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350Z vs. NSX?

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Old Sep 30, 2002 | 04:44 PM
  #1  
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Default 350Z vs. NSX?

I know this sounds insane, but by looking at these specs, it' seems the Z would be close to a NSX in a quarter mile race. Am I wrong? check this out..



350Z vs. NSX
Engine 3.5 Liter double overhead cam V 6 3.2 Liter double overhead cam V 6
Number of valves per cylinder 4 4
Injection/carburetion multi-point injection multi-point injection
Engine location front mid
Maximum power HP 287 290
Rpm for maximum power 6200 7100
Maximum torque ft lb 274 224
Rpm for maximum torque 4800 5500
Transmission type 6 speed manual 6 speed manual
Driven wheels rear rear
Electronic traction control ( controlled by ) Std. ( ABS & engine management ) Std. ( ABS & engine management )
Limited slip differential Std. Std.
Front type independent multi-link independent wishbone
Rear type multi-link coil - spring wishbone coil - spring
Power steering Std. Std.
ABS ( location ) Std. ( 4-wheel ) Std. ( 4-wheel )
Disc brakes ( number of ) Std. ( 4 ) Std. ( 4 )
Number of ventilated discs 4 4
Wheels 17 x 7.5 alloy 17 x 7 alloy
Curb to curb turning circle (ft) (feet) 35.3 38.1

The quarter mile for the NSX was 13.2, the Z's best time is 13.4. Anyone have anything to say about this? I find it amazing if the Z can challange a NSX, considering there is 60,000 price difference!
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Old Sep 30, 2002 | 04:46 PM
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13.4? I havent seen a time anwhere near that for a 350z. 13.9 is the fastest I have seen.
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Old Sep 30, 2002 | 04:49 PM
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NISSAN 350Z ENTHUSIAST advantages over the ACURA NSX T

MSRP $60751 less
0.3 liter larger engine
50 more torque (ft lb)
Height adjustable front seat belts
Automatic operation rear view mirror
Driver vanity mirror
Passenger vanity mirror
Height adjustable driver front seat
Height adjustable passenger front seat
Audio system includes single CD
2 more speakers
Delayed/fade courtesy lights
External temperature display
Computer
Power steering
Intermittent rear window wipers
Metallic paint standard
0.2 inch(es) more overall width (in)
4.7 inch(es) longer wheelbase (in)
2.8 inch(es) less curb to curb turning circle (ft)
1.9 inch(es) more front headroom
0.1 inch(es) more front hip room
1.1 inch(es) more front shoulder room

-nissandriven.com
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Old Sep 30, 2002 | 06:09 PM
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Not sure really. It might be close enough to fall into the driver margin, but I think the reason that a comparison like this is not generally made is because neither is really a drag car. Put them on the track, and I am sure you will see why one of them is considerably more expensive.
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Old Sep 30, 2002 | 06:37 PM
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The NSX and 350Z are not in the same category. They may stack up somewhat closely on paper, but I don't think they are at all comparable otherwise. The Z is a great car, but the NSX is something else. It runs with some of the world's greatest. It's a specialty, very limited, car, which the Z really isn't. I've never had the luck to drive or even ride in one, but from what I've read, they're worth the price difference.

The Z attracts attention now, but I'd bet in a few months, they'll be as common as S2000's, hopefully not more so. The NSX, which is how many years old, is still a looker and a rarity.
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Old Oct 2, 2002 | 09:24 PM
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um...curb weight? they are same: 3157 NSX and 3197 Z.

I think LowFuel would be THE guy to wait for a response from.
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Old Oct 2, 2002 | 09:42 PM
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Is this thread for real?!
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Old Oct 2, 2002 | 11:01 PM
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This just shows you how little the numbers actually mean
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 02:12 AM
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I never saw 13.4 either. Anyone out there see this time? I thought someone eeked out a 13.95 somewhere but that was the best I saw.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 05:54 AM
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They really are two completely different cars. Numbers don't mean as much until you prove them on the track. Sure, they sound close on the drag strip, but the NSX wasn't designed for the quarter mile.

And, I sure haven't heard of a 13.4 out of a Z, but wouldn't that be cool!
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 06:48 AM
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Comparing the 350Z to an NSX is ridiculous. I suggest putting down your crack pipe.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 07:37 AM
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Default Re: 350Z vs. NSX?

give me a break

this is an apples vs oranges comparison


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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 09:31 AM
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Hey guys,
Going to put my $.02 here. The NSX and the Z are actually pretty close in performance. I can say this as I own an NSX and am intimately familiar with the 350Z, in ways which many of you are not.

