A dream come true (8:30-1 with a Z)
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Driving Impressions
Jim called and told me to share my thoughts on driving the new 350z.
This is the most refined Z Car that's ever been made. It rides great - very smooth - much smoother than the Z32, but this is a true sports car, not a boulevard cruiser.
Initial driving impressions - the car is somewhat noisy, but not harsh. It sounds the way a sports car should sound, but is more refined than the original 240.
Before driving, I rode in the car with the magazine writer from the Shoney's where we ate to the Natchez Trace. The first thing I noticed is how well it rode. Very controlled, but didn't beat you up when you hit a bump.
The interior is very accomodating for anyone from 5'-5" to 6'-8", which was the height of the writer. The seats adjust up/down. As most of you know, the gauges move with the wheel adjustments.
Honestly, I paid little attention to the interior details - Adam paid a lot of attention to them - he's the one to ask about that. I wanted to drive the car.
A list of General points:
The blind spot is not as bad as the Z32's
Pedal Arrangements - clutch pedal was a little too high - could be an adjustment or pre-production issue
Brake Pedal needs to be a little further to the right for better heel/toe. Pedal was a little mushy, probably due to rubber brake lines.
Steering was great - good solid feel.
Shifter, a little bit slow - maybe due to the long throw on the clutch pedal. Long shifter throw to 5th/6th. But the car honestly doesn't really need 5th or 6th - they both can be considered overdrive. Will easily hit 100 in 4th.
Initial acceleration. First gear goes away very fast - easy to hit the rev limiter. As you go up, it's not as easy to hit the limiter.
First turn impression, car stuck very well. With harder driving, handling control ON, the car stepped out and right back in when I broke traction. There is no way in hell you can hurt yourself in this car with the handling control turned on. I tried several times to really break it loose - it would not do it.
Upon returning, we were a little nervous about the State Trooper that was hanging around so were going slower. But we found a 90 degree hairpin and slammed it anyway to see what would happen. We got the car almost completely sideways and it fully corrected itself. The engine decelerated automatically. I don't know for sure, but it felt like the shocks were responding to the slide, too.
After figuring out where the handling control button was, we turned the damn thing off. We went through the same corner again. Slight oversteer with accelerator, but overall the car was amazingly neutral, very uncommon in a stock car. Most stock cars are designed to understeer for safety reasons.
Overall I find the car to be a very true sports car. More refined without a bunch of unnecessary tech like the Z32. It feels a lot like the Z was intended to be when it was first made in 1969. Light and nimble, quick, but not over-horsepowered. If I wouldn'd be a future dead guy like Jim if I ordered one, I'd go get one tomorrow.
Hopefully this answers most of your questions. Just a note - I'm pretty busy at work these days. If I don't answer specific questions, I'm not being rude - I'm just slammed these days....
Doug Stewart - Nashville
DouggieBoost, The drink of Champions!
(Available in Miller Lite cans Nationwide)
This is the most refined Z Car that's ever been made. It rides great - very smooth - much smoother than the Z32, but this is a true sports car, not a boulevard cruiser.
Initial driving impressions - the car is somewhat noisy, but not harsh. It sounds the way a sports car should sound, but is more refined than the original 240.
Before driving, I rode in the car with the magazine writer from the Shoney's where we ate to the Natchez Trace. The first thing I noticed is how well it rode. Very controlled, but didn't beat you up when you hit a bump.
The interior is very accomodating for anyone from 5'-5" to 6'-8", which was the height of the writer. The seats adjust up/down. As most of you know, the gauges move with the wheel adjustments.
Honestly, I paid little attention to the interior details - Adam paid a lot of attention to them - he's the one to ask about that. I wanted to drive the car.
A list of General points:
The blind spot is not as bad as the Z32's
Pedal Arrangements - clutch pedal was a little too high - could be an adjustment or pre-production issue
Brake Pedal needs to be a little further to the right for better heel/toe. Pedal was a little mushy, probably due to rubber brake lines.
Steering was great - good solid feel.
