The Z and EVO are comparable weight and HP so I guess neither has enough *****. Guys, you know the only advantage the EVO has over the Z is AWD and that is only good for a launch and is not necessarily safer in weather anyways. That and modding response. But hey, my post wasn't to start a Z vs EVO argument. I am sure you have had plenty on this board before. I was relating my experiences and I am sure all of you have had your unique experiences as well with other cars, Z or not. I like them both dudes.

By the way, the baby boomer comment is pretty off base. I am 24 and my good bud is 29. Isn't the EVO perceived as the kid car? Why is the old man 29 yr old have that and the kid driving the baby boomer (old people) car? You can't segment a market by demographics. Don't get me started on that.

 

Well, I dont agree with you on the weather part. I know with my S2000 or MR2 Turbo damn even my Eclipse for that matter they are all unstable in the rain compared to the EVO. I have only had the EVO for a few day's but I got to drive it in the rain and I have never felt that confident in any car in the rain. I was actually laughing to myself about how it felt, its hard to describe, but I honestly think nothing beats AWD in bad weather.

 

That's my point about weather and AWD. A lot of extra confidence when you are really dealing with the same amount of contact patch on the ground. AWD does not increase traction on a slick surface. It allows you to evenly distribute power applied for a more controlled experience. The confidence can be misleading. You will be ok in any car as long as you are not overconfident but it is so easy to be just that with AWD.

 

awd does not increase traction on a slick surface>? are u kidding me?you are joking ,right?

 

hmm. that post does not deserve a meaningful response. think about it dude.

 

I meant that is who Nissan is catering to, with the posh heated seats, and elegant quiet interiors. Look back at the older TT Z's, they aren't stripped, but they aren't quite as well appointed. Nor did they come in various trim levels, there was the turbo, with leather, or without, I am pretty sure. I didn't buy any of my 3 new, so I am not positive, but it seems they were all equal appointed, from a nicety levely.

As for *****, what I meant was, the Z has all of it's weight from dampening and nice stuff, where the Evo, is pretty much all from teh AWD, which makes you go, faster. If heated seats did this, I guarantee you Mits would have included them. In addition, if the Z was half the performer, STOCK, the Evo was, I woudl have bought one, however, it took some coin to make it turn (stopping wasn't that bad with the Brembo upgrade, however, they have some heat issues after 3 laps due to poor venting, which can be corrected with new ducts).

Again, this is my opinion, I still dearly love the 300Z's, and I don't think the 350 is a slouch as cars goes, it is just not in the same league, Stock to stock. I don't lurk on their boards, so I don't know what experiences people are having, but the one I tested at the track, with the 'track' upgrades, was for lack of a better term lacking track polish. It was a bit muted, which can be corrected with a good set of tires, and coil-overs.

Again, just my .02cents.

 

Well, I can give credit for that. My GF and some others do not mind riding in my Z. My friend's EVO is not something that his wife or really anyone wants to ride in. It is so harsh. I wouldn't consider the EVO or the Z HARDCORE or SOFT AND PLUSH LUXURY. I would say the Z is nicer to drive or ride in than the EVO. His wife is preg and she won't ride in it for fear of jostling the baby!! Anyways, that is one reason I like the Z. I can drive it on road trips to visit fam or whatever and not have a rattled brain when I get there. Also, I do like the heated seats in winter. My GF likes them more. However, only one model of the Z has heated seats (Touring). The other 4 models have cloth non heated. I am looking at some Recaros to switch out for my leather heateds though. I guess I just didn't need a EVO type car on the street since I already have a racecar. I wanted something fun but designed primarily for the street and then the track. Not something designed for the track and put on the street. In that respect, both cars have their compromises.

 

I would bet that 75% of EVO owners can get very close to the handling limits of the car where I bet only 20% of the Z drivers could drive the car near its limits.

All I am trying to say is for the average person the EVO is ALOT easier to drive near its limit than a rear wheel drive car.

 

If only my Z had come with a SR20DET or the RB26DETT, I wouldn't even be here right now.

Stock, my Z is a little too softly sprung, more oriented toward GT than sports. Also, the stock tire type and sizing is just too small. Nissan must have been taking a cue from Honda there. But the 350Z and Evo are definitely very comparable stock in terms of overall performance. Plus, the Z is pretty easy to get in and drive quickly, unlike say a 911 or an S2000 that can bite you. I also found it to be very planted and stable in the rain and at high speed. Driving in the rain in my S2000 was ... tense.

BTW, weight for the Z is about 3200 lbs, Evolution is about 3250.

 

I own and drive both the Z and the EVO. The Z is a track version. I have tracked both cars when both where stock. I found that the Z up to about 6 tenths was a easy car to drive hard but with the EVO I felt like I was Michael Schumacher. It was sooooo easy to drive fast and my lap times between the the two was not even close.

I love them both!


Winston

 

I think I can comment here. My EVO is in the shop getting work done to it so my friend loaned me his Mackin/Volk Racing sponsored track edition 350z (was displayed at sema earlier this month) for a few days.

Now here is my observations.

If you want to impress girls and snap a lot of necks, get the 350z, slap some volk racing 19's on it, slam it, and put a nice jdm body kit on it. (while going to work last night, the Z caused an accident ..I was in the middle land and some mini van full of peeps was gawking at the z and hit the car in front of them.) TRUE STORY

If you want to impress yourself, get the evo. The overall driving experience (the balance of power, handling, feel, steering response, etc) in the evo is extremely rewarding and very hard to simulate in any new car with a msrp of less than $35k.

 

I also came out of a 350Z by way of an Infiniti g35 6spd sport coupe. Liked the Z LOVED the Inifiniti. The 350Z was put together better than the Evo but in performance it doesn't hold a candle to the Evo, handling, ecceleration anything really. The G35 was soooooo nice I felt bad driving it hard, like putting the tail end out I felt like I was gonna mess it up. Had to give up the Infiniti for financial reasons though, my wife wasn't working at the time. Now we have the Evo and a 2002 Harley Edition F-150 (sweet truck).

 

Nice truck, almost bought one! I want the new Lightning!

Winston

 

Oh yeah! It's my wifes truck it is BAD A$$

 

My old roommate has a 350Z. It's a great looking car but if you want to go fast, you're definitely in the wrong car.