balata97

Just thought i would share my experience.....

Like many of you all, I was having some power issues with our TSX, and so i decided to think about trading in my 04 CG/5at/non-navi for a 350z. I was sure i was going to take a hit, but i figured, hey im still young, I might not be able to make enough coin down the road to support a family and drive a 911 , so why not take the plunge now?

Well i test drove the Z today, and boy was it alot slower and sluggish than I expected. With the blessings of the salesman i gunned it, and was met with a response that left me wanting more. My cousins have a s2k, sti, evo, and nsx, so maybe my expectations were a bit high in terms of "feeling" the power. But still, i couldnt believe the Z put up those kind of numbers in the 1/4 mile and 0-60. Sure didnt feel that way.

On top of that, the Z felt cramped (even tho im 5'8), extremely loud , and pretty rough, and pretty cheaply made interior wise. I guess it was expected for this to be true but expectations and the actual experience are 2 different things.

So leaving a bit dissappointed, i got back into my car, and i thought i was in a whole new world! Driving home, I came to appreciate our TSX even more. The power, luxury, and smooth ride are tough to beat and replace. I guess were all pretty spoiled!

Dont get me wrong, the Z is a beautiful car, and for the money is a pretty sweet deal, but in the end, the comfort, and ride of the TSX proved to be a bit much.

Just my

sauceman

Interesting. Thanks for the review.

EURORTSX

i was thinking of trading in my TSX for a Z also...in the end i just decided not to. A TSX isnt as fast definitely, but TSX = quality

xizor

The Z is a middle of the road "sports car", it doesn't excel in any one thing but does everything decently well. I can't get over how the 350z weighs more than our 4-door family sedan, that's just rediculous and why I see the Z more as Japanese muscle than a sports car.

Benz_05_TSX

iTrader: (1)

Wow.....thanks dude..... I am still kind of regreting the fact of not getting the Z but got the TSX instead.......but I never test drove the Z...... I assume it will be faster because of the hp and it's a coupe......guess I am wrong.... but man....TSX is luxury.... and Z is just a cheap interior sports car.....it's fast...but interior sucks!

PixelHarmony

I would just get an s2k for the price. Though from what I remembered the Z destroyed it in the best motoring shootout.

danotto

I found it hard to be happy with my 350Z. I sold it to get my TSX and have not looked back. I do not even miss the power.

RMATIC09

well thats comforting becuase everytime i see one, i want one...

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I wasn't particularly impressed with the 350Z when I test drove a properly maintained and broken in pre-owned one. It's quick, sure, but it really wasn't as good in the corners as an S2000 or an RX-8. Too much weight to toss around and you could feel the momentary lapse between your turn-in, the springs compressing, the springs setting, and then the car digging into the corner. On an S2000, that delay is virtually nonexistent.

I would never trade my TSX in for a 350Z. However, a G35 Coupe, maybe if they improve that interior. The G35 handles about the same as a 350Z from behind the wheel, but looks so much sweeter from the outside and would make for a great touring car.

RadYOacTVe

I traded in my 2004 G35 coupe for my TSX. Haven't regretted it one bit!

dom

Go read the latest issue of R&T where they compare 9 sports cars. The S2K runs ramapnt on the 35th Aniv 350 with 300HP in every conceivable category inclduing 0-60 and 1/4 mile.

Factor in that horrible interior and its just

GIBSON6594

Kind of off topic, but my opinion is all fast cars will feel slower over time because you get used to the accel. Speed became less important to me when i realized this. Unless you drag race, or have a ton of money to get a high end sports car, fast acceleration is overrated. I came very close to buying an STI, but i realized during the test drive that i was basically throwing my money away on speed that i didn't need and wouldnt really use. The TSX is a great all around package. I am much happier with my decision.

Just my opinion, other may disagree

93Kewl

I can't wait for the "I just test drove an Acura NSX (insert other sports car here)and glad I didn't trade my TSX for one."

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

dom

What, I wouldn't

Kewl, so you trading in the 9-3 for the 250HP version coming out this summer?

dabuda

you mean the Z destroyed the s2k? or vice versa?

balata97

Were your reasons similar to mine?
I agree with you in saying that the power in the car is very forgettable.

the styling however.... is not .... still makes me go ooooooo whenever i see it.


for such a well balanced sexy machine (refrence to the tsx of course)

93Kewl

Domn,

Naahhh..I wouldn't even consider it. First, 210HP with the 9-3 Torque is good enough for me. Besides, if I were to trade in, it would probably be for a TL or RL.
Not to say, of course, that I don't really enjoy my car.