Shifter, a little bit slow - maybe due to the long throw on the clutch pedal. Long shifter throw to 5th/6th. But the car honestly doesn't really need 5th or 6th - they both can be considered overdrive. Will easily hit 100 in 4th.
Initial acceleration. First gear goes away very fast - easy to hit the rev limiter. As you go up, it's not as easy to hit the limiter.
First turn impression, car stuck very well. With harder driving, handling control ON, the car stepped out and right back in when I broke traction. There is no way in hell you can hurt yourself in this car with the handling control turned on. I tried several times to really break it loose - it would not do it.
Upon returning, we were a little nervous about the State Trooper that was hanging around so were going slower. But we found a 90 degree hairpin and slammed it anyway to see what would happen. We got the car almost completely sideways and it fully corrected itself. The engine decelerated automatically. I don't know for sure, but it felt like the shocks were responding to the slide, too.
After figuring out where the handling control button was, we turned the damn thing off. We went through the same corner again. Slight oversteer with accelerator, but overall the car was amazingly neutral, very uncommon in a stock car. Most stock cars are designed to understeer for safety reasons.
Overall I find the car to be a very true sports car. More refined without a bunch of unnecessary tech like the Z32. It feels a lot like the Z was intended to be when it was first made in 1969. Light and nimble, quick, but not over-horsepowered. If I wouldn'd be a future dead guy like Jim if I ordered one, I'd go get one tomorrow.
Hopefully this answers most of your questions. Just a note - I'm pretty busy at work these days. If I don't answer specific questions, I'm not being rude - I'm just slammed these days....
Doug Stewart - Nashville
DouggieBoost, The drink of Champions!
(Available in Miller Lite cans Nationwide)
Charter Member #30
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Belmont, CA
Another great post. The kind that make this forum worth the time. Not more wading through all of the back and forth messages speculating about things that will be resolved completely in a few weeks. Here we have a very experienced driver telling us what we really want to know - How the car feels to drive. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
And He Likes It!! I was having problems waiting before. Now it's impossible.
And He Likes It!! I was having problems waiting before. Now it's impossible.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I just wanted to applaud the guys who have given us their feedback on driving the car-not only for the incredible details-but for their tremendous integrity.
In spite of the temptation to just go hog wild with information, they all felt an obligation to their hosts and showed very responsible restraint in their response.
It's one thing to be part of a group that's got a common bond-that being our cars. It's another thing to be in the company of such respectful members as those who participated in this driving experience.
Thanks for your great contribution to this forum.
In spite of the temptation to just go hog wild with information, they all felt an obligation to their hosts and showed very responsible restraint in their response.
It's one thing to be part of a group that's got a common bond-that being our cars. It's another thing to be in the company of such respectful members as those who participated in this driving experience.
Thanks for your great contribution to this forum.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
follow-up
Glad to see the info has helped with your wait.
Touring6 - thanks for your kind comments. Thanks to you, I may try to change careers AGAIN! (Wife loading shotgun).....
Dan, no need to own a Z to join MTZC. If you like fun and like Zs, we like you.
J Ritt. I didn't pay attention to the rear view in particular (I didn't notice the strut bar, etc), but it would have jumped out at me if there was a problem. I'm pretty picky about the view in the mirrors, myself.
USMA71 - special thanks for your comments. There are a lot of people out there that have a lot of time and effort invested in the Z movement. I guarantee that they appreciate your comments, too. Bravo!
I have, so far, declined to name the writers and magazine people involved in this weekend's work. Here's a shot of the photographer at work. I'd like to express our sincere thanks to the magazine guys for doing what they do.
Check this guy out as he is lying in gravel. His name is Tim - he's from England. This shot pretty well sums up their efforts. Covering new cars for magazines is clearly not as glamourous as the rest of us think, but actually involves a lot of work, waiting around, driving routes repeatedly in excruciating heat and cold, and making sure all the questions are answered, and even lying in gravel.
To Georg, Tim, Joe & Ben - if you read this - thanks for including us in your work. We had a blast.
