan there is a rule that all brands must follow, and this is that the maximun power in their sporty cars must be 280 bhp, and this is the top. You only have to see what happens with the nissan skyline, or the Toyota Supra, or the Honda NSX, the mitsubishi EVO, the Subaru Imprezza. All of them can be modified engineerily talking and reach 900 bhp or so.
Another point: have you seen the speedometer from a japanese car? have you ever seen best motoring drivers at max speed? The speedometer reaches only 140 mph and this speed is easily reached by any of the cars I said before without using their top Gear .


PD: Sorry for answering what you said in other post, but I didn't read them

[gottacatchup]

Originally Posted by Vansquish There is a Mazdaspeed version of the RX-8 actually...it's in production, but we can't get it in the US...I believe it's called the RX-8 A-spec or something to that effect...has a wilder bodykit and more aggressive wheels and tires...but I don't know that anything has been done to the engine.

The mazdaspeed RX-8 has been modified with a focus on handling, with a completely reworked suspension with new coils and struts along with front and rear anti-roll bars and larger wheels and tires. But nothing has been done to make power as of yet, hopefully if its released in the US a turbo will be added.

[gottacatchup]

Originally Posted by everso Originally Posted by gottacatchup Originally Posted by Vansquish There is a Mazdaspeed version of the RX-8 actually...it's in production, but we can't get it in the US...I believe it's called the RX-8 A-spec or something to that effect...has a wilder bodykit and more aggressive wheels and tires...but I don't know that anything has been done to the engine. The mazdaspeed RX-8 has been modified with a focus on handling, with a completely reworked suspension with new coils and struts along with front and rear anti-roll bars and larger wheels and tires. But nothing has been done to make power as of yet, hopefully if its released in the US a turbo will be added. alot of people seem to forget that alot of coupes (350z, RX8, TT, G35, etc..) have a HUGE aftermarket parts availability. Why would anyone pay Mazda 2x the amount of money to add parts that aren't even as good as if one does it themselves. Maybe warranty issues, but that depends on which country you are in and how the dealer handles modifications.

On previous Mazdaspeed cars the parts mazda has installed are quality and the price of the car does not reflect the work mazda has done. Both the miata and protege versions, if you bought the parts and made you're own would cost much more then one straight from mazda and you wouldn't have a warranty.