Hi,

I have been visiting this forum for about a year. I live in Edmonton and as my user name states, I have been saving for an S2000. I respect the opinions on this board as well as the car knowledge. I have driven the S twice now. An '01 and an '02. I love the build quality, the 9000 redline, the world class handling, etc. I thought that this was the car for me and then I drove a 350Z. I have also driven this car twice. Both were '03 Track Packs. The Nissan has more torque, a great exhaust sound, cool looks (my opinion). I know the Nissan is heavier and isn't the handler that the S is PLUS no drop top. Here's my question? Can I live with the S2000 on the highway? Edmonton is 300+ km from the mountains and the twisties. I also want to track the car and take a high performance driving school in Calgary = more highway driving. My wife (she drives a truck, so her taste is questionalbe ) prefered the 350Z. She liked the way it felt on the highway and that I didn't have to take it to 9000rpms to have fun. I need my licence for work and she is fearful that if I get the S, then I will get into trouble, but isn't that all the fun? 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in VTEC? Anyone else here drive both and can give me their opinion? How about living with the S on Alberta's roads? I am not going to drive this car in the winter and it will not be a daily driver in summer. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

If the car is strictly for pleasure, S2K it is!!!
Life beings top down

 

I am a huge fan of the Z.

S2000
The one thing that I blurt out everytime someone says "Nice Car!" is "It's fun to drive and the handling is so amazing".

You don't want to be speeding on highway 2 anyways with those dang RCMP, so highway driving is not really the thing to benchmark against.

The S2000 kicks ass in the twisties and you can still VTEC in 1st and 2nd gears to stay within the speed limit. I do it all of the time and can't wait to VTEC again and again. Hich RPS are so much fun. You can get a CAI and have a mean sounding machine.

HANDLING HANDLING HANDLING + IT'S A CONVERTABLE

I plan on keeping this car or trading up to a new one without hesitation. I LUV IT! Put 35,000 on it in 17 months.

So if you want a FUN car, bye the S2000.

 

I have spent a fair bit of time behind the wheel of the 350Z. From my personal experience with that car, I find that it does not feel like it has much more torque then the S2000 (it fails to put me into my seat any more than the S2000 does).

The 350Z has an extremely cheap centre console. It also places the e-brake on the left side of the console, which gets in the way. The 350Z feels heavy in the corners.

The 350Z does have some nice features though: the shifter is very good. Not as precise as the S2000, but its one of the best shifters I've had a chance to try out, and I've driven a lot of cars.

If you want a 350Z type of car, I STRONGLY suggest looking at the Infiniti G35 Coupe 6 Speed. The Infiniti is a way better car. It's a 350Z w/ luxury. And its not that much slower (low 14's still).

The 350Z is not worth buying in my eyes.

So what I'd do is compare the Infiniti to the S2000. If you want a pure drivers car, the S2000 is the obvious choice. If you want a nice performing sports coupe w/ luxury comparable to that of most any 60-70k car, get the Infiniti.

The 350Z does not make any sense to me personally.

 

Yes it does. For extra $$

Edit: oops, not in the track version.

 

You can get your Nissan 350z and G35 news and pics at:
http://www.freshalloy.com

 

saving: Will flashing my car infront of your face in Edmonton make you have your mind set on an s2000?

 

I currently own both a MY03 s2k and 350Z. They are both good, and very different cars. The 350Z DEFINETELY has more torque, and you can feel it every time you accelerate. It also has, for the same money, alot more bells and whistles- trip computer, tire pressure monitor, a real alarm that goes off when the doors are forced open, front strut bar, a better stereo, more interior room, auto dimming mirror,etc. IMO it is a better value for the money.

The s2k on the other hand, handles better and is a convertible.

Having said all that, I am currently trying to return the Z under the lemon law as it was in the shop over 50 days this first year I have owned it. It broke, rattled, had crappy paint, and I believe some serious suspension design issues. The tires feathered and cupped and were shot after 8k miles. I have yet to find a flaw or dislike on the s2k it is absolutely perfect quality.

To be short, get the Z if you want to drag race with Mustangs and Camaros. Get the s2k if you want a fun reliable car.

 

S2000 .

If you want a highway crusier - buy a Caddy - If you want a track car - buy the S.
That said - I have driven mine (with my 65 year old dad) from Edmonton to Elkhart Lake, Wis. 2 years ago - with nothing but miles of smiles.

Plus as earlier mentioned the Ebrake is on the wrong dam side and your arm always hits it.

Just my 2

 

lol, thats what i did with Seks before he bought his and now look at him


as far as the 350Z, I've had the opportunity to test drive it too and let me tell you, a MUCH different car than the S2000. The thing I didnt like about it most was the handling....after driving the S for so long, (with a few suspension mods ) the Z felt alot more sluggish during cornering....and another pet peeve i had with it was the shifter....although thre have been comments in here how its a decent shifter, I still dont beleive it comes close to the S which has shorter throws and a more solid feel to it....oh, and i hate the clutch in the Z too...lol...sorry, i really do....

That being said, i really dont mind the looks of the Z...in fact, i love the front and sides...just not the back.....the gadgets that come with each model are pretty nice too if u like or are used to that sort of stuff.....u just dont find most of those things in the S.....i guess its more practical.....The S is what i would call a raw sportscar

....and u speak of the exhaust note of the Z? Maybe you havnt heard the sound of 9000 rpms yet?

Plus, we could always use more edmonton members