Well, im seriously considering selling my current car and going for ethier a track model Z or an Evo 8. I currently drive a e36 M3 and its fun to drive but its starting to have problems with the transmission (part of its my fault) and engine problems. I love the M but its an expensive car. I've driven the 350Z base model a couple times and I liked it a lot, just everything about it makes me grin. I havent driven an Evo yet but I've sat in one a couple times. On paper it seems the evo is a better car, magazines praise it for its quick sterring and accleration and the suspension. But when it comes down to driving I have no clue which would be better.

Which car is more fun, Evolution 8 or a 350Z?

 

posting on a 350z enthusiast site. im gonna go on a limb and say most people will say 350z

 

First, consider if you're gonna have more than 1 person riding with you. Second, if you gonna be driving in snow. AWD does come in handy when heading up the mountains if you are a snowboarder or skier. If you have never driven a turbo, I'll say try it before you buy. Some will get hooked on the push a turbo gives. Then consider how long you plan to keep this car. My impression with Mitsu cars, especially turbos, is that they don't last too long. Whereas the NAs are more lasting.

 

I live in Chino Hills and dont go up to the moutains or any snow covered place at all. I go to the beach more than anywhere. I rarely take more than 1 person with me. Turbos seem fun, but when i read about turbo lag an the lack of power in certain areas it kinda turned me away from turbos. I still look into some turbo cars like the evo. I would like to keep the car for as long as possible. From what I've read the Evo isnt the most reliable car out there and its expensive to maintain

 

Hah wrong...

I say get the EVO 8!!

More bang for your buck. And most importantly, you can see yourself in one. I couldn't see myself in it, totally not my style so it was out of the question. It also sounds like it's going to be your primary car? Get what's more practical.

 

Hmmm here's my honest opinion.

Evo:
I personally it looks great. People may not agree but I like it. Anyways, the interior is gonna be a step down from your e36. Like most japanese cars. thats where the seem to save money I've been told the interior in the EVO is descent. But if you change out the seats, it won't be so bad. Performance wise, the Z can't compete. Those engines can put out so much power for such little money. The engine itself has been around for a while now so people know how to tune them. Handling is great on the EVO (So i've read), coming from a WRX background, I can say you will enjoy AWD.

350Z:
I think the Z looks awesome. One of the reason why I bought it. I get compliments time to time about it so I guess thats nice. The interior is ok... Still a step down for you but the Z interior looks cool. Just the quality isn't up to par with BMW. Performance wise it will defintely beat your e36. People know are finally figuring out how to tune a forced induction on the Z so we are seeing some nice numbers. Without going crazy on internals, people are seeing 400RWHP. The Z also handles really well. You should be familiar with the style of it because you own a rwd. Anyways bottom line, it handles great.

In the end, if your going for power/racing, I would go for the EVO. It's better to start with a car thats already boosted from factory. Easier to make bigger numbers that way. The reason why I chose the Z over the EVO was because...

1) I had a WRX so I wanted to try something that wasn't AWD and Turbo
2) Wanted to get away from the "boy racer" look.
3) Always wanted a 2 door RWD car.

The Z is def classier looking. You won't get stuck with the image of you racing your car because you drive Z like you would with the EVO (got that in my WRX). The Z is fun. I enjoy it. In the end, it depends what you want.

Jason

P.S. Sorry for I dont make ANY sense. I'm tired.

 

Evo is all about being faster in an unrefined way. Very fun car.

Z is more refined and has better feedback when driving. Everything from steering feel to brake feel to throttle response is better. Shifter feels better. Clutch feels better. The low end torque is much better and no turbo lag (unless you ...um... add turbos). The Z is more about the pleasure of driving. Also a very fun car.

This debate always reminds me of someone's analogy between a slutty stripper (Evo) versus a refined, elegant, and beautiful woman. (Z)

A few weeks ago I test drove the Evo and confirmed that the Z was the right car for me. I won't lie and say that the Evo wasn't awesome to drive though.

