350Z Has Slowly Become Quite Nice

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12-05-2006, 09:05 AM
srivendel

350Z Has Slowly Become Quite Nice

Nissan has tweaked the 350Z yet again for the 2007 model year.

Notice the new power dome hood:
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.au...350z_1_450.jpg

Engine output is now rated at 306hp, but dynos of this engine in other 2007 models indicate it's actually putting out 15-20hp more than last year. And the redline has been raised to a rather heady 7500 rpm.

Is it just me or is the Z quietly becoming one of the more desireable mid-priced sport coupes? No offense, Iain, but if it were this or the RX-8 for similar money it would probably be no contest (for me).

S.
12-05-2006, 09:21 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Is it just me or is the Z quietly becoming one of the more desireable mid-priced sport coupes?

It's just you.

Still not a very attractive car... I'd prefer the G35 coupe.
12-05-2006, 09:23 AM
Miatamoto

It looks great and makes great sounds but how does it drive? Power isn't everything, we own Miatas we appreciate great handling cars.

I do miss the torque of my M3, but stock for stock I'd take a RX-8 over an E36 M3 anyday. Even though the M3 is a more powerful car.
12-05-2006, 09:29 AM
POS Racing

Meh, it's still a fatty, they added power to compensate for it's lard butt.

But I would take the G35 coupe if someone gave me one for free! ::Banana::

I'd stay away from the RX8 it seems to draw the "special" crowd..... ::Bus::
12-05-2006, 09:34 AM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

No offense, Iain, but if it were this or the RX-8 for similar money it would probably be no contest (for me).

S.

Street prices have them a ways from similar money. Town North is offering $6000 off + another $1000 with their financing for an '06 GT and those discounts come off of the S-Plan price if you qualify. That puts you around $22k for a GT. ::Banana::
12-05-2006, 09:52 AM
redmenace

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Meh, it's still a fatty, they added power to compensate for it's lard butt.

+1

I'd rather have a G35 sedan 6-speed. Bit more weight, way more practicality.
12-05-2006, 11:17 AM
channelmaniac

The Z is a FUN car to drive but I wouldn't own one. If you think the blind spots on a Miata are big, wait till you drive one of these.

Plus the tire pressure sensors are very finicky. They will flash up errors showing you have a tire going flat when they are all just fine.

I had one as a rental car back in October in San Jose for a week.

RJ
12-05-2006, 11:49 AM
driftdevil

being that my first car was a 76 280z i'd take one in a heartbeat
12-05-2006, 12:42 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

No offense, Iain, but if it were this or the RX-8 for similar money it would probably be no contest (for me).

S.

No offense taken. I've driven an older 350Z hard, and I quite liked it. The VQ engine is a gem, and the torque is delicious, but you could really feel the weight when you drove it hard - it just didn't want to change direction quickly at all. I even happen to like the looks of the 350Z... at least, everything but the bulbous and poorly defined rear end.

That said, my criteria ruled them out when I went new car shopping. No back seat, and the trunk is pretty useless with the rear strut tower brace. The "silly putty" (viscous) LSD is basically a once-a-season maintenance item with hard use. Add in the fact that the country's top B Stock 350Z driver (Carter Thompson, 2nd at Nats this year) recently sold his car and bought an RX-8, and there really wasn't any comparison for me. :wink:
12-05-2006, 12:44 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

I'd stay away from the RX8 it seems to draw the "special" crowd..... ::Bus::

Jealousy will get you nowhere... ::EvilBana
12-05-2006, 04:49 PM
black roadster

350Z FTL

G35 Coupe FTW
12-05-2006, 05:25 PM
johnwag

With the tremendous aftermarket support that the 350Z has, I would love to own one.

That new front end with the headlights looks much nicer. Happy to see that the factory is giving some power for the weight.

I owned a 1990 300ZX. The car was heavy, but it handled like a much lighter car, and had a great powerband.

I've yet to drive a 350Z.
12-05-2006, 05:31 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by black roadster

350Z FTL

G35 Coupe FTW

Just because one has a back seat? Or is it the styling? I would much rather have the Z. It's cheaper, more focused, and faster. Unless you really need the back seat, the only thing to recommend the G35 is the styling. ::Paul::

It's amazing to be that so many people beat up the Z for being heavy. It weighs 3,200 lbs. The RX-8 is 3,050. Not a massive difference there.

