weight
Originally Posted by dnguyent
The "Zed" (Thanks to jvanquish's post on another thread), to me, was a more liveable combo of DE duty and daily driving. I actually take the Z on weekend camping trips, and pack a bunch of stuff on track days. So, the added trunk space was a big plus. But, that results in added heft and size to the car.
The S2000 may be more nimble and go-cart like, but I like hauling more stuff around than the S can accommodate. Between a Z Roadster and the S2000, I would have gone with the S2000, but I like coupes. The Zed coupe fit the bill.
I'm quite happy with car, and would have done it over again despite the release of half a dozen new sports cars in the past two years.
The S2000 may be more nimble and go-cart like, but I like hauling more stuff around than the S can accommodate. Between a Z Roadster and the S2000, I would have gone with the S2000, but I like coupes. The Zed coupe fit the bill.
I'm quite happy with car, and would have done it over again despite the release of half a dozen new sports cars in the past two years.
Roadster version of our car doesnt match up well vs the s2000 but the Coupe version does...
I made the comment regarding to s2000 is more track oriented because it is a more spartan designed car more on the lines of a la Elise ...
Originally Posted by jun14scr
i just dont see why a company would design a weekend racer that's a convertible.. that's why it seemed a bit off to me.
Recently, I saw an ad for the new Toyota pickup and the Subie Forrester XT comparing its handling and acceleration, respectively, to that of the Z. Those giant station wagons with hemis are also being thrown in there as performance cars, albeit in acceleration and braking only. And, have you guys seen the brakes that come on most Mercedes Benz's. They put our "performance brakes" to shame.
Everything seems a bit off to me.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Puyallup, Washington
All Miatas are fast A/X'ers... just add decent tires and go. So in the world outside of A/X, where Miatas are not appreciated, they are not appropriately respected. A Spec Miata that has been properly prepared would make an affordable weekend racer.
BC
BC
Originally Posted by BA Cutler
All Miatas are fast A/X'ers... just add decent tires and go. So in the world outside of A/X, where Miatas are not appreciated, they are not appropriately respected. A Spec Miata that has been properly prepared would make an affordable weekend racer.
BC
BC
Originally Posted by BA Cutler
All Miatas are fast A/X'ers... just add decent tires and go. So in the world outside of A/X, where Miatas are not appreciated, they are not appropriately respected. A Spec Miata that has been properly prepared would make an affordable weekend racer.
BC
BC
***Just 2 cents from the public***
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Puyallup, Washington
Yep, and you gotta work kind of hard to beat those little girl cars too! In our region of SCCA, they lump car classifications into large groups. So in the Stock Classes, the Z runs in "S2", which includes BS, CS, ES and gets handicapped by PAX factors. Those darned little girl cars are a real PITA.
The Miata's is basically is a Lotus Elan knock-off. But the Elan never got the little girl monicker...
BC
The Miata's is basically is a Lotus Elan knock-off. But the Elan never got the little girl monicker...
BC
Originally Posted by BA Cutler
Yep, and you gotta work kind of hard to beat those little girl cars too! In our region of SCCA, they lump car classifications into large groups. So in the Stock Classes, the Z runs in "S2", which includes BS, CS, ES and gets handicapped by PAX factors. Those darned little girl cars are a real PITA.
The Miata's is basically is a Lotus Elan knock-off. But the Elan never got the little girl monicker...
BC
The Miata's is basically is a Lotus Elan knock-off. But the Elan never got the little girl monicker...
BC
thats like saying the Elise is a girl's car
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 0
From: Sactown, California
Originally Posted by mpowers
I have seen like two people respond with anything positive to the poster. Otherwise they are whining about their decision of which car they bought.
The Z does well on an autocross. While it does feel a bit heavy at times (slow transitions and turns) it can be easily be rectified and stay in a stock class. Better shocks and a larger front sway bar will dramatically improve how the car takes slow transitions and turns. The only other advice is learning to be smooth on the throttle when coming out of corners. Too much will induce unneeded wheel spin which will cost you time.
The Z does well on an autocross. While it does feel a bit heavy at times (slow transitions and turns) it can be easily be rectified and stay in a stock class. Better shocks and a larger front sway bar will dramatically improve how the car takes slow transitions and turns. The only other advice is learning to be smooth on the throttle when coming out of corners. Too much will induce unneeded wheel spin which will cost you time.
