Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

Road & Track Sports Car Comparo

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 06:42 PM
  #1  
Racer Z's Avatar
Racer Z
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Mount Laurel, NJ
Default Road & Track Sports Car Comparo

New issue of R&T has a "Best All-Around Sports Car Champ" section....Featured the 35th Anniv. Z versus: Vette, S2000, Elise, Boxster S, 911 Carrera S, BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK, and Viper SRT-10.

Seems like our beloved Z only faired mediocre in terms of acceleration, handling, braking, and track speeds...

From now on...I'm only buying Car & Driver..dammit...LOL
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
7744's Avatar
7744
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default Re: Road & Track Sports Car Comparo

Originally posted by Racer Z
Seems like our beloved Z only faired mediocre in terms of acceleration, handling, braking, and track speeds...
I, for one, am satisfied that the Z was compared to cars like the Lotus Elise and Porsche 911.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2005 | 03:28 AM
  #3  
FairladyZ's Avatar
FairladyZ
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX
Default

Please tell me that the 350Z was not last in acceleration.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2005 | 07:54 AM
  #4  
rclab1's Avatar
rclab1
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: SyracuseCampus
Default they said the Torque on the 30th anniv. Z was poor?

that magazine article said that the Torque on the Z was Poor, and in terms of accleration, it was very close to dead Last!

I thought the Z had "Gobs" of torque?????????????????

even though the Z was compared to all of those sports cars, the Z came in CLOSE to Dead Last?????

and most importantly, all those compard was only a two seater sports car (except GT Porsche 911).....

I think the Z was put into that category b/c the Z is a car in America thats a 2 seater......

I hope I'm wrong....I love the Z
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2005 | 08:06 AM
  #5  
Lonerider's Avatar
Lonerider
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: US
Default

Its hard for me to believe any magazine these days. It seems like performance numbers for cars are inconsistent across all magazines.

As for the torque comment, I guess the drop from 274-260 for the newer models is noticiable?
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2005 | 08:23 AM
  #6  
ANXIOUZ's Avatar
ANXIOUZ
New Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Default

How can they say the Z has poor torque when an S2K was in the test group?

This is the first article I've read that didn't gush over how great a deal the Z is compared to the other much more expensive cars. ::shrugs::
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2005 | 08:25 AM
  #7  
Smoked's Avatar
Smoked
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Pittsboro, IN
Default

Well looking at the prices for those cars, the Z comes in close to being on the bottom as far as pricing goes. So the old addage, you get what you paid for comes into play. With some modifications, you can make the Z as fast as a Viper, it just depends on preference, warranty, etc.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2005 | 02:29 PM
  #8  
ppw350Zunit's Avatar
ppw350Zunit
Registered User
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Default

Originally posted by Lonerider
As for the torque comment, I guess the drop from 274-260 for the newer models is noticiable?
i rather have 287 hp/274 tq than 300hp/260tq
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 02:46 AM
  #9  
Racer Z's Avatar
Racer Z
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Mount Laurel, NJ
Default

If you read this R&T issue, you'll notice that they said the 35th Anniv. Ed 350Z, even with 300 HP feels like it has less low end torque than the Base Model Z.....Why would Nissan design it like that??
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 03:37 AM
  #10  
doc91671's Avatar
doc91671
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: california
Default

I've driven both, and I can't tell any diffrence.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 03:38 AM
  #11  
zmespeed's Avatar
zmespeed
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: dayton ohio
Default

motor trend is my favorite 5.3 0-60 that sound about right to me.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 04:28 AM
  #12  
FairladyZ's Avatar
FairladyZ
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX
Default

Thats why I am not a magazine racer.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 07:45 AM
  #13  
dansouliere's Avatar
dansouliere
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Canada
Default

Keep in mind the Z was probably the heaviest car they tested. The S2000 has less torque but its also 2850lb compared to the 3300lb Z. That is a huge difference on the track.

The Z needs to go on a diet! lol
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 12:22 PM
  #14  
maserom's Avatar
maserom
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Marina Del Rey CA
Default

Steve Millen from Stillen was one of the Test Drivers in this article. I would think he could push the z to the limits. Still very avg results. Great article. At least we beat the Z4!
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 12:34 PM
  #15  
FairladyZ's Avatar
FairladyZ
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX
Default

Steve Millen doesnt drive the 350Z to its fullest. I think he has something against it? Maybe no one buying his products.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2005 | 10:45 PM
  #16  
JDMFairlady21's Avatar
JDMFairlady21
New Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,853
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
Default

i for one think that it definitely was a wierd outcome as far as test results but at the end of day my Z puts a smile on my face as soon as park it in my garage =)
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2005 | 04:06 AM
  #17  
7744's Avatar
7744
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

Originally posted by Racer Z
If you read this R&T issue, you'll notice that they said the 35th Anniv. Ed 350Z, even with 300 HP feels like it has less low end torque than the Base Model Z.....Why would Nissan design it like that??
Typically, modifications used to make the car "breath" better (ie revised cams, electronic exhaust valve timing control) the car will gain horsepower, but lose torque. The reason that they would do this on the higher-end Z models is because people love to quote horsepower numbers when comparing models. Especially non-enthusiasts, who know very little about anything automotive.

I'm sure that there are going to be people out there who know nothing about cars, but are bragging that their 35thAE Z has more horsepower than a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, and therefore is quicker.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2005 | 04:50 AM
  #18  
doc91671's Avatar
doc91671
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: california
Default

The 35th produces more torque at 6400 rpm than the standard engine does at 6200 rpms.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2005 | 05:17 AM
  #19  
7744's Avatar
7744
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

Originally posted by doc91671
The 35th produces more torque at 6400 rpm than the standard engine does at 6200 rpms.
Do you mean horsepower?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2005 | 06:49 AM
  #20  
doc91671's Avatar
doc91671
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: california
Default

No, I mean torque.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:13 AM.