Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Mazda RX-8

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages

Safety

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Both the 350Z and the RX-8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, available front seat side-impact airbags, head airbags, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan 350Z Coupe is safer than the RX-8:

	350Z	RX-8
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Head Injury Index	361	485
Chest forces	45 g’s	47 g’s
Leg injuries (L/R)	625 / 716	976 / 721
	Passenger
Head Injury Index	411	517
Leg injuries (L/R)	573 / 581	756 / 504

More stars indicate a better overall result. Lower numbers indicate better individual test results.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 38.5 MPH side impact tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the 350Z is safer than the RX-8:

	350Z	RX-8
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Thoracic Trauma	51	58
Pelvis Deceleration	63 G’s	65 G’s

More stars indicate a better chance of avoiding serious injuries. Lower numbers indicate better actual numeric test results.

Warranty

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the RX-8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the RX-8 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 52 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 350Z’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 350Z has a standard 110 amp alternator. The RX-8’s 100 amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the 350Z is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 350Z’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RX-8’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 350Z third among premium sports cars in their 2004 Initial Quality Study. The RX-8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2004 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 32nd in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 33rd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics which show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 15th in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 20th.

Engine

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 90 more horsepower (287 vs. 197) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 164) than the RX-8’s standard 1.3 2-rotor Wankel. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 49 more horsepower (287 vs. 238) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 159) than the RX-8’s standard 1.3 2-rotor Wankel.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Nissan 350Z is faster than the Mazda RX-8 (manual transmissions tested):

	350Z	RX-8
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	6.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.7 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14 sec	15.2 sec

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the 350Z’s engine produces its peak horsepower at lower RPM’s than the RX-8:

	Horsepower
350Z 3.5 DOHC V6	6200 RPM
RX-8 automatic	7200 RPM
RX-8 manual	8500 RPM

Fuel Economy and Range

The 350Z automatic gets better fuel mileage than the RX-8 automatic (19 city/26 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

The 350Z has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX-8 (20 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

For more complete vehicle control the 350Z offers an optional manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The RX-8 doesn’t offer an automatic transmission that allows complete gear control.

Brakes and Stopping

The 350Z’s brakes have 10% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the RX-8 (533 vs. 485 square inches), so the 350Z has more braking power available.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The 350Z has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The RX-8 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z stops shorter than the RX-8:

	350Z	RX-8
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	115 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the 350Z has larger standard rear tires than the RX-8 (235/50R17 vs. 225/55R16). The 350Z’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the RX-8 (245/45R18 vs. 225/55R16).

The 350Z’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX-8’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z has standard 17 inch wheels. Smaller 16 inch wheels are standard on the RX-8.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RX-8.

The 350Z Enthusiast Coupe handles at .87 G’s, while the RX-8 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 350Z Track Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 1.9 MPH faster than the RX-8 (67.3 vs. 65.4 MPH).

Ergonomics

The 350Z’s front power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. The power windows on the RX-8 don’t raise automatically, and only the driver’s window lowers automatically.

If the windows are left down on the 350Z the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower all the windows from outside the car using the remote. The driver of the RX-8 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The RX-8 doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The RX-8 doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Model Availability

The Nissan 350Z comes in both 2dr hatchback and convertible bodystyles; the Mazda RX-8 isn’t available as a convertible.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $112 less than the RX-8 over a five year period.

The 350Z will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the 350Z will retain a greater percentage of its original price after two and four years than the RX-8.

	350Z	RX-8
Four Year	49% to 52%	45% to 46%
Two Year	65% to 68%	62% to 64%

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