How well does the Z handle?

[jeffmiranda]

Modified by jeffmiranda at 12:07 PM 7/17/2006

[C-Kwik]

The Z is a great performer. And considering the price you can get into a lower end model (which performs just as well), it's a relative bargain. There are better performing cars out there. The Z placed low on a Road and Track Comparison in 05 but it was pitted up against some stiff competition. I'd say in bang for the buck performance, it faired well, but would really only lose out to the S2000 in this regard. But I would much prefer the styling and options available in the Z than the Honda. The Porsches and Vette's are in a class of their own. They are built to be much more of a performer than the Z. The Porsche's niche is combining wonderful performance with Luxury level fit and finish. The Corvette is a lot of performance for relatively low dollars, but is still unreachable for many. It's hard to directly compare a car you can get into for less than 30K and one that starts at nearly 44K(non Z06), with the Z06 weighing in at 65K. That being said, the Vette in any form will outperform a Z hands down. You're friend probably over drove the Vette if he felt it didn't perform well. With 400+ HP on tap, it requires much more finesse to keep the car in line. But if you compare performance data from every article about a Z and a Vette, the Vette will win everytime. Don't feel bad though. The Z's target consumer wasn't at the 50K mark. It was at the 30K mark. Not to fret though. We'll see what happens when Nissan ups the Ante and releases the GTR. The price point may be higher then a the Vette, but would be pitted closer to the Z06. The GTR will probably putting it's crosshairs on the Porsche though in terms of performance...if history has anything to say about it.

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

best bang for the buck out today.

[evildky]

I wish Nissan would make a real "Track" model with better brakes, improved handling, less weight and more power to take on the Z06, even if it were a more expensive package just to have it available

the Z06 package is an expensive one but it really improves the car all around and makes it a real supercar, could use a bit more power but I guess you can't expect them to do it all

[HashiriyaS14]

IMO, the Z drives like it weighs 2700lbs even though it weighs much more.

It doesn't have quite the go-kart feeling of the S2000, but it also wasn't really designed to. It's a much more pleasant car than the S2k on the highway.

I'd say it's a toss-up between the two overall, they came from very different design philosophies.

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

so true, you are wise beyond your years

[TrackReadyPerformance]

the Z33 corners prety well for what your paying, when equiped with an upgraded LSD (cusco or kaaz) its much better. my biggest pet peve with the z33 on the track is the gearing. higher gear ratio would make the car alot faster, but I guess nissan cant do that and still get the same MPG.

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

it is all about the mpg for new cars thes days

[evildky]

higher gear rations would suck, the redline is too low for the current gearing, the Z33 runs out of gear in second at only 60 mph which is why the RX8 owns BS at SCCA nationals and the body doesn't have enough roll for a stiffer LSD to be of any real benefit, a tighter rear diff if just gonna make the rear step out easier, with some stiffer suspension and some added HP then I could see the need for a stiffer diff

[MrAlien]

higher gears alow you to stay higher in the powerband, the RPM do not drop as low when shifting to the next gear. cars make more power the higher you go in the RPM band.

[Bubba1]

Modified by jeffmiranda at 12:07 PM 7/17/2006

How do they handle? They suck, which is why I bought one

The answer is very well for a heavy car. They understeer, of course, but it's predictable and easy to work with.

[C-Kwik]

Taller (numerically lower) gears don't change the average acceleration rate. They have the biggest effect on 1st gear. From there, it tends to balance out as the average torque/HP remains the same. That being said, Autocrossing can present certain challenges in that most cars on most courses can make the entire run, and their fastest run entirely in one gear. Running out of revs can add a little bit of time to your runs.

MPG is certainly an important consideration, but according to Q45Tech, the car also has to be able to accelerate in it's top gear reasonably. Too tall a gear would force a downshift in every situation and make for more work to drive the car.

MrAlien: Actually, a closer gear spacing allows you to stay in the upper RPM. I think this is what you meant though. Just clarifying.

[evildky]

higher gears alow you to stay higher in the powerband, the RPM do not drop as low when shifting to the next gear. cars make more power the higher you go in the RPM band.

you might want to study up on this one, the lower gears give you more mechanical advantage and less potential speed, in autocross the courses are set up to allow for stock cars to attain a max speed similar to that found on highways, this tends to be about 65 mph, what this means is that if your car redlines at 60mph and it's not worth the shift, you end up riding the rev limiter, a shorter gear will give a few more mph in each gear which means taht when cruising on the interstate at whatever speed in whatever gear you engine gets to turn a bit more slowly and get better milage, but you loose some of the mechanlical advantage at the bottom of each gear