DailyDriver2k5

Well i had to take my Titan in to get some warranty work done on it yesterday and while i was waiting around i decided to check out the 07 350Z. The showroom was quite dead at 8:30 in the morning so i had a lot of time to to myself with out being bothered by a sales guy.

Interior:

The interior material has gotten better with time , but Nissan still loves to use too much cheap plastic in the interior. The seats are nice, like the RX-8. The shifter felt loose , not as tight as the RX-8 or S2000 shifter. Pedal were located in a pretty good place, not to close and not to far apart from one another. I did like the fact that the Z had a lot of storage places which i wish the RX-8 had. All in all the interior has become better with age from the first rendition of the 350Z.

Exterior: Well i was never impressed with the looks from the first time the 350Z hit the street. The power bulge didn't enhance or make the looks of the Z any better or worse. I know its functional for the placement of the new VQHR. Overall the Z still looks like a bloated jelly bean on wheels IMO.

Well a sales guy comes up to me and ask me if i wanted to take one out for a spin , i said sure..... he grabs keys to a 350Z Touring model 6 speed. As were approaching the car he is telling me about the specs, and then ask me have i ever driven a Z car before? I told him yes i owned 3 in the past, and i told him i currently drive a RX-8. Well he decided to shake his head and laughs at me , and proceeds to tell me that " i am about to drive a mans car". I said," how so"? He goes on this 2 minute rant about the power of the Z is so much better, that rotaries are inferior, old technology, you have to wind them out to make them go and thats the reason why they fail and blow up motors, and how when you step on the gas in the Z , you won't have to wind her out to "feel" like your going fast.

Well i shake my head and ask for the keys to the Z as i refused to get into a pissing contest about my beloved RX-8 vs his not so intelligent views and misinformed info about the rotary engine.

Test drive:

Started the Z up and got out the car and went to hear the exhaust. Sounded nice.... went back to the drivers seat, closed the door and that wonderful sound of the idleing sound of the exhaust faded away to a noisy unsetteling sound from the engine. I revved the engine and it sounded like crap. The guy told me to rev it higher, but i cringed as i did as it sounded brash and loud, i revved it to redline. I turned my attention to the radio, the system sounded nice . Like the 3 pod guages which showed vital info for the car. I really liked that it actually showed the PSI of the front and rear tires, pretty cool and useful.

Off we go.... i pulled out and turned right and nailed it, the instantly the car came alive at 1500 rpm. Right around 3k rpm the car really started to gain momentum nicely as the engine had a second wind come into it, take it to redline in 3 gears. The car is powerful, i will not deny it. From a dead stop or droping a gear from cruising the motor comes alive! My friends 287 Hp Z definitely didn't feel like this .Very impressed.....

The sales guys tell me to take a right down this back road that has some nice sweepers. We go and he ask me am i scared to drive fast on curves? I looked over and i told him i own a RX-8.... He laughs and says OOOkkkkkk!

The first curve we come to i drop it into 2nd gear and not paying attention to the mph the Z , its a pretty tight left hander. Maybe i was going a tad to fast for the corner, but the Z went in a little nose heavy , got off the gas and the corrected itself. Stomped on the gas and rocketed to the next sweeper type curve which was a long right hand curve , now in 3rd gear the Z felt planted, but i noticed the weight of the Z in the curve,something that you don't notice when your in the straits. Proceeded to another long left hand sweeper but this time i gave it some gas to see if the Z would stay planted. Winded out 3rd in the Z and the sales guy was holding on for dear life, tires were screeching and the back end of the Z started to step out, but it was controllable , feathered the gas a little to keep my line and from not spinning out. The sales guys was like WOW i never did that before with anybody in this car! I told him its years of driving skill !

Hit a strait and proceeded to 4th gear then had to mash the brakes because of a fast approaching intersection . The brakes were good , but brakes in the RX-8 are better and seems like they grip and slow you down faster.

We head back and i told him what i thought about the car. I told him i am very impressed with the new VQHR motor, for 306 HP , it seems like the motor is putting out more! Now for the bad news.... and he was like ok....

1. I don't like the brash sound of the motor, under WOT it just sounds harsh, i am so spoiled of the F1-ish sound from the RX-8 makes that engine from the Z sound like rubbish.

2. The shifter , even when the car is on, it feels loose, but that is a NISSAN thing, because my past 3 Z's all have felt like that, finding gears are no problem, but you would think Nissan would make there flagship cars have a more precise and tight feeling gear shift. And the interior, its a step in the right direction, but its not there yet.

3. The Z handles well, its predictabale when it steps out. Could be trouble for novice drivers, but nothing that practice and time couldn't fix. In corners , you feel the weight of the Z car, when pushing the Z , you have to question yourself , can this car hold this curve? In the 8, its totally opposite, you have a higher confidence level in the 8 and you know you will beable to take the curve without thinking twice. The light weight of the 8 makes the car more predictable and curve friendly. Also the Z doesn't feel as tight as the RX-8, it doesn't feel cheap, but the RX-8 feels like its ready to take on any curve, i just don't get the same feedback from the Z.

