The Z is a little light on torque in stock form but it is a true sports car. You can't really get anything better in that price range. I know someone will bring up the STI or EVO but they are ugly.

 

Read the definition and you'll notice that it precludes the heavy Z. The Z is a sports GT. The G35C is a sporty coupe. The G35 is a relatively peppy sedan.

 

the Zs best attribute beside the VQ is its remarkable handeling ,which with modification, becomes almost exotic car performance, with the looks

 

I have a lightly modified STi and my brother has an 04 track 350Z with basic bolt-ons.

The Z is much slower/less responsive than my STi(in both handling and speed). My car throws you back into the seat and leaves you trying to reach for the shifter. I don't get that feeling with the Z. It's powerband is just so smooth and you hardly feel the acceleration.

The Z however just looks so much better to me. I love it's styling and with a few body parts it can look amazing.

This is not a flame at all. I love the Z, but it just doesn't feel like a 'powerful' car to me.

 

How is you car on the highway?

 

My car on the highway has plenty of power. Cruising and accelerating from high speeds there is still quite a bit of pull, more so than the z.

But with that said I would probably rather be on the highway with my brother's z.

 

0-60 in 5.3.1/4 mile under 14 seconds.156mph.Under 30K.Slow?

 

I was gonna mention the smooth powerband of the Z is likely leaving me wanting more as well. I guess every now and then you want a kick in the pants, and this car doesn't do it.
Like I said though, for the money it doesn't get any better than the Z.

If anyone ever spots me driving a WRX or Evo, please shoot me on site! Those cars are boy toys....yuck!

 

The Z is a mid 5 second car in 0-60.... To get a car thats breaks into the 4 second range your looking at $60k plus... For the money I am more then happy with the Z's performance....

True the STI and Evo are low 5 second cars but they look cheap.....

 

The STi and Evo mr are mid 4 second cars 0-60 And yes, they don't compare to the z in styling.

 

This is not the car to own if you want to get a thrill from straight line acceleration.

Look at the dyno and the Z has an extremely flat torque curve (it even drops off a bit towards redline). Intentionally engineered that way (flat) so abrupt throttle inputs don't upset the balance of the car. Go do a track day event/school and its all about smooth inputs of brake and gas to minimize asking any one corner to do to much. Makes the car safe, fast on the track and hella fun to drive.

The Evo and STi give you that great push-you-back-in-your-seat thrill mainly because there is a great surge in power as the turbo spools up. The torque curve looks more like a 45 deg. angle.

Test drove all three and found the Z a more all around competent/rewarding driver's car. I do miss having a backseat though, only b/c the lack of one keeps me from being able to drive it as often as I like!

 

If you use the Z as a daily driver it wont feel as fast. Because you kind of get used to it. Since I drive a slow pos as a daily driver. My Z feels like a rocket when I take it out once a week or when the weather is nice. I cant wait to drive my Z when the roads are clean. Probable in the next 2weeks.

 

I think for it's starting price, and what it offers, this car is a terrific value and plenty fast.

I'm seriously considering one, and find the overall package more compeling than the STI or EVO.

 

They may be mid to high 4 second cars 0-60, but not for long without replacing the clutch and/or transmission if you do many 0-60 sprints like that. AWD gives them a huge advantage off the line and in accelerating. But reving the motor to 5 grand and dropping the clutch will take its toll on the clutch and tranny. I read that some Evo owners were having warranty claims denied on those items.

 

I don't know what all of you are talking about the z being slow I have no problem getting in and out of traffic leaving folks in the dust on the freeway if they crowd me. If you want to race and get tickets and meybe get your car impounded then yes it may not be fast enough for you. I've grown past that in my 56 years though and just have good safe fun with my baby and pick my spots to rev her up. I've driven the old 68 corvette with the 427 with 390 horse and yes the z doesn't compare. But is it a beautiful car that gets the looks and fast enough,,,,,,,hell yeah.

 

Um...the boxter S has 280 hp and does 0-60 in about 5.2-5.5 seconds. I don't think getting that car will make you any happier.
However, I've never driven one so it may give you that feeling you're looking for even if you're not going any faster.

As for the comments about the Sti and Evo. They are faster than the Z 0-60 but after reading other posts it seems like the Z will stay level if not edge a Sti at least when starting from rolling starts. I do not know much about the Evo. I do know that small modifications to either of these vehicles make them hard to beat. They are an exceptional piece of work and I wouldn't mine adding one to my garage!

Last time I checked, 4 different magazines had the Sti doing 0-60 in 4.7-4.9 sec. Not that it matters, everyone knows the car is fast. haha

I will admit that my Z does not give me the same "push me back in my seat" feeling that the Sti did because of the smooth powerbands of the car like others have said but it is still something special to accelerate in and the growl of the engine and exhaust note is remarkable. I also think the Z is a bit "tame" in comparison to the Sti. Because of this I am less likely to speed in the Z compared to a Sti which I think is a good thing! Some may disagree with me on that one. I'm also still learning how to drive the car fast effectively.

zmotion, I'm sorry you feel that way about your Z, I wish you luck in finding the car that fits your power/speed needs!

 

Just get a SC or T
04 350Z with 11K miles
MODS: Stillen SC, Injen CAI, Stillen Headers, Stillen exhaust, Racing Hart deep dish rims

Auto trader has this car for sale for only 28K for anyone interested. Orlando Florida

 

Yeah, I was thinking that the OP was probably seeing this problem. My baby is my only car, which is inconvenient at times, and yeah, sometimes I do get too used to it. But it was nice when my friend, who owns an STi, complimented me on the car when I let him give it a shot. Not that his car's any slower, but it was nice to get the mutual appreciation.

 

The refinement is better then most with the Z.
The STI owner was MOST likely talking about that.

 

I have a 2004 Z and used to have a Honda S2000. My wife always tells me that the S2000 "felt" faster, and it is true. Once in VTEC, the S2000 has more initial punch. Also consider the S2000 lateral acceleration of .92g whereas the 350z is .88g.