"Discussions" are so much fun!

As far as kids getting expensive cars go, who are we to judge? Some say people appreciate things more if you buy it yourself. Maybe YOU appreciate it more, but that doens't mean everyone will. Some say invest the money instead of blowing it on the car. Well, who's to say that someone with that amount of money isn't able to give the car to the kid, plus give the kid a downpayment on a house (or an entire house altogether) later on in life. Maybe people with crap loads of money appreciate the stuff they have, not cuz they bought it themselves, but because they HAVE that stuff, and can use that stuff. Do you appreciate a candy bar or Coke more because you paid for it? For a rich dude, buying a Z could be chump change and no more meaningful than buying a Coke for you or me.
It seems to me that when one assumes that wealthy people have the same priorities as those trying to become wealthy...well, you know what they say about assumptions.

If I had the opportunity to get the M3 Vs the Z, I would have to weigh my priorities. IMO, the Z has far more style and value. However, it is not on the same performance level. Also, the M3 can carry 4-5 people, which might be nice in certain situations. Personally, I would take the Z (which is why I am waiting for my pre-order instead of driving the M3 right now), but your milage may vary.

People keep comparing the Z to the S2000, and with good reason. They both perform at a similar level, and have the potential to cost the same. Both are wonderful cars, and neither can be objectively stated to be significantly better than the other. Sure the S2000 is a bit lighter, but the Z has more power and fatter tires. The grip on the two cars is very similar, and some of the reviews say the Z's dynamic response makes the car feel lighter than it actually is. Some people (like myself) will like the greater low end and linear power delivery of the Z, while others like the high end scream and burst of power of the S2000. Both cars kick ***, and in the end it will be the driver's skill that prevails.

Finally, there's plenty of trolling from both camps, which, while entertaining and funny on one level, is also slightly embarrasing on another.

Flame On!!

-D'oh!

 

I don't mind people being rich and getting things handed to them. There is the issue of appreciating, but as long as there have been rich people there have been rich people not appreciating what their family's wealth affords them. Still that doesn't bother me.

That aside, the issue I do have is the fact that a 17 year old has almost NO experience driving on the street. Real world driving experience is important, and handing a kid who just recently got their license a car as powerful as a Z is unsafe IMHO. The statistics show that teenagers have much higher accident rates than more experienced drivers. Combine that inexperience with a powerful performance car and it spells trouble.

The accident stats pretty much say it all - which also explains why it costs so much more to insure a teenage driver. Duh!

 

Very good point.

 

NO, not all Z fans are like him, I can truely appreciate Hondas, the lawnmower comments are pretty lame, especially considering that Honda has made the best CART racing engine for the past 7 years and has had about as much success in F1 in the past 20 years as Ferarri. Nissan sure can't claim that (yes the GTP cars were great, BUT Honda Dominated the F1 circuit around that same period and F1 is the pinnicle of racing).

The s2k is a great car, my 2nd choice nothing wrong with that!!!

 

Buy the Z and refuse to race the M3. Before I sold my 93' TT Z, I blew away a 97' M3. Of course, I had K&N, exaust and chip mod, around 400 hp. For 5K, you could too.

 

I rode in an S2000 yesterday. No way that car has the pull of the Z. It's like a Miata on crack, but it has no real umph . . more like a go kart. It was great fun, but I would line a Z up against an s2000 anyday. Furthermore, when the S2000 guy gets out of the car, you can challenge him to a foot race because he will be so cramped up from sitting in that go kart that he'll barely be able to walk.

 

I have driven a S2000 on a long test drive and I think it is a great car, my second choice in this price range. It has lots of pick up. I have not driven the 350Z yet, but it is probably just as quick if not quicker.

My point is when you get enough 350Zs to the drag strip, running with less than a full tank of gas, minus spare tire and tools, with the right conditions it will be no problem to get in the mid 13's. I never said we would see it all the time, most will be in the 14's for sure (or worse). But I'm talking about that one magical time. I've seen on the Z06 board stock times of 11.9 sec, now this is very rare, but with the right conditions quite believable.

 

the post about driving experience....this is so important...and I agree.

I am now insisting on the Z, and not the track model! I think an automatic is in order! (im sure you hate that advice) I dont like the BMW idea because of

a) the potential to hurt 4 people instead of 1

b) the potential to have less distractions because of only one passenger instead of 4.

I am gonna do a poll on teenage drivers...go check it out

 

Butt dynos are notoriously inaccurate.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthrea...threadid=80873

Props to the 350Z...WisconsinS2k is one of the best S2k drivers out there. A less competent S2k driver probably would not fare as well, but not be too far behind. It looks like it will be a driver's race.

The 350Z will undoubtedly be much easier for the average driver to drive faster. The S2k requires a lot of skill to get the max performance out of it...both in a straight line and in the twisties.

 

If this is the case (S2 is comparable in power to 350Z), I am going to be dissappointed in the power of the Z when I get mine. Of course, my benchmark is my TT Z both before and after mods, but it had tremendous pull. The S2 I rode in was very linear with no real feeling of unbridled power. I kept thinking the torque was going to kick in but it never did, and we got it over 100. Don't get me wrong, it was a very fun ride, it just didn't have that feeling of invulnerability. Any new Z owners out there with TT Z experience that can give us a comparison? I may just be a spoiled forced induction junkie.

 

I don't think you will be dissapointed. The Z definitely has more torque and it will feel very fast. The S2k does not feel fast because of it's extremely flat torque curve. But feelings are deceptive since the above real world example shows an S2k can hang with a Z.

 

True sports cars don't have back seats. They do not compromise style for extra passengers. I'm not saying M3 isn't beautiful, because it is. But it is not a true sports car, such as the Z, S2000, Boxter, Vette, and even 911 (I know it has seats, but no one other than small children could ever ride in them-- it is basically a back leather covered dash for luggage, etc.) The sports car is made for sport, alone. The 5 passenger coupe is made as a good practical daily driver with a dark side. Just my opinion.

 

No offense to the Z owners, but I think the 350Z is overated.
I mean here is a car that has almost 300hp STOCK but the best 1/4 time I've seen is 13.9 and the highest trap I've seen is 101mph. THAT'S PRETTY SLOW for a car that has almost 300hp stock with gobs of torque!!!!!!!!!

Yes these are magazine numbers, but don't say they suck because they are skilled drivers. I know the 350Z tested by the mags were not broken is, but mags always test cars that are not broken in.

Bottome line : 350Z are too fat and heavy and they need to go on a diet and lose wait.

 

There is a SC Z3 owner by the name of SilverStreak over at bimmerforum. He took his friend's BONE STOCK S2000 to a strip and ran 13.66
If ya don't belive me go to bimmerforum and ask SilverStreak. He is pretty high profile guy on that forum.

 

Well, I'm 6'4", 225 and I'm glad Nissan makes Zs big enough to comfortably seat someone of above average dimensions. The S2000 is a fun ride, but incredibly uncomfortable for me. I imagine most people over 6 feet are uncomfortable in it. And the passenger seat has even less room. If you are little, the S2000 might be for you. I also like the Z styling better. The S2000 looks like a doorstop, in the image of the infamous Fiat X19 or Triumph TR7. That is old hat and tired. The 4 banger is a little too cute, more of an updated MG. Finally, lets not even talk about the history issue, which goes back . . . what 3 years with the S2. Easy choice for me. You might be on the wrong site to be selling that the Z is too fat and the S2 is such a wonderful ride.

 

P.S. Put that 4 banger on a go kart and see how fast a 0-60 time you get. Does that make the S2 to fat and slow. If Nissan wanted to sell toy cars they would have built one.