For those of you that think your Z's are a little under powered, try doing what I just did. Since the middle of August I think I drove the Z 2, maybe 3 times. I've been driving my beater car a 94 Altima for the most part. The times that I did take the Z out it was just local normal speed limit driving. Today I decided to take her out and stretch her legs a bit. All I can say is WOW, I forgot just how fast this car is. I'm talking about over 100 mph before shifting into 3rd gear fast (5at). I couldn't stop grinning as I was slowing down. Anyway, this is probably a useless post to most. But I just had to say something because my Z made me feel really good today.

 

yeah its a real solid car at 100+

 

Don't underestimate the power of the car. Even though its only 287... the power band is very wide.

 

Great post. Using the 350Z as a daily driver, the car can get…well…a bit stale. Early Sunday morning I like to take the Z on some of the less-traveled roads north of Baltimore. Yes. It’s a potent performer.

 

I just bought my new 05 Z just two weeks ago, and traded in my Civic Si. Let me tell you folks who've gotten used to this amazing car. The Z is a BEAST. And somebody said ONLY 287 hp??? 287 is really high if you ask me. This car has great numbers up and down, and is very very powerful. I used to have to downshift in my Civic Si to do anything, but in my new Z, I can just step on the gas a little more and get where I need to. Mind you this car isn't even broken in yet. Just my .02 cents from a new Z driver.

 

100+ in second gear? Didn't it redline by then? If it didn't, I am pleasantly surprised!

Can't wait to order mine

 

Yeah to the people who say the Z is slow or not fast enough, I always think it's something to do with their driving. If you can't go fast with 287hp, it's not the car.

 

Whoa! I had an Si too before my Z. I thought I would miss my Si more, but I don't really. Especially when I punch the Z past 5K rpm. Wait until you get over 5000 miles on your odometer, potator. You will love it.

 

My sentiments exactly. Ever taken your Z to a small circuit like the Streets of Willow? I was faster than those dudes with heavily modded STi's and blew by my brother's DC2.

 

I'm pretty sure I was still in second getting ready to shift into third when I went to 100 MPH. But then again I was in full auto mode and really excited at the time. Like I said, I'm pretty sure, but will try it again tomorrow just to confirm it. Either way my Z still made me very happy today

 

yea I have toned back how I drive really taking it easy to save on gas and last night I was driving my grandmother to dinner in her car and I saw a guy in a Z roadster really gunning it and having fun with it. I just sat back and watched how quickly it pulled away from traffic and I am pretty sure his was mostly stock since it wasn't pulling crazy like a TT or anything. I was thinking "wow that guy is really having fun in his Z... I should have more fun with mine". When I got back in my car I went ahead and drove it pretty hard the rest of the day...

 

2nd gear for me goes up to 69-70 mph at redline, 3rd gear will get me to 105 I believe I wouldn't know, I haven't been brave enough to push the car that far yet on local roads hehe

 

Was dropping my son off at my ex-wife's house and it was the first time she saw the Z so I asked her if she wanted to ride in it. Her road is a two lane but it is closed a little over a quarter mile west of her house because they are replacing a bridge over I-77. So I drove up to the construction area and then turned around and asked her if she was ready. She said "yes" so I hammered it. I hit 100MPH before I had to get hard on the brakes to whoa her down so I could turn into her driveway.

She was still grinning when I drove off. That is the most fun we have had together since the divorce 5 years ago

 

I came from a 2.0 jetta to a 350Z. And man was it ever night and day. But now I am used to the speed. Once winter comes and I have to use teh winter beater again(jetta)... The Spring is gonna be like rediscovering my 350Z all over again

Another strange feeling if you want to feel the speed of your car again is to let someone else redline your car while you are the passenger. It's a wierd feeling because you are not in control of the speed yourself so it seems faster.

 

Why do Jetta's always think they can mess with Z's

 

+1

 

Don't push them aside so easily... my winter beater is a 2.0 jetta (non-turbo version), they are pretty slow. But there is a huge VW performance community out there. At local car meets, I see tons of 1.8 turbo jetta's and golf's that I would never challenge. They are wickid fast when modded. I go to local car meets to spot which car that can embarress me on the streets

Anyhoo, my friend used to own a 1989 jetta with custom turbo, headers, test pipes, custom exhuast, gutted everything inside. He was putting 220HP to the wheels O.o He bought the car for $1000 and put $2000 worth of mods in it himself. He would embaress Bimmers that assumed it was slow. He used to do everything to make it look like a sleeper and not stand out.

He eventually had to sell it because after school, the engineer company he was hired at required employees to buy respectable cars. LOl! So he got a Saturn ion redline. He cries at night for his sleeper jetta...

 

there is no way in hell your second gear goes up to 100!! the max is around 70 !! but i do agree that cruisin 130 u dont feel a damn thing!! u can take ur hands off the wheel and just glide!!! its a damn formula!! oh and when going over 100 have ur passanger or u look at your navigation..the little red aarow that indicates ur car goes soo fast !! haha

 

+1

I have heard it said and couldn't agree more.. the mod everyone seems to
always miss lies in the driver. It's the cheapest mod and offers the most in
terms of gain. Just my $0.02

 

I love how quickly I can do a 70-85MPH pass while still in 6th gear!!!