I have read through a good bit of this forum as well as doing some searches, but it seems there is a shortage of objective comparisons of the 350Z to other cars. I hope I can get some useful responses to my questions so that I might make the best decision concerning my upcoming purchase.

I am considering buy a 350Z, but am also considering an Audi TT, Mazda RX8 and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO. The Audi is kinda bleh to me - the only thing I really like so far is the looks. The RX8 is very nice - I love the handling and the 9000RPM redline and smoothness of the engine. The Lancer is nice too, but I don't like the way it looks as much as I thought I would. The 350Z is a beautiful car (the interior is so-so quality wise imo), but not too sure I like the way it handles. It feels very edgy, and it doesn't shift as smoothly as I would prefer.

I've read all the magazines (Road and Track, Car and Driver, Sport Compact Car etc.) and I know what they think. I believe it is more important to get the input of real people who are out there driving their cars daily, racing their cars etc., so this is why I am here.

I can afford any of the cars (with any trim level) I've listed, so in that respect money is not a serious concern.

I love modding. How moddable is the 350Z, and how reliable is the powertrain when properly tuned FI is added? Does the 350 respond better to supercharging or turbosupercharging?

After driving a 350 I found the handling to be less than desirable. Straight-line acceleration is fun, but for me it is not the penultimate factor in my decision (I believe that there is little skill in drag racing when compared to road tracks etc., and doing 1/4 runs gets pretty damned boring). I much prefer twisty mountain roads. Is it possible to balance out the massive understeer in the 350Z? If the car can't handle well I don't want anything to do with it, and the stock handling is abysmal.

Overall reliability - is it good? I've read reports of trannys going bad at 30k miles, engine failures etc.

I was looking at the Track trim level of the 350, but I love leather. While I've found that aftermarket leather is usually of significantly higher quality than factory leather, I am still curious as to whether I can get leather as an option with the track 350.

Which trim level is best for someone who wants a street legal (though it doesn't have to comply with CA emissions standards) weekend road racer? I do plan on modding a good bit, but not for some time after the purchase (I like having a factory warranty).

For my money, the RX8 is the strongest competitor to the 350Z - mostly because the powerband and handling of the 8 are very impressive. Anyone with any observations here?

Any overall suggestions/input?

Thank you in advance to anyone who uses their valuable time to answer my questions!

 

Well i have driven all the cars minus the audi that u listed.......i like the z over them all. The evo runs great, handles awesome, but I'm no longer into the 4 door thing, maybe if i needed a place for a child seat that'd be a better car for me, but single with no kids equals no need for that much space. The rx8, very sexy body styling but are **** slow. Yea, the 9000rpm redline is nice, but when only 180whp is being put down there, it kinda sux. The Z is nice for me. It took some time to get used to handling but IMO its one hella fun car on twistie/mountain roads. Its got torque to get up hills rather easily and cornerning is a dream once you learn throttle/brake control on the car(which i still havent fully gotten down).

 

im currently in the market for a Z, and was wondering when the 2006 will be on showroom floors and if pricing will be differenct since they are changing the line-up

 

You mean turbocharging? Not turbosupercharging lol. TT would get you the best #s of course, but a supercharger would be safer. But looking at your post $$ is not an issue, so i would get a TT and then engine rebuild.

And here it is all broken down for you
Rx-8.... 100less hp then a Z... comeon now. Dont even consider this car.
Audi TT: Never driven one, but iam not sure how easy it is to mod their car?
Evo: This would be the only thing i would consider a competitor to the Z. I was considering getting one myself, but then decided not too because why? I dont go to the track often enough, and if i dont go the track why get it? Its not a good looking car, its just a fast one, and cheap to mod. And the point of it is to be tracked/and or dragged. So i decided the Z. If you really want all out performance and just dont care about the looks, ya go for the Evo. But if you want something that can look great, and get some great performance with a lil more money, then go with the Z.

 

i dont know who told you the rx-8 had 100 less horsepower but they were on something. cuz he said he could afford any trim level. the manual transmission comes with a 238 hp and the auto has 197 hp.

 

I've driven all except the Evo. If you don't like the Z's handling, don't bother with the TT. Yes I've driven the 3.2DSG, and was unimpressed. The RX8 is more tossable than the Z, but it is soo much slower...I honestly believe that's why people feel it handles well - the engine can't overwhelm the chassis. Evo I can't comment on (no seat time). I don't know what you don't like about the Z's handling...it's one of the best handling cars south of $30k - very stable with tons of grip, and steering feedback that gives up nothing to anything short of a boxster.

The 35th anniversary edition has the motor and brakes of the track edition along with leather, bose, etc.

NzZ

 

Actually, the technical term for turbocharging is turbosupercharging. Turbos are a form of supercharger. Great input by the way.

The TT handling is mediocre. It's powerband is kinda bad and for the extra $10k or so to get one equipped as I'd like I'd rather get a 350Z or RX8 and mod it. At least, that's the conclusion I came to this morning.

