I had my 15000 mile service performed on Saturday, and instead of waiting in the lobby, like a good little customer, I decided to check the lot. I got an offer to test drive two 2006s: a Touring and a Base.
I noticed the throttle response was not as abrupt, like the amount of open throttle is not as linear as my 2005. For example, you put your foot down 1/10 of the way, and the throttle only opens about 4 or 5%, where as on my 2005, 1/10 of the way down and you are at maybe 8%. The throttle response on the 2006 is more curved, making it easier to drive smoother.
And the knotches between shifts were much less noticeable compared to mine. Buttery even. Maybe new synchros, maybe because mine has an LSD. Not sure. All I'm saying is that the 2006 Z feels smoother than I remember my Z was when it was new.
Almost traded my 05 base in for the red 06 base. Soooooo close. It's soooo pretty in red.

 

i would love to test drive a 03-05 and compare it to my 06.

 

To me the 03-05 feel faster even though they aren't

 

they weigh 2-300pds less, of course they're better

 

jealous?

 

I traded my '03 in for an '06 and never regretted it.
Definitely a lot more smoother.

 

From 04 to an 06.....feels like luxury in comparison. So much smoother and quieter..

 

Going from an 03-05 to an 06 is definitely a step up in comfort.

 

hmmmm honestly as a sports car would rather have the pre 06, but if I was lookin at a luxury id go 06 i guess... but if thats what you wanted might as well have gotten a g35

 

By luxury I mean the ride is quieter and the interior is of much higher quality(not cheap looking). The seals are much better and there isn't nearly as much rattling going on. No sacrifices in the overall performance have been made. Those are two things I definitely do not mind having in a sports car which cost 30k+. If I wanted something plush and comfortable with leather gracing every corner then I'd consider a G35 coupe (which I also had by the way).....the 06 is just a better car overall and anyone else who made the transition will most likely agree...

 

Of course every new 06 owner is going to say its the better car overall, why would you have bought it if it wasnt? The minor touches they have done to the 06's interior have definitely improved it, all of the Z's should have the leather in the door, and the new ***** and chrome bezel are a cool among other things, but to call/think the pre 06 models interior are cheap looking and the new 06's interior is not, is a little ridiculous, they are almost identical. I for one have never thought of the Z's interior as cheap looking, I mean ****, go look at a mistubishi, yeah there is a lot of plastic, but like you said, if you want leather and luxury, get a G35 lol.

Personally, I havent had any rattles in my car, one that I caused when I removed the rear windsheild wiper, but I just had to pop a plastic bolt in all the way, all of us know that there are alot more sound deadening material in the newer Z, again personally I never have had a problem with road noise, but if thats something you did have a prob with and are ok with the extra weight (which it seems you are) then the 06 is for you. I just dont like how you are kind of implying anything previous to 06 are junk. And like nissan said, they didnt orignally make the tranny so soft smoothing because you lose feel, I like the feel of the 05 tranny, but again its all personal preference, I wanted a pretty pure sports car (not as much as an elise) and the Z is a great pure sports car that doesnt beat on you hard, and is big enough to be comfortable.

 

all i was saying about prefering the pre 06's is the weight issue. i dont know how you guys are planning removing it or if you dont care, but if im gonna buy the same car id rather have the lighter version of the 2. my car only weighs in at 3150. at the drag strip.

 

I have an 03 Touring 6MT. I test drove an 05 35th Anni 6MT (rev up). I couldn't believe how soft(easy to push in) the clutch pedal was. I thought it was messed up. My 03 takes some effort to push down. Also, the car did not feel faster at low RPMs, in fact it felt kind of weak compared to my 03 up till about 3.5k. I didn't push it becuase I was thinking about buying it. I don't think people buy the 06 because it's better, just newer and people like new cars. I did see that the the Rev ups are responding better to NA mods though.

 

+1 only thing i like about the 06 is the tail lights

 

I think the 06's are great but I don't see the benefit of trading in an 03-05 for one. Yes, you get a newer car with some additional tweaks but overall that isn't worth the money or hassle of trading in. At least IMO.

My wife complains about the ride and noise in my 03. I think she'd prefer I have a smoother quieter 06 ride but I love my car and don't want to give it up. We've bonded.

 

The 06 is brand new. If you find an 03-05 with 0 miles it would feel buttery smooth as well.
And give it time for the squeaks and rattles. Anything brand new is gonna be smoother.....

 

Did you notice any difference in steering feel with the 06? I have yet to find one in my area, but hear it's more boosted that the prior years. Sounds like Nissan has softened the car up.

 

You know I dont know where Nissan pulled this from. A few guys have weighed their cars @ the tracks and I have not seen more than 50+ lbs over my 03' Mine weighed 3280lbs (track) with 1/2 tank me not in it. Some guy in an 06' just weighed in less than me! And from races Ive seen between 03's and 06's if there was truly a 200lb difference it would have been noticable its not...

 

i was at the dealer today too! yeah my 3rd gear grind..so they are replacing me with a Brand new Tranny,clutch,and pressure plate! WOoOHOoO they said they are going to put a 06 tranny..or a NEW tranny at least! I cant wait to test it out..he said it should be in about early next week on Monday or Tuesday! i never driven a 06 tranny is it really that great!? has anyone change there tranny from 03 to a 06?

 

Oh yeah... the steering is much softer. when you pick up speed, then the steering becomes stiffer, where as on my 05, it feels pretty stiff the whole time, especially in the parking lot.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, the clutch on the Touring was significantly stiffer than the Base. Any guesses on that?
The 06 is nicer than the 05, but I ended up not trading my 05 for an 06 because I didn't believe the 06 was $120/mo nicer.