First. . .let me say this.

OH MY FREAKIN' GOD!

What a fantastic drive. The dealer called me earlier this morning and let me know they received a Z I could drive. I arrived anxiously to drive the Z and get a feel for the power and more importantly, the handling.

I sat in the Z running the engine and getting accustomed to the interior appointments. There are lots of nice little things inside of the Z. The cup holder is cool and I liked the rearward dual cup holder. The only "issue" would possibly be CD storage but the radio has a built in 6 disc changer. I've heard of resonance issues from the Bose system, but all seemed well on this Z. The sound was phenomenal. I used one of my mixed CD's with driving music to drive the Z, you know, to get the "true" sense.

By this time, the heated seats kicked in nicely. I never realized how comforting heated seats could be. The seats are very comfortable too. I continued to play with some of the controls and let the engine warm up a little. The multi-function display shows an array of information. From tire pressure, to a digital speedometer and more. The engine has a great start up sound that resonates very well with the exhaust.

Well, now was the moment of truth, the drive. The dealer faces a major highway (70 East). Traffic is never "heavy," but always moderate. I started the drive on this highway that would eventually lead me to some great straightaways and curves (well, for what the flat 'ole Carolina coast can muster). While cruising at about 65 mph, I see where I would usually downshift the S2000 and pass between a truck and car. Nothing reckless, but very quick and precise. The shift feel on the Z is absolutely awesome. Very, very close to our S2000's. The only difference would be a notch "feel" after shifting. At any rate, I downshift from 5th to 4th and the Z absolutely flies! It was great and the feel was remarkably natural. It felt like the S2000. The salesman was gripping the hell out of his handles.

After that maneuver, I place the right signal and make a turn onto a "country" road. This road has some great straightaways and some decent twisties. I'm easily navigating through some great curves with a good feel of the car. On the straightaways, I manage to get the Z all the way up to 112! And plenty more was wanting to come out. I would have continued the upward trend if the salesman didn't look so nervous.

Now, I've shared all the great stuff and I guess this is where I should begin to list the bad, but I've always heard that you gotta have 3 or more things to make a list! There were two issues during the drive, some body roll that I contribute towards the tires. I think if the Z had stickier tires, then that issue would reside. The other issue and most annoying was the vibration from the steering wheel. Nothing you could see with your eyes, but something I could feel deep into my wrists. Several times, I had to flex my wrist and move it to another location on the steering wheel.

So, that's it. A great machine and I am so happy that I drove one finally! If you have not driven one yet, do so. You will not be disappointed. I am really wanting to see one on the Dragon and would love (absolutely LOVE) to drive a Z on the Dragon. But then again, driving our S2000 is so much fun, I don't think I would want to trade on the Dragon!

Here are some pics:

After the drive.

 

Hmmm, I didn't like the shifter at all. It was short throw, but VERY imprecise. Reminded me of my old cable-shifted Corrado. Not even close to the S2000's.

But I do in general like the car.

 

Nice report airgate.

Does the car feel as heavy as it is? And is that the touring or track model?

I love the S (even though I don't have one) but the Z is growing on me; just today I saw one being to delivered to a Nissan dealership.

 

Great review of an excellent car. Nissan definitely has a winning platform.

 

No break in on the car and the salesman let you take a new Z up to 112????!!!!???? I'd hate to be the one to buy that car....

OUCH!

But good review.

 

The debate between the S and the Z continues. I am a stout Z fanatic but, after the first generation Z's which I have 2, a 260 and 280 I lost interest in the oher models as they came out. Nothing inspired me until I saw the S. So I bougt one two weeks ago. What a car. I don't think S people have anything to worry about from Z people but the rivalry goes on.

 

I also drove a Z about a week and a half ago. A demo car that was taken home by the general sales manager from day 1. He claims that it was broken in properly, I couldn't tell if it hadn't.

It was a beautiful black track model....and man did it handle!!!

Shifter:
I thought the shifter was very crisp, not as crisp as ours, but very good. I did feel that extra notchiness, but then again, I kind like that "lock and pop" feel to shifters.

Handling:
The car pulled at every blip on the gas....that's what I remembered the most.

Also the car felt heavier, but it gave it more of a solid on the road feel through corners...the Z sure felt sure-footed. I tried to "accidently" get the rear to step out (seeing that the sales manager was with me), but it just wouldn't give. In fact, I was told to stop driving the car like it was mine..."...give it some go, man." I did, it went...I was smiling.

The only drawback was that upon return, I had to give the salesmanager a ride in the S. I say drawback, only because I immediately started comparing the two rides.

I'm not saying that the S isn't capable, but it felt like it was the little engine that could (with a lot more effort), while the the Z felt like it was more tame but if it wanted to unleash a can-o-whoop-a$$, it was just waiting for the right time.

I may see a new car in my future...but I learned my lesson from buying the S. I will wait until at least the second or third year production run, I will wait to see how Z customers are treated, I will probably even wait to buy a Z from the 'resale' market...maybe then the wife will let me turn the S into a track-only runner.

 

nice review and very fair. I enjoy reading your reviews b/c of your honesty. At times this crowd can be very biased. The S2000 is a fantastic car, heck I own one and have not seen anything in that price range to make me switch.

 

I've heard people say that the VQ engine drops off past 5000rpm. Considering that S2000 drivers are used to the top end hit of the F20C, I'm curious just how much in evidence this really is.

Would anybody who's driver a Z care to comment?

 

i havent driven mine all out yet, but i have riden in a friends that was broken-in and i didnt really notice a big drop off after 5k. i know the dyno shows it, but i didnt feel it. coming from a former s2k owner and a new Z owner, i have to say the torque is big in this car. even thou i haven gon beyond 4k it has a great pull in 3rd from 20mph to 4k, sorry dunno the speed at 4k in 3rd, i always have to shift for break-in...