4. After driving the Z, i hate to say this, the car lacks soul..... A hopped up motor doesn't make the car, it the whole package. When i am in my RX-8 i actually feel one with the car , when i am in the Z , i feel like i am partially with the car. My two older Z cars had soul, my '80 280Z and my '94 TT had that feeling of being one with the car, but this current Z car , i don't feel that at all.

5. To you guys, the 350Z car is a good car.... don't get me wrong, its just not the right car for me. This car reminds me of a certain car out there that sells a bunch, goes like stink , has a ho-hum interior , and gets the job done well in all areas but not great. After driving it, i can't help but think of it as tamer more reliable Mustang. And thats not a bad thing if your looking for a best bang for your buck performer.

I just couldn't see trading in my 8 for one anytime soon..... for i wouldnt be upgrading or downgrading, it would be a equal swap IMO. Giving up refinement and driving fun for driving fun and a powerful motor. IMO it wouldn't be worth it....


The sales guy suppose to call me back when the Nismo 350Z comes next month, there getting two in. I doubt there will be testdrives, but i will check it out none the less.

swiftrx8

I'm actually going to test drive one tomorrow. I just want to see the engine improvements over the previous year. I think Nissan is really one of the only companies working hard to develop and improve more power and efficiency out of their engines. Seems Honda and Toyota just don't care about power, for Mazda it doesn't seem a priority, and I would never buy an American car so I don't care what they do with their pushrod designs haha. Across Nissan's line's you see improvements. The Altima hybrid runs a 15.2 in the 1/4mi for Pete sakes. I never liked the Z a whole lot because of the American redline haha. Now that it revs out to 7,500 and shows much improvement in engine technology its worth checking out for me. The enthusiast model is a great bargain. About $28k with a limited slip dif. Don't get me wrong I'd never pull away from the RX8 but I'm sure I will be impressed by the new Z. Hopefully this will pressure Mazda to step it up with the 8.

RojoOcho

I doubt Mazda would do anything with the 8 at this point. We'll see with the next rotary. Can't imagine them having the RX-7 and RX-8. I gotta feeling the 8 will get the axe. Just an opinion.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Nice write up. Pretty much what I felt too when I tested a Track Edition before I bought the 8.

SoundDsnr23

Thanks for the writeup. I was considering a Z a few months ago before I bought my 8, but the lack of a back seat really turned me off. Still, I had been planning on test driving one just to check it out. Your comments were pretty much in line with what I would have expected of the Z. I've driven a G35 and thought the power was nice, but the car did feel like it was lacking soul.

77mjd

I test drove a solar orange enthusiast model awhile back. I think the first poster was dead nuts in his review. While I like the Z, there's just something that prevents me from buying one, I'm not even sure what it is. Probably just becasue I like my 8 better. The Z's power is nice and I love that engine, but the shifter just didn't feel right for me...not tight enough and I actually felt a little claustrophobic in that car.

Silver_Surfer

I get to testdrive the Z & vette almost everyday(Work their). The Z does have alot of power but had my fill with Z's. The Vette? Z06? AWSOME POWER! To be honest, I would be scared shitlest to throw that baby sideways in a fast turn.

kennychopra17

Good write up. I understand and agree with what you say about the 'soul'.

The RX7/ RX8 definitely keeps you connected with the car at all times. The Z feels a little more disconnected. I have owned 2 Z's, 2 RX's and now my wifes RX8. By far my fav car was the FD3S in any form. Just love that car.

swiftrx8

I test drove both the 07 S2000 and 350Z today. I honestly felt the 00-03 S2000 drove better but I like the 04+ styling upgrades. The 350Z is covered very well above. I hated the shifter, very notchy. I thought it would have had a little more power. It had a nice tone and reved out like it should. Power dies slightly around 7K but it pulls pretty strong until then. Overall it was a nice car. I took out a touring model which had leather and navi. The exhaust tone is sweet. I still prefer the RX8 over these two cars. The Z handles good, it really held its lines. The S2000 kinda wobbles through turns, its very touchy but still can be pushed. I just think the RX8 has a much better ride. That's my opinion, I do however wish the RX8 had more power. The 350Z definitely shows up Mazda's offering.

Rotary_Redliner

i tested a 350 a couple months back.. it was like a 05 model. yea, it felt slightly faster... thats about it. i completely agree with what everyone has said... just something about it doesnt "feel" as good as the RX8. its interior is claustrophobic and tight... with the RX8 feeling luxurious in comparison. handling is alot more nimbler in the RX8. I really do feel that the 350Z has alot of hype about it... and i would urge anyone thinking about a 350Z to test drive a RX8 also. anyone whos driven both would know exactly why everyone says the same about the 2 cars.

MazdaMonkey

Great write up, thanks for taking the time.