The Z and the 3.0L NSX are essentially identical in performance. Quarter's and 0-60's are within tenths of a second. Driver skill as well as fuel tank capacity would be deciding factors, not the car. Given apples to apples, they (3.0L NSX) are dead even to about 100, don't ask me how I know.

The Track model has better brakes per pound than the NSX, but the NSX has a superior fit and finish, and IMHO is a little sexier looking. The NSX has a little bit of a weight advantage as my 91 weighs in at about 2900 lbs. The current NSX-T's are about the same weight as the Z..give or take, at 3200lbs. As you guys know, the 3.0L X's have the 5 speed, and as a result are a little slower than the 3.2 X's with the 6-speed and different final drive.

As far as the Z having more torque. It does. The NSX actually feels and is torquier due to the lower final drive. However, having said that, the Z has phenomenol chassis rigidity compared to the X. The X's has always had lousy chassis rigidity, worse than the S2000, the Z is solid as a rock. Try taking off the fluff around the rear tower brace and you'll see what I mean. That plus the double decker rear floor really contribute to the Z's chassis rigidity.

In addition, once the 3.0L or the 3.2L get into the top end of third gear (110mph) the X has a clear advantage. Not much out there will accelerate like the NSX from 110 to 150, I've taken out Vette's with ease, and with my 70 shot have destroyed Vipers and 360 Modena's and BPU Supra's.

For the money and stock for stock, the Z wins hands down. It has better chassis rigidity and has more enjoyable handling characteristics than the X, and is generally more fun to drive. The X's limit is VERY high, and only at that limit can you play with the tail and balance the car. The Z understeers, but can be coaxed into controlled throttle oversteer much easier than the X. Hence it is more fun to drive....especially in mountain road conditions, where both the NSX and the S2 are out of their powerband...(most of the time).

As for the S2000, Great car, it was one of our targets in Z develoment, but please. Given identical drivers, even the auto Z will destroy the S2, unless you drop the clutch at 8K. Not to mention the S2 is pretty quirky at the limit, so much in fact, that the 2002 S2 has a slightly different damper tuning to compensate for some rather dramatic tail "happiness" at the limit.

Hope this helps with some of the "assumptions" on this topic.
Best Regards.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 10:57 AM
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Ah, so I'm not a complete fool. A NSX owner replied. Woo. I agree it's a wild comparrison, but the specs look very similar. If you disregard prices completely, you never known the prices of the car, and you have a 350Z and a NSX, and drove both, I think the NSX would definatly win, but it would be close. As far as 13.4, I thought I saw someone post a 13.45 time or something on this site.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 12:17 PM
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Not that my opinion matters, but if I could afford a 3.2L NSX-T (new or used), then that's what I would be driving.

Michael.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 01:24 PM
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Originally posted by Mr350Z
As for the S2000, Great car, it was one of our targets in Z develoment, but please. Given identical drivers, even the auto Z will destroy the S2, unless you drop the clutch at 8K. Not to mention the S2 is pretty quirky at the limit, so much in fact, that the 2002 S2 has a slightly different damper tuning to compensate for some rather dramatic tail "happiness" at the limit.
An auto Z will destroy the S2000... No, I don't think so. The Z is a great car, don't get me wrong, but stock for stock, it will not destroy an S2000, especially an auto version. IMO, performance of both cars are very close, it gets down to pure driver skill. I also don't believe the S2000 is quirky at its limit. I've done autoX and speed trials at Homestead and Moroso, and I've found it to be very stable and predictable at speed pushing it to its limits.

As for the NSX... The performance of the new Z, although great, comes NO WHERE close to that of an NSX 3.0L or 3.2L. I've driven an NSX, and its a whole different animal.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 01:33 PM
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Originally posted by Michael-Dallas
Not that my opinion matters, but if I could afford a 3.2L NSX-T (new or used), then that's what I would be driving.

Michael.
The newer NSX's are Very rare and must be hard to come by and very $$$$

The old ones that had only 270 hp are more common and cheaper.

I drove an old 1992 (I Think) NSX, and had ZERO headroom. I have never been in a car where if I wasn't slouching my head would be touching the roof. The Z beats the old NSX in headroom hands down. I'm not sure if the later models were changed so the seat could be lowered or not.
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Old Oct 3, 2002 | 01:45 PM
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the 350z is a great car and all, but by no means is it in the same category as the NSX.

I think some owners on here are getting a little carried away and think they are superior to all cars on the road.
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