Robbyn, I'm not defending leadfoot, but what does it matter if the cruise only goes up to 80 when the car itself is capable of going 155 mph? By your logic any high speed accident would open a car manufacturer to liability. Also what about other companies that have no limit on the cruise control? Do you think they are in deep doodoo?

You may be right, but I don't think Nissan would have any liability if the owner was exceeding the rules of speed and safety.

 

The reason why Nissan would not be liable for an accident caused at 155 is that it would have a strong argument that it made the car to go to 155 to run on the track. It could then point to all the stuff in the owner's manual about oberying all traffic laws. Nissan would win that argument. But Nissan could not make the same argument that it allows the cruise to go to 130 because NOONE uses cruise control on the track. The only purpose of cruise control is for long stretches of driving at the same speed. Now regards whether any manufacture has ever been successfully sued after an accident where the cruise was set at 130, I have no idea. One hopes, that leadfoot not withstanding, there are not too many morons who set their cruise at 130, so I don't know if its ever come up. But I will tell you that if I could to pick my side, I would rather sue the manufacturer who allowed 130 mph cruise control, than to defend that manufacturer (obviously that is a broad statement and it would actually depend on what state you are in).

 

HMMMM now I'm killing small children. I was sincerely interested in knowing. I suspected that it would be the case in that both my current Nissan and previous Infiniti had the same limiter.

I did ask my technician if there was a bypass but he too was unaware that there was a limiter. I am not sure if an aftermarket chip or ECU upgrade can remove it.

I am not trying to make trouble but I am interested in buying a sports car to go fast. I am not quite sure how some of you have missed that not so insignificant fact. I truly believe that you can operate safely in excess of 100MPH because I have been doing it for years and have never even had a close call in that time. I disagree with the insinuation that I do not pay attention, you couldn't be further from the truth.

It is somewhat ironic that the car is capable of hitting 155MPH (which I believe is also a result of a limiter) yet you can only set the cruise control at 89. My Toyota Tundar can hit 89 with a good tailwind.

Again, your holier than thou attitudes are pretty arrogant, our individual reasons for buying cars should be respected, not attacked. I appreciate those of you who may not agree with my driving habits are at least able to respond with civility.

 

Concerning the speed-limiting cruise control:

Thank you Nissan for preventing leadfoot from placing the cruise at 100+mph. Thank you also for protecting me and my family from being on the same highway as an idiot (sorry for the derogatory image but necessary here) who has had the cruise control at up to 150mph for the past 45 minutes. This is the type of irresponsible behavior that harms others. Apparently leadfoot is too immature and self-centered to see the big picture here.

 

I agree. Using cruise control can result in delayed driver reaction. The car will not slow down until cruise control is deactivated; in an emergency, this will be more dangerous than if cruise control is not engaged.

Right, I don't think people have attacked leadfoot's driving ability, merely questioning his judgement in using cruise control above 90 and criticizing his desire for that feature.
Yes. I just hope people think about the possible consequences of their actions, and not joke about "killing small children", as he said. That's a tragedy that no one should go through, and as much as we all believe in our driving abilities, not everything is predictable on the road.

 

It appears to me the thread is dealing with irreponsible driving behavior and safety, not the car. Most were just stunned that this feature could actually be a concern to a prospective buyer.

 

Now that is just funny. I believe that REP would buy this car if they put an 89MPH governor on it. I mean when is it ever prudent to exceed 89MPH? Right?

And Macabre is correct, I did not say the car sucked. I still think its a great car, great value. But I'm not going to settle for it if it does not meet my needs.

 

Ok forgetting the safety issue which is apparently not connecting with you:

You seem to be a driving enthusiast by your own admission - great. But if this is true, why are you even using a cruise control at high speed. As soon as you initiate cruise control you are no longer driving the car but merely aiming it.

I can see using it at freeway speed which, I will admit is boring for long periods, but not at triple digits. There is enough thrill at that speed to not want to dilute it with having he computer help you drive the car.

