The first thing that came to my mind was, "damn, that's a lot of rev!" -- and that's just from sitting inside and looking at the gauges.

Compared to my '04 Z, everything about the '07 Z seemed a little different, a little more toward comfort and quality, as far as interior materials, smoothness, and ergonomics; the new Z has something like 6 cup holders - I didn't know we were competing against Honda Odyssey for creature comfort lol.

Interior -

I think Nissan did a good job with the '06-'07 interior, updating the quality and adding more creature comfort here and there. Everything, such as the steering wheel, dash board, center console, etc., is less shinny and has a quality feel to it. The gauges look nicer, with those silver rings around the inside. That near-eight-thoughsand-rpm redline looks awesome!

The Sound -

Overall, the '07 is a little more quiet when it comes to road noise. shifting is a little more quiet, too, and feels softer, as if they used softer rubber bushing on the shifter to reduce vibration; it feels a little less direct, however. The sound of the starter seemed different also, with a higher-pitched sound to it.

The Feel -

With speed-sensitive steering, the wheel feels light during parking speed and is similar to my Z at high-way speed. The shifting effort is heavy just like my Z when new, but I'm sure that'll loosen up after 10k miles or so. The one thing I don't like, though, is the clutch - it's way too light for this type of sports car; it really belongs on a civic! After going back to my Z, I realized how much I love the feel of my clutch. Thanks to all of you girly men who whined about the Z's heavy clutch


The engine -

While the 287hp VQ has very good low-end torque but lags top-end power, and the 300hp rev-up has good top-end pull but lags low-end grunt, this newest VQ-HR is like an inbreed of both: good torque down low and screams at the top end, all the way to that 7,500rpm redline. To simply put, the VQ-HR is the 287hp version with about 20% better top-end.
I think Nissan did a good job with this engine, and it should have been in the Z at the beginning.

As far as smoothness, it's a new engine, so it'll of course be smoother than my Z's, which has 30k miles. Rev-per-rev, it's roughly 10% smoother and has a clearer metallic sound to it at around 6k+ rpm. The difference is similar to your Z's engine before an oil change and after an oil change, the latter being the VQ-HR. It's still pretty loud though and won't be confused with a toyota engine.

Exhaust note sounded a little more aggressive upon start-up, a little more similar to the G35c's and slightly deeper. Under wide-opened throttle, it sounds similar to the older VQ but seemed a little more muted - less of that "waaaaa" and more "woaaaaa." Nonetheless, it still has the Z sound.

The dual intake is interesting though. I don't know if Nissan did that solely for performance or marketing purpose. Even though it technically has two intakes, each tubing seems half the size of the original single intake tube, and the filter is also about halt the size, as well as the intake hole in from of the filter. I'm sure the tubes could be replaced with bigger ones, but it won't be as easy, since the air sensor is built into the filter box, which is part of the restriction.

As far as reusing the older hood on this engine, I don't think it's possible. The engine sits about an inch higher. But the hood really isn't that bad, I actually like it more than the older one. After test driving and getting used to the new hood, I walked back to the showroom and saw an '06 with the older hood and though, "what the hell? This looks hideous" Feels like Alex Trebek from Jeopardy after he shaved his mustache vs him before, something was missing lol.

Overall, though, it seems Nissan tuned the Z a little more softer on the comfort side but made up with a more hardcore, truer sports-car engine. The engine would probably be the only reason I would upgrade, though if I had the 300hp rev-up, I would wait for the next big thing. The Bi-xenon headlights and LED tails are pluses, and the interior improvements are nice - but six cup holders though? Why... Those of you who haven't driven one, you should.

(moderators: please don't move this threat due to the poll, thanks)

 

I just test drove one yesterday, you hit it on the head. Thats exactly what I would have said.

 

There is 6 cup holders true. But they are all removeable/changeable. The little plastic pieces that seperate the 2 cup holders can be removed and stuck in the side, it's actually pretty useful and cool. There are only 2 true cup holders, the 1's in the doors. The other 4 can be changed into 2 small compartments.

 

Nice writeup, but the poll blows.

 

Thanks, that answered all the questions I had (honestly).

I'm buying one next week

 

good assessment

 

Finally a good detailed driving impression of the 07. Well done.

 

The '07 has four cup holders in the console [as opposed to the two in the '06]?

 

No it has the *OPTION* to have 4 total in the center consle. There are a spacer in the 2 center consle compartments which allow u to make them into 2 cup holders each, or 2 bigger compartments for storage.

 

Thanks for the info. My question: is there anything about the 07 that makes you want to trade in your 04 for one? Personally I'm not convinced, but if you don't have a Z it's a no brainer.

 

Thats my situation.

I've got an 11 year old BMW (next month) and I was going to get an 05 because I didn't really want the rev up motor, but after seeing the 07's myself and learning of the new engine changes....it made it a no brainer.

 

Nice write-up man.

And from what I understand, the dual intake was for performance and fuel economy purposes. Its a more efficient design then one single intake.

 

Thanks for the complement guys, I hope the info help shine some light as to what the '07 brings to the table.

^ yup.

The one thing I really like about the '07 when compared to my '04 is the VQ-HR engine - it really has a much more race-car feel to it, because of the good torque and top-end power. The current engine in my Z is strong, but it lags the top-end power and high rev limit of how a sports-car's engine should be. The VQ-HR is a proper sports-car engine.

With an already strong engine and higher rev limit, I think it would respond really well to mods like 3.9 final drive, light-weight flywheel, and high-flow cats/test pipes. And maybe intake too. Other than those, I don't think you'd really need much to make this Z's engine shine. Those potentials make me want to trade in.



Thanks,
yeah, the plenum and throttle bodies looked nice, just the tube and filters could be bigger, as they seem like a bottle-neck. Well, compared to the 287hp VQ, this HR has more horse power and better gas mileage, so I'm sure it's more efficient.

Those who haven't driven it should give it a test drive - this engine is really not bad at all. I don't know what Nissan was thinking when they release the 300hp rev-up though.

 

thanks for an honest review.

ordering mine in few weeks.

 

Can't wait to test drive one.

 

I've wondered the same thing.. it almost seemed like a baby step to create a little extra performance until the HR was ready. It hasn't proved successful for me...

 

soon i will test drive the new Z and also the G.

wut is it gona be .....

 

Nice write up. I'll be at my dealer on Friday for my inspection, but they dont have any 07's in yet

 

nice writeup.

+1 I've driven both, the 04 and 06-7 and the newer ones are alot more refined compared to the older ones. It's like night and day

 

05 FTW!

j/k the 07 looks promising, Looks like nissan is heading in the right direction.

Hopefully the HR gets more attention than the Rev-ups did. IMO the Rev-ups were a dud, only out for a year and they discontinued em.
However the 06-07 interior is a big improvement over the 03-05s and the HIDs and LEDS are a hugh plus as well.

-Frank