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

— Staarr, I adore your avatar!

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..........

I thought the GT-R was their top of the line.

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.

"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.

Sorry EL34, the BMW 1er is the ugliest BMW since the X3.

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

Wow, a twin turbo BMW w/ a sticker price $10,000 more still loses.
Must because of its midget look.......

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.

+1

Look at the Pokemon face?

Just the styling alone makes me not care about it.

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

You're talking about the 1 series again?

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!

"Not one single CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT so far."

welcome to Autospies.com. Check all original, rational thought at the door.

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...

Remember Crappy, at you not with you.

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.

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.

Can't believe my eyes, I actually agree with you. How's that possible??

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:

> 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 :)

BMW 1 series: Ultimate Car Pool Machine, LMAO:)

Remember Crappy, at you not with you.

^ What he said

No needs to defend the 370, numbers and time wll talk about it....

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.

The 1 series is just flat out ugly, build poorly, and outperformed by a cheaper car...

Nissan did a great job with the New Z
But I'd get The 1 over it
DarkPheonix

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!!

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.