Hi there. The last Z I had was a 1996 300ZX Twin Turbo. That's after a lot of other Zs' starting with a 71 240z, and every other model there was.

Anyway, what I wanted to know is if there are any owners of the 350Z which might have also had owned or leased a 300ZX or a 300ZX TT.

Just wanted to know if you could compare a few things on both. Like for example...

1. Ride, how does the 350 handles compared to the 300ZX. I remember the 300ZX TT had that suspension feature on which the rear tires would turn opposite to the direction you were turning for enhanced stabilty.

2. Braking. How does the 350 without the Brembos feel. I do remember the 300zx was not too good at stopping.

3. Cabin space. I do remember never feeling cramped inside the 300zx. Plenty of space in there.

4. Power. acceleration, etc. I remember that feeling of getting "glued" to the seat when the TT kicked in.

Overall, what is your opinion on both cars. I made the mistake of trading in my last 300ZX TT on 2001 for a BMW 330ci. I wish I would have kept it. Anyway, after many other BMWs' I have been having that "urge" to go back to my roots. the "Z". I have a lease ending pretty soon, and I really think I'll be going back to the Z.

Just wish there was somewhere I could rent one for a weekend. Need to convince my wife. She doesn't want to give up the BMWs'. We currently lease two 530i.

Thanks for your help.

 

The 350 without brembos stops really nicely. I have the roadster...not sure what model you would look at....and there is a good amount of space for a 2 seater. Never feel cramped even with the top up. Its acceleration is more than ample for just about any driving condition. Can't help you with the 1st question as I have never driven a 300zx.

 

Was actually looking at the Touring Roadster. Thanks

 

Driving both cars I have liked the TT better. The brakes on the TT were pretty good. Acceleration on a 96TT is probably a bit slower then the Z33 because it was down 20hp from the 300hp 90-95s. Handling most people on here are going to be one sided since it is a 350Z site, but the Z32TTs handled quite nicely. The 350Zs suspension is a bit more refined though. And the HICAS (4 wheel steering) wasn't worth it; all it did was weigh the car down more. Overall I really like the Z32TT more then the 350Z, but the 350Z is a really good car even though it lacks forced induction

 

I can't comment on the 04-05 models w/ the Euro shocks/springs, but the 03 rides between the touring and sport suspension modes of the 300ZX TT. Handling-wise, the 350 feels lighter than the TT through corners. I never really noticed the HICAS on my TT, but then again, I never took my TT to the roadcourse.

I have the Brembos so I can't really comment on the brakes, but bear in mind the Touring roadster and TT are similar in weight and brake rotor size so you may run into the same brake issues you had w/ the TT. Brake feel is probably better in the TT because of the 4-piston fr/2-piston rr setup vs the single-piston all-round in the non-Track models.

The 350 has a more cramped feeling than the TT because the beltlines are higher. If the TT has a driving position similar to a Ferrari (low, go-kart like), then the 350 has a driving position similar to a Porsche (higher, more upright). But not as upright as my Sentra. The trunk in the 350 is more shallow than the TT's.

Power delivery is smooth on the 350. No lag in power like in the TT. If you like that pin you to the seat feeling, then you may be disappointed w/ the 350. Both focus on mid-range power, however.

For one year, I had both a 350 and a TT. The TT was a garage queen and the 350 was flogged at the track. I loved my TT, but I love driving my 350. Ultimately, I stopped driving the TT (despite the additional 100hp) and sold it.

One thing you should consider is that you may be spoiled w/ BMW interior quality and service. Just be aware the Nissan won't be at that same level.

IIRC, westpak currently has both. Maybe he'll chime in w/ his opinions.

Michael.

 

Seeing that I have a touring roadster let me give you 1 piece of advice. Get it!! It's sooooo much fun. Every minute that goes by and you don't have this car god kills a kitten...please, think of the kittens!!

 

Before I bought my 350Z, I had the opportunity to buy a stock low-mileage 96 300ZX from a good friend. When I say low mileage, I mean <20k. He (a good friend) let me borrow the Z for a week to see what it was like.