Yeah, the RX8 is weaker, and the point someone brought up about the lack of power being why it handles better is something I hadn't thought of.

The Evo is ugly.

My girlfriend loves the Z, so that alone is a big plus.

So far strongly leaning to the Z, but I'd like to see exact specs when they release it.


To the person who asked why I did not like the Z's handling:

It felt edgy to me. The roadster I drove (enthusiast trim I believe) had a lot of understeer. The car feels a bit heavy, but that can probably be easily corrected.

The Boxter is one hell of a car for the price, but alas, the car, combined with insurance and maintenance, is out of my budget. I don't want to drop more than about $800-$1000 a month for my payments + insurance, and financing a $32k Z with $5k down for 36mos. keeps me well within these numbers. In fact, it leaves plenty of extra money to put away for the expensive mods that I'm going to want. ^^

Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to respond, and I definitely look forward to more input.

 

Check out latest issue of Speed magazine. They have a greddy Turbo RX8, HPA Audi TT, and 4 forced induction Zs face off..Also XS EVo I believe. It's a good representation of some of the cars you are looking into and mods that can be done...also shows cost of all mods. I keep reading that issue.
Out of the cars mentioned, it must be the Z!!! or Evo if you just want to go really fast in any weather. Everytime I walk out of my house or a store or something and look at my car, it reaffirms that there is nothing on the road that beats it in looks. SPeaking of looks, I need to go wash my Z. Get a Z.

 

Thanks mate I'll go pick up a copy of Speed right now.

BTW, off topic, but I see you're from Long Island. I have family in Freeport.

 

I've driven the Z, Evo and RX. Keying in on "like to mod" and "weekend road race," I'd say Evo all the way. It would be a mad track weapon compared to the other two stock and has even greater bang for the buck when modded.

I chose the Z b/c I'm at the track 1-2 times a year, the other 363 days I prefer to not have my teeth chattering and the low-end torque of a NA motor matched with the stunning good looks made it an easy choice.

 

Have you considered the S2000? The S is quite the handling monster, due to its 2800lb weight, and although lacks low end torque, is almost as fast as the Z. A set of coilovers and sways on the S, and you are set for track duty. Id stay away from the RX8, due to the weak motor and rotary troubles ive heard of. The Z or S are good for turbo duties, but you will have to build up the motors to have long-term reliability.

 

The 2006 comes out at the end of August. I recieved a quote from a base (which is the enthusiast not) 27980 for a 06 350z 6spd. This is a quote from Las Vegas. Good luck with your choice.

 

For my money, the RX8 is the strongest competitor to the 350Z - mostly because the powerband and handling of the 8 are very impressive. Anyone with any observations here?

Any overall suggestions/input?

Thank you in advance to anyone who uses their valuable time to answer my questions![/QUOTE]

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Seriously...FORGET the RX-8. From what I've read recently about it, you'll be sorry if you bought it. WHY?? The Rotary Engine. It consumes massive amounts of oil and gas. I had an old 91 RX-7 and it used up hella oil ....and the RX-8 sounds WORSE in this regard. I don't know about you...but I wouldn't want to worry about my oil level every time I jumped into my car!

Besides the RX-8 has those wack azz front fenders...not too asthetically pleasing

Oh yeah....and ANOTHER thing...That Wankel Rotary Engine is really the basic equivalent of a 4 cylinder engine...The ONLY 4 cylinder Sports Car that ever reigned as a supreme GOD was the OLD Lotus Esprit Turbo!!

 

I really wouldn't consider the RX8 either. It looks great, and handles great..but sometimes you just need 2 seats and power..and the RX8 offers none of that.

 

Its unfair to compare RX8 coupe to Z roadster. Z roadster definitely will be heavier and a little sluggish in handling. A fair comparison would be Z coupe, test drive a track model and then compare.

A few mods on the Z, it will do 1.0g on the skidpad. So Z is a worthy competitor in handling.

Good luck with your purchase. I love my Z.

 

I think the reason for people having issues with the new rotary is that they don't properly warm them up or cool them off. These engines arent like most where u can start them and just drive, it is reccommed to start it up and let it get to around normal temperature before you take off. My friend has an rx8 and has done this since day one, beats the hell out of the car with 55k miles on it, and no mechanical issues

 

I have a 350 and all I do is mountain driving and road track driving. I have not had any seat time in the other listed cars, but after you get the hang of the Z's streering you be drifting it on every corner in town :-)

The 350 tends to require a bit of muscle to drive it hard at the track or mountain roads, your have rubber arms in no time, but hitting 140 in the mountain, braking to 80 and taking that 35MPH at 80 you will either smile or wreck :-)


disclaimer:
I only heard the car can do 155 I have never been there...

 

It's true, everyone still stares even a year later, guys on harleys, granpa in mini van, everyone who ever owned a 240,280,300 etc.. every tuner in town, every mustang owner, every muscle car owner, every hillbilly in a pickup truck.

keep it clean