The Z gained weight.Test drove a 07
02-28-2007, 10:41 AM
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The Prototype
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The Z gained weight.Test drove a 07
Had to take my Titan in for a tire rotation so while that was being done i took out a enthusiast model 07 Z out for a test drive. I was impressed on the updated material used inthe inside. Outside still looks the same.
The car felt very torquey coming from an 8, but that is to be expected. Shifts were tight as the 8 , felt better than the 04' Z i tested two years ago. But overall speed feel , to be honest , it doesn't feel any faster than the 287Hp model. I took it into the corners on a curvey section of road by the dealer and thats where the truth revealed itself. One thing i noticed was the weight, it wasn't sloppy on the corners, but it was noticable that the Z gained some poundage. Going strait , you will never notice it , throw it into a mild slalom or take some turns , you feel it. Now if a person never test drove an earlier 350z, they wouldn't even know the diffrence existed. Those that have , like myself will be able to tell right away.
For 306Hp, it pulls in every gear, the new VQHR feels refined over the standard VQ3.5. I really am impressed with the interior mostly. Nissan done away with the rubbermaid look, its looks upscale and looks like the interior belongs in a G35.Its was nice.
To say the least i was impressed..... but not impressed to turn in my 8 for one. At 31k and change i must admit, its was very tempting to trade my 8 in.
But in all honesty , like my wife said, trading the 8 for an 07 350Z wouldn't be an upgrade. Its not a downgrade by any meens either , but more like a even swap , and she is right, i wouldn't be more or less happy if i got a 350Z today or if i kept my 8. Its not like i would be going from my 8 to a Porsche 911 Carrera or something.
But if any of you guys are looking to get one, you wouldn't be dissapointed with the new 350Z.
Here are weights of all the versions:
-------------------------------Base Enth Tour Gran touring
Manual transmission ----3,339 3,346 3,400 3,404
Automatic transmission -N/A 3,344 3,380 3,391
Weight distribution ------53/47 53/47 53/47 53/47
The car felt very torquey coming from an 8, but that is to be expected. Shifts were tight as the 8 , felt better than the 04' Z i tested two years ago. But overall speed feel , to be honest , it doesn't feel any faster than the 287Hp model. I took it into the corners on a curvey section of road by the dealer and thats where the truth revealed itself. One thing i noticed was the weight, it wasn't sloppy on the corners, but it was noticable that the Z gained some poundage. Going strait , you will never notice it , throw it into a mild slalom or take some turns , you feel it. Now if a person never test drove an earlier 350z, they wouldn't even know the diffrence existed. Those that have , like myself will be able to tell right away.
For 306Hp, it pulls in every gear, the new VQHR feels refined over the standard VQ3.5. I really am impressed with the interior mostly. Nissan done away with the rubbermaid look, its looks upscale and looks like the interior belongs in a G35.Its was nice.
To say the least i was impressed..... but not impressed to turn in my 8 for one. At 31k and change i must admit, its was very tempting to trade my 8 in.
But in all honesty , like my wife said, trading the 8 for an 07 350Z wouldn't be an upgrade. Its not a downgrade by any meens either , but more like a even swap , and she is right, i wouldn't be more or less happy if i got a 350Z today or if i kept my 8. Its not like i would be going from my 8 to a Porsche 911 Carrera or something.
But if any of you guys are looking to get one, you wouldn't be dissapointed with the new 350Z.
Here are weights of all the versions:
-------------------------------Base Enth Tour Gran touring
Manual transmission ----3,339 3,346 3,400 3,404
Automatic transmission -N/A 3,344 3,380 3,391
Weight distribution ------53/47 53/47 53/47 53/47
02-28-2007, 11:20 AM
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Another Z thread! I'll say it again, at least Nissan has improved the engine and interior (that was much needed) along the way. Our 8's interior doesn't need a lot of help, but the rotary could use a boost.
02-28-2007, 11:53 AM
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its funny how you remember exactly how it felt like when you testdrove a 04 Z two years ago... for what? 10-15 min.. to accurately discern the minute differences between acceleration and weight and feel vs another 10-15 min testdrive of the 07. LOL
02-28-2007, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by playdoh43
its funny how you remember exactly how it felt like when you testdrove a 04 Z two years ago... for what? 10-15 min.. to accurately discern the minute differences between acceleration and weight and feel vs another 10-15 min testdrive of the 07. LOL
02-28-2007, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by saturn
Why are the automatics lighter than their manual counterparts?
The weight diffrence is within 20lbs...thats not to big of a jump in weight between the two. I should have driven the the auto to see if there was any diffrence in drivability.Next time....
