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(Enlarge photo)
Style rules when it comes to sports cars and these two competitors have more than their fair share of rakish lines.
(Photo by Scott Jacobs)
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Road Test: Comparison Test
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2003 Sports Car Shoot-Out: Nissan 350Z vs. Mazda RX-8
Introduction
By
Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
Date posted: 12-16-2003
One is the rebirth of a legend, the other a new twist on an old formula. Both are designed to look fast and go even faster, and both carry price tags that keep them well within reach of the average buyer. Their low-slung stances and high-powered engines help them deliver razor-sharp handling and fierce acceleration, but both can be docile when necessary.
Yet as similar as the Nissan 350Z and Mazda's RX-8 are in purpose, the ways in which they go about their mission are worlds apart. The Nissan relies on the brutish power of its V6 power plant and a tightly wound suspension to deliver its sizzling performance, while the RX-8 uses an unconventional rotary engine, more compliant suspension and even an extra set of doors to round out its character.
Such disparate personalities make choosing one over the other that much more difficult, but after a week of back-to-back driving we were able to pick a favorite. Whether our conclusion meshes with your idea of the perfect sports car depends on what you're looking for, but rest assured that either car delivers outstanding performance, eye-catching looks and enough features to keep you comfortable. We may have picked a winner, but when you have a choice of two sports cars this good at these prices, nobody loses.
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