C&D Rx8 vs Solstice GXP coupe vs 135i vs 370z comparo

[LonghornTX]

My only two interests of these four are the 370z (delightful in that grabber blue esque hue, that looks pretty exotic when combined with the new curves of the 370) and the 135i.

The 370 is very sharp in person, in my opinion, with strong proprotions and aggressive curves. The interior is my favorite design of the four, with Infiniti looking controls, tasteful leather stitching, and subtle curves.

Having not driven the 370z yet, I can't comment on the specific application, but the one glaring fault of the G37s that I drove while at Infiniti was the exhaust note. It is pretty rough, and could be a deal killer without a remedy from the aftermarket. That aspect of the automotive experience is important to me... With that said, it is my favorite from a looks perspective and obviously has the highest limits in stock form, according to this test.

The 135i is a gem of a car to me, with a truly sublime powerplant that loves to rev, sounds great doing it, and makes power everywhere. The car is a mere software upgrade from 350hp, which is always appealing to me. In the interior, everything is in the right place, with just the right amount of support for me in the seats, and the car has very graceful, yet sharp responses when driven over imperfect public roads, at 5-6/10s.

I still prefered my Mustang though, reinforced the second I started it up. At its state of tune, it is sharper in response and more feral in sound than the Bimmer; just plain more fun. The stang, with its thick rear bar, can be steered with the throttle easily and in a controllable manner. The 135i tends towards understeer much too intensely for me, in stock form without a mechanical diff.

If things were a bit better in the world, I might consider looking seriously into the 370z, but right now, it stands in the "future, 6 years down the road" used car purchase category due to the market's uncontrollable  away of equity.

[Sigma Projects]

Considering that the Rx8 is 5 years old and at the end of it's model life, it's not doing too bad.  They need to hurry up with the 3 spark plug direct injection Rotary..  I'm surprised they never introduced that initially with the Renesis (3 spark plug) when they found the trailing plug improved mileage to begin with.

yea never understood why either, I mean their race engine come with 3 and it's not like it's hard to develop it for commercial use especially if it's making more of a complete burn. And they've had them for DECADES.

I guess I'm in the minority, but the 1 series just looks like ass to me... it's like the ugly cousin of the 2002 3 series.

Really wish the rear hatch on the solstice was more functional, you know easy to see out of and easy to store stuff. But the 650 bucks to make the Solstice have 300hp is really really nice IMO. I'm not that big on open top fun so I'd probably glass in the targa top. I wish they had the figures for what the Solstice would do with the optional 300hp.

[cozmik]

So here I am at work, and the pic with the Solstice in the front, the other 3 lined up in the back, is on the screen as I'm reading, and I hear this "ohhahw" and the manager of the department is standing behind me going about to cum himself going "that is beautiful"

[r0tor]

he needs glasses

[Raza]

he needs glasses

And I think Coz needs a new boss.  Or at least he needs to get better at hiding non-work related surfing.

Or maybe just some sort of towel.

[SVT666]

So here I am at work, and the pic with the Solstice in the front, the other 3 lined up in the back, is on the screen as I'm reading, and I hear this "ohhahw" and the manager of the department is standing behind me going about to cum himself going "that is beautiful"

Personally I think it's a pretty hot car too. 

[Onslaught]

I guess I'm in the minority, but the 1 series just looks like ass to me... it's like the ugly cousin of the 2002 3 series.

I'm with you.

[NomisR]

yea never understood why either, I mean their race engine come with 3 and it's not like it's hard to develop it for commercial use especially if it's making more of a complete burn. And they've had them for DECADES.

I guess I'm in the minority, but the 1 series just looks like ass to me... it's like the ugly cousin of the 2002 3 series.

Really wish the rear hatch on the solstice was more functional, you know easy to see out of and easy to store stuff. But the 650 bucks to make the Solstice have 300hp is really really nice IMO. I'm not that big on open top fun so I'd probably glass in the targa top. I wish they had the figures for what the Solstice would do with the optional 300hp.

1 series is ugly too me too.  I wish they brought the 1 series hatchback over.  While just as ugly, at least you get room.  It makes a lot more sense than the coupe. 

As for Solstice, their biggest problem I think is heat.  Most of them can't even finish 1 track session without the engines over heating and they have to drive around with the heater on to vent heat into the cabins in 100+ degree weather, great fun..

