CarandDriver: 135i in battle! (GXP,370Z,RX8)

[solodolo]

^^Waaaaay too much reading but I get your gist. No one is going to change your mind I get that. You are firmly rooted in your belief that the 135 is the better car for YOUR needs and I totally respect that and agree with you. Buuut you should be able to respect others that dont share your extremely focused view on this subject as we respect yours without telling them to get out and go to whatever forum.

BTW I dont see where people are saying "the Z is so much better" overall than the 135 as you say. There are areas the 135 owns the Z in and vice versa areas the Z owns the 135. Not everyone's ego can handle discussions like this and some always take the defensive, emotional stance even when facts dont support there feeling. Human nature. I see no harm in discussing those facts without resorting to telling people to get out because they acknowledge those facts. There are some 135 owners that will acknowledge the Z is faster and better suited for the track stock to stock. Should they now get out and go to Z forums because they acknowledge that? Come on lets be adult about this.

Sucks on the 69 Camaro. Would hve loved to see pics or vid of it. One of my all time fav cars to own one day. Guy on Supraforums owns this one. One of my favs.

[imported_mega]

I hope it's better on the track, it's got no back seats!

[solodolo]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

I hope it's better on the track, it's got no back seats!

Are you serious with this???With your logic the 370z should be faster than the V8 M3 and GTR. Back seats have very little to do with why the Z is faster on the track.

I agree with Tbird in that these two are in differents classes and really not competitors in the truest sence. One is a bonafide sportscar and the other is a sporty coupe with sportscar like performance. If you measure the Z vs the 135 against DD capability etc the Z will come up short as its more performance focused. Likewise if you measure the 135 vs the Z against on track performance it will come up short as the 135 is more DD focused. No shame in either losing to the other on those merits folks. Geez. Those with family the 135 is a much better choice if you want sportscar like performance with more practicality. Those without a family the Z is the better choice if they want a pure sportscar.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by solodolo

Are you serious with this???

I was being facetious, sometimes it's hard to tell on a forum

I'm not sure anyone cross shops a 2 seat and a 4 seat anyway

[JB135i]

I think any car that a "normal" buyer would cross shop, should be included in these types of comparo's.

So in that light the following cars could legitimately be included in any review. The list can and does include potential certified used cars as well-

135i
Genesis Coupe
RX 8
GXP
370Z
Cayman
Cayman S (CPO)
STi
EVO
Boxter
Boxter S (CPO)
S2000
Mustang GT
Challenger
Camaro (soon?)
Corvette ZO6 (CPO)
Corvette C6
Z4
TT
G37
Jag X-type
Merc (I forget the model, that small vert they have) (CPO)
IS-F (CPO)
CTS
CTS V (CPO)
R32 (not sure if this is still available)
Solstice GXP
Sky Redline
Elise/Exige? (CPO)

All of these cars fall squarely in the upper performance range of vehicle's that are sub $50,000 in price. Many/some buyers for this type of car don't care how many seats it has, like me for example. I have an Xterra if I need four seats. Hell, 80% of the time I only need 1 seat!

Some of these cars, even CPO's clearly push the upper range of this pricing, and, some of these cars if used, can be had in the low teens. I realize there can/could be a huge spread in price in this list.

But brand loyalty aside, if these cars were lined up without brand knowledge they all would hit the mark for fun to drive sport/sporty/GT type cars. With the owners preference and driving mission being the determining factor in the buyers final decision.

In the real world I realize that 99% of us would never cross shop some of these vehicles here, but the subset of vehicles that would/could be cross shopped by non-enthusiasts and enthusiasts will vary wildly depending on the person.

[imported_mega]

the number of seats is a big difference for me, when I can buy a 2 seater, I will ONLY look at 2 seat cars

for now I have to have a 4 seat car

[spudw]

It got beat by a 2-seater, and the main gripe was tight rear seats. Good article...

[Evolved]

Originally Posted by JB135i

I think any car that a "normal" buyer would cross shop, should be included in these types of comparo's.

Exactly, atleast someone gets it. Similar price point, similar performance.

My "cross shopping" includes 135i, 370z and Evo X.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by spudw

It got beat by a 2-seater, and the main gripe was tight rear seats. Good article...

rotfl I did not catch that, very very funny

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by spudw

It got beat by a 2-seater, and the main gripe was tight rear seats. Good article...

[bmwzone]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

... so it doesn't really do a lot for you on a track compared to other cars that have flat torque curves in that same range.

The low end torque makes the car easy to live with around town, and makes for good top gear passing times, but it doesn't really do anything for you on a race track because you're never down that low.

I could care less about the track. My track is the USA.

[emm3tt]

Originally Posted by Dangerlucas

My guess is it's the gearing.

Aerodynamics.