35 Votes

The new 370Z takes on the 135i, RX-8 R3, and Solstice GXP

BMWNews submitted on 2/23/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:38:53 PM

50 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.caranddriver.com

Wait a minute, who called this meeting? Who are these guys? We’ve got a couple of four-passenger cars, one of ’em with more than two doors.

A couple of two-seaters, one with a targa top. There’s also turbocharging, natural aspiration, and an engine with no pistons at all. Besides prices in the low- to mid-$30,000s, what’s the common thread?

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The new 370Z takes on the 135i, RX-8 R3, and Solstice GXP

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"This (135i) is a lovely car to live with as a daily driver, but it also suggests the difference between a sports coupe and a full-blooded sports car."

They were looking for the best sports car of the group and I guess they found it considering the 135 was designed to be something different.
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 11:43:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

— Staarr, I adore your avatar!
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 4:25:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Wow, the top of the line Nissan takes on the bottom of the line BMW.

BTW, the BMW is a looker and the Nissan looks like dog poo..........
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 10:06:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -16

I thought the GT-R was their top of the line.
— Agent250 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 10:18:45 PM | | Votes: 13

It's funny that EL34 thinks that the 135i is the bottom of the line for BMW. He's so ignorant that he forgot about the 122 hp 116i hatchback sold overseas with cloth seats, etc.

Don't be bitter EL34, it doesn't suit you well, but I guess we're used to it at this point.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 10:43:11 PM | | Votes: 2

"BMW is a looker and the Nissan looks like dog poo..."

That's not what Car and Driver thought, and I trust them more than EL34.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 10:46:31 PM | | Votes: 0

Sorry EL34, the BMW 1er is the ugliest BMW since the X3.
— E36er (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:35:39 AM | | Votes: 1

Teknik, you clearly have the best avatar on AutoSpies. I'm not joking. Not even mine comes close. Please, use yours forever!
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 4:20:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Wow, a twin turbo BMW w/ a sticker price $10,000 more still loses.
Must because of its midget look.......
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 10:13:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Agent001 is at the bank trying to get a loan to save starbuck. BMW will have to wait.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:05:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

wow, take 4 awesome little roadsters and compare em....

I'd be happy with any, with the possible exception of the RX-8. I am not too familiar with rotary engines and I like big torque.

Nissan VVEL - Awesome
GM 2.0 DI, Turbo, GMPP upgrades (290hp/340lbft) - awesome

However, I would think that the Solstice & RX-8 aren't as "refined" (see uppity) as the BMW or Nissan. Either way, all nice rides.
— neutral (View Profile)

Posted on 2/23/2009 11:33:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

YAWWNNN. I've always said BMWs were softy luxury sedans and Nissan Zs were full blooded sportscars. Car and Driver ain't telling me anything new I don't already know first hand. Guess they can only pretend so long until they can't stand lying to themselves.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:02:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

+1
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 5:19:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

The looks of this car is growing on me... I can't wait for the Nismo edition.
— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:52:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The Nismo version is ugly, only EL34 would like it.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2009 3:47:47 AM | | Votes: -3

Look at the Pokemon face?

Just the styling alone makes me not care about it.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:56:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

"Just the styling alone makes me not care about it."

You're talking about the 1 series again?
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 9:27:55 AM | | Votes: 2

Not one single CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT so far. Let me be the first.

All cars tested here are awesome and appeal to different folks. For me, the 135i is my choice followed by the Mazda RX-8. Two sexy looking cars with great performance.

I'm sure the 370Z is great, but it from a design perspective it doesn't grab my attention (actually makes me look away).

There. It's that simple!
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 6:16:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

"Not one single CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT so far."

welcome to Autospies.com. Check all original, rational thought at the door.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 10:22:31 AM | | Votes: 9

I've been here for awhile. I even got banned once (which to this day I have no reason why since I didn't flame, attack or insult anyone / anything).

The amount of fanboys or haters here has just increased it seems this week...
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 2:03:13 PM | | Votes: 6

Remember Crappy, at you not with you.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 9:28:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The test makes sense, if you just want something sporty and in that price range. Especially the RX8 and the Z they are natural competition, the Solstice GXP coupe also. The only real odd ball in this test is the 1 series which is BMW's entry level car and isnt a sports car by any stretch a entry luxury sport coupe yes, but not an all out sports car and its not suppose to be. It clearly though for the price in some regards make better sense than the Z nicer interior, better ride, just as fast, more practical it seems much more like the better choice. The Z being created as a sports car is hmm lol a better sports car and it certainly looks better, but otherwise the "entry level BMW" gives up little, and is overall the better car.
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 8:16:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Nissan has really taken the Z to the next level. I saw the new 370Z at a dealership last week and it looks great. I am also really intrigued by the SynchroRev Match feature -- might be worth a test drive to try it out.