300ZX - I think the car was assembled a little better. The fit and finish look better than the 350Z. The car was definitely less nimble than my 350Z and felt heavier in corners. As for power, I felt both cars were similar. I'm sure the 300ZX is easily modded to be much more powerful, but I'm talking stock vs stock. I honestly don't believe the 300ZX is any faster in the 1/4 than the 350Z..but I haven't brought either to the strip.

350Z - I liked the looks and features more. 300ZXs are AWESOME cars, but their age shows.

NzZ

 

They are both great cars and different, first I don't think the 300ZX show their age, I think they still have a sleek exotic look, just because they aren't bubbly like everything out now.

1. The 350Z feels better and easier to take around turns, the 500 lbs difference really shows, mine is a 90 so the HICAS is a real pain in the a$$ to maintain and although I have not taken the 300ZX on the the track people that do disable the 4 wheel steering as it is more hazardous than helpful at high speeds. I do like the 2 setting switch for the suspension inside the car of the 300ZX and even though I have every suspension mod on the 300ZX the 350Z takes this point.

2. As for brakes I think that with stock brakes the 350Z is retty good and less suseptible to the warping problems you have with the 300ZX, I would say this point is even.

3. Spacewise the 350Z is very roomy and you do not feel cramped at all, the only think is that the window is higher so you might feel confined, I like the layout of the 300ZX better you feel like in a sports car more than in the 350Z. The interior is much better in the 300ZX in quality and build than the 350Z but this depends on whether you are looking for luxury or a sports car, which if you are looking at the Touring you will get some of that luxury.

4. In the power department, stock for stock the 350Z gets the edge, I know people say they like that glued to your seat feeling of the TT's kicking in but that is at the expense of an anemic low end non-TT performance whereas the 350Z takes off right from the beggining, but for upgradeability the 300ZX gets the win, with just exhaust and intake I am at 280 RWHP pretty much what you might get with all of the NA mods available for the 350Z, next is ECU and Boost controller and I will be at 350 RWHP which is where I am now with my 350Z after spending $$$$$ to get there.

But all that being said the 350Z is a hell of a car and fun to drive, so if you enjoyed a non-modded 300ZX TT you will like the 350Z.

 

and absolutely loved that car. It was a very sad day when I sold it. A few observations about differences.

1) The 350 feels lighter and more nimble than the 300. 300 really pushed into corners.

2) Although the 350 interior is more modern I feel that the overall quality of material used in the 300 were of better quality and fit. The center console, dash and the doors on the 350 have a cheap look an feel. Not so in the 300.

3) I really liked the electronic climate control in the 300. I think it was easier to use, and more functional. I was dissapointed that the 350 did not have DIGITAL climate control.

4) Certainly the largest plus for the 300TT was that it was so easily and safely tuneable. My 91 TT was stage three, intake, exhaust and chip. I dynoed in at 335 to the wheels. It cost me around $1500 to get to stage 3. I drove it for 25,000 miles with these upgrades and only needed to fix/replace my clutch.

5) Lastly, resale value on low mileage Twin Turbo's is nothing short of awesome. I paid 17.5k for my twin turbo. I sold it six years and 35k miles later for 15k.

So far I am dissapointed in the ability to easily get more HP out of the 350. But I really knew that going into it.

My 350 is loaded touring w/NAV and I love it. But everytime I see a 300TT on the road I reallt miss my old 300.

I think the 300TT body style still looks awesome even after 15 years. I can only hope that the 350 still turns some heads 15 years from now.

Hope this helps a little.

Cheers,
Mark

2003 Touring Super Black

 

My wife had a 300ZTT before the 350 and I must say the fit and finish of the 300TT was superior to the 350's. Accelleration was close low end advantage 350 high end 300TT, braking both good 300TT brakes did'nt feel as "grabby" to me. We may still have that car if did'nt get totalled out be her.