Hi all,
I'm new to the forums here, but am an active member of the M3forums and the MINI forums. I'm thinking about buying a 350Z. I currently own a 2004 MINI Cooper S and a 2002 M3 convertible. I have yet to test drive the car, but will be doing that tonight. First, I had a few questions. The track models are so rare, is it really worth the extra price? I will be actively racing this car, and in stock form, it is a better track car than my M3. In your opinions, on a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the Z's transmission feel?(10 being the best.) How much can I expect to bargain with the dealership? Lastly, what is the real 0-60 of the track model? I've seen numbers from 5.9 to 5.2.

Thank you all, you have a great forum here.
Johnny

 

Ok i've never driven an m3, but i have driven a 3 series with 5 spd and the z stock on stock would kill it. If it were and older M3 then i would take the Z, the new M would be close...

The Z's steering is a little numb compared to a car like the s2000 but is decent and pretty accurate. The 6spd is noteably weak, so when driving hard i tend to have that thought on my mind. If you're getting an 03' or 04' there is a greater possibility you will have syncro/tranny problems. I haven't had any on my 03' w/ 47K miles. The shifting is so so i'd give it a 7 on over all feel for factory. I can shift the **** out of it if i need to, but i tend to slow down a little compared with other cars to be accurate, just slightly.

The stock brakes are very capable but if you are road racing it could be questionable, and if you are pushing really hard the factory brembo's probally won't take the abuse either. It comes down to money really, if you get the track with the brembo's you will still have to spend money on pads, fluid, lines ect. if you will truely be tracking the car. But with the money you save by going base vs. track you could pour that money into a nice brake kit with all the goodies and have some $ left over.

Good luck, as soon as i have more $$ my 03' touring will be hitting the local road course...

 

Anybody that comes new to this forum and starts putting the tags on words that take you to another web site as for as I am concerened can keep your mini cooper or what ever it is you have. I think this is getting very annoying and I am very soon going to quit visiting this site. I know there has been some post on this already and it is making the post unreadable because people are putting words in that don't mean anything. that is my rant.

 

whats not readable? this text linking is a new forum feature. just don't highlight the green words. The guy just had some questions and everything seemed clear to me, but since I don't yet own a Z and I'v only riden in an M3 not driven I can't give imput.

 

What's up this guy's a$$? If you feel the need to vent, take it out on your 05. The original poster is just asking for opinions about the Z, I see nothing wrong with that.

And why the hell did you list "auto dimming mirror" as your mod? What the hell kind of $hit is that?

 

Hi guys, thanks for the replies. Well...I went and bought it.
This has got to be the fastest I've bought a car. Walk into the dealership, do the usual haggling down to 50 dollars(one reason I don't like Japanese car dealers). Anyways, it's a 2006 Track model, Silver. I'll post pics of it as soon as they deliver it tomorrow, I'm so excited Apparently, there's only 2 Track model cars in California.

Test drive impressions:
Steering feel is definitely better than the M3's. Handling is very different, but sure footed, I like it, but I'll have to get used to it. The acceleration is great, although not very loud...some aftermarket parts should fix that. But I definitely loved the short drive I had. The interior feels like a cockpit. However, I drove only the base model, that's all they had there. Can anyone tell me how different the track model feels?

Thanks, I know I'm not getting any dleep tonight...

 

Congratulations and welcome.

 

it's not 'people' putting them on, its www.my350z.com doing it. They like cocktails with out the tail.