Took our Titan for it's regular maintenance job at a local Nissan dealership today and thought I'd hit up the chance to test drive a 350Z. The test was rather short but I was able to get it up to speed on the freeway and I've got to say I'm rather impressed. The interior is a couple of steps up from the Evo but what really got me is the responsiveness of the engine. Nissan really did a great job on the VQ35DE-HR variant and how responsive and silky smooth this engine revs! It didn't feel like a big displacement V6 but rather feels more like a high rev 4 banger! The chassis, though softer than the evo, is comfy but stiff enough to give the driver that 'sports car' feel when taking corners. Very impressed overall to the point that I'm really thinking about trading in my 8 for one. Are there any 350z converts on the forum? If so, I'd like to get your opinion on what made you switch cars.

 

the new 350Zs have run 13.2-13.3 in the 1/4 stock at 105MPH give or take. Pretty nice improvements.

 

I heard the new Z's powerplant was a lot smoother.. Redline went up too I think?

Was it the nismo or just a regular Z?
nismo comes w/ re-o1r's too.. i'm pretty interested myself

 

306hp @ 6800rpm/268ft-lbs @ 4800rpm weights are 3320-3381, grand/nismo models get 18x9fronts, & 19x10rears...

http://www.nissanusa.com/z/specifications-coupe.html

 

its smoother bcuz its direct injection + has a twin intake.

 

350z is a gorgeous car. With some minor suspension work could probably do pretty well on a road course too.

 

thats what i've been reading too that the 07 and up with the new engine is much improved. i test drove an older model a couple months ago and was kinda disappointed. apparently, the news ones are a lil quicker.

 

I was close to picking up an 03 model last year to play with. I thought it handled pretty good for a DD. It was pretty point and shoot really - after all it's basically a roadster!

This all changed when it was raining; be careful! Of course I had the traction control off (under the dash) and I was trying to get it sideways. Lets just say it didn't take effort to do so! But yeah, the engine was pretty disappointing to me.

Glad to hear it's improved. I'm not sure I'd trade an Evo for it; it's totally different than an AWD turbo Sedan ya know......

 

Ive driven countless rear wheel drive cars in the rain and never had a problem. Why is it every Evo owner is always complaining about how cars drive in adverse weather conditions? Like all fo the people in the world that drive fwd or rwd cars in the rain and snow must be experts because its so difficult

 

i had an 03 and i thought it was the most boring sportscar i ever drove. i wonder how much better the 08 is.

 

Just for ref I have never seen a 350z or G35 coupe run quicker than 14.6 stock at the strip. They trap around 96-97. Granted this is 3100 ft, but I have seen numerous run. Just my .02. Wait till next year when they redesign it, supposedly gonna have big power jump and be smaller/lighter car all around. More of a true sports car, S2000 size.

 

Not quite.

It uses the upgraded VQ35HR motor now with improved bottom end, valvetrain, and few other techno babble stuff.

http://www.nissanhelp.com/Models/200...escription.htm

 

Quick search on youtube reveals that 2007 Zs are running mid to low 13s stock! Huge improvement and it's pretty much on par with my 03 Evo stock!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7KzB4l0LpbY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4bPJkHLdxp4&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7rAWs_Es2bM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pMRG10mKkT8

 

Im sure at sea level they are quicker, I just personally have never seen one at the track go quicker than 14.6, same track my Evo went 13.58 bone stock, and I know turbos dont suffer as much with altitude. They are a sweet looking car, I just got hooked on Awd awhile back, so I am biased. Most new mustang GT run high 14's here, most C6 Vettes are like 13.9 in Tucson, just to compare. GTO are high 14 as well. C5 ZO6 with bolt ons are around 12.8.

 

i was actually present in gainesville for the guy that ran a 13.25 @105 or so bone stock. Surprised me because I had seen tons of 350Zs in the 15s at the track previously and even seen one with a 100-shot struggle to hit high 13s.