Is it just me or does it seem like it takes FOREVER for the power to kick in? Here is what I mean

You shift from 1st to 2nd at about 2500-3000 RPMs..
You floor it during 2nd and the engine takes its good old time giving power and once you finally get to 4500 RPM when the poewr kicks in, it seems like...why bother.....


anyone agree with this or see what I am saying...or anyone totally dissagree, maybe it is just my car.

 

Well yes and no. It is a 6 cylinder and it also a small displacement motor. It is torquey for what it is,but it will not have that big torque rush in the low rpm's like a V8. I feel the motor is great for the car, but of course more power is always welcome. The gear ratios are very close and once your moving it is fun. You just have to keep it in it's sweet spot like most smaller motors. I still think it is a good performer for it's size.

 

Yeah, exactly...if you want performace out of 2nd, you gotta wind up 1st. That's what it's there for.

I think it's nice that we get great power if we want it, or great gas mileage otherwise! Fantastic!!

 

Well my whole thing is that it feels like if i AM in 2nd gear going about... 20 or so and another car comes around me to race, it isn't like I can throw it back into 1st to get going, I gotta sit here and wait for 2nd gear to wind up. It makes me feel like I have a less superior car, and frankly when it is a car like a mustang or camaro, it really makes me want to make an example out of them

 

When you 1/4 mile this car, 1st gear is an eternity. I cannot wait for the 3.9 final drive to come out. That should shorten up 1st gear and get into the power band quicker.

 

I agree totally. We all hear about how torquey this car is but its all relative. Obviously they arent comparing it to domestic V8's by any means. Its torquey for a 6 though. I also hate having to get on the gas rolling at 20 or so because you cant throw it back into first and you just have to wait for the RPMs to build. At least with an auto you can just stomp it at 20 and get a kick down.

 

this may be a stupid question i have yet to drive the new 350Z very much yet but soon i will be driving fairly often and the car i mainly drive is a 1978 280Z and i can downshift from 2nd to 1st going 20 MPH just fine u just have to get the RPM's right or it wont go in gear.

 

totally agree. Expecially when you roll thu 1st in normal speed, and all of suddent when you shift to 2nd the light turns yellow and you want to punch it.........Doh!

 

maybe its just not worth it for the time it takes to downshift? though i do shift pretty fast but in a 280Z it doesnt have nearly the same power so i duno.

 

This engine reminds me of a Honda VTEC but with more torque down low. You still gotta rev it to haul ***, but its easier to drive around town with the torque.

 

i don't know i think it's plentty fast. Especially if you shift at redline. I have auto but I love to play with the manumatic. I've actually launched my head back.

 

Oh yeah...its plenty fast for damn sure. Its just that you hear and read reviews a lot about the Z's "torque" and before i got this car, i was thinking V8 like torque from down low and was a little disappointed thats all. It is torquey for a NA V6 though.