[sportyaccordy]

They should have based the 1 series on the Z4.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

They should have based the 1 series on the Z4.

Then it would have just been the Z coupe, which already exists. In 4 door trim(hatch) it would look like a mazda 3. Granted i'm just saying this since i personally wouldn't complain.

The 1er is by far the WORST looking current bmw IMO. The stlying just doesn't fit the size of car.

[CALL_911]

Should I go Wimmer on your asses and tell you all that you're dead wrong, because the 135i is a natural evolution from the esteemed 2002?

[r0tor]

i'll take the looks of the 1er over the solstice coupe any day

[Onslaught]

i'll take the looks of the 1er over the solstice coupe any day

Well the Solstice coupe is so ugly it hurts. The BMW just makes me sick a little.

[SVT666]

Well the Solstice coupe is so ugly it hurts. The BMW just makes me sick a little.

The Solstice Coupe is hot.

[r0tor]

steaming hot pile of dog dookie

[MX793]

Would have been nice to have seen the '10 Mustang and Genesis in this group.  I'm guessing we'll probably see those two pitted against the Z and maybe the Camaro in a comparo later this year.

[Raza]

Heh, I think the 1 is the best looking BMW made today.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Heh, I think the 1 is the best looking BMW made today.

Coming from you i'm not surprised.

[MidnightDave]

Okay, you've pushed me over the edge. The MINI is going and I'm buying a Z...

[Sigma Projects]

1 series is ugly too me too.  I wish they brought the 1 series hatchback over.  While just as ugly, at least you get room.  It makes a lot more sense than the coupe. 

As for Solstice, their biggest problem I think is heat.  Most of them can't even finish 1 track session without the engines over heating and they have to drive around with the heater on to vent heat into the cabins in 100+ degree weather, great fun..

really? That sucks, I guess one of the first mods to one would be to get a huge multi core radiator. Do you know if it is just the cooling system that's inadequate or is it because the water passage design in the block sucks?

[SVT666]

Would have been nice to have seen the '10 Mustang and Genesis in this group.  I'm guessing we'll probably see those two pitted against the Z and maybe the Camaro in a comparo later this year.

The Camaro is never coming out.

[S204STi]

Heh, I think the 1 is the best looking BMW made today.

I find it odd looking, but that doesnt mean I wouldn't buy one.  I like it quite a bit despite the bizarre looks.

[afty]

I agree with the "1 is ugly" crowd.  The proportions are all wrong.  It's too small to have such large wheels, and the greenhouse is too large.

[Raza]

I agree with the "1 is ugly" crowd.  The proportions are all wrong.  It's too small to have such large wheels, and the greenhouse is too large.

The glasshouse size is what turns most people off about newer cars; they're too small, leaving you with mailslots to look out of while driving. 

The 1 series looks like a BMW of yore, just flame surfaced.  Yes, the uprightness of it and the taller glasshouse make it very attractive to me.  I do indeed see the visual connection to the 2002, and I like it. 

[S204STi]

So here I am at work, and the pic with the Solstice in the front, the other 3 lined up in the back, is on the screen as I'm reading, and I hear this "ohhahw" and the manager of the department is standing behind me going about to cum himself going "that is beautiful"

[BimmerM3]

I'm actually with Raza on the looks of the 1 series. As far as how I'd place these cars, if I had to choose without getting to drive them, I'd pick the 1er for the added practicality of the back seat and, well, my bias towards BMWs. That said, if I were actually comparing these cars in the real world, I take a good drive in the top three and pretend that the Solstice was never mentioned.

[TBR]

The glasshouse size is what turns most people off about newer cars; they're too small, leaving you with mailslots to look out of while driving. 

The 1 series looks like a BMW of yore, just flame surfaced.  Yes, the uprightness of it and the taller glasshouse make it very attractive to me.  I do indeed see the visual connection to the 2002, and I like it. 

Oddly enough I agree with you wholeheartedly.

[Laconian]

Is the greenhouse larger than the 3 series, or does it just appear taller because the 1er's greenhouse:length ratio is greater?

[MX793]

Is the greenhouse larger than the 3 series, or does it just appear taller because the 1er's greenhouse:length ratio is greater?

I believe the 1er is a bit taller than the 3er.

[TBR]

The Camaro is never coming out.

People keep saying that, but every other day autoblog seems to have something that says otherwise.