Best Sports Coupe

[Tom]

This isn't a question of which one you would buy, or even which is the best value.  When placed head-to-head which one do you see as the best performer.  Remember, performance is subjective.  Things to consider:  drivetrain, handling abilities, etc

[ifcar]

It was very close for me between the RX-8's handling and the Mustang's acceleration, but I do like agility and prefer the Mazda's transmission, so I went with the RX8..

[TBR]

I am also going to have to go with the RX-8 for the same reasons Iffy did.  

[ifcar]

Tom, you forgot to vote.

[Tom]

Tom, you forgot to vote.

Isn't it against posting etiquette to vote in your own polls??? <_<  

[TBR]

No, why would it be?  

[ifcar]

Tom, you forgot to vote.

Isn't it against posting etiquette to vote in your own polls??? <_<

Of course not, unless it's a poll that is trying to settle a dispute between two members.

[Tom]

Ok...but its a tough choice.  I'll go for the Z.  I think it is the best overall combination of a sports car, and there's something about it's addiciting exhaust note.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I  voted for the Z

[Raghavan]

RX-8. not the fastest, but one of the lightest and best handling cars of that poll.

[thewizard16]

Mustang for a very nice engine and good abilities (GT, if I can't vote for the GT, then my vote would go to the RX8 for good engine and excellent abilities)

[mazda6er]

RX-8 because of the handling. I don't really like them though. I'd go for a Z or Mustang before I rocked the wankel.

[R33 GT-R]

350 Z for me, the oil issues, poor mileage and gutless bottom end negate any improvement in handling with the RX8 for me.  

[BMWDave]

It was very close for me between the RX-8's handling and the Mustang's acceleration, but I do like agility and prefer the Mazda's transmission, so I went with the RX8..

Same here  B)

The RX-8 Chasis is rock solid and very responsive...and I definitely prefer that over straight line acceleration.

[SJ_GTI]

I chose the RX-8, 350z was a close second.

If the GTO was there that would be my choice.  :ph34r:  

[Tom]

I was reluctant to add the GTO because it is so much more expensive than the others.  Sure, if you fully option some of the cars in my poll you can surpass 30k, but at that territory you are paying for luxury items and not anything relative to performance.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone think the GTO is not a better performer than any of the others?  It's straightline speed and good, though maybe not great, handling is enough to win most people over I would think.  But basically, it costs to much and would be unfair to put in the poll.

On another note, I'm surprised the RX8 is winning by such a large margin...

[mazda6er]

I was reluctant to add the GTO because it is so much more expensive than the others.  Sure, if you fully option some of the cars in my poll you can surpass 30k, but at that territory you are paying for luxury items and not anything relative to performance.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone think the GTO is not a better performer than any of the others?  It's straightline speed and good, though maybe not great, handling is enough to win most people over I would think.  But basically, it costs to much and would be unfair to put in the poll.

On another note, I'm surprised the RX8 is winning by such a large margin...

I think the RX-8 is winning because of the way you posed the question: "Which is the best performer?" and due to it's slightly different niche than the others, it undisputably has the best handling. The GTO really isn't that expensive. A Crossfire costs more.

[ifcar]

The Crossfire starts at a lower sticker price, and is discounted through whatever Chrysler is calling its Employee Discount Plan.  

[Tom]

The Crossfire starts at a lower sticker price, and is discounted through whatever Chrysler is calling its Employee Discount Plan.

Yup.

[giant_mtb]

350Z, no question.  But that might be because it's the only one of the choices that I've ever actually ridden in, but it's a helluva car by my standards.  

[Raza]

The three hundred and fifty zed.  By far.  The others are either a little faster (like the Mustang) or handle a little better (like the RX-8), and even others aren't nearly as good in either quality (Crossfire).  It also looks awesome..that's a plus.   Best performer, by far.

[280Z Turbo]

350Z, no question.  But that might be because it's the only one of the choices that I've ever actually ridden in, but it's a helluva car by my standards.

Most of the Z-car purists don't seem to like the Z33. This is from the owner of a 1971 240Z and a 1982 280ZX Turbo:

I've driven a few (except for the new 300hp one) and I don't like how it drives. It can be "fun" for a short while, but it's not as refined as its European counterparts. The 350Z isn't really shy about hiding its weight when you drive it either. The whole thing feels really HEAVY. They really needed to spend more time on the drawing board with that car. Way to many flaws to turn me onto it.