 

I have owned both. I'm coming from an 04 Evo VIII. I had pretty much every bolt on mod and some. I also had the leather and sunroof package. the leather recaros are definately nice seats. It was most definitely fast, but if your coming from an e36 M3 you won't be happy with the feel and finish. You can tell that your driving a high horsepower sedan.
There's nothing that beats that rwd two seater feeling. My Evo was ***** out fast, but it definately wasn't as fun to drive as the Z is overall. The Z definitely looks better too. They are two different class cars as well. If you want every ricer boy on the street oogling your car buy an Evo.
If you want every fine lady on the street doing the same buy a Z.
If I could have afforded it I would have kept the Evo as a track car as many of my friends have, but as a daily driver the Z hands down.

 

Ask yourself what you are buying the car for. If it is just for a nice sports daily driver get the 350z. It is a MUCH nicer car in everyway. However if you bought your car to mod the hell out of it and go fast etc. Get the evo. It is a lot better bang for your buck and you will go much quicker much easier.

I went from a E36 M3 to a 350z too. I could not be happier However I'm around evos and supras all day at work so I know what they can do.

 

if you plan on modding the car for more power

get the evo

if youre gonna leave it stock

get the z

the z is meant to be left alone as is. it looks good, handles well all around stock and is meant more for comfort. the evo is a beast, add $1500 and youre going to have 300+whp, $2500 350+whp. its all about how fast you watn to go, the only limit is your pocket book.

(05 evo8 owner)

 

This is true if you are going to run the stock turbo on the Evo, but if you are going to do a turbo upgrade and go for real power. You can put a turbo kit on the Z for the same price after it's all said and done. The turbo kits run about the same for both cars and the Z has a stronger tranny than the evo does. True the evo is a FI car to start with, but if I was going to drop 6K+ on a turbo kit I'd rather do it on the Z.

 

Test drive both. Buy the one that you like.

 

exactly... if u are gonna need to drive friends along, alot of gear, during bad weather... get the Evo

All else get the 350z.



I live in NJ and use my Z as a dailly commuter... in rain or snow.... i should have chosen the Evo... but its a dime a dozen here... plus i liked the Z more =)

 

 

one thing i will point out on the z. turbo kits for it are hella expensive. you are looking at 6k for just the kit. add in an exhaust, clutch, various misc safegaurds, etc and the bill easily approaches 10k.

turbo kits for both cars are not the same price! evo kits are ~2500 (small upgrade ~450whp, to 4000 gt35r ~650whp.) both will need an engine to be built as you exceed the 400whp range.

the z manual tranny does seem to be stronger, but a lot of the problems with evo trannies are due to a)inexperience with a manual awd tranny i.e. redline launches b)drag racing the car (its not meant for that)

in the end its your money. go with what you want. but dont expect big gains on the z for cheap, going n/a is a big money sink for minimal gains. trust me ive been there and done that on a z.

 

TURBO'D Z!! WAY MORE FUN TO DRIVE IMO! 2 good friends have an EVO and STi, my car is WAY more fun to drive

 

In all honesty, I believe that you should go for a Z. I say this because, coming from such an mature, and expensive car(m3), I cant see you going into a four door vehicle with air dams the sizes of that on a fighter jet. Moreover, the looks you got from you m3 wont be the same. Instead you'll have a majority of the looks coming from younger individuals. Whereas, the Z will bring the same that you m3 brought. Because in my opinon, the Z presents a bold, and mature look and makes a statement everytime it passes me, similar to how a BMW does.

But in end, it is you money that is being spent. And it is being spent for your content so you should pick either one that is more appleasing.

 

The Evo drives like a go-cart...which makes it fun as hell. The Z is a little more refined.

If I would've had more leverage during my buy...I likely would've gone STi since it's just so smooth.

 

Evo!!!!!!

 

+100