compared to the coupe, how much slower is the 350z roadster.
I had a s2000 and it was pretty decent. Now, i am considering 350z coupe. However, after seeing a few roadster on the road - it's getting me to think.

 

I have been struggling with making a decision between a 350Z Touring roadster, an '03 S2000, and an '04 S2000. So I have recently spent some time test driving all three to try to come to a decision. I also once had my money down for a 350Z Touring coupe, but my wife got pregnant with our third kid so we needed a mini-van instead, so I canceled So I have actually test driven all four quite a bit.

There is a clear difference betweeen the '03 350Z coupe and the 350Z roadster in terms of ride, handling, and even engine performance. The roadster has a smoother ride and a bit less punch off the line (I could not really get the wheels spinning very well, whereas it was easy in the coupe... bring your wife to the test drive so you can go without the sales guy ;-). But you still feel enough torque and pull in the roadster that a decision shouldn't be made against it simply because it is not as pronounced as the coupe.

The '04 S2000 clearly has more torque in the low RPM's than the '03 S2000. I mean, it was very easy to notice the difference between the '04 and the '03. And it was also easy to notice the '04 has a smoother ride than the '03. But the '03 had more pull when hitting the VTEC range, and the '04 doesn't have the go-cart steering the '03 has.

Through all of the test drives, I have come to one conclusion: I am still unable to decide between these cars! The 350Z has a lot more punch, power, and torque than the S2000. This is very easy to see when test driving them within a few days of each other. But the '04 S2000 had enough torque feel to it that it felt "good enough." The steering/handling between the 350Z and the '04 S2000 is about the same, so that is no longer an advantage to the S2000.

If I already had an S2000 like you, I would keep it and skip the 350Z. This is just my personal preference. I had so much fun in all of these cars, each having good things about it and bad things, that it is so hard to decide, I would not trade one for the other if I already had one (e.g. if I already had a 350Z, I would not trade it for an S2000).

For me, since I don't have any of these cars yet, I am leaning towards the '03 or newer S2000 because I can get it used for 10K less than a new 350Z roadster.

-Corey

 

...er, I'm leaning towards the '03 or older S2000 because I can get it used for 10K less than a new 350Z roadster...

-Corey

 

Sure you save 10 grand, but you lose out on that new car smell.

 

Hehe. Someone should come out with a "new car smell" aerosol spray so we can have that smell all of the time!

 

After owning an S2000 for three years I am ready for a Z! I test drove the 04 and noticed a slight difference. It does have a few new appointments but if I am spending 30000.00 to 40000.00 I want the car loaded up w/ features. I wish the S2000 had a NAV system though. But what it really comes down to it is which car you like the best. All in all, I would prefer the Z. I think it looks great and it has all the amenities that I like in a car. If you are shooting for price--the S2000 is a better buy for the "Rag top" type of car. Plus you can buy a hardtop from the hardtop guy ( check out s2ki.com--- for 2000.00 and have a nicley equipped convertible for under 35000.00 while the entry Z roadster doesn't have leather or a hardtop and you have to spend around 36000.00 to get into it! I think this is why i am waiting for a detachable hard top for the roadster!

 

I'd say its personal preferance - I have an 03 S2000 and so there isn't any toque in the low end - the little 4 banger can smoke a hell of a lot and hang with cars like the Z, and Mustang GT both of which have bigger engines. Personally I love the handling of my 03 S2000 much more than the 350Z roadster, but I like all the extras you get with the roadster too so as I stated its really a personal taste issue more than anything else...what do your instincts tell you? Trust them and you can't go wrong!

Both are well made top cars for their class and price!

 

i know it is a personal taste. The story is i owned a yellow s2k which was more trouble from the cops than all my other cars combined due to color of the car. I sold it. Now, i am looking to get a car. I don't want another s2000 cuz I have already had the s2k experience. Now it's between the coupe and roadster. I just don't want to get the roadster and feel it's slow.

that's why i am asking those with roadster, what's ur thoughts..

 

I have a 350coupe ...

I think 350 looks better than 2k with top down
and the 2K looks better than the Z with the top up...

I guess they were designed differently... 350 was coupe first then they chopped the top...
2k was designed to be a roadster.........

but if I had to go roadster/convert I would go with a MERC if I had the money!

 

I own a 350z coupe, and drive my boss's roadster all the time. There is a large difference between the two; the coupe is the much better handler/accelerator/driver car. IFrankly, I get bored driving the roadster. ts the price to pay for the wind in your hair. I've also driven both s2k's, the '03 and '04. The handling aspects of the 04 compared to the 03 are analagous between the Z roadster and Z coupe; the coupe or 03 s2k is much better. The extra torque in the 04 s2k is nice, but in my opinion deviates from the spirit of the honda. If you want a ragtop, go 03 or older s2k. If you want a coupe, go 350z.

 

GuardianED - You get bored driving the Roadster? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. It's a completely different experience from the coupe. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Do you think your opinion might be *slightly* skewed by the fact that you own the coupe and not the Roadster? I wonder how you would feel if you drove your Boss' coupe while you owned the Roadster.

Lil Raja - Drive the 350Z Coupe, the 350Z Roadster and both years of the S2000. If you book an appointment in advance you get much more cooperation from the dealership/salesperson.

Make up your own mind. My understanding is the performance difference between the 350 Coupe and Roadster is noticeable but not a night and day difference.

My opinion is obviously skewed by the fact that I own a Roadster. I'd be interested to see what you think since you're a 350Z drivin virgin.

 

hehehe. u guys don't read the thread, do you? lol. cuz i already owned the s2000 and sold it cuz of the color, which got me into a lot of trouble.
So now, i want the 350z coupe, but I saw a few roadsters and they were nice. The question was is the 350z roadster in line with the s2000 in terms of acceleration. the s2000 was not super fast, but was very nice.

I am gonna set up an appointment like paul_bb_guy suggested and drive the coupe and the convertible. One thing I don't want is a lot of wind in the cabin. the s2000 was great for that. :-)

let's seee. Either way a Z will be home soon.

 

I really do get kinda bored by the performance aspect of the roadster... but yes, they are VERY different driving experiences. And no, the view isn't skewed I don't think. My line of work allows for VERY easy aquisitions of any Nissan product, so I could drive any Nissan/Infiniti I want. I'd still choose the coupe

 

Hey, can ya "acquistion me" me a Nismo Dual exhaust? LOL!

 

I was one of the first to be on the pre-order list for an '03 350Z Touring 6-sp quite a while ago (March of '02). But after having driven an S2000, I knew that I had to have an S. So I canceled the Z and bought an S. Since then, I've never regretted having bought an S. It's simply the funnest car money can buy, for any amount of money (maybe even including an Enzo ) ; not the fastest, but the funnest. Period!

 

EnigmaofS2k - Good for you man! You test drove them both and based your decision on your driving experience. Kudos, the S2K is a nice little ride man..

 

including the enzo lol ha ha ha ha...we've have a comedian=)

 

The decision to me is easy; If it is just a weekend toy, the s2000. Daily driver: 350z.

 

The 350Z is a great car, but no way I'd give up my S2000 for one...though I might change my tune if one of these had to serve as my only car.

 

Roadster to Roadster I would go S2000 but I would chose a 350 coupe over both. The 350 roadster is not faster than a S in the straight line it s a tad slower from what I've seen , also it tested slower in the C/D roadster comparo. This was with a 03 S not th enew 04.