 

OMG, you mean...you can't set the cruise at anything below 25mph?!!! What a deal-killer!!!


Enforcer

P.S. Sorry, couldn't resist. To each their own.

 

I think you answered your own question. But for the record, no I do not set the cruise while winding through canyons, I would leave it at 100MPH on I90 going over the pass. There are plenty of opportunities to run at 100MPH between Seattle and Spokane.

In and around Seattle 405,520, I90, I5 I would not drive that fast. Down here in AZ, the highways are very straight and very long. It may seem to you that what I am saying is excessive but I think if you were here and exposed to it, you know soccer moms doing 90 in there Town and Countrys you may not think it was so bad.

Anyway, I just got off the phone with the Service Manager at the Nissan dealership who laughed because he said he had been asked about it many times. He said he did not know of any internal solution as he has investigated the issue in the past. Apparently Nissan has been doing this for some time. He is going to research the issue and see if anyone makes an aftermarket chip that will defeat the limiter.

 

I think you have been attacked unfairly regarding this issue. If I had a vote I would say this is up there with putting the power outlet behind the driver seat. I mean what's the point.

As you say it's not as if you are putting the cruise control on 100 and driving thru school zones. I don't know what's the big deal with other people thinking it is immoral to use cruise control over 89 mph. I have seen countless kids weaving in and out of heavy traffic (average speed 80 mph) while they are doing over 100 mph with very dangerous closing velocities. Putting many other people at risk.

I think we should be selective as to what kind of driving we dissaprove of. After all 100 mph in your hands in selected situations is probably safer than someone driving below the speed limit by a 90 year old, or kids cutting in front of people who are moving along at a reasonable pace.

I hope you can come up with something, the cruise control being a mechanical system (I think) can be jury rigged just like people with corvetts are able to disable the stupid 1-4 skip shift.

If you find out you can post in the DIY section of the revised site.

 

First off, none of you, that I know of, have even driven the Z (don't mean to be holier then thou). Once you do, the LAST THING YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT is the damn cruise control limitations. I go to Vegas Regularly, setting it at 90 is fine, I can punch it for light periods of time to get some more speed if I want, but most people are right, cruising at 120 on cruise control is not smart. Besides, that is a sad *** deal breaker...what happened to love of sports cars??? Sports car that used to not even have RADIOS or AIR CONDITIONERS, No leather, No Back seats, no luggage room, just form and function and there are people with the nerve to complain about this crap. People continue to amaze me. Drive the car, then tell me the damn cruise control is a Deal Breaker. LOL!

 

Thanks for saving the lecture guys. Maybe I'm an *** for even bringing it up. The Nissan guy said the cruise is a separate function whatever that means, so its possible that the top speed limiter and fuel/iginition mapping are completely separate from the cruise control. I will post if there is a reasonable fix.

I like LA-Z's idea of a sports car. I have had a few, Porsches, BMW's, the Vette. I am very familiar with the term compromise. The fact of the matter is they are really getting their stuff together and people can be more selective, retentive, picky whatever you want to call it. The whole reason I am so interested in the Z is that it does seem to be a really great all around car with a lot of reliability and good build quality. Its a great value too. And though its not quite up to the Vette in perfromance I believe for me it will be fast enough. But for once I'm making a list of do's and don'ts. If it it doesn't meet my needs or expectations it only affects me, no one else. It certainly doesn't take anything away from the car.


I love to read the posts "just got it" and "love the Z" I mean thats what its about, the joy, not the car but the joy of the experience. I still hope to get one, there are still an awful lot of things to like, no doubt about it.

The reason its called a deal killer is because the deal is ALIVE and you find that one nagging issue that may kill the deal. But LA-Z maybe right, I may drive it and throw the list out the window, you know I hope it is that good.

 

In that case...Can I sue Nissan, if I have an accident at 80 mph, because they produced a car that allowed me to exceed the speed limit? They want us to speed. Thats why they allow cars to do so. Look how much legal business would be lost if all cars were limited to 65mph.