Well, this is really a "Dealership Encounter".

Over the weekend, I visited my local Nissan dealer with my dad who was visiting for the weekend. We drove to the dealership in his C5 Corvette.

The salesman asked which one of us was interested in the 350Z and I said I was (I'm not considering getting a Z so don't flame me). He asked what I'm currently driving and I told him. The conversation went something like this:

Salesman: "So you're looking to trade up to a Z?"
Me: "No, I prefer the S2000."
Salesman: "Why?"
Me: "It's a convertible."
Salesman: "The Z convertible will be available in February."
Me: "But the car already weighs 400 pounds more than an S2000. The convertible will probably be even heavier."
Salesman: "But the Z is faster and has a torque advantage -- quite a bit from what I remember."
Me: "But it weighs 400 pounds more."
Salesman: "Is an S2000 fast?"
Me: "Oh yeah!"
Salesman: "Do you think it's faster than the Z?"
Me: "I think it's faster than a Z around a racetrack. On the street it's very close."

What a doofus. That's not a good way to sell a car. I was waiting for him to start saying how much faster the Z is compared to my dad's C5 but he handed us off to another salesman when he realized I wasn't interested in buying the car.

 

Actually, I think that's a good way to sell the Z. He never insulted the S2000, he simply responded with the strengths of the Z.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Elistan
[B]Actually, I think that's a good way to sell the Z.

 

He did not insult the S2K...

Btw, not trying to flame but, how do you guys *know* that the Z is *slower* around a racetrack?

Shouldn't rudyr's GTI be *slower* (before Turbo upgrade) around a track than a S2K, yet he proved that notion wrong?

 

He did insult the S2000 in a sly manner: "So you're looking to trade up to a Z." If that's not a negative comment about the pecking order of the two cars, I don't know what is. If his remark was based on price or value alone, how could the Z be one step up on the S2000? The Z starts at under $28K -- the last time I looked, S2000s were over $32K. If his remark was based on performance alone (acceleration and handling) then it's either equal or the S2000 has a slight advantage (which it does in the handling arena).

DiscoZ: my basis for saying the S2000 is faster around a racetrack was not made based on actual proof or first-hand experience. It was just made based on reviews I've read of both cars and comparing those results. I'm sure it would actually be pretty close with the Z's additional power making up for any difference in handling (similar to how an S2000 can just about keep up with more powerful cars, such as a C5, on a very technical track but loses ground on the straights).

I didn't get to test drive the car. It was locked and the salesman said the only way they let people test drive them is to actually sit down, talk numbers, and do a credit check to see if you are actually capable of buying the car. I'm sure there are a lot of "kids" who want to just take one out for a spin. The car also had a $5K markup.

In addition to the silver Z that was for sale, they also had an orange one (already sold). I've seen the orange in the magazines but it was the first time I've seen one in person. I have to say that I really like it. I like the car and would definelty consider it if I was in he market to buy a sports car. There are a few details that I question (the big silver door handles for instance) but overall it's a nice package. I would have to seriously compare it to the upcoming G35 coupe though (which is not quite as "sporty" but a little more practical as an "everyday" car).

 

Yesterday I had a chance to race with the new Z. Well, we both just chilling on the Highway and all the sudden he floored it...... I down shift to 3rd and I was at around 70mph, I caught up with him because there's traffic. After the traffic is cleared we both side by side again and he floored it again and this time I'm prepared (we're rolling at 70mph) He got 1 car jump in front of me (i'm in 3rd gear), by the time I'm in 4th I'm gaining on him and we are even and in 5th I passed him.
I thought that they might be pretty even with the S2000 but I guess not!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Silver Bullet
[B]He did insult the S2000 in a sly manner:

 

rudyr's GTI IS slower around a track than a S2K.

It's just that rudyr's GTI when driven by rudyr happens to be faster around TWS than a lot of S2K's driven by other people.

I'm pretty sure that, after a bit of practice, rudyr can post better times in a stock S2K than in his GTI.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Elistan
[B]I'd like to start off with the caveat that I love my S and have no interest in a Z, but I have to say I believe the salesguy is right in some ways.

 

Hey i just wanna say that...even if the two cars are close in performance (ie on the track, 0-60), the fact of the matter is that the Z has the same engine as the altima, maxima--mass produced poop! you know there are going to be so many more Zs on the road next year. s2k side-by-side with nsx. Enough said. Not trying to bash the Z, just stating facts.