S.
12-05-2006, 07:49 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

It's amazing to be that so many people beat up the Z for being heavy. It weighs 3,200 lbs. The RX-8 is 3,050. Not a massive difference there.

S.

Funny - mine tipped the scales at Nationals in the mid 2800s, and there ain't that much weight that can be removed from a B Stock RX-8 (no spare, needs more fuel in the tank to prevent starvation, etc.)

Frankly, I'm not as concerned with listed curb weight as I am with how heavy a car feels when you're driving it. An Evo weighs about as much as a 350Z, but it darts into corners and changes directions with aplomb. So much that the first time I drove one hard I hit the 1st two slalom cones I encountered with the inside corner of the car - the car turned in much more quickly than any other box-stock street car I'd ever driven. It was eager to change directions.

The 350Z is not. Sure, it'll outslalom your grandma's Camry, but it requires a lot more input at the helm, and it responds in a much more numb fashion. Driving a 350Z through a slalom, I got a definite feeling of heft - if the Evo transitions like a car 500 pounds lighter, then the 350Z is the opposite. It just isn't in a hurry to change directions.

Don't get me wrong - I really like the 350Z. But I've driven it at the limits against most of the cars in the same price/performance bracket, and while it has some great strengths, being nimble is not one of them.
12-05-2006, 08:24 PM
icepenguin66

I've yet to drive one to see how poorly they are, but I haven't read anything in any car mag that would make me believe otherwise. The G35 is sexy compared to the "bulbous and poorly defined rear end" on the 350! And the fugly long rectangle reflectors in the bumpers clash with the bubblyness of the cars design IMO. Round car with giant rectangle grill/markers is plain ugly...possible proof of long term affects from radiation I assume. You would think with the power it has and the price there would be better performance numbers, oh well just choose a cheaper and/or older car for that.

Oh yeah, Nissan is also the only Asian car company to make the least-reliable lists for Consumer Report on 06-07 models! ::turd::

Just my ::2Cents::
12-05-2006, 09:13 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

It's amazing to be that so many people beat up the Z for being heavy. It weighs 3,200 lbs. The RX-8 is 3,050. Not a massive difference there.

S.

You just make this stuff up as ya go??? ::Clown::

Nissan.com shows the weight of the Track version at 3400 lbs. and the base car comes in at 3339 lbs.
12-06-2006, 06:26 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

You just make this stuff up as ya go??? ::Clown::

Hey, the President does it so why can't I? ::Blah::

S.
12-06-2006, 07:32 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

::Blah:: ::Blah:: ::Blah:: ::Blah::

S.

Not even VTEC can save you now! ::Clown::

http://forums.trinituner.com/upload/vtec_yo.jpg
12-06-2006, 07:59 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Not even VTEC can save you now! ::Clown::

http://forums.trinituner.com/upload/vtec_yo.jpg

That's the interior of a MINI, genius. ::Teacher:

S.
12-06-2006, 08:06 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

That's the interior of a MINI, genius. ::Teacher:

S.

Apparently he just makes this stuff up as he goes. ;)
12-06-2006, 08:23 PM
Mingle

i havent had the pleasure of driving a 350 yet, but i would love to. i had an E36 and loved it. a heavy, but very good forgiving car. in a way i wish i had never gotten rid of it.
i did see a audi TT the today and im tempted. anyone had one?
12-06-2006, 08:52 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingle

i havent had the pleasure of driving a 350 yet, but i would love to. i had an E36 and loved it. a heavy, but very good forgiving car. in a way i wish i had never gotten rid of it.
i did see a audi TT the today and im tempted. anyone had one?

Miatamoto has owned a TT and an E36 M3. I am sure will chime in to compare and contrast for you.
12-06-2006, 09:27 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Apparently he just makes this stuff up as he goes. ;)

Figured if S wasn't worried about accuracy why should I. ;)
12-07-2006, 08:20 AM
Miatamoto

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingle

i havent had the pleasure of driving a 350 yet, but i would love to. i had an E36 and loved it. a heavy, but very good forgiving car. in a way i wish i had never gotten rid of it.
i did see a audi TT the today and im tempted. anyone had one?

If you liked the E36, don't get a TT. If you think the Bimmer felt heavy, then the TT is not for you. Plus if you really liked the silky smooth inline six, you won't really like the laggy turbo 4 (I'm sure there are engines out there with much worse lag though).

It is the nicest looking car I've ever owned, but not really a fun car to drive. The 2004 GTI that my wife replaced the TT with is more fun to drive.