Cross-posted here and sccaforums.com to get broader input...

The wife is leaning toward me replacing my '02 Miata (primarily an auto-x car) with a 350Z. I'd be looking to run it in BS initally, maybe moving to BSP in a few years. With the changes coming for '06 (300hp standard, 18" wheels standard, larger brakes standard), I'm not sure if I want to try and go for an end-of-year deal on an '05 or order an '06 exactly like I'd want it.

Any thoughts on whether an '06 Enthusiast would be sufficiently worthwhile over an '05 Enthusiast? I'm not interested in the Track model. Tire options for the 17" vs. 18" seem about a wash (other than cost). The raised redline on the 300hp motor might be a help, but I don't get the impression that running out of 2nd gear is a concern. The remaining changes are primarily cosmetic. No info yet on weight differences between the '05 and '06.

Thoughts?

-chris

 

Tire options for 18" wheels are EXTREMELY limited -- 245s from pretty much everyone, or 275s from Hoosier, the only game in town for that size.

If you run out of 2nd gear in the Miata, then you will in the non-RevUp engine as well.

 

My 6spd '02 Miata hits the rev limiter somewhere between 52-53mph on 215/40-16s. Would a non-RevUp on 275/40-17s be about the same?

-chris

 

It probably would be closer to 60 than the Miata.

 

For autocross, I would also rather have the extra torque of the '05 over the extra horsepower of the '06. I would also vote for the 17 inch wheels for autocross. I take it these are not an option on '06s.

 

I would take the 17 inch wheels, but the extra RPM of the RevUp engine.

Too bad you can't get them together -- in stock at least.

 

The other thing to keep in mind is the rolling diameter on the 17" with 275/40/17 is smaller than stock putting second gear redline at 58ish mph. It also helps with torque though. I'm willing to bet on an autox course the 17" version is going to be faster than the revup version. Unless the new brake system somehow cures ice mode.

If you want to win BS why not buy a RX8. Everyone knows thats going to be the car to have for 06

 

Hey, I sell RX8's. It's really strange talking up the car when I've got my 350 stabled behind the building. But then, they don't have know that I beat them until AFTER they've bought one.

Car has huge potential, but I've found a few secrets for my Z that may take a year or so in the 8. Next year will be fun, none the less.

 

I'd take that bet! 275/35/18 is about the same diameter, but the extra 500-600 RPM still gets me over 60 in second gear, so there's no reason to shift (or bounce off the rev limiter).



Gotta love those "everybody knows" remarks...

 

But you're going to have that 500-600 rpm on a slower tire.

 

RX-8s have the same problem (18x8 wheels).

245 710s or 275 Hoosiers, those are your choices.

 

I'm not a big fan of the RX8 that was just a joke but... being that the RX8 is 300lbs lighter the 245 710 work pretty good for them. Honestly on an 18" 350z I'd rather have a 245 710 than a 275 hoosier. The hoosiers feel like they transition well but fall short everywhere else, the hoosiers really lack the mid corner grip that the 710s have.

Carter, Andy, and Chris are all awesome drivers but if I where to put money on BS, it would be 1. Ron Bauer 2. Carter 3. GH Sharp 4. Andy

 

I'd agree on 1 -- Ron is simply an awesome driver. It's going to take my best to keep up with him. The good thing is that I get to run against him a lot up here, and I don't really think that I've ever seen him have a "bad day" much less a bad weekend -- he's extremely smooth, consistent, and FAST!

My car isn't really fully prepared, I haven't done anything with the exhaust system yet, nor am I running on anything more "exotic" than Koni Sports. But I did want to be able to say that I ran on the concrete at Forbes Field at least once.

 

Here's to making the 350Z the car to have for 06!

 

+1

(3rd fastest BS driver -- 2nd fastest BS car, ahead of ALL of the RX-8s -- 2005 Packwood NT)