"Easy-to-drive" is a completely subjective opinion, that magazine authors often use when they have nothing else to say worth saying. The ZO6 is probably one of the easiest cars aroung to drive quickly, yet gets hammered in any comparison as being "hard to drive," when it stomps what the magazine's believe it should not have stomped.

In this case, they say "Drive and Race." Where on earth is the 350 being, or going to be raced?

For the most part, magazine comparison tests are an indication of how cowed the magazine is to a specific car company, be it an advertiser or one that is liberal with test cars. It is very rare to read one that is not touting the newest car as superior in some marvelous way. The comparisons are always cooked to give the reader the impression that the comparison is valid in the first place, which the 350Z to Porsche to ZO6 is certainly NOT! The comparison is a basic marketing ploy by Nissan, to put their car on the same level as the others. They figure that we would not expect it to win, and will be amazed at how close it is! The references to words like "race" and "easy to drive" are to pump up the cars image amongst its Titan competitors. It's all hype in the end. It's OK to be the underdog, at half the cost and lose the comparison, as long as the association is made, and the image is boosted because of it.

A real comparison should be with the Neon SRT, a Honda S2000, Mini Cooper S, and Mazda Miata. It might even beat one of them (maybe)! But where's the image bump in that? It's better to take a solid beating by a known superior competitor, and be seen as a legitimate fighter, than take a chance on getting pounded by another underdog.

Personally I find all the noise around this car, and the Mazda RX8 a bit boring. The cars are mediocre at best, but should have been great.

:cheers:


[Modified by kwillmorth, 9:20 PM 4/25/2003]


[Modified by kwillmorth, 9:21 PM 4/25/2003]

 

I am not disagreeing that the majority of the press around this car has been hype. I was never impressed. But I do find that Road and Track has always and even in this case given a fairly accurate and objective account on the comparison. Anyway, the article in summary showed that the Z06 was the clear winner in terms of track times, slalom, and 0-60 and price to performance ratio. I am not arguing that the z06 is not a superior vehicle. What I am saying is that just because you spend 20k -80k more for a vehicle does not equate to lapping a vehicle that is that much less.

By the way you might want to check the link and the quote below it that I pulled off Nissan's site. I also hear nissan is planning on bringing the 350z back into these racing circuits. http://www.grandamerican.com/news/news437.html[/URL]

1994 A race-modified Z wins both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours at Sebring. It goes on to win the GTS class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, making it the only car ever to accomplish such a record within the same year. And for the fifth straight year, the 300-ZX Turbo is named to the "Ten Best" and "All Stars" lists by Car and Driver and Automobile Magazine, respectively.


[Modified by imagewizard, 11:42 PM 4/25/2003]


[Modified by imagewizard, 11:44 PM 4/25/2003]

 

Surely you jest! R&T is one of the most import-biased rags I have ever read, short of maybe Sport Compact Car - LOL. I was ASTOUNDED they praised the Z06 the way they did in that article, given the import competition it was compared to. They must have forgotten somehow that it wasn't an import. :lol:

 

I've raced with some 350Z's at Sebring and was putting at least 15 seconds a lap between us. I'm just an average racer and that was my first time at Sebring. These guys were running in a skill bracket above me. From all of the hype about the handling of these vehicles I thought they would run better. I used to own a 300ZX twin turbo and I loved it but it still does not compare to my current vehicle nor does the new Z. :thumbs:

 

Hey guys, 350z owner here. Was the 350z overhyped? A little bit, its good for marketing, hehe. I used to own a 300zx & really wanted another Z.

As far as a 1/4 mile, being an average driver, the first time ever in my life at a track I ran 14.2 twice & a 14.1, trappin @ 100+. So I didn't appreciate the 14.5 on a good day comment, but whatever.

I think that is pretty decent for a car with a beefed up Altima engine, hehe.

PLEASE NOTE: Disregard ALL jackasses that claim to beat an LS1s (let alone Corvettes, or even Z06s) with stock 350z's. Even if the stories are true, those were probably bullpoopie races. NOT GONNA HAPPEN in real life.

I test drove an '03 Z06, but couldn't take it past 4.5K RPM's. This car is in a class of its own (gotta love tires breakin loose in 3rd gear @ like 3K rpms, WOW).

I would say (my opinion only, of course) that the Vette interior is a bit cheaper than the Z, but that's only an opinion.

Anyways, I love Z06's & can't wait to get a hold of the C6!

Peace!