04AcuraTL

how bout a TL...romie comfy powerfull looks very sharp, n a lot of bang for the buck

danotto

The 350Z has a fatal flaw in the suspension that causes the tires to feather after a couple thousand miles. Nissan has been trying to fix the problem since introducing the 350Z, but has not been successful. The power and handling are great, very close to the S2K, but you have to work a bit harder to achieve it. Like I said before, I do not miss the power, but the Z never felt fast to me anyway. The power delivery is so linear that you really don't feel a surge when accelerating. I am very happy with the TSX, and am overjoyed to be back with a Honda product. The interior of the TSX is light years ahead of the Z from a quality standpoint. The Z is a one-trick pony. It does what it does well, but that is about it.

ed99

I test drove one before I bought my TL and I find that car was way too heavy. It felt really heavy and handling was ok only. I had high expectation for the Z but not too crazy about it after my test drive. I use to think about owning one until I test drove it. YOu instinctly know whether this car will be yours or not once you drive it. The car looks hot from the exterior but driving it is a different issue. And I agree the interior looks and feels kinda cheep. I saw a used 2003 and the leather seats was cracking from the side bolster. It looked like it needs to be replaced and it was only a yr or two car. That just tells me that Nissan cut the corners on that car.

MSZ

This is not your old-school Datsun Fairlady Z...

350Z is just a slow ugly-ass which looks like a Carrera ripoff.

S2K > 350Z period.

DownUnder

Interesting that's the first time I've seen the S2000 beat the 350Z in acceleration tests and the 300HP version at that. In MotorTrend the 287HP 350Z beat the S2000 in all acceleration test. And in most other comparison tests the 350Z out accelerated the S2000. Also the S2000's 5-60MPH acceleration is slow compared to the 350Z's.

Tsex on 19s

Traded in my tsx, for a 2005 enthusiast PPW Z.. im in love, best choice ive ever made.. also, its a 6speed... wanna play?

MSZ

The folks at MT have been well known for not understanding the way to drive a Honda. R&T and C&D both have faster and more realistic S2k(and other Honda/Acura cars)times.

DownUnder

Actually believe it or not MT has gotten the quickest time out of an S2000 that I've seen in a mag. They ran an '00 S2K to 0-60 in 5.2s and the 1/4 mile at 13.8s@100MPH. C&D in their Dec '02 issue ran an '03 S2K to 0-60 in 6.3s and a 14.9s@95MPH 1/4 mile, which is the slowest time I've seen recorded for an S2K.

MSZ

Now this is news to me, I didn't know MT got it in 5.2s...

This is my C&D time: 5.4s 0-60 and 14.1s 1/4 in August 03. 5.5/14.3 for 350Z in the same issue.

DownUnder

Yea that was the convertible Touring 350Z which is over 150lbs heavier then the coupe. The S2K was quicker to the 1/4 mile but they both ran a 99MPH 1/4 mile trap speed and at 120MPH the 350Z was a full second quicker then the S2K.

MSZ

If its not a convertible Z, I wouldn't even compare it to a S2k...

With that much more displacement and horsepower than the 2.2L VTEC, still only a second faster at 120mph? Plus the handling is so much better on S2k(.92 vs .88) I would still pick S2k over a Z.

DownUnder

Simple cause the S2K is over 600lbs lighter then the 350Z Vert and also has very aggressive gearing. BTW, when you compare the S2K to the 350Z vert the S2K has a better power/weight ratio. So technically the S2K should be faster at all speeds but that’s not always the case.

MSZ

Well, I wasn't the one who said "S2k outruns the Z in all categories".

SeCsTaC

The 350Z probably feels slow because of its linear powerband. In the S2000, its really sluggish before VTEC, almost feels like your driving a civic, but it feels fast because of that surge in power when the VTEC kicks in. If you ever drive the Z again, floor it, then look at the speedometer, you'll probably be going faster than you thought.

just what i found out by hanging around car forums =D

balata97

i agree with what you say.... it certainly dosent feel fast and that is because of the linear powerband.

when i gunned the Z i didnt feel a sharp snap and that sucking feeling you get, but realized that in no time i was doin nearly 75. certainly didnt feel 75.

take that as you will, in my opinon thats kinda yea youre goin fast, but shoot every car can go 100mph.... just a matter of how you get there.