For people who haven't driven better cars, they might be overwhelmed and impressed. I wasn't. Maybe I was expecting much better from Nissan.

Don't forget the tire feathering. Did they even fix that?

The Mustang has great power, but it's fairly heavy and has a solid rear axle. I know it's a good one, but it's still a solid rear axle.

I picked the RX-8 for its rotary power and its agility, but on a different day, maybe I'd pick the Mustang. It's close.

[giant_mtb]

350Z, no question.  But that might be because it's the only one of the choices that I've ever actually ridden in, but it's a helluva car by my standards.

Most of the Z-car purists don't seem to like the Z33. This is from the owner of a 1971 240Z and a 1982 280ZX Turbo:

I've driven a few (except for the new 300hp one) and I don't like how it drives. It can be "fun" for a short while, but it's not as refined as its European counterparts. The 350Z isn't really shy about hiding its weight when you drive it either. The whole thing feels really HEAVY. They really needed to spend more time on the drawing board with that car. Way to many flaws to turn me onto it.

For people who haven't driven better cars, they might be overwhelmed and impressed. I wasn't. Maybe I was expecting much better from Nissan.

Don't forget the tire feathering. Did they even fix that?

The Mustang has great power, but it's fairly heavy and has a solid rear axle. I know it's a good one, but it's still a solid rear axle.

I picked the RX-8 for its rotary power and its agility, but on a different day, maybe I'd pick the Mustang. It's close.

Yeah, they fixed it by customers simply buying different tires.  :P   That's what my Godfather did with his Z.  And, as that exerpt you show here says; "For people who haven't driven better cars, they might be overwhelmed and impressed."...Well...that pretty much explains it.  The 350Z is the fastest car by far that I've ever ridden in, and it handled like a champ by my standards.

[Tom]

Maybe I'm alone, but I like the heavy feel.  It feels solid and stable and the weight does not affect handling.  It will never be as agile as a featherlight Lotus or something like that, but it is not made to be.

[280Z Turbo]

weight does not affect handling.

(finally got to use this )

[footoflead]

350Z, no question.? But that might be because it's the only one of the choices that I've ever actually ridden in, but it's a helluva car by my standards.

Most of the Z-car purists don't seem to like the Z33. This is from the owner of a 1971 240Z and a 1982 280ZX Turbo:

I've driven a few (except for the new 300hp one) and I don't like how it drives. It can be "fun" for a short while, but it's not as refined as its European counterparts. The 350Z isn't really shy about hiding its weight when you drive it either. The whole thing feels really HEAVY. They really needed to spend more time on the drawing board with that car. Way to many flaws to turn me onto it.

For people who haven't driven better cars, they might be overwhelmed and impressed. I wasn't. Maybe I was expecting much better from Nissan.

Don't forget the tire feathering. Did they even fix that?

The Mustang has great power, but it's fairly heavy and has a solid rear axle. I know it's a good one, but it's still a solid rear axle.

I picked the RX-8 for its rotary power and its agility, but on a different day, maybe I'd pick the Mustang. It's close.

Yeah, they fixed it by customers simply buying different tires.  :P   That's what my Godfather did with his Z.  And, as that exerpt you show here says; "For people who haven't driven better cars, they might be overwhelmed and impressed."...Well...that pretty much explains it.  The 350Z is the fastest car by far that I've ever ridden in, and it handled like a champ by my standards.

I take it you havent ridden in a supercharged camaro or a GT mustang

The 350 defintitly is the fastest car in the world....but it does handle pretty good...i'd still rather have something else

[mazda6er]

The Crossfire starts at a lower sticker price, and is discounted through whatever Chrysler is calling its Employee Discount Plan.

As is the GTO through Chevy's discount program.  <_<  Let's not use pricing based on temporary promos, shall we? The Crossfire starts at a slightly lower price, but has virtually nothing on it.

[280Z Turbo]

It also looks awesome..that's a plus.   Best performer, by far.

You still think that fat pig looks good?  

[Tom]

The Crossfire starts at a lower sticker price, and is discounted through whatever Chrysler is calling its Employee Discount Plan.

As is the GTO through Chevy's discount program.  <_<  Let's not use pricing based on temporary promos, shall we? The Crossfire starts at a slightly lower price, but has virtually nothing on it.

The GTO along with the Vette and a few others are not discounted.

[Tom]

weight does not affect handling.

(finally got to use this )

Ok, I worded that wrong