Jim Leutgens
Middle Tennessee Z Club - Nashville
Touring6 - thanks for your kind comments. Thanks to you, I may try to change careers AGAIN! (Wife loading shotgun).....
Dan, no need to own a Z to join MTZC. If you like fun and like Zs, we like you.
J Ritt. I didn't pay attention to the rear view in particular (I didn't notice the strut bar, etc), but it would have jumped out at me if there was a problem. I'm pretty picky about the view in the mirrors, myself.
USMA71 - special thanks for your comments. There are a lot of people out there that have a lot of time and effort invested in the Z movement. I guarantee that they appreciate your comments, too. Bravo!
I have, so far, declined to name the writers and magazine people involved in this weekend's work. Here's a shot of the photographer at work. I'd like to express our sincere thanks to the magazine guys for doing what they do.
Check this guy out as he is lying in gravel. His name is Tim - he's from England. This shot pretty well sums up their efforts. Covering new cars for magazines is clearly not as glamourous as the rest of us think, but actually involves a lot of work, waiting around, driving routes repeatedly in excruciating heat and cold, and making sure all the questions are answered, and even lying in gravel.
To Georg, Tim, Joe & Ben - if you read this - thanks for including us in your work. We had a blast.
Jim Leutgens
Middle Tennessee Z Club - Nashville
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
THE MOTHER OF ALL THREADS
This is THE MOTHER OF ALL THREADS!
I can't thank you guys enough. You are very lucky, but living vicariously through you is almost as good.
VandyZ/Adam -- muchas gracias for the pics! The interior shots are great and so are your comments.
futuredeadguy/Jim -- thanks tremendously for sharing your experience and your impressions. This is beyond awesome.
Doug -- also thanks sooo much for your posts! I want to ride with you one day! But you need an alias upgrade, something other than "Doug Stewart." I suggest "nofear," "hairpin king" or how about "idontneednostinkinVDC"!
I can't thank you guys enough. You are very lucky, but living vicariously through you is almost as good.
VandyZ/Adam -- muchas gracias for the pics! The interior shots are great and so are your comments.
futuredeadguy/Jim -- thanks tremendously for sharing your experience and your impressions. This is beyond awesome.
Doug -- also thanks sooo much for your posts! I want to ride with you one day! But you need an alias upgrade, something other than "Doug Stewart." I suggest "nofear," "hairpin king" or how about "idontneednostinkinVDC"!
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: WA
VDC
I'm assuming the handling control you are referring to is the VDC on the performance and up models correct? I ordered an enthusiast which doesn't have that option. Is VDC plus the 18" wheels really worth the $2K? I was pretty sure that I would turn off VDC anyway, as I don't want the computer thinking for me, but from the description above it sounds like they really did it right.
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, Canada
Re: follow-up
Originally posted by futuredeadguy
Glad to see the info has helped with your wait.
Touring6 - thanks for your kind comments. Thanks to you, I may try to change careers AGAIN! (Wife loading shotgun).....
Dan, no need to own a Z to join MTZC. If you like fun and like Zs, we like you.
J Ritt. I didn't pay attention to the rear view in particular (I didn't notice the strut bar, etc), but it would have jumped out at me if there was a problem. I'm pretty picky about the view in the mirrors, myself.
USMA71 - special thanks for your comments. There are a lot of people out there that have a lot of time and effort invested in the Z movement. I guarantee that they appreciate your comments, too. Bravo!
I have, so far, declined to name the writers and magazine people involved in this weekend's work. Here's a shot of the photographer at work. I'd like to express our sincere thanks to the magazine guys for doing what they do.
Check this guy out as he is lying in gravel. His name is Tim - he's from England. This shot pretty well sums up their efforts. Covering new cars for magazines is clearly not as glamourous as the rest of us think, but actually involves a lot of work, waiting around, driving routes repeatedly in excruciating heat and cold, and making sure all the questions are answered, and even lying in gravel.
To Georg, Tim, Joe & Ben - if you read this - thanks for including us in your work. We had a blast.
Jim Leutgens
Middle Tennessee Z Club - Nashville
Glad to see the info has helped with your wait.
