tekk

The Ferrari Enzo weighs around 3,200 lbs.

How did Nissan get the Z to weigh what it does without having to use extensive and expensive composites? And still be able to offer it sub $30k?

350Zteve

iTrader: (6)

Does anyone know what constitutes the additional weight the 06's carry vs. the earlier years? I've been hearing that the 06's weight 100lbs more than the earlier years.

ANXIOUZ

iTrader: (13)

^ That's kinda what this whole thread is about. I believe the difference is 200lbs though which is why most of us are baffled. I think sound deadening is playing a big part. Not much else has changed besides "convenience" items.



Regardless, have you see the crash test ratings? The Z is a damn safe car compared to similar sportscars. The weight actually helps it. Tha Z roxors!

pavster

How did Mazda make a car that weighs 1000lbs less than the Z? Talking about the Miata. Get the Miata; put a supercharger or turbo on it, and it's one fun car. The Z is more of a GT than a sports car.

-pavel.

Zedekiah

There's been talk of this before and to be honest i'd say allot of it has to do with the structural re-inforcment of the z. Its a very solid car going through its paces and i think thats something nissan engineers were aiming for when they gave it the extra weight. I supose my only question is how there is such a drastic difference in weight between the elise and the z...its got to be the manufacturing proccess as well as the materials. Weight also contributes to safety i'd imagine.

nbdyfcnsqnc

I don't think Nissan exactly gave the Z extra weight. They just made the parts out of bigger cheaper heavier mass-produced stuff.

Z_Driver

iTrader: (3)

Well, I remember the 2200 pound Shelby Charger I owned (1987). It didn't have any of the ABS, TC, VDC, EB, Auto Climate Control, Power window, Power locks, strut tower braces, and used all plastic parts vs aluminum parts that the 350Z uses. It put out 146HP Turbo'd, handled really good (1g on shaved tires), but only turned a 14.9 in the quarter mile. Fast for the day.

The metal was so thin. There wasn't really any reinforcement. It flexed all over the place. It felt like it was going to tweak apart. It was fwd with serious torque steer. I couldn't imagine putting 300HP and all this torque in that chassis.

The point is the 350Z is so much more stronger and has to be to meet harder crash standards these days. That is where most of the weight is coming into play.

Some people complain about the plastic interior. Hey, it looks good to me and if it's going to save 100lbs off the car, go for it NISSAN. Put the weight in the G35 Coupe for those that need it. I would actually be OK with roll window etc... if it saved weight and cost $500 less. I mean really if you guys are talking about getting back to basics....like the 240Z.... but it wouldn't sell in todays market. Everyone wants A/C, PS, PW, ABS, AIR BAGS, TCS, VDC, Climate control, overhead lights, mirrors, dual mirrors, side beams, strut tower braces, bigger tires, bigger brakes, wider treads, etc....

How does it compare to the 300ZXT Z31. I mean the Z31 doesn't have all the features the 350Z has but a lot of them. That's what us Americans want. Comforts. It didn't have No ABS, No SRS, No TCS. It still weighed 3260lbs. It cost $26K in 1984. Just look at the HP and mileage specs.



The 350Z kept the price point 20 years later for the base version and gave you so much more is a car. That's where the 300ZX Z32 failed. Price 50K in the 90's. Your kidding me right. That would be like a 350HP TT $65K 350Z now. It just won't sell.

I think it is great that you can buy a Base car for $26K and add a 10K TT to it and get 450HP+. I mean for $36K can you think of another new car that would come close to it?

Yeah I want a 1000lbs car with 1000HP .... but can it be done with all the fed requirements..... probably not.

For those of you that don't know what a Z31 looks like:



This one weighed in at 3289 with the T-tops. Picture taken last year. I still miss her.

Kolia

iTrader: (2)

Nice right up Z Driver.

The is IS NOT that heavy when compared to cars of similar performance. RX-8, Mustang, S2000 or any "exotic car".

Comparing it to an Elise (aluminium frame vs unibody construction) is redicule. Same goes for the Miata. These are a miniature toy cars with no luggage space and very little survivabilty should you crash.

35oZephyR

iTrader: (4)

My 3,200 lb 350z may be a little big boned....

But roll over in a Miata?

Or

Take a road trip from San Diego to San Francisco in an Elise non-stop?


F' that!

june

My 35th came with every option, including the same wheels as the 06, brembos, nav, leather, 300hp rev-up, 6 speed, and all. The curb weight is 3225...and yet it flies. I don't know...maybe the 35th floor mats and the those two 35th emblems on the side are anti-gravity. They probably didn't put the numbered plaque in the US models 'cause they weigh so much and that would keep the wheels on the ground? It's no wonder that my wheels tend to spin so much. I dunno.

tropicalypso

iTrader: (6)

Its common knowledge that the 2006 models are heavier then their older siblings, but is there a significant weight difference between the 03, 04 and 05 models?

june

Oh come on now. The Ferrari Enzo was designed by Italians. They probably forgot something.

Kolia

iTrader: (2)

They forgot the added weight of useless stuff...

june

uh...you are right. I thought of having louvres cut into my hood, you know...to let the hot air out. But then I thought different, so I put them where they would do the most good... overhead, in the passenger compartment.

Clapton9286

Cars have steadily gotten heavier...due to platform sharing, safety regulations, and technology. Think about it..we are on a platform that is shared with what..the G35, the Altima, and im sure other vehicles. You have to do something to that platform to differentiate it between vehicles. I mean if you make it for the Murano and put it on the Z, then you have to do so much in means of strengthening to get the rigidity the Z requires. Couple that with the addition on 50 airbags, and you're going to have a really safe, really heavy, marshmallow.

Fletch69z

iTrader: (50)

Change your exhaust like I did and you'll probably cut 30 pounds or so, . It's heavy but it's because it's made of multi platform parts to keep costs down. Just start stripping if you want to cut weight, .

sq40

iTrader: (4)

You bring up a good point, There are several Aftermarket parts you can put on and shave almost 100lbs off while making a little more power. Its a Win-Win situation.

Jyoder7

iTrader: (3)

The Enzo also has a 6.0liter V-12

jeeper78

The curb weight didn't change from '03 through '05. I was under the impression that for '06 they added additional structural support to either the frame or the doors to help in side impacts, and that's what raised the weight. But maybe that was a rumor. The other notable changes are the headlights, tail lights, front lip, and wheels. I can't see any of those things adding 200lbs.

Zedekiah

Jeremy from Top Gear: "part of the reason why nissan's zed cars became so fat and heavy over the years is because they were designed principaly for the american market - and the ideal american car, as im sure you know, is an enormous sofa."