Wow! This is a real thread going on here. I'm GETTING EXCITED!

Here's my 2c. You're all right!

Just don't let me catch you at my favorite track with those Bose Sterio brakes of yours. Ha! Real men don't even need A/C let alone heated seats!

BTW: Real men live in tepid climates

 

exsilio, don't you know you shouldn't drink and drive!

Let’s just say you're driving along with your wife when you take a corner a little too quick (cause your stock brakes didn't slow you in time). Your wife reacts violently to your sudden maneuver and accidentally jabs her knee into the fragile little cup holder with you piping hot Latte. While trying not to scream from the pain emanating from your southern region, you fail to notice a small amount of coffee seeping into the guts of your Nav system.

Well this spells big trouble for you when the Nav system promptly shorts out leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere. Of course you didn't bring your $10.00 map because why should you, you bought a Nav system. So, there you are stuck in the middle of nowhere with a wife who's becoming increasingly more upset with her predicament. Trying to calm her down, you turn to your wife with a slightly crooked smile and say,

"Well at least we still have our heated seats."

Of course, you're in the middle of New Mexico and it's 110deg outside. Suffice to say, she's not amused!

Now this scenario is just one example of why I chose to buy the track model instead. So all I can say is GOOD LUCK!

 

And they don't listen to music(stereos weigh too much), take any passengers anywhere(passenger seats weigh too much), fill their tanks all the way(gas weighs too much) and they NEVER ever buy black cars with black interiors. Oh well, I enjoy being a pseudo-man, chicks dig heated seats.

 

Ah, really? That's very nice to know. All the events I go to are untimed events with no wheel-to-wheel racing allowed. (Events such as the Thunderhill track school in California) It's good to hear that my insurance might actually be okay if something happened.

On that note, has anyone here actually called their insurance companies and asked them about this? I might do so just to see what they say.

 

Excilio, you really think the Brembos are only gonna get you 3-5 feet better braking? Don't get me wrong, I don't know squat about this but it just seems like a $3000 performance option like that would be worth more than just 3-5 feet

 

I think you are all overlooking one of the more important factors that will make the Track faster - the racing antenna. The Performance model only has a standard antenna.

 

What I had heard here (or perhaps zcar) is that training is covered, i.e. if an instructor is with you on the track you are covered, otherwise you may not be. Now hopefully the coverage is broader and any non-timed event is covered but it would be nice to have this confirmed. I would hate for someone to rely on the info they have heard here only to be told NFW by their insurance company when they made a claim. Has anyone here ever successfully submitted a claim for something that happened on the track?

 

It's not nessacarely(sp) the stopping distance, but a combination of shorter stopping and less FADING with the track version.

All of the other models might stop within the same distance as the track intially(sp), but after repeated attempts, the brembo's on the track will last much longer.

 

I don't have a lot of time, so don't tear up this post for me not going into deep detail. I did quite a bit of research on rotational mass a while back. Rotational mass multiplies each pound added by 7 or something like that. So, if your stock wheels weighed 25lbs and you got a new wheel package that weighs 28lbs, you are effectively adding 21lbs to each corner of your car. I have a bmw 325ci 2001 and changed from the stock 17s to 19s and you can absolutley feel that the car is slower to accelerate, slower to brake, and doesn't handle as well. I added about 5 pounds by upsizing. So I effectively added 35 pounds to each corner of my car when in motion...a total of 140lbs!!! Believe me, it makes a difference in your acceleration and one that you will certainly feel off the track and on if there is more than a couple pounds of difference between the Rays and non-rays. With all that being said, I still feel that my car performs quite well, but there are days where I wish I wouldn't have upgraded to the rims. Most days I love them though. Just ask yourself how often you are going to beat the hell out of your car. With that answer you will know whether it will make a true difference to have the weight savings.

So here is something to think about:
if the stock 18s weigh around 25 pounds and the Rays weigh around 16 pounds...each wheel would weigh 9 pounds lighter x 4 wheels = 36 pounds lighter. Once the car begins in motion motion 36 pounds x 7 = 252 pounds lighter. I belive that could be an amount that you would notice in acceleration, handling, braking.

just my 2 cents...flame away.

- Josh

PS. Here are my heavy wheels

 

josh,

you got it! what i'm saying, but you've got more patience than I to explain. seems like a lot of jokers on board.
it'd be cool if there was a Racing or Autocross forum.

 

wait for the tests and reviews before making assumptions. Weight makes a difference. I'm looking for a track car where every little thing like weight counts, not a boulevard cruiser. YMMV.

 

the only thing i changed in my car was going to heavier wheels (5 lbs heavier) and I notice a difference in every day driving...as have other people that have driven my car. Sounds like real world to me.

I will say this. If you don't drive the track version with the lighter wheels, you will never know the difference from the other models. So I wouldn't worry about it. You can always purchase the track wheels down the road.

 

exsilio,
we agree to disagree. that's cool.
As with the Spyder it's the tech specs that i find the Z attractive. I frequent non competitive open track events and one of the best things about the Spyder is it's light weight. I'm able to take and hang with more powerful cars out there on track. BTW, if i do get a Z it'll be a enthusiast or performance model (not sure if i'd want VDC) with aftermarket brake upgrades and my own choice of light weight wheels.

 

If the track isn't an appreciably better performer than how come that is the only car Nissan has given to the magazines to test?

 

Excilio, you know there is one simple way to end all of these assaults on you concerning the Track vs other Z's..........Just join us! Dump your preorder and buy a Track! Yes, Excilio.....listen to the soothing sound of my voice.......Track is good......Track is inner peace....Track is tranquil.............Yes......Join us my friend.....join us in paradise! (insert your own goofy sounding TM Mantra here)

 

Personally I ordered a Track because I, well.............. drive on the track!! If you won't track the car then it doesn't really matter. However, I also feel that a sports car is just that so if it's the luxury you really want, why not buy a G35?? I also have an I35, that's my luxo car and my Z is my track car. I personally never understood buying a car for looks or image. My MR2 Spyder is ugly as hell but it's pure magic on the track. My biggest fear is the Z won't have the magic the 2200lb mid engined MR2 has on the track. I am not a bad driver if I don't say so myself (ask iMR2) and it has been really fun humbling much faster and more expensive cars on the track. I hope the Z just takes me to the next level. And of course it's marketing. The marketing dept gave the fastest car to the mags to generate the best numbers regardless of what the other models are capable of (my take on things at least). I would also be willing to bet that over a 30 minute session with equal drivers the track will be 2 seconds a lap (average lap 80-120 seconds) so the Track will be 1.6-2.5% faster not .0005!!! LOL