THE Z IS A SPORTS CAR NOT A GT OR CRUISER
jvanquish, the Z is not a heavy cruiser, or GT car, its a sports car that just happens to be a little heavier then some of its other sports car rivals, but it has the power to make up for it. My 3000GT VR4 was a cruiser or GT car, 3900lbs with driver, 4wd, v6 TT, 2+2 seater, stop saying that about the Z. And for christ sakes, its not heavy!!!
I've heard S2000 and Mini Coopers being called "girl cars" too. The "general public" really do not know that much about performance cars since V8, 0-60, 1/4-mile, and hp is all they're looking at. They don't care whether a car weighs 3800 lbs or 2800lbs. If a car is small, it's a "girl car" to them. And, what's worse it trying to educate a guy with a small ***** complex that a miata is an awesome autoX/track car. They also seem to forget that drag racing is not the only form of motorsport out there. I certainly don't get the pucker going wot on a straight line, especially once I get used to the power. OTOH, the general area of my anus sometimes ache if I enter a turn way too fast, and have to save the car from what may be its impending doom.
To each his own.
To each his own.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, GA
The Z definitely holds it's own on an autocross course. I consistantly place in the top five or six in my region, when comparing raw times, out of 25-30 cars. As far as being a competitive autocross car on a national level, that's a different story. Most of the SCCA classes have overdog cars in them, ours included. BS had the S2000, which seems to have been replaced with the RX-8 this year when the S2000 changed classes. The C4 corvettes dominate BSP, and if you can afford to run a competitive car in SM2 or higher, more power to you.
Regionally, or even divisionally you might do well, or might even take a top spot. But with nationals, everyone is a good driver, and everyone has their car set up to near perfection, so the differences come down to the chassis itself. On the other hand, it's a great car to throw aroudnd a course and have a blast in. Having that power and torque for the straights is a great feeling, and it's fun to come blasting out of a corner hanging the tail out with throttle-induced oversteer. You can feel the weight sometimes, especially in a slalom, but the chassis and suspension do a very good job compensating for it.
Regionally, or even divisionally you might do well, or might even take a top spot. But with nationals, everyone is a good driver, and everyone has their car set up to near perfection, so the differences come down to the chassis itself. On the other hand, it's a great car to throw aroudnd a course and have a blast in. Having that power and torque for the straights is a great feeling, and it's fun to come blasting out of a corner hanging the tail out with throttle-induced oversteer. You can feel the weight sometimes, especially in a slalom, but the chassis and suspension do a very good job compensating for it.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by Mr.Jadkowski
Most of the SCCA classes have overdog cars in them, ours included. BS had the S2000, which seems to have been replaced with the RX-8 this year when the S2000 changed classes.
), and it's definitely not an overdog. The main reason it dominated the top of the BS standings at Nationals this year was because it's inexpensive, and thus a big pool of well known, already-successful drivers showed up in them.
i also think the 350z is being sold short. considering many of the top drivers in BS were previous national place holders, give the 350z another year of seat time and development and i won't doubt to seeing more of them in the top 10..
ofcourse.. we all know the 968 is the car to have in bs.
ofcourse.. we all know the 968 is the car to have in bs.
Originally Posted by jvanquish
some miatas are blazing fast in the auto-x
its like WOT alll the wayyy
i sat in one of them driven by an auto-x instructor...
it was awesome!
its like WOT alll the wayyy
i sat in one of them driven by an auto-x instructor...
it was awesome!
yes those pesky miatas are always kicking my butt! i wonder if the bs mazaspeed miatas will be helped by the new sizes kuhmo is offering this year. seems liek the inavailibilty of a wide and short 17" tire cost them some positions.
i am sorry lol...
well like i was saying
the s2000's responsiveness - the chasis (one of the stiffest open tops in the world on par with the elise), the go cart like handling (nimble), and the engine (9000 rpm redline for first gen or what you want to buy and 8000 for 2nd gen), the electronic rev counter and the Vtec kicking in at 5500 rpm really delivers true motorsport spirit out of a car...
lol not to sell our cars short but the Zed car is less sporty in a way than the S2000...
well like i was saying
the s2000's responsiveness - the chasis (one of the stiffest open tops in the world on par with the elise), the go cart like handling (nimble), and the engine (9000 rpm redline for first gen or what you want to buy and 8000 for 2nd gen), the electronic rev counter and the Vtec kicking in at 5500 rpm really delivers true motorsport spirit out of a car...
lol not to sell our cars short but the Zed car is less sporty in a way than the S2000...
Originally Posted by BA Cutler
Hmmm... not sure how that works! Definitely not my logic.
BC
BC
Kind of lame but for normal people thats what they think...
Like for example BMW > Dodge hands down