S2000 Or 350z
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: san leandro
I was debating between a S2000 and 350Z (ok an rx-8 and lotus elise are in the mix too). Anyway after driving both the 350Z is out of the mix. I wanted another car, not to replace my 7 but to park next to it, lol. My requirements were for it to be reliable, fun, quick, reasonably comforitable and to be able to offer me something that my -7- CAN'T offer me.
Driving the S2000 I realized that I felt at home with the cars handling. I know that the FD will outhandle the S2000, yet when I got in the S2000 and drove it I realized that on the street and the average person isn't going to be able to take either car to its limits. that impressed me. Owning a 99 miata with my Rx-7 in the past I could immediately feel body roll in the miata. Anyway, back to the Z. Drove the Z at the dealer. The low end torque was far superior than the S2000 (not even remotely close), it was also superior to my FD's. However unlike the S2000 and FD, the 350Z feels like a butterfly when you pass 4500 rpm. The car felt heavy and feels like a snowplow around corners. Im not saying it wasn't fun, the initial punch was kinda neat. The FD and S2000 are effortless to drive, the 350Z felt like a luxury car in comparsion.
I think for a daily driver the 350Z could be nice. Regardless of what you read, its a hell of alot more comforitable than the FD or S2000.
A skilled driver in an 04 S2000 will rape a skilled driver in the 350Z, but I think the average driver vs average driver the 350Z will win.
Driving the S2000 I realized that I felt at home with the cars handling. I know that the FD will outhandle the S2000, yet when I got in the S2000 and drove it I realized that on the street and the average person isn't going to be able to take either car to its limits. that impressed me. Owning a 99 miata with my Rx-7 in the past I could immediately feel body roll in the miata. Anyway, back to the Z. Drove the Z at the dealer. The low end torque was far superior than the S2000 (not even remotely close), it was also superior to my FD's. However unlike the S2000 and FD, the 350Z feels like a butterfly when you pass 4500 rpm. The car felt heavy and feels like a snowplow around corners. Im not saying it wasn't fun, the initial punch was kinda neat. The FD and S2000 are effortless to drive, the 350Z felt like a luxury car in comparsion.
I think for a daily driver the 350Z could be nice. Regardless of what you read, its a hell of alot more comforitable than the FD or S2000.
A skilled driver in an 04 S2000 will rape a skilled driver in the 350Z, but I think the average driver vs average driver the 350Z will win.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Tulsa
I drive a 350z, and I'm seriously considering getting a s2000 in it's place. Why? Because the 350z is falling apart. I'm one of the 39k 2003 owners with the tire wear problem that Nissan refuses to address. I also don't appreciate the cheap plastic bumpers that get so soft in hot weather you can score them with a fingernal (through the paint).
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Los Angeles
Even though I own nothing but Hondas (two Accords and a Blackbird, in addition to my '03 S2000), I don't blindly buy them. I test drive everything I'm interested in, and they always end up being the clear winner.
This time around, it boiled down to the Z or the S2000. The S2000 won because: 1) it's beautiful, top up or down (the Z looks a little slab-sided and heavy, and looks kind of unpolished with the top up), 2) can't argue with 9K RPM (and that sound!), handling and quickness, and 3) the interior (as simple as it is), has a great feel to it (the Z was okay, but the oversized gauges left me cold (think "Camaro") and the leather had a plastic look to it).
Coincidentally, a couple of weeks ago I was paid to attend a focus group for convertible owners. The 2004 Z, Z4 and TT were there, along with the S2000. After playing with the cars' features and interior/exterior, we were asked to rank which car we would most likely purchase. The experience just reinforced what I already knew--the S2000 is a driver's car, basically a street-legal race car, made for the track. A woman at the focus group told me that had she known about the S2000, she would have bought it instead of her Z.
As a daily driver, I would guess the Z would be better (smoother ride, more comfortable). But that's what my Accords are for. If you want to look forward to driving period, get an S2000. Hearing the VTEC roar will keep you warm at night...
This time around, it boiled down to the Z or the S2000. The S2000 won because: 1) it's beautiful, top up or down (the Z looks a little slab-sided and heavy, and looks kind of unpolished with the top up), 2) can't argue with 9K RPM (and that sound!), handling and quickness, and 3) the interior (as simple as it is), has a great feel to it (the Z was okay, but the oversized gauges left me cold (think "Camaro") and the leather had a plastic look to it).
Coincidentally, a couple of weeks ago I was paid to attend a focus group for convertible owners. The 2004 Z, Z4 and TT were there, along with the S2000. After playing with the cars' features and interior/exterior, we were asked to rank which car we would most likely purchase. The experience just reinforced what I already knew--the S2000 is a driver's car, basically a street-legal race car, made for the track. A woman at the focus group told me that had she known about the S2000, she would have bought it instead of her Z.
As a daily driver, I would guess the Z would be better (smoother ride, more comfortable). But that's what my Accords are for. If you want to look forward to driving period, get an S2000. Hearing the VTEC roar will keep you warm at night...
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Ballston Spa
This should end the debate for you. This a video review of the car by well respected Top Gear. He didn't like it and explains why.
Top Gear 350z review
Top Gear 350z review
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 314
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From: North Dallas area
I like the Z - I personally think it's a great looking car, and the engine tones sound great!
BUT!
After extensive test driving of my buddy's Z, and driving the S, I went with the S.
Here's why:
- maintenance/reliability/tire issues with the Z
- tire noise
- 1st gear is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too short
- the car I drove felt so tight it was almost off the road every time I turned my head. It felt like if I blinked, I'd be in the ditches.
- the S handles so much more predictably, and mucho better in the twisties
- top down, baby!
-
- the S's dash (and the car as a whole) is completely uncomplicated - it's a driver's car!
- the F20C is not in every automobile Honda produces - it's a unique car throughout!
- I laughed my ass off during my test drives of the S, and every time I've been in the car since then - for me, the S was a better fit, and I've been loving every minute of it.
I'm not a Z 'basher' - I think the Z heritage is great, I remember the first time I sat in my uncle's 240Z as a kid as a good thing - I really like the looks and sound of the current Z but for the money I don't think you can beat an S.
BUT!
After extensive test driving of my buddy's Z, and driving the S, I went with the S.
Here's why:
- maintenance/reliability/tire issues with the Z
- tire noise
- 1st gear is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too short
- the car I drove felt so tight it was almost off the road every time I turned my head. It felt like if I blinked, I'd be in the ditches.
- the S handles so much more predictably, and mucho better in the twisties
- top down, baby!
-
- the S's dash (and the car as a whole) is completely uncomplicated - it's a driver's car!
- the F20C is not in every automobile Honda produces - it's a unique car throughout!
- I laughed my ass off during my test drives of the S, and every time I've been in the car since then - for me, the S was a better fit, and I've been loving every minute of it.
I'm not a Z 'basher' - I think the Z heritage is great, I remember the first time I sat in my uncle's 240Z as a kid as a good thing - I really like the looks and sound of the current Z but for the money I don't think you can beat an S.