why
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: springfield
why
why is it such a debate over the 350z and s2000. Everyone wants to know the answer so lets just put up some numbers. The nissan has 287 horse and 274 lb feet torque. The s2000 has 240 horse and 153 lb feet torque. Yes the s2000 has a 400 pound weight advantage, but the 350z has a bigger motor and 121 lb feet more of torque while having 47 more horsepower. Sorry 350z guys but I hate reading posts from the 350z guys saying how much better the 350z is than the s2k. To me you all need to perform with these cars and then talk. There is to many races that are to close to call between these cars. So the next time I hear a 350z guy running his mouth I want them to look at what is happening. He is either getting beat by or barely beating an s2000 that should on paper not even have a chance.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
This subject's been debated for a while, since comparisons have been made in Japan via Best Motoring, a number of magazines have compared the two, and the rest has to do with encounters on the streets, autocross or tracks.
IMHO, the 350Z is a good car... but not for me. I don't like how it feels behind the wheel, I don't like how it looks on the inside, and the driving "feel" of the car (not to be mistaken for sheer power) isn't to my liking. I have a neighbor who lets me drive his car every weekend, since I do like the power that it delivers. Torque is awesome and I like the idea that it produces it naturally. No crutches like a supercharger or turbo to make it great. I'm not going into the subject of modding since that opens up a huge can of worms.
From my own point of view, I think the 350Z is a more conservative car than the S2000... not in terms of performance, but in purity (to be explained below). The 350Z is roomier so it's more of a realistic car to use daily, even if you have a small family. There's a hardtop version for those who prefer less cabin noise or for security reasons, and the torque of the VQ engine makes is a superior choice for day to day commuting with lots of torque and power available at much lower rpms. Nobody likes being stuck in traffic, but being in the Z would prove more comfortable to drive under those conditions.
The S2000 is more of a "specialty car" by my definition of purity. It's not the ideal choice for being the family car for obvious reasons, it lacks much of the normal things like decent trunk space, fancy interior styling, a big torquey motor, a half-decent stereo system, etc. Being a 2 seater, it's more of a 4 wheeled sports bike, with only the required instrumentation to drive, having the capability of revving almost like a sports bike, and focusing on 1 major thing... a thrilling driving experience. The car has an incredibly fast turn ratio, the manual gearbox is still the best one I've felt to date, the throttle response is second to none to any stock NA 4 banger in VTEC zone, and the car performs so well straight from the factory. It's not the car where you'd spread Grey Poupon or listen to classical music... it's the car that makes you want to attack those corners, the more the better, the sharper the better. Heel toeing has never felt and sounded so good for those who understand what I mean by this.
A surprising amount of people don't respect the S2000, especially with the "it has no torque" comments. While considering that it's a softtop, with no torque, some cars with boost and larger displacements... a properly driven S2000 can give some of those cars a very good run for its money. I've said many times that if the car lacks torque, then show me a production car 2.0L or less with no boost that has more, and to this day nobody can show me.
In a straight-line race, a hardtop Z IMO has the upper hand over the S2000. My friend can't drive worth a lick so I can beat HIM easily, but I don't feel as if I'm beating the car on the best of terms. Street/drag racing has a lot to do with who's driving and how well. If the subject is autocrossing where I am, then the 350Z is at a huge disadvantage in tight situations. Having too much torque down low can be a weakness in low grip situations while cars like the S2000 aren't affected as much.
Both are different cars aimed at different markets. I'd like to meet someone who knows how to drive their 350Z competetively in autocross so I can study it more closely. We've only had a couple of them show up in the past, both were novices and both were women and they were driving in a manner to "not get the car dirty" if you know what I mean. I'm sure the 350 can be driven very hard, but I'm curious as to how hard. Only time will unfold its secrets.
IMHO, the 350Z is a good car... but not for me. I don't like how it feels behind the wheel, I don't like how it looks on the inside, and the driving "feel" of the car (not to be mistaken for sheer power) isn't to my liking. I have a neighbor who lets me drive his car every weekend, since I do like the power that it delivers. Torque is awesome and I like the idea that it produces it naturally. No crutches like a supercharger or turbo to make it great. I'm not going into the subject of modding since that opens up a huge can of worms.
From my own point of view, I think the 350Z is a more conservative car than the S2000... not in terms of performance, but in purity (to be explained below). The 350Z is roomier so it's more of a realistic car to use daily, even if you have a small family. There's a hardtop version for those who prefer less cabin noise or for security reasons, and the torque of the VQ engine makes is a superior choice for day to day commuting with lots of torque and power available at much lower rpms. Nobody likes being stuck in traffic, but being in the Z would prove more comfortable to drive under those conditions.
