Picking a car in Japan

So I’m stuck between two cars,
2004 Mazda RX8 70,000 miles
2003 Nissan 350Z 89,000 miles

Which would you all get and why?

16 comments
  1. If I had to choose between those two, and ignore both cost of ownership and practicality – the Nissan. It’s just the cooler car.

  2. Where have those lived?

    I imagine the wear and tear isn’t the same in Hokkaido vs Kyushu etc…

    Love the Nissan 🙂

  3. The 350z for sure. Cooler car but also waaaay lower ongoing costs. Especially if anything ever goes wrong with the engine. Interchangeable parts across multiple cars in a range is a great thing.

  4. This is a early model rx8. They have problems with apex seals on the rotary engines. That’s why its cheap. I’ll go for the 350z, but tax would be higher as rx8 is considered only 1.3L

  5. I’d say go for the Mazda.

    Not sure about your model, but my car enthusiast friends told me that recently quality of Nissan cars dropped a lot and preferably avoided.

  6. The Mazda RX8 is a nice enough car but the fuel mileage is quite poor on that model. The other thing to consider would be that the model was discontinued quite a while back so spares will be harder to find and more expensive. Rotary engines are absolutely horrendous to try and do any repairs on yourself too.

    The Nissan is also discontinued but there is a lot more crossover on the parts and better availability with other models if you need to do any repairs on it.

  7. Yeah take the Nissan. More fun out of the box and less maintenance. Pretty much any mechanic can work on it.

    The RX-8 handles well but it is underpowered and whilst rotary engines are cool, they are less cool when it comes to servicing. Especially if you are planning on doing any upgrades.

  8. What’s with all the rx8 hating. I would go rx8 u only live once. But in reality if on a budget rx8 is harder to maintain especially with the rotary burning the chambers = oil leaks and stuff…
    Option 3 what about a Mazda Roadster?

  9. Trying to be objective, if you’re stuck between the two, I guess you’re not that fussed either way about a owning a rotary?
    If that’s the case, probably better off with the Z.

  10. Z.

    RX8s require a truly dedicated enthusiast. Unless the engines are meticulously cared for (almost none were) it’s going to give you a lot of problems. And when it does finding mechanics familiar with rotary engines is difficult or spendy. Or you end up becoming your own mechanic.

  11. The RX8 is an dedicated enthusiast car. For multiple reasons:

    1. Ideally one should measure the compression on the engine with a dedicated tester but not every seller is willing to let a random dude remove the wheel and spark plugs to fiddle with their car. Without knowing that, you expose yourself to the risk of an engine rebuild short to mid-term.
    2. The engine has to be religiously maintained and used: Baby it on cold starts and drive it like you stole it when hot to avoid and clear carbon build-up in the exhaust ports. Cold-revving is bad to any engine but especially to a rotary.
    3. It burns oil by design (oil injection to lube the apex seals). Check monthly at least.
    4. Gas mileage is bad by nature but gets worse because you drive it hard as per 2.
    5. It will flood if you cut the engine cold. Been there, done that.
    6. Lots of shops may turn you down for engine work. Either go DIY or find someone who knows what’s going on with the spinny triangle.
    7. The car itself is great, very good stock brakes, nice chassis, nice interior(moaaar TRIANGLES!). Too bad the flip-up navi is useless nowadays due to no more maps update DVDs for ages.
    8. Rear seats are great for a sports car. This is not a Toyota Crown but I hauled adults un the back with no complain, check yourself though.
    9. There is a TON of documentation available online about mods or DIY and active communities on Reddit, FB (PurelyRX8 recommended) and dedicated forums.

    Source: Owned one. Feel free to ask or DM for questions.

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