Test drove a Nismo 350 Zrt

[MajorTom]

So I'm the current owner of a Pontiac GTO and I like the looks of the 350 z so I went to a local Nissan dealer to check one out. The GTO is fast, but really bulky in comparison to the Z. I'll repost my GTO forum post here to recount the experience. It was definetly a good one.

"So yesterday morning I went to a Nissan dealership and took a drive in an 07 Nissan 350 Z one of the base models and one with the Nismo sport tune. It didn't have power like the GTO of course, but it was fast. What mostly impressed me was how well built everything seemed. There were no creaks or squeaks over bumps that I sometimes get in the Goat.

So we get onto the highway in the Nismo and the salesman gives me the ok to open it up. Even in 6th at around 2500 it pulled. But for speeds sake I dropped into third (let me just mention here the beautiful short throw shifter it came equipped with) and the tach flew up as I mashed the gas and it took off pretty quick. Again, not like the goat. Then the interchange comes.. It's a banking turn that loops around in a sharp horseshoe. I, being a girly man, start to let up.. He says "No no no, stay on it" so I do and I'm doing round 80. I hit the turn and with no drama at all it sticks like glue. No spinning tires, no yelps of protest and it seemed like I could go faster. But I also noticed the salesman pinned to his seat with his hands gripping the dash. So I didn't smash it.

I liked the smallness of the car. I felt like it was more manageable. I'm just not a fan of bigness. The goat doesn't look big, but it feels kinda big when you're driving. Also, I hate hate hate the Charger and 300C. So that gives you an idea of my preferences. I like coupes like the GTO, but this Z really gave me an idea of what a small car can feel like. There was plenty of room for me, leg room and head room. I'm a tall thin guy so that's the most important dimensions. Good sound system..

I love being top dog among my friends when it comes to speed, but the Z was a lot of fun to drive and I felt like I was more aware of my surroundings in it. Fun car to drive. One thing I don't like about the Nismo is that it looks kinda outlandish. More so than the GTO of course. The standard one looks somewhat "mature" but the Nismo looks like a race car. Dunno if that would be a good daily driver."

Needless to say they weren't happy to hear it. I just wanted to get an idea of the people that drive these because I really liked it. The Nismo felt great, although I dunno about the big wing and body kit. I kinda like the look of the GTO because it's lowkey and a little less flashy. But I think I could get used to the Nismo. It felt a lot more controlled and manageable.

Also, the called it a girl car. I won't tell you what forum it came from so I don't start a war, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't true. Anyway...

I'm not married and don't plan on kids anytime soon and I could trade the GTO in and pay 18000 for a nismo. That sounds like a decent deal to me. Those are the numbers the salesman gave. My gto has very low miles and the guy seemed very cool and they weren't hard to work with. And I like going fast in a straight line, but there are some sweet roads near my house that are perfect for a good handling car.

What do you use your Zs for I guess is my question.
Modified by MajorTom at 12:21 PM 9/23/2007

[flyguy2618]

oooo deffinatly NOT a girly car . But i dont have a nismo, ive seen them at the dealer and all tho and they are deffinatly amazing cars the thing is that the only thing that really wasnt touched with them was there engine which being the new 2007 engine is a really good engine but i think they could have made it better or atleast put some short ram intakes on it or somethin, What i have is an 06 and i love it people turn heads every time i drive by. Im not sure how you feel about modifying and all but you can deffinatly get some impressive numbers out of a z by doing a few things to the engine, but in all its a great car and i know you would love it every day you drove it........pluse from what i hear 2007 is the last year of production for the 350Z and being that the they only made a few nismos compaired to the production numbers of the other z models in a way you would have a collecters item that i think with time would maybe grow in value depending on who you talk to, i think im starting to rambel tho so ill leave you with that. I hope it helped.

[MajorTom]

Thanks for the reply. And yes, it's very helpful.

I agree with your comment about the engine. They should've done something to boost the power to around 350 with comparable torque. The car can certainly handle it. Both models that is. And it's cool to know that there's not shortage of performance parts. I would love to mod it for a bit more power. One thing I didn't like about the car is that the underhood area looks like a b*tch to work on. I do my own work as I'm a certified tech and this car makes me shudder when I think of digging into the engine compartment.

Thanks for your reply.

[evildky]

the goat is about a half a second quicker in the quarter IIRC, and the goat actually is a good handling car for what it is, it was right on top of the m3 in most areas of performance and halding which was a big shock, the nismo Z is supposed to be the best handling z ever, but for the money I think a base model c6 could out handle and out accleerate it, yeah would have been nice if they had at least given it the 330 hp 3.7, and maybe leave off the sound deadening to get the weight down, then it would be a decetn track car

[audtatious]

or the 350hp 3.8L that the NISMO 380RS has in Japan.....

[NSRsheets]

350z > GTO Post up some pics when you get it.

[bmike818]

I have a Touring Z, my car is my daily driver. I drive around 60 miles per day..I have no complains with my Z. The car is very fun to drive as you already know, if you are deciding between the Nsimo and regular Z, can you stand a really stiff car...feel every bump-go Nismo..but if you want a more managable ride the regular Z is the one for you.

I agree if I had $40K I would really consider the Corvette. Although i still drool over the Nismo

The corvette was the only other option for me when I was car shopping. With all the options I wanted it totalled $47K so a $33K Touring Z was a bargain

[nsrZ32]

Welcome to NICO. Being a Z owner I'm a little biased but unlike many people out there, I have a great appreciation for all cars and am a GTO fan myself. But with that being said, I would take a Nismo 350Z over a GTO in a heartbeat. The aerodynamic styling on the 350z is taken straight from the race car, its functional, makes it stand out from a crowd, and the Nismo edition is sequentially numbered and will be collectible. I'd say go for it, you won't regret the change.

[PerfectApex]

I almost bought a new Holden GTO 3 years ago until I test drove one and found the sloppy long throw shift, and forget heel toe shifts. Most reviews said the same thing at the time. The Nismo Z is awesome and I agree it would have really been the cats meow with the new g35 higher hp motor.