Touring6 - thanks for your kind comments. Thanks to you, I may try to change careers AGAIN! (Wife loading shotgun).....
Dan, no need to own a Z to join MTZC. If you like fun and like Zs, we like you.
J Ritt. I didn't pay attention to the rear view in particular (I didn't notice the strut bar, etc), but it would have jumped out at me if there was a problem. I'm pretty picky about the view in the mirrors, myself.
USMA71 - special thanks for your comments. There are a lot of people out there that have a lot of time and effort invested in the Z movement. I guarantee that they appreciate your comments, too. Bravo!
I have, so far, declined to name the writers and magazine people involved in this weekend's work. Here's a shot of the photographer at work. I'd like to express our sincere thanks to the magazine guys for doing what they do.
Check this guy out as he is lying in gravel. His name is Tim - he's from England. This shot pretty well sums up their efforts. Covering new cars for magazines is clearly not as glamourous as the rest of us think, but actually involves a lot of work, waiting around, driving routes repeatedly in excruciating heat and cold, and making sure all the questions are answered, and even lying in gravel.
To Georg, Tim, Joe & Ben - if you read this - thanks for including us in your work. We had a blast.
Jim Leutgens
Middle Tennessee Z Club - Nashville
Charter Member #35
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 822
Likes: 7
From: Nashville, TN
Thank You
I just wanted to extend a HUGE thank you to the Middle Tennessee Z Club - Nashville guys for all your great posts! I REALLY appreciate reading about all of your impressions!
THANKS AGAIN!
Ethan
New Jersey Z Car Club
THANKS AGAIN!
Ethan
New Jersey Z Car Club
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jim, Doug and Adam,
I just wanted to take a quick second to thank you for your photos, thoughts and driving stories with the 350Z. Truly amazing. As if we weren't excited enough.
Jim, if you'd like me to link your site from this website, I'd be happy to. Might help get the word out so to speak.
Doug, if you'd like a link to your shop, I'd be happy to help you since you helped us with your knowledge. Not sure if it'd bring you any new customers, but you never know.
Adam, you already know you're the man for those fantastic photos so we'll stop kissing your butt. haha
Thanks again guys, truly a class act!
-Jay-
I just wanted to take a quick second to thank you for your photos, thoughts and driving stories with the 350Z. Truly amazing. As if we weren't excited enough.
Jim, if you'd like me to link your site from this website, I'd be happy to. Might help get the word out so to speak.
Doug, if you'd like a link to your shop, I'd be happy to help you since you helped us with your knowledge. Not sure if it'd bring you any new customers, but you never know.
Adam, you already know you're the man for those fantastic photos so we'll stop kissing your butt.
hahaThanks again guys, truly a class act!
-Jay-
Charter Member #49
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Originally posted by Dr Bonz
Doug, if you're still out there: When you refer to the "handling control" in your post above, do you mean the VDC or the Traction control?
Doug, if you're still out there: When you refer to the "handling control" in your post above, do you mean the VDC or the Traction control?
Per Doug's post, you might have to wait a long while for his answer.
From his description (i.e. sharp turn), he meant VDC: skid control and correction during tight turn when the car going sideway. Traction control is limiting wheel spin on icy or snowy road. Hope this help while you wait for Doug's answer.
Thanks Touring. That's what I thought he meant. I plan on keeping the traction OFF unless in bad weather. I had always planned on keeping the VDC ON and after reading his post, I'm even more confident that I will. Sounds like a potential lifesaver.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 1
From: Nashville, TN
Hmmmmmmmmm....
The old days...
The days we didn't know ANYTHING about the car...
Let's all give VandyZ MAD points for starting this one... I wish I had been around to read it... I wasn't Evil then... that was back in my good days before I drove Nissans.
The old days...
The days we didn't know ANYTHING about the car...
Let's all give VandyZ MAD points for starting this one... I wish I had been around to read it... I wasn't Evil then... that was back in my good days before I drove Nissans.
Last edited by PhoenixINX; Feb 27, 2003 at 05:45 PM.
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