Just took a friends new Crossfire down the same roads that demonstrate the ride problems of the Z. In fact we drove the cars back to back. The Z was its usual uncomfortable self and the Crossfire rode and handled more like a 3 Series BMW. What a wonderfrul ride. It has a 10" shorter wheelbase than the Z, about 150 less pounds, run flat tires, stops 6' quicker from 70mph, pulls the same g-force on a 300 foot skid pad (.88g's) and rides great. I will not trade my Z for a Crossfire, but I would trade the suspension. Nissan really missed the target on the suspension of the new Z.

 

To be honest with you I am in a tough positions right now. The dealer is trying to give me a good price for the Track model 2004 full extras. (sold this way in Panama directly from Japan with specific specs for our market) The price would be around 38 thousand. But for the same price I could get the luxurius and fast CROSSFIRE. The dealer dough is not someone reliable here in my country as nissan is.

Don´t know what to do!

SUGGESTIONS.... please......

 

I would like to correct something I said about the Crossfire. My friend called me and said the car does NOT have run flat tires. Everything else is correct.

 

I believe the Crossfire is a bit slower than the Z as it runs a 200hp engine compared to the 287hp Z engine.
Also, my ride complaints were taken care of when I installed the Eibach ProKit springs on my Z. What a difference! Regards, Jim

 

Regarding comments of JimH

Jim, you are right regarding the straight line speed of the two cars. Here is more info....the Crossfire is .7 seconds slower to 62 mph, .8 seconds slower in the 1/4 mile and 6 mph slower top speed. It stops 6' shorter from 70 mph, pulls the same g-force on a 300' skid pad (.88gs), weighs 128lbs less and has 72 less hp. However, the ride and handling is similiar to a BMW 3 series.

 

So it pulls the same numbers on a skid pad... how does it DRIVE?

 

Better yet I wonder how it would look from my rearview mirror???

 

Pedal Pusher, I don't know what roads you drive on but I don't find anything wrong with the Z's ride, It is a sports car after all. If you think the Crossfire is so great why don't you trade in your Z on one?

 

dbpoet...that was a rather asinine reply to someone!

Why don't you take a double dose of STFU!

 

Correct, it is a sports car. Stiff ride is to be expected. Many of the owners of the Z also own other sports cars with similar suspensions.

On some road surfaces the Z's suspension adds in extra bounces that should not be there. On concrete roads the Z will match the cupping in the road and bounce with the road, but also over correct and under damp the bounces, so the car exaggerates the bounces.

For the most part it appears the non-progressive springs in the Z are the cause. Many who could not tolerate this problem any longer and replaced the springs with Eibach Pro Kit springs (progressive) fixed the issue. A cheap fix. Others have replaced the whole suspension and that also fixed the issue.

 

Understand I am talking about the ride and handling. After owning 30 sports cars and racing in the SCCA Trans Am Series I feel I have a good idea what a sports cars is. Many have documented the poor ride issues we experience with these cars.

If you read all of the words you should know I would not trade my Z for a Crossfire, however, I would trade my suspension for its suspension.

Regarding the question about how it drives, I feel it is more like a BMW 3 series or the G35.

Regarding JimH and his watching the Crossfire in his rearview mirror I would suggest he keeps one eye on the track because he might get passed under braking, as they approach the next turn, and if the Crossfire is modified, as Jim has modified his Z, the Crossfire driver might be looking for Jim in the rearview mirror, especially if there are any bumps in the track.

 

My comments regarding JimH should have been directed to "daking350". My apologises to JimH and/or daking350.

However, the message stands.

 

Regarding the suspension of the Z: yes, I find it rides a bit rough, but it certainly does what it was intended to do. Don't bash Nissan on it...the car handles considerably well despite the few extra pounds. Maybe a bit less push, but I'm told it's still better than a stock BMW M3...

I guaranty you I will out-brake any Crossfire with my Track model. The Crossfire doesn't have Brembos, and those brakes can apply more than enough force to overcome the traction of (2) 225 and (2) 245 series tires. I'm pretty sure it will skid a full set of Hoosiers too (I will let you know next year).

I seriously question the prowess of a Crossfire on the track. The Crossfire seems to be a "beauty queen" of the sports car area: nice to look at, but don't ask it to do any Calculus problems. Nissan put all the bits and goodies on the Z to make it an awesome track monster (with a little help). Even with the launch of the Crossfire, the Z is still undeniably the best all-around sports car made for $35k.

 

I'd have to agree with you since the Crossfire is built off of the SLK platform.

 

Precisely. Daimler makes some great cars, but not great performance cars...maybe with the exception of the E55 AMG, but AMG still had to have their hands on it. BMW has always trumped Daimler in chassis design for performance.

Now, with the Daimler underpinnings, maybe AMG can get their hands on it. In which case, I may retract my previous statements. If they're serious about taking on the Audi TT, BMW 6-coupe, and 350Z then Daimler has no choice other than to get AMG involved...