I've just recently taken delivery of my Performance model. I didn't get to test drive extensively so it's a bit suprising how "German" this Z feels. The Japanese cars I have driven in the past had light clutches, light steering, easy touch controls, and loose body structure. The Z has a fairly heavy clutch, fairly heavy steering, and while the controls are generally soft touch, they have a more positive detent than on previous Japanese cars.

I'm really suprised by how stiff the clutch is. It's just about as stiff as a 1985 Porsche Carrera that I used to drive!

The one disappointment I have so far is the engine sounds/feels guttural. It has a roughness to it that I'm hoping will go away as the miles build and the engine is broken in. In particular I remember driving a 1st generation Acura Integra that had an engine that ran as smooth as a Singer sewing machine. This Z engine doesn't have that smooth feel or sound. Does it improve as the miles build?

 

the stock exhaust sounds MEAN compared to ANY honda I have owned (which I LIKE!!)

 

you're right rodH. I love the sound the exhaust makes when you first start it up. It's a classic rrrrrrrUMMMMMM!

 

I'm now at 3,500 miles and I feel like the engine has smoothed out quite a bit since the day I drove it off the dealer lot. It's getting faster too

 

That's for damn sure Jason! At 2800 miles my gas mileage seemed to make a massive change. Even driving like a granny it would hardly break 20mpg, even if I reset it while in 6th gear on a flat road at 70 miles an hour. At around 2800 miles I started noticing more power and this had changed. If I am on the same road, and reset my MPG, I will be up near 30 mpg. With me driving normally around town/mixed with my regular highway driving I am getting in the low to mid 20s MPG now. That alone tells you something is up. I don't know if it's the ECU, but I would find it hard to believe it's engine internals short of rings taking that long to settle in.. I am thinking the ECU changes some stuff at somewhere near 3000 miles, but all I know is I am happy with the car getting smoother, more powerful, and better gas mileage.

 

It has been stated over and over that adding a grounding kit smooths out the engine. I haven't tried it myself, as my Z already feels very smooth. It's about $100, search and you will find more information.

Steve

 

I don't know about you, but all the German cars I've driven (including a Carerra) had a very soft clutch, loose shifter, and way too much body roll for the particular cars I've driven. All that hype of German engineering left much to be desired, IMHO.

I'll take my tight shifting, stiff clutched, minimal body roll Z any day.

 

My VR-4 had a MUCH stiffer clutch, but the shifter was way sloppier compared to the Z. I think the necessary pedal pressure on the Z's clutch is just around perfect. Its not the 0 pressure Honda clutch and its not the 35 lb. Mitsu clutch... lol Its Goldy Locks...

shush, Christi....

 

Good advice from Z CRAZY: add the grounding kit!!!! (I have done so and it will bring a noticeable change to engine smoothness.)

 

i put most of my miles in city, and crap, i struggle to get it above 15 mpg, so that will change ?? i am at 1700 miles

 

Rod, mine rearely breaks 18 unless i reset it cruising in 5-6, but it drops right back down to about 17.5 again.

I completely agree that the car feels teutonic. I think it has a blend of Jpn/Grm engineering and design....geared alot towards the american market. One of the most dificult gearboxes I have driven was an older 993 targa one of my realtaives has. The clutch was quite heavy, but it wasn't linear either...it was really heavy for the first .5"-1" of travel, then got alot lighter. This made it quite hard to get smooth take-offs. I prayed the Z wouldn't have a clutch like this....though it was kinda fun. I was so happy when I first sat in my car at the dealership, cause the clutch weight felt perfect, and while it took me about a week to master it, it's as predictable as the rain.

The thing that impresses me most about the car is its solidity. You can really feel each individual wheel, cause the chasis is so sound. Anyone whos seen the Best Motoring video, when the guy takes you arund/under the car with a stupid finger pointer will be able to see how much attention was paid to make this chasis solid. I notice the difference imediately when I drive my bros 330ci...and thats not a loose chasis at all.

 

Funny... someone in another thread mentioned that an engineer at Steve Millen had told him that Nissan had said something about the ECU changing the fuel map at some point around 3-5K miles as kind of an enforced break-in.

Everyone in that thread said "No, that's stupid!" but who knows?

-- Mark

 

Well, I guess one of the first mods is going to have to be the grounding kit

The car feels very tight right now. I guess it needs those break in miles. I do notice the engine loosening up a bit even now. I've been keeping the revs below 4500rpm and it seems a tad smoother now.

I also anxious to try the short shifter kit. The shift action is nice, but I'd love to have a shorter throw.