02-28-2007, 12:26 PM
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i may be wrong, but i think manuals comes not only with the better engine, but bigger wheels too. at least thats how it works on the inifiniti side, the 6mt coupes have 19s standard while the autos have 17 or 18s i forget
02-28-2007, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by DailyDriver2k5
The weight diffrence is within 20lbs...thats not to big of a jump in weight between the two. I should have driven the the auto to see if there was any diffrence in drivability.Next time....
Must be an option difference like wheels as playdoh said.
02-28-2007, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Phantom Menace
I don't think its so much the "weight" but the steering. The steering on the 8 is softer and spins freer. The Z's steering is tight and stiff and stiffens up further at speed. This maybe to keep those ponies and the torque in check? It may, also, be due to a totally different steering mechanism. The 8's is electric (I believe) while the Z's is mechanical and speed sensitive. The 8 does turn in corners better and with less work, also I can execute U turns on an 8 with just my index finger and thumb. On a Z I've had to use my shoulders and arms.
I agree with dd2k5! They are, in sum, EVEN. Going from an 8 to a Z (or vice versa) is neither a down grade nor an upgrade. It is lateral swap in the direction of the car that suits YOU best. What the Z lacks in manners it makes up for in brute strength and good torque. The Z has been said to average 25-26mpg, which is a pipe dream for an 8 unless you like to shift a 2k RPMs. I you are planning on getting "mod-happy" then the Z has a HUGE aftermarket and mods give so much love. The Z I drove, I drove over a pothole that I norally always drive over in my 8 (with the D-specs). The 8 barely responds to it while the Z jarred and the chasis shook hard! Then again, I go up a steep hill every morning in my 8 and gotta drag 1st & 2nd near 7K to go up the hill in a nice spirited vector. With the Z I drove, I was going up the hill in 4th and was barely giving it gas. Actually a slight "blip" in the gas up hill and in 4th would lunge the car upards. Braking is, IMHO, even on both cars. While my brakes are "modified" on my 8, I remember the stock breakes being just as excellent in stopping power. The prices, however, are dramatically different. Model-to-model, the Z is considerably more expensive--the base Z costs about as much, if not more than, my 8 (GT)--yet they are way more common on the roads.
If I could throw, both, the Z and the 8 in a pot and pick the best of each to put in my "ideal" car...wow! That would be some car.
It all boils down to this:
a) How much money do you have to spend on a car on payments, insurance, and maintenance?
b) Do you want refined "creature comforts" or a BIG-*** grunting V6?
c) Do you drive mostly straight-freeway roads or twisty back roads?
d) How many passengers do you normally carry around with you?
* Boxers or Briefs? = RX8 or 350Z?
Me, I prefer to go COMMANDO!
I agree with dd2k5! They are, in sum, EVEN. Going from an 8 to a Z (or vice versa) is neither a down grade nor an upgrade. It is lateral swap in the direction of the car that suits YOU best. What the Z lacks in manners it makes up for in brute strength and good torque. The Z has been said to average 25-26mpg, which is a pipe dream for an 8 unless you like to shift a 2k RPMs. I you are planning on getting "mod-happy" then the Z has a HUGE aftermarket and mods give so much love. The Z I drove, I drove over a pothole that I norally always drive over in my 8 (with the D-specs). The 8 barely responds to it while the Z jarred and the chasis shook hard! Then again, I go up a steep hill every morning in my 8 and gotta drag 1st & 2nd near 7K to go up the hill in a nice spirited vector. With the Z I drove, I was going up the hill in 4th and was barely giving it gas. Actually a slight "blip" in the gas up hill and in 4th would lunge the car upards. Braking is, IMHO, even on both cars. While my brakes are "modified" on my 8, I remember the stock breakes being just as excellent in stopping power. The prices, however, are dramatically different. Model-to-model, the Z is considerably more expensive--the base Z costs about as much, if not more than, my 8 (GT)--yet they are way more common on the roads.
If I could throw, both, the Z and the 8 in a pot and pick the best of each to put in my "ideal" car...wow! That would be some car.
It all boils down to this:
a) How much money do you have to spend on a car on payments, insurance, and maintenance?
b) Do you want refined "creature comforts" or a BIG-*** grunting V6?
c) Do you drive mostly straight-freeway roads or twisty back roads?
d) How many passengers do you normally carry around with you?
* Boxers or Briefs? = RX8 or 350Z?
Me, I prefer to go COMMANDO!
hes refering to the auto Z vs manual Z, not Z vs 8 which has been discussed to death
...I guess I'm just so used to answering that question that it comes automatically. 
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