I like the Z very much - both the performance and the looks and the price (I have a VPP discount). The only problem is that the car will be my daily driver (both summer & winter). I was pretty sure I want the Z, but....

week ago my friends friend (guys are kinda experienced - racing cars for a few years) crashed his Z while making a turn 2 fast => there was some water and he just lost it... the car is totaled and his gf. is in a hospital.

I have read some postings on different forums and I have serious doubts if Z is good for me, bearing in mind I will have to drive it in snow and rain...

I am pretty confident with my driving abilites - had a 2.0 supercharged alfa romeo 145, and now celica gts [which i want to trade in....] but both were FWD.

I would like to know:
- if a Z is such a pain for a daily driver /I live in Chicago so we have some rain and a bit of snow
- if it is really so easy to lose this car
- Z vs Evo (guess I like it more then Sti)

Thanks for all your help.

 

the first day I owned my car it was raining and I had to make a left turn onto a 4 lane road and took it too fast and i fish tailed bad. My traction control kicked in and saved my ride. I would have ended up on the side walk other wise. Its only snowed one day here since I owned the car and it did kind of suck in the snow but the traction control helped a lot. I don't know how I would feel about owning a Z in chicago but I am impressed with the traction control.

Did you friend have a model with traction control and was it on?

 

Traction control saved my butt too many times to count. I wouldn't say it's easy to 'lose' the car. Its easy to get it sideways with VDC off and it's easy to control when sliding. I've driven mine many times in the rain and have had no problems. I drove it once in the snow and it was terrible but you can always get snow tires to change that. It does good for a daily driver, fun to drive and decent gas miliage.

 

This is one of my concerns as well since reading up on the 350z this entire week as I'm interested in getting on as well. Just too good of a deal with VPP.

But reading up on all the folks who totaled their car because of a puddle of water or a patch of ice just have me concerned. Living in NJ, I don't need to give the insurance company a reason to raise my rates!

My opinions is appreciated.

 

I guess the guy had a track version - probably his traction was off (I can almost bet on it --- but I will never be able to find it out).

I am considering the enthusiast edition (they have a red color in stock)... so TC is provived.

 

Go for the Z, its very decent in snow (w/ snow tires) and it is very good in rain (w/ TC on). I have driven mine several times here in indiana with Snow. She is very picky though.

 

i thought the EVO have a Bus a like Turning Circle?

 

I drive my Z in the rain all the time. The back end goes out if you take a turn too fast, but the traction control can take care of it. It's only happened to me once (when I wasn't trying ), so it's nothing you have to worry about. As for the snow, this winter I still had my stock tires on and it was horrible in the snow. It got stuck on unplowed roads, and I couldn't get any traction whatsoever on the ice. The tires just spun... and spun... and spun. The Z is definitely driveable in bad weather, but you'll need snow tires if you plan on driving it in the winter. If this is the only car you'll have, then you might want to consider the Evo. I don't know exactly what you will be using the car for, but the Evo has 4 doors, a larger trunk, and AWD. The Z is fast and sexy, but one thing it isn't is practical .

 

If you drive responsibly, unlike your friend, you will be ok. Some people vouch that the Z is great in the snow w/ winter tires. Some, like myself, will never let it see snow.

 

Let me tell you somthing, I am coming from an S2000 and S2000's are horrible for daily diriving, especially modded, I considered the z and evo however Z looks better and I like RWD cars Vs 4wd cars, so I got the Z. I think its a great daily driiver if ya dont mind the 2 seat thing. Oh and also, no matter what kind of evo you get, no matter how much money you spend on wheels kits etc...... Lancer is a Lancer my friend, to any girl out there you have a mitshubishi Lancer. A 30k lancer but still a lancer.
I had the same problem with a SpecV before. everybody called it a sentra, I got pissed and sold it... lol

 

IMO, wrong forum to ask.

In all honesty almost everyone here is going to say the 350Z. Try automotiveforums in the general car buying questions, find a section like that and ask there. You are definitely going to get biased answers here.

 

I drive a Z about 140 miles a day for my commute. It is not an easy daily driver. It is very tough to take people out. However, I make it work, and it is a great car. The EVO is a much more manageable car to own and you get a great car. I just could not stand the looks and the tail. Maybe it is my age (39) but I just could not bring myself to drive one.

shaun

 

the Z is able to deal with bad weather (at least really bad rain since there is no snow in sofla), but you have to respect the car. it's a rwd car so of course it's going to be easier than fwd or awd cars to get the back end out. but if you're careful and don't do anything too quickly the car deals with the rain just fine. don't expect to be able to drive in the rain like you would drive on a normal day though.

 

I havent had mine for too long, but I agree, if your not driving stupid (or fun as i like to call it) then you shoudlnt have any out of control problems, all cars need reaspect though,

as for the 2 seat thing, i love it, that doesnt make me the damn cab driver, and taking out a lady is much easier in this car

 

I live in Chicago too & am considering getting a Z. Right now I have an '04 WRX so no problem, but I might trade it once I get a Z. I say, get the Z, then spend $1k on a FWD beater (or more if you can afford it) to use in the winter.

 

I'd definately go with the EVO for the snow up north.

You should be more concerned about 4wd performance up their than looks.

 

Living in Chicago with the winter there I remember so well (yikes!), if you decide on the Z you better buy a FWD winter beater....if not, I would get the Evo as the daily driver, no question.......... Living in Lexington, KY is bad enough with the 10-15 days each winter that the Z is undriveable...in Chicago, you'd have to put your Z in hibernation! The snow tires (Blizzaks) are an option, but there is no comparison between RWD & AWD in the snow. Just my opinion.........

 

The 2 seats don't bother me at all - most of the time i drive with a girl or on my own. As one wrote I am not a cab

The thing is it will be my only car... and i just want to be sure I dont buy 30k toy that I will not be able to drive in winter.

Buying other car for winter is not an option - my parking space is limited

Did anyone use winter tires on Z? How does she handle then?

 

Rain isn't an issue with the Z. Snow and ice can be.

We had some minor snow several weeks ago and the Z was fine it. As long as you drive like a normal person and not some crazy azz who floors it around turns, you'll be fine.

Obviously an AWD car would do better in more severe weather. If I ever have to move to a climate where it heavily snows regularly then I suspect that I will have to let my Z go. I hope that day never comes.

 

I've read several threads from folks in snow/ice country who reported winter tires solves the traction problem.