The S2000 is more of a "specialty car" by my definition of purity. It's not the ideal choice for being the family car for obvious reasons, it lacks much of the normal things like decent trunk space, fancy interior styling, a big torquey motor, a half-decent stereo system, etc. Being a 2 seater, it's more of a 4 wheeled sports bike, with only the required instrumentation to drive, having the capability of revving almost like a sports bike, and focusing on 1 major thing... a thrilling driving experience. The car has an incredibly fast turn ratio, the manual gearbox is still the best one I've felt to date, the throttle response is second to none to any stock NA 4 banger in VTEC zone, and the car performs so well straight from the factory. It's not the car where you'd spread Grey Poupon or listen to classical music... it's the car that makes you want to attack those corners, the more the better, the sharper the better. Heel toeing has never felt and sounded so good for those who understand what I mean by this.
A surprising amount of people don't respect the S2000, especially with the "it has no torque" comments. While considering that it's a softtop, with no torque, some cars with boost and larger displacements... a properly driven S2000 can give some of those cars a very good run for its money. I've said many times that if the car lacks torque, then show me a production car 2.0L or less with no boost that has more, and to this day nobody can show me.
In a straight-line race, a hardtop Z IMO has the upper hand over the S2000. My friend can't drive worth a lick so I can beat HIM easily, but I don't feel as if I'm beating the car on the best of terms. Street/drag racing has a lot to do with who's driving and how well. If the subject is autocrossing where I am, then the 350Z is at a huge disadvantage in tight situations. Having too much torque down low can be a weakness in low grip situations while cars like the S2000 aren't affected as much.
Both are different cars aimed at different markets. I'd like to meet someone who knows how to drive their 350Z competetively in autocross so I can study it more closely. We've only had a couple of them show up in the past, both were novices and both were women and they were driving in a manner to "not get the car dirty" if you know what I mean. I'm sure the 350 can be driven very hard, but I'm curious as to how hard. Only time will unfold its secrets.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
I have a 350z and I love the s2k.. I respect it when i see one.. I have heard such ridculouse stories about people who have had encounters with the s2k in there z... Trust me when i got the z i was like shit.. i should have gotten the s2k but i changed my mind 10 times... it's my daily driver and that is the main reasin why i got it and i live in canada freekin freezing here. If i had a choice of the z vs 2sk for my 2cnd car(weekend car ) in a heart beat i would take the s2k.. anyways i wanted to intriduce my self here i am well known in 350zforum.com and i hope it's cool if i post some threads and replies here
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
From: Centreville
This is what I have been thinking all the time. Why do 350's, Mustang GT's and even M3s make fun of how little torque the S has. It's just making them look like idiots because even with all that extra horsepower and torque, those cars arent even that much faster.
Before the flaming though, I am fan of all the cars I mentioned above, especially the Mustang (03 Cobra really), and M3.
Before the flaming though, I am fan of all the cars I mentioned above, especially the Mustang (03 Cobra really), and M3.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
My mom got a Z Roadster back in October and I just got an '04 Suzuka. I like both cars, but I'm coming from a Miata and the Z is just too big for me. I like the nimble handling of a Roadster and even though the Z convertible is a "Roadster", it doesn't feel like it. It's more of a touring car. Though, I must say the Z feels lighter than it actually is and I was impressed with its handling, but again, the weight difference is there. I am used to driving a car that's 2400lb, not 3400. As far as the engine goes, I think that 3.5L is one of the best V6's made right now. It just sounds so awesome and pulls like a freight train. That said, you can't compare the two [S2k vs Z]. They're two different types of cars. The problem is, there are no other Japanese made cars that can keep up with the S2k in stock form besides the Z/G35 Coupe, WRX, EVO... so they make good "play mates". 
Kris
Kris
Trending Topics
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Who cares about the auto-x nationals. What only matters is how far you are able to take *your* car on a road course.
The car doesn't mean a damn thing, only the driver does.
Arguing about "well my car is obviously better at this, this, and that vs your car or any other car" is the equivalent of trading baseball cards and arguing with your friends who the better pitcher is.
In my opinion, everytime forums get into this car comparison/breakdown nonsense it always stems from owners wanting to feel better/superior/justified/etc. in their particular choice of car.
Maybe if they took some of that cash they're dumping into useless carbon fibre hoods, etc. and dumped it into some track time they would come back much more humble and educated about DRIVING in general.
The car doesn't mean a damn thing, only the driver does.
Arguing about "well my car is obviously better at this, this, and that vs your car or any other car" is the equivalent of trading baseball cards and arguing with your friends who the better pitcher is.
In my opinion, everytime forums get into this car comparison/breakdown nonsense it always stems from owners wanting to feel better/superior/justified/etc. in their particular choice of car.
Maybe if they took some of that cash they're dumping into useless carbon fibre hoods, etc. and dumped it into some track time they would come back much more humble and educated about DRIVING in general.