Zivman, I totally understood u from the beginning. As a matter of fact I too was'nt all that impressed from my first test drive. However, as time passed the Z began to reoccur in my dreams over and over. A month later I bought her w/o even taking a second test drive and I have been in love ever since!

 

HOT VERSION JUNE 2003
INSPIRED ME

 

Well I didnt feel like reading thru all the responds but here is mine. My 2002 altima was way faster than Z in casual driving, only way for the Z to be faster is to change gear at high rpm. But I still love my Z more since I get nothing but good praise for the looks except ppl who drive the RX8 who thinks they are above all and ****.

 

this is likely true, IMO it is almost a draw back to the Z, but in casual driving it is so powerful and the DBW makes things even more jerky when moving fast. to attempt to use full power but still shift at 4000RPM is just rather rough, constant on and off the gas, and it happens very quickly you fell almost as tho your spending more time off the gas then you are on.

the way I look at it, its going through the rpms too fast at full power for you to only go through the first 4000 or so, you need the last 2600rpms to give you some time in each gear.

automatics and non drive by wire gives you less control over the throttle, but a smoother drive, and thus you are able to give it more power while retaining the "casual" feel.

 

I felt the same way when I fisrt test drove a Z. Especially after having driver my Bros 99 C5 Vette for weeks. Truth is that the Z is not snap your neck fast but very linear. The way you accelerate has to adjust and after the car has more miles on it and you floor it in 3rd you can see just how fast this bad boy is. But Im not suprised taht you were dissapointed at first...its speed can be very deceptive. Take traction off launch hard and spin those tires....you will feel much better. Try that with a V6 Altima.

 

This guy sounds like he needs an Infiniti G35 coupe, not a 350z..

 

I didnt really realize the umpph available until after I broke it in and hit the revs harder. My lowbeams are definitely too low and need to be raised. I did realize from the beginning though that the z was a blast to drive.

 

Ziv,

I think Ralphus just gave you the best advise in the entire thread.

My advise: Don't let emotion get the better of you when you buy this or any car. Don't talk yourself into getting a car that just doesn't feel right to you or that you are beginning to second guess. I did just that and made a $3,000.00 mistake. The Z is a beautiful car. And, to be honest with you, I felt its performance went beyond my expectations. But the ride on the Z, a true sports car, became too harsh for me. Plus there were other issues which caused me to trade in my Z. Look seriously at the G35 or BMW.

Good luck!

 

You can actually do that with a 3.5 Altima you can spin the tires quite well on hard launch, it has tons of low end torque as well very similiar to a 350.

 

 

I was just saying "light those rears up" and you will see what I mean. Plus Altima is front wheel drive completely different experience.

 

You can't really drift in an Altima

 

yeah a neon can prolly spin its tires, fronts have no physics goin for them. it takes a pretty serious amount of power to spin rwd, Iknow my moms mercedes 320 cant even come close, my truck could but only after putting about 100lbs of brush gaurd on to reduce the weight on the rear, and it already had pathetic ratios.

were talking standing start put the peddle down and the rear tires break traction, not many cars can do that outside of sports cars of course.

 

Most of the guys on this board are pretty experienced based on my owns reads, particularly as you get to more technical aspects of the vehicle.

I do agree with some of the earlier posts that the key is running the vehicle at higher RPM's.

With that said if you are still concerned about the car's performance go buy a Ford Mustang Corba. The acceleration will give you a headache and the thing is intimading. Howver, there are a few drawbacks. The car doesn't handle nearly as well, quality is not as good and as for appearance I favor the Z.

Maybe the guy who said you should look elsewhere is right.

I am not trying to be defensive, just love my Z. As for your Dodge, whatever, if you like Chrysler Corp., go buy a Neon.

 

Man! What is happening to this board! The guy is apologetic, and here is another cloaked jerk response. You guys need to grow up and take it easy.

The guy wants a Z, and he's going to take another test drive.

 

The flywheel is too heavy at the beginning... You zip through peak power....Then the plenum and ecu kill it before redline. This makes for an uneventfull second gear. Very flat, and makes me wonder if my passenger was impressed. The same holds true for 1st the more I think about it.

But then.........................God created 3rd !!! Here is where the power is "Felt", and you know you're in a Z. Redline approches...All is Good.
And then.....for the next shift.....God created 4th !!! He blessed us with another gear which feels almost like third. It could have been 1:1, but no....It's still under-drive. As you're building speed, bending space and time, a blue aura builds around the car and you hear something! It's angels singing harmoniously, " 3.5 liter..287. 3.5 liter.. 287". All is Good.
And then........................God created 5th!!! The blue aura around the car starts changing into hues of red and purple. Pavement is ripping behind you, causing a 5 mile long dust cloud. The singing gets louder, and you notice the angels flying beside you. Redline approaches. All is Good.
And then........................God created 6th!!! Your 5 mile dust trail ignites. The lines of the road become one. The angels can no longer keep up...Their singing begins to fade just as their images do in the rearview. You feel the roar of the engine in your chest, and the power you lay upon the asphalt with your hands. You close your eyes only to feel each slight imperfection of the road as you lean into every turn. You are at peace now. You are one with the Z. All is Good.
And then............God rested on the 7th gear.

Does anyone else have similar experiences during their morning commute?

 

LOLOLOL

If that isnt a pure definition of a Z Enthusiast, I dont know what is

 

ditto to sschmuve, especially regarding 3rd, 4th and 5th gears.

what seems weird is the car seems to redline in 2nd gear at about 58 MPH which doesn't do much for the 0-60 time. Of course maybe I am wrong and it actually redlines in 2nd at 60 MPH.

 

Great summary sschmuve!!

I think shouting out "and god created third, etc" will add to the fun.

 

It actually hit's 60 at the top of second which helps the times.