Personally, I like the bulldog look of the 1-Series. My biggest problem with the 1-Series is that it is so expensive. I know C&D's tester was $37.7k, but this seems like a stripper to me. A 135i with premium, winter, and sport packages tops $41.7k (way too much in my opinion).

However, the 1-Series (and the RX-8 to a lesser extent) does offer a backseat and trunk. The problem with the rest of these cars is that they are small and really have to be second/weekend cars due to their lack of capacity and utility. The 1-Series is slightly more practical. My parents have been keeping their '05 Z4 3.0 in my garage over the winter (they use the Z4's spot for winter storage of their RIB). I enjoy driving it on the weekends (RWD, 2-seater is fun to toss around the backroads), but it could NEVER be my only car due to its small size and limited trunk.

By the way, the Solistice GXP is the best looking car in this group by far. I'm blown away that I'm saying that about a Pontiac after so many years of dismal designs and plastic body cladding. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope for GM.
— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 8:48:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Can't believe my eyes, I actually agree with you. How's that possible??
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 9:46:32 AM | | Votes: 1

We live in interesting times I guess downtoearth. HAHA.

I think we all could agree the comments section need less insulting of other posters and generic, unfounded across the board putdowns of brands (Lexus LS being a Camry, Porsche 911 being a VW Bug, and BMW being for people too poor to buy an Audi come to mind immediately) and more true discussion of cars. We don't have to always agree, but at least our comments should be grounded by fact and sanity.
— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 10:08:30 AM | | Votes: 3

— HSCenterconsole:

> We don't have to always agree, but at least our comments should be
> grounded by fact and sanity.

Amen!

> I think we all could agree the comments section need less insulting of
> other posters and generic, unfounded across the board putdowns of
> brands (Lexus LS being a Camry [...]

But imagine how dreary and non-funny comments would be then!

> Porsche 911 being a VW Bug

:)

> BMW being for people too poor to buy an Audi

LOL :)

And the problem is, all those mocking comments have a grain of truth in them :) LS really has a Camry-ish looking shapes at the front and many many years ago 911 was indeed derived from the VW Beetle :) I don't know about the wealth of BMW drivers but those guys were so confident and proud of their cars for centuries that annoying them is funny as hell too :)
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:23:27 PM | | Votes: -4

BMW 1 series: Ultimate Car Pool Machine, LMAO:)
— SuperAgent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 5:25:28 PM | | Votes: -2

Remember Crappy, at you not with you.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 9:29:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

^ What he said
— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:58:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

No needs to defend the 370, numbers and time wll talk about it....
— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:02:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

theyre all good. i'd take the 135i for being the best all around package, in terms of seating, power, style, and sportiness.

the nissan is more of a toy.

the mazda is more of a novelty.

the pontiac is a generation away from me giving a gm product a second look. great start, though.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:08:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

That is actually true. Rx8 is less common on the road than a BMW. The 370z has race me written all over it and the solstice was to make news companies pay attention to GM for the time being.
— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2009 8:59:02 PM | | Votes: 2

The 1 series is just flat out ugly, build poorly, and outperformed by a cheaper car...
— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 12:57:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

The 370z even has a better interior than the BMW. Go ahead and stroke it.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 2:30:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Nissan did a great job with the New Z
But I'd get The 1 over it
DarkPheonix
— DarkPheonix (View Profile)

Posted on 2/24/2009 5:56:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Good job Nissan. The 370Z is an amazing performer which is able to take down cars more expensive than it, and it looks the best out of all the ones tested. Keep up the good work!!
— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2009 1:18:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

370z does drives better than 135i.
but isnt 370z suppose to compete with Z4?
i m actually more curious to see a comparison between 370z and the new Z4.
— dayday (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2009 4:12:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

true. unfortunately the z4 will be bogged down by the folding top.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2009 6:07:56 PM | | Votes: 1

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The new 370Z takes on the 135i, RX-8 R3, and Solstice GXP

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