Cody Red

They're alright. Like op said, power is the only thing. It's a good amount from an na.

delhi

It's the interior of the Z that disappoints me. talk about plastics.

swiftrx8

Yeah three things if Nissan would have paid attention to would make the car much better. 1. The door handles (on the interior) look like something from a plastic model kit with fake metal paint. They have other brushed aluminum components around the car, how about a pair of solid door handles. 2. The electronics with navi look nice, good ****, and gauges, but the stereo/cd player looks like one from an 88 caravan. 3. and final, make a smoother and shorter shifter. These were my biggest, well if they would have just took a second to think about they would have done____. Oh well I guess every car has its downs but I hate when a company overlooks simple things which bring the value of the car down.

DailyDriver2k5

So true on the radio design.... i just couldn't remeber where i seen that design from and you hit it perfectly on the head, a '80's caravan.

I got a called from the sales guy last night and he gave me the deatils of the NISMO Z, it will cost 39k,no options, just basic pw,pl,etc. No NAV, No leather seats,Recaro are going in, full NISMO Suspension, Full NISMO Aero Package , NISMO lighter magnisium wheels, No power increase, standard VQHR motor.

He also told me there going to mark it up 3500 bucks.

If i get to test drive it which i seriously doubt will happen, but IF and thats a BIG IF,if i get to take it around the parking lot i will let you guys know.

The Z maybe slightly faster with all these lighter coponents can't wait to see what numbers it will pull.


I just hope the next Z Nissan that comes out with , NISSAN pays more attention to detail and dosen't take the FORD route, slap a big motor in a chassis, skip on interior details and sell us a half baked car. Nissan is out of money troubles, so hopefully the next Z will be promising, because the current Z they had to skimp here and there, and it shows horribly.

ScottyStyles

I always am half-afraid to admit it anymore, especially here, but I was dead-set on getting a 350Z before I bought my RX-8. I love the exterior styling of both cars equally well, unlike some (I still do... the 350Z is still a unique style which I do like). The thing that had me dead set on the Z was the salesmen, though. They simply don't know how to sell an RX-8. They don't take you near any fun corners or sweeping turns, they take you onto long straight-aways, and things to that nature. That's why I was set on the Z... comparing the two cars with only that in mind, the Z wins hands down to me.

Then, I found my 8 at a good price. I figured, for that much price difference, I was ok going with my second choice. I got it, and then I took it on roads of *my* choice, and that's where I fell in love with the 8, moreso than I ever could have with the Z.

MazdaMonkey

I am glad someone finally agrees with me about it being a Japanese Mustang. I have been saying that for years and always receive a blank stare of confusion.

saturn

I'm pretty sure people have been calling it a Japenese Mustang for 4 years now.

MazdaMonkey

Good.

skhmund

so my brother is getting one, went for the test drive, i have to give it this much: THIS CAR IS FAST, so bang for the buck YES, interior was a lil too cheap and "plasticy" for me, just something i wouldnt expect from nissan, i liked the abundant storage compartments, ride was as expected: stiffer than the 8 so im 50/50 on sayin if its a daily driver or not, the weight isnt THAT noticeable but it is felt when turning, overall a good car BUT id still buy an 8 over the Z any day.............NOTE: i do agree with some of the others on how i didnt feel "connected" with it when i was driving.........but nonetheless A GREAT CAR!

DailyDriver2k5

Yeah i know i have been calling it that , especially the 287HP Z, plastic and cheapo city is seen all over the interior. Nissan was in money trouble back then so they skimped out big time on the interior. Thats one thing that i hated about my '99 Mustang, the crap interior and the Ho-Hum handleing although the Z handles 100 times better than my old stang ever did!

I know Nissan can do a great interior because my '94 TT had a beautiful interior. From the wrap around design to the use of good materials. To this day IMO i think the Z32 and the NSX had the best interiors ever designed. The wrap around interior design was so timeless instead of timely like the 350Z. Something you would only see in concept cars was actually made for the public.... Nissan could definitely take some pointers for there next Z car from using some design cues from the Z32.



The Z interior is in the second , the first is the c3/c4 vette.

MazdaMonkey

Cool article. I still have a sweet spot for the MKIV Supra

swiftrx8

Just like the Supra, the 350Z is the J-Spec Mustang haha, you can't replace the nimble feeling of a chassis. Weight catches up to you every time you hit a turn. Not that they aren't fast cars and Nissan is trying to improve the design but there is no replacement for having an agile car. I really hate American cars not only because of the lack of technology but I don't dig the huge engine, who cares about the weight, and hit a guard rail into a turn mentality.

lone_wolf025

I really need to test drive some of these cars...or at least learn how to push a car to its limits safely first. I hate to say it but despite my overwhelming desire to purchase an 8 (or other rotary) I have yet to test drive one...

AJ's Shinka

I too test drove the Z before purchasing my Shinka and this write up is spot on. The 8 was a more complete and well rounded package and I got a better deal price-wise. The power wasn't that big of an issue. If I wanted to go fast I'd ride my bike.