:flag


[Modified by mpol99, 3:51 AM 4/26/2003]

 

I have to chime in as well. I have owned a few 300ZX TT's and loved them. The 300 ZX TT was a faster production car than the new 350Z and even the older 300ZX TT can't compete stock against a stock Z06. I now have a Z06 and feel it is equal to or faster than my 300ZX TT that I dumped $10K in mods on. I eventually had around 400-425 flywheel hp in my Nissan, but still my Z06 feels stronger and more responsive. I truely loved my Nissan, but realized I had so much dumped into it that I could sell it and buy a Corvette with equal power and not all the headaches of tweaking the mods. I still have a soft spot for the Z, but it is simply a different type of car and should not be compared to the Vettes.

 

I'm actually quite taken aback by this statement. As a Mustang owner, I love Corvettes to death. I have found some owners, like yourself apparently, that are unwilling to give the time of day or a second glance at anything but a Corvette. My Mustang's being built right now to be a hell of a lot quicker than the Z06, which I was also looking at, but didn't want to rush just because of 0% for 60 months, it'll be back if I change my mind probably before the year is out anyways.

I also just acquired a '57 Corvette that needs some work, but I'm more than happy to have both of these American muscle cars.

As an owner of both, I think you're just being ignorant. I don't think my Mustang is the baddest thing on the planet, nor do I think I'm a twit. However, I'm pretty confident in saying my Mustang could take a great number of Z06's that would snub their nose at me for no other reason than I'm driving a Ford, while I have the utmost respect for their cars, and now, even owning a C1, which I think is more than testimony enough that I am a Corvette enthusiast in addition to the Mustang.

Just pull your head out of your butt before you try and speak is all I'm asking.

 

If as you say you are not a twit than I can't see how you are offended by his statement. :confused:

 

I just felt it was demeaning to Mustang drivers. I'm not on these boards to see you guys sing praise for Mustangs, but it seemed as if he was referring to mustang drivers as twits to me, and that's what I took offense to.

 

I don't look down on any car. Recently I was humbled by an RX-7. Just the same, I'll race anyone whether it be a Mustang or a Civic. There are a lot of impressive vehicles out there and I love finding out what's out there that's fast and if it's something that's surprising, even better. If you want to race, bring it, anytime, anyone. :thumbs:

 

:iagree: All Muscle/Sports cars are :cool: . Pick up the May "Hot Summer Fun"and June "Speeding" issues of MOTOR TREND, they have great articles on a bunch of great cars including the 350Z, Z 06, Cobra, Viper and many more. You'll love it. The C5 Vette convertible actually beat out the Cobra vert. Great reading. :steering: I love'em all :cheers:


[Modified by Firehawk, 11:10 PM 5/4/2003]


[Modified by Firehawk, 12:36 AM 5/5/2003]

 

:iagree: It's no vette, but its still a good car.

 

Don't know if it's a good car or not but one thing seems certain, it's less car than the ol' Z it replaces in most every measurable perfomance catagory. I'm not sure if that qualifies the new Z to be a good car.:confused:

Go Nissan Go. NOT.:flag

 

I was wondering if I could see the video Timz06 was talking about in his first post.
I assume it was uploaded to the internet at one point??

 

Well yeaterday at E-town I saw 5 bone stock 350 Z's break into the 13's with the best being 13.8 @ 102...Not bad for an NA car and thats about equal to the previous twin turbo Z.......
Still those numbers dont hold a candle to the regular C5 much less the Z06 so we aint got nothing to worry about these cars in a straight line or at a track....Had a R&T article where they tested the Z against the Z06 and it lost by about 4 sec.........

 

There has already been at least one crazy tuner shop who swapped the Z's original motor for a Skline GTR turbo motor from Japan that supposedly makes 650rwhp. Of course they're all giddy about that car's ability to smoke Z06's over at places like freshalloy.com. :rolleyes:

Of course the amount of money invested in that car has already far exceeded the cost of a new Z06, yet its still overweight, doesn't handle as well, doesn't brake as well, has NO warranty, and will NOT pass emissions tests (not even close). But, that's what happens when you push a car into a different league that it wasn't supposed to be in in the first place...

 

I relish the day I come across a 350z-period!
bhamvett
91 ZR1#661

 

I like the styling of the 350Z's very nice look... but the performance just isnt there for me.... would like it as a drive around type car.... but its not a vette

 

I read all the replys to this topic, and must say, for proud owners of such nice cars, this 350z thing seems to get all your panties in a bunch. Just the fact that so many bash an attempt to compete with the prestigous Vette, makes me wonder if I should worry too...or get on the band wagon and make the statement that "The 350z sucks". Well I think all of you should watch out. If a 350z only costs 35k decked out compared to the 56k spent on the Z06, the guy who bought the 35k Z could drop a few grand and then YOU will be in his rear view....slowly falling back. I won't under estimate a Z..that is a 350z. The 350z driver will laugh all the way to the bank....I am laughing...

 

:lol: Until the Factory adds a couple of "Turbos" the 350 Z is just another "cute" little sports car... :lol: