Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my '03 Track, but it seems like every comparison test I have seen rates the Z as "2nd" at best. Usually the comparos involve the RX8, and S2000.

Admittedly, I've seen only USA-based evaluations, but I've yet to see the Z come out first. Surely that's happened somewhere.

The Z is definitely the winner in MY book, at least.

 

i remember the Z beating out the mustang mach-1 and something else?...i forgot. I believe this was car and driver.

 

Heres the one that Elyliu is referring to. 350z, mustang mach 1, s2000 and audi TT.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=1938

 

well everytime the Z loses its because its not, "which is the best sports car" its which has the most daily driver appeal. the z and s2000 always win power test and performance numbers but the rx8 has the seats which give it good ratings all the time. i dont need no stinkin back seats but i want torque and lots of it. thats why i got the z.

 

bout time

 

just remember that the z has won the consumers test by outselling both of those competitors

 

It won my "personal test" which is what really matters.

 

Here's my $.02 on the subject, and I see a lot of data and have some personal track time to back up my opinion.

When you set comparison test criteria, such as 0-60, 1/4 mile, braking, skidpad, etc., the Z does not usually win these theoretical comparos because it never outperforms others in any one area. It usually places about second in each category.

But put these cars on a track and lap them, and the Z comes out on top. Why? Because the car is very well balanced - it does everything well, not just acceptional at one or two things.

For example, Mustang Cobras go very fast in a straight line, but that same live axle that gets them out of the hole kills them in the curves. The S2000 is an excellent Auto-X car because it's very light and balanced, but doesn't have the low end torque to pull out of higher speed turns early and keep up on a road coarse (better in '04.)

If you are dissappointed in how your Z holds up at the drag strip or in an Auto-X event, take it to a lap-day at your nearest road coarse and you will be amazed at how the car behaves. I have no problem beating out every car in my class (by driver ability) including Z-06 and ZR-1 Corvettes. In fact, the Mini Cooper-S has been my closest competition, believe it or not.

 

Dr Greg-Do your homework.The Z has finished either 1st or second in every comparison test I have read so far.Nobody seems to read Car Magazine here.They did a comparison test on the Audi TT(new one),Crossfire,RX-8 and the Z.Best and most in depth comparison test I have read so far.Not just 2 or 3 pages.I believe it was a few months ago issue.

 

Cobras have Independent rear suspension BTW its the GT's and Mach 1's that have the Live axle.

 

I knew that..... what was I thinking? I had written GT to begin with and went back and changed it to Cobra, but forgot to mod my comment about IRS.

Thanks for the correction.

 

I have a CAR magazine (or maybe EVO) from quite some time ago where the Z beat the RX-8 (slightly).

The nice thing is that all these cars (Boxster, S2000, RX-8, etc) all offer excellent performance with different feel, so you can take your pick depending on what you like the best. It's nice to see all these choices.

-D'oh!

 

automobile magazine's "automobile of the year". that's sort of a comparison... with every single other car available. it also was voted most beautiful car by the european press. it's won a lot of head-to-head comparos in mags and stuff. but i can't cite any sources. it does lose whenever a mag tests "best all around sporty practical daily driver car" type comparos, which the rx8 was designed to win.

 

yup!

www.performancenissanracing.com sure kicks porche' audi' ford' chevy' caddy's ***!

 

In South Africa we have had three different magazines do the comparisons. EVERY mag rated the Zed tops.

I am not sure what you call this the model we have, but it comes standard with traction control, speedocruise, leather seats-heated, 18 inch wheels and Bose sound.

Cheers!

 

First off, the Z is #1 in my book...that's why I bought it!! I (also) don't care about back seats, drag racing, etc.

It's good to hear of some publications that call a spade a spade...hmmm I'm not sure that came out right!

Again, thanks for the replies; I was just curious since I've been mostly exposed to comparos in which the Z got relegated to 2nd for some stupid utilitarian reason...I mean it's a sports car, right?!

 

Ditto. It's perfect in my books too. That's why I own one.

 

The Z won the "Comparison Test" without a doubt on the piece of junk I traded in on it ! :-)