Hi,

I have been pondering what car I would replace the S2000 with, I considered the new BMW M3, and yesterday took a look on the web at the new Mazda RX8, which I eventually ruled out on looks. I decided to turn my attention to the new 350Z from Nissan after my sister-in-law started going on about how great she thought it was having taken several rides state side in one of these toys.

I found this article in Car and Driver with a shoot out between the Audi TT, S2000, Mustang Mach 1, and the new 350Z. I must say I am quite seriously considering putting my name down for one of these Nissans now.. Softop on the way sometime too. Release in the UK I believe is October..

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddrive...paro_hottin.xml

 

nphnet - you did note that the S2000 only had 430 miles or so on the clock!

I agree that the 350Z looks good in some angles but it's still pretty lardy!

 

And they still did a flat out 0-60 in it!!

It does look a bit heavy, but it seems to go quite well. I guess it is squarly aimed at the US market more than anything.

Nice to see a fair review of the S2000 for a change, okay it came 3rd but for very valid reasons when you consider what it was being compared to. I know I still made the right choice!

- Adam.

 

I have the Best Motoring Video where the Z, E46 M3, S2000 and Boxster go head to head.

Results:

1st 350z
2nd M3 (just made it)
3rd S2000 (silly mistake on last corner)
4th Boxster


Fastest lap - R34 GTR (camera car), M3, S2000, 350z and then the Boxster.

Fastest corner entry and exit speed - S2000

 

How far ahead was the 350z - how much did it win by ?

 

I would say the GTR R34 had left everyone!

The 350Z was about 2 car lengths in front of the M3 and the S2000 was literally in the back seat of the M3.

The M3 was having great difficulty in the corners whereas the S2000 was coming in fast and braking later. Even the R34 had to move out of the S2000s way as it was getting really close.

The drivers all agreed that the S2000 had the best handling.

Gan San then test drove the 350z car and said that it was good but not that good. He said that there is a big difference between a Sports Car and a sporty car. He went on to say that the S2000 was a Sports car and the 350Z a sporty car.

I will dig up the final lap times tonight!

 

It was a fair review of the S, but ( there always a but).
Look at the heading of the report Tin Top's, the S is not originally a tin top so that adds about 40 kilos straight away and its going to be cramped if your wearing a dirty great helmet, i have no problems and i am 6'2".

Then what are the weights / engine sizes of the cars? i would imagine that the
TT is the smallest 1.8 turbo?
then the S with it 2 litre
i hate to think what the Stang has
then the Nissan??

Then take inconsideration what they are made of, TT and Nissan have ally shells?

Stang and S have steal frames and shells

I would have the 350Z as a daily run around and the S for a weekend toy, but that 's my opinion.

 

What? Instead of the Micra Simmo?? Surely not!

- Adam.

 

Hi nphnet,
The Nissan's a great choice, and from my 7 years experience with a 300ZX TT I would reccomend a Z to anyone. It was incredibly reliable, cheap to service and a blast to drive, though more in the GT mode that an 'S'.

However if there was one part of the car that was weak, and the Car and Driver article highlight this, was the brakes!!! Haul it down from a ton to a roundabout and the pedal would start to get soft near the end. Try that again at the next roundabout in a mile or so, and start praying if you leave the brake point the same distance as the previous one.

I can't understand why they've not fixed this on the new model. Therefore I strongly reccomend that you go for the Brembo upgrade, over and above even metallic paint when you order. I somehow suspect that this will only improve matters and not completely cure them, but should be fine for hard road use...

Good luck and have fun - DB

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frisky
[B]
What?