Hey guys,

I am considering buying a 350z as my second car. I realize the car has roughly 285 bhp and 275 tq stock, but I am not 100% sure how that feels when driving.

So in your opinion, is this enough power for non-racing applications. Is it exhilirating driving this machine, or should I be shopping for something like a corvette?

Thank you very much for your input!

 

inb4flame. Stock, the car has about 230hp and 220lbs/ft of torque. Buy a Vette.

 

Unfortunately nobody here will be able to tell you if driving a 350Z will feel "exhilarating" to you. That is personal experience that varies form person to person. Some will thing that a Z is a blast to drive and some will think a Z has just enough performance to get you by.
I personally feel any manual transmission vehicle capable of 15sec or faster 1/4 times can be fun to drive. Crap, I can actually have fun driving my work car that is a stickshift Kia Rio. And it's pretty slow. I just like "driving" a car regardless if it's a 10sec or a 18sec car. Of course the quicker they are the funner they get. But the "fun" factor greatly varies from driver to driver. For example there is a ton of 16sec Honda drivers that think they have a true sport car and love driving their cars. But let a ZR1, porsche, or GTR owner drive that same honda and they will think its a joke of car and likely wouldn't be able to see how anybody could have fun driving a 16sec car. It's all relative and a personal feeling.
That all aside, I think most drivers would find that a manual 350Z can be fun and an exhilarating car to drive. But just how much is something only you can answer.

 

The 350Z and Corvette are both suitable sports cars. But when you talk excitement nothing beats the RSX.

 

Test drive them and see for your self.

 

My z is plenty of fun to drive when it was stock to how it is now tt'd ..but two of my friends have c6 z06s. I find myself wanting the power without the worry and also their 6 speed feels smooth as butter compared to the z

 

But shifting through a box of rocks adds a challenge.

 

They do? I think the C6 trans is very clunky. It's strong and reliable, but feels like there is 40lbs of rocks hanging off the shifter. Not that the Z is much better, but the engagement between gears is nicer in the Z from my experience.

 

I drove the z06 and loved it but then again I have a rps 5 puck lol

 

Only you David

 

Keep in mind the Z is a sports car, not an exotic, not a muscle car....it does many things well, but will not fully suit all or everybody's needs as designed.....go sit in one, rip it around some corners, and my guess is you will probably be thrilled and enjoy it as much as we do in whatever form it ends up in years later.

 

Thanks for the advice. I appriciate the input.

 

He always knows just the right thing to say

 

I've managed to enjoy mine for two years without ever going over 3K. I've driven other 350Zs and some 370Zs much harder. It was fun, but I always felt kinda stupid after doing it.

I didn't find the Corvettes nearly as much fun to drive as a Z.

 

Keep in mind the Z is a sports car, not an exotic, not a muscle car

 

Personally, boost is more fun than a V8.

There's nothing quite like the anticipation of full boost.