slighlty disappointed by 04 roadster test drive
Originally Posted by txmetabaron
Should I get a later model(new '05 still on the lot of a dealer I'm looking at)?
Originally Posted by dutchboy350Z
To my knowledge, the REV light setting is only on the 6 speeds. When you toggle through your Computer trip if you have manual the last setting before the speedo is the REV light setting.
Dude, stats are stats and the ZR is much faster than your current rides...if you cant figure out how to shift properly then this is probably not the car for you.
Originally Posted by txmetabaron
Well,I took a test drive yesterday in 04 roadster/touring with 8k miles,manual transmission.
I was expecting a kick in the butt(I had an Audi A4,200Hp and wife has a Mazda 6(220Hp),both manuals) but what I got was a short sequence of nice accelerations,nothing thrilling...Granted,the rev limiter was set at 4800 RPM but still.
Am I expecting too much from this Z ?
Should I get a later model(new 05 still on the lot of a dealer I'm looking at)?
Thanks for any input,I really like the Zcar but it was not love at first sight
I was expecting a kick in the butt(I had an Audi A4,200Hp and wife has a Mazda 6(220Hp),both manuals) but what I got was a short sequence of nice accelerations,nothing thrilling...Granted,the rev limiter was set at 4800 RPM but still.
Am I expecting too much from this Z ?
Should I get a later model(new 05 still on the lot of a dealer I'm looking at)?
Thanks for any input,I really like the Zcar but it was not love at first sight

Best advice take a few 350's for a blat. You are spending a decent amount of cash, you want to be sure, therefore go for a play in a few 350's.
On Saturday I took an '03 for a blat. Now it was badly setup, curbed, soft tyres (which I pointed out), cheap nasty tyres, oil needed changing desperately, front skirt had been ripped off and taped over, scratches from woo to go. Was quite a disappointing drive in comparison to the other 14 x 350's I've driven. So moral of this story if I was new to 350's I would be basing my judgement on a sad 350. You see where I'm heading with this.
Enjoy having a play in a few 350's before you make a decision, both soft and hard top. Both quite different to drive.
Oh, Jsupetran commenting on the weight of a 350 over a mazda 6, totally different types of car, so no comparison really. One is a family car and the other a sports coupe thankfully.
Look forward to hearing how you get on.
On Saturday I took an '03 for a blat. Now it was badly setup, curbed, soft tyres (which I pointed out), cheap nasty tyres, oil needed changing desperately, front skirt had been ripped off and taped over, scratches from woo to go. Was quite a disappointing drive in comparison to the other 14 x 350's I've driven. So moral of this story if I was new to 350's I would be basing my judgement on a sad 350. You see where I'm heading with this.
Enjoy having a play in a few 350's before you make a decision, both soft and hard top. Both quite different to drive.
Oh, Jsupetran commenting on the weight of a 350 over a mazda 6, totally different types of car, so no comparison really. One is a family car and the other a sports coupe thankfully.
Look forward to hearing how you get on.
Originally Posted by dutchboy350Z
2003 Mazda 6 s
Engine type V-6
Engine displacement 181 cu.in.
Engine horsepower 220-hp @ 6,300 rpm
Engine torque 192 lbs.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm
Valvetrain DOHC
Valves 24
Engine bore x stroke 3.5" x 3.1"
Compression ratio 10.00 to 1
Fuel tank capacity 18 gal.
Fuel economy city 20 mpg
Fuel economy highway 27 mpg
Drag coefficient .31
Curb weight 3,243 lbs.
3.153:1 first gear ratio,
1.842:1 second gear ratio,
1.258:1 third gear ratio,
0.947:1 fourth gear ratio,
0.733:1 fifth gear ratio
04 Nissan 350Z Roadster
Engine type V-6
Engine displacement 213 cu.in.
Engine horsepower 287-hp @ 6,200 rpm
Engine torque 274 lbs.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm
Valvetrain DOHC
Valves 24
Engine bore x stroke 3.8" x 3.2"
Compression ratio 10.30 to 1
Fuel tank capacity 20 gal.
Fuel economy city 20 mpg
Fuel economy highway 26 mpg
Drag coefficient .34
Curb weight 3,462 lbs.
3.794:1 first gear ratio,
2.234:1 second gear ratio,
1.624:1 third gear ratio,
1.271:1 fourth gear ratio,
1:1 fifth gear ratio,
0.794:1 sixth gear ratio
Just comparing the gear ratios of 1st and 2nd. Actually it's not even close to being a fair comparison.
Engine type V-6
Engine displacement 181 cu.in.
Engine horsepower 220-hp @ 6,300 rpm
Engine torque 192 lbs.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm
Valvetrain DOHC
Valves 24
Engine bore x stroke 3.5" x 3.1"
Compression ratio 10.00 to 1
Fuel tank capacity 18 gal.
Fuel economy city 20 mpg
Fuel economy highway 27 mpg
Drag coefficient .31
Curb weight 3,243 lbs.
3.153:1 first gear ratio,
1.842:1 second gear ratio,
1.258:1 third gear ratio,
0.947:1 fourth gear ratio,
0.733:1 fifth gear ratio
04 Nissan 350Z Roadster
Engine type V-6
Engine displacement 213 cu.in.
Engine horsepower 287-hp @ 6,200 rpm
Engine torque 274 lbs.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm
Valvetrain DOHC
Valves 24
Engine bore x stroke 3.8" x 3.2"
Compression ratio 10.30 to 1
Fuel tank capacity 20 gal.
Fuel economy city 20 mpg
Fuel economy highway 26 mpg
Drag coefficient .34
Curb weight 3,462 lbs.
3.794:1 first gear ratio,
2.234:1 second gear ratio,
1.624:1 third gear ratio,
1.271:1 fourth gear ratio,
1:1 fifth gear ratio,
0.794:1 sixth gear ratio
Just comparing the gear ratios of 1st and 2nd. Actually it's not even close to being a fair comparison.
Originally Posted by charlie_rdstr_Z
You forgot to hit the hazard lights at high speeds. That's what will unleash HP in the ZR.
Originally Posted by HighwaySpeed
You mean the 2 post wonder?
Given your clever and incredibly useful comments so far,I guess I will try to ignore your post.
Just know that I went and purchased a CTS-V (400bhp 395 Lb/ft torque) so I'll try to wave next time you're in my rear view mirror.
Granted,the rev limiter was set at 4800 RPM but still.

And if you were going to spend $60k, why did you buy a Cadillac? >:|
Originally Posted by txmetabaron
Just know that I went and purchased a CTS-V (400bhp 395 Lb/ft torque) so I'll try to wave next time you're in my rear view mirror.
We don't give a fluck.
Originally Posted by txmetabaron
Given your clever and incredibly useful comments so far,I guess I will try to ignore your post.
Just know that I went and purchased a CTS-V (400bhp 395 Lb/ft torque) so I'll try to wave next time you're in my rear view mirror.

Hope you enjoy your new ride.
Originally Posted by txmetabaron
Given your clever and incredibly useful comments so far,I guess I will try to ignore your post.
Just know that I went and purchased a CTS-V (400bhp 395 Lb/ft torque) so I'll try to wave next time you're in my rear view mirror.
"Carries Around Dead Italians Like Luggage And Cargo"
And one more thing, you could have got a Z, rebuilt motor, w/TT and still come out cheaper than what you spent on the caddy-lac! And at the end of this day you would be inhaling exhaust fumes from the Z brotha!
Peace!


