I started this thread a few days ago, but it quickly degenerated into a flame war between Infiniti and Acura fans. And for that, the thread was ended, which I think was totally appropriate. However, before that happened, I was surprised by how many people said to get the 350Z. Nice to see that while everybody thinks the CL-S is a great car, people are willing to accept that other cars are nice alternatives. Fairly mature considering some of the other stuff we see posted.

To cut it short, after a lot of thinking and looking over my NY Auto Show pictures and CL-S brochure and pictures, I've decided to go for the Z. I'm getting a Chrome Silver, Charcoal leather, 6 speed Touring Edition. Total price including tax is about 36,377. From looking at previous posts, that's about 2-3k more than a similarly equipped (non-navi) CL-S. So far, I've got a refundable $1000 deposit and I'm guaranteed to pay MSRP. Yeah yeah, I know I know. Paying MSRP for a car is a ripoff but I think those that don't pre-order will be paying well above that.

However, I won't be receiving the car until sometime between August to November!

 

Congrats on your purchase bro'. I was kind of in the same boat as you and also decided to pull the trigger on the Z. I'm getting the Enthusiast/Silverstone/6sp. This is what I know so far:

You dealer should have faxed over your order when you placed it (or soon after you gave them the deposit). In about 5 weeks you will receive a very cool looking confirmation from Nissan motors (people have already started framing them). The confirmation will have all of your vehicles information on it. Verify the info and contact Nissan if anything is out of wack. If everything is ok, then just sit back and wait for the car. Delivery for the pre-orders is anytime between August and October. Your dealer will have your exact delivery date sometime in June.

Until them, keep oogling the brochure and think about how much poon-tang you will get when the car comes.

And yeah, paying MSRP sucks (hell, I even work at a Nissan dealer and I am paying MSRP) but wait till people start seeing the car. They will begin to kick themselves for not pre-ordering. I am already hearing rumors of markups ranging from $3000-$7500.

 

What options did you pick up? I kept it simple and got the floor mats and the aluminum kick plates. Of course, nobody has seen or has a picture of the kick plates. But then again, basically nobody has even driven a real production model yet. As I was signing the paperwork, I couldn't help think to myself that I was buying a $36,000 car that 1)no car mag has really driven, 2)has not yet specified HP or 0-60 times, 3)may or may not come with a fixed antennae, 4)may or may not come with a cassette in the radio (not that I really care), 5)I've never sat in or even touched.

Scary isn't it?

 

Why go withe Z and not go with the G35 coupe folks?

 

Let's put it this way. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Z, and there are even more regarding the G35 coupe. I saw that at the auto show too and it looked pretty awesome. However, there's nothing solid out on pricing, options, etc. I think there will be a big pre-order for that car too.

This car means the future to Nissan. I don't think they can afford to screw it up.

 

I ordered my car with the floor mats, kick plates, splash guards, and trunk mat. The aluminum kick plates will go inside the door sills and will most likely have 350z in the center of them. Also:

1) There is a road and track article that road tested a prototype version of the Z (right hand drive model)
2) 0-60 times will definately be under 6 sec. I am hearing closer to 5.2-5.5 (the old 96 300ZX had a 0-60 time of 5.5) HP should be in the neighborhood of 300hp (unconfirmed rumors that there is a prototype car with a 300hp engine)
3) I am hearing the antenna will be in the windshield
4) who cares about cassettes (how often do you really listen to them)
5) Just wait until you do!!!!!!! It will take days to remove the grin from your face!!!!

 

All very true, but you wouldn't buy a computer without knowing how big a monitor you were getting, or if there was a DVD drive, or what the size of the hard drive was.

I shouldn't talk, seeing as I'm one of the people doing just that. I just think it's an interesting quirk of human nature, and excellent marketing by Nissan. It's almost all been word of mouth. There hasn't been one print or TV ad and the car is due out in about 4 months. Each of the major car mags has had an article or two, but I would bet that a huge percentage of people who buy cars never pick up a copy of Road and Track or Car and Driver.

Z heritage really has big pull.

 

Well, I can't say I disagree with you.

Like you said, the Z heritage is a major factor. People have been waiting 6 years for this. But, really, has there ever been a bad Z? I think not. The 90-96 300ZX's were awesome cars, but Nissan priced them out of the market. They realized their mistake and will not let that happen again.

If this car is even remotely near what the rumors are saying then watch out......

Again, just wait. When you finally get your car, you'll probably jizz your pants.

 

Thank god I just went out and bought a buncha new pants.

 

well...actually the 96' 300z twin turbo posted 5.5 second 0-60 times. The normally aspirated Z was closer to 7-7.5. I don't doubt that the new Z will be under 6 but to post 5.2 0-60 times...well...I guess I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Can someone explain the dicrepencies between the different 350z's... (i.e., if you get the luxury edition, you cant get it in stick, if you get the touring edition, you cant get....etc.etc....)

I personally would love to get the G35 coupe USED a year after its out...by that time, I'll trade in my CLS......

 

The new Z will also be much lighter than the 300ZX. It will also handle better too. I wonder if there will be a turbo version in the future

 

I also saw both at the auto show and the G35 coupe looks slightly better imo. But either way , I dont think markup will be as high as people believe it to be . Nissan will make sure they bring enough in here to make some serious money , and by the second year prices will be normal and probably less than msrp. Besides , I dont want to go through the hassle of a 1st year car again . I am still going through it with my CL-S and nissan is no different . Look at any maxima site and the slew of problems people are having with their new maximas. It is only normal that there are a whole lot of things not 100% , so I think waiting is the better thing to do . Although it is hard when the car looks so good.

anybody hear dates on the convertible ?

 

I missed a flame war? Shucks.

Well, the 350ZX (and it's Nissan/Infiniti shared FM platform) is RWD, and the CL is FWD. The CL has 260HP and the 350ZX is in the neighborhood of 280HP. They really don't seem to directly compete with one another, partially due to the drivetrain differences and the characteristics/job missions both cars were assigned. The 350ZX is a sportscar, and the CL is a sporting coupe. There's a difference.

Alas, I must choose neither, and would likely save up a few thousand more and go for the G35 Coupe. If Acura were to get serious in this field and offer RWD...hell, AWD...my choices might be different. But the CL just doesn't bode well in sportscar territory.

 

My buddy went to an Infinity Dealer to ask what the difference between the G35 Coupe & 350Z will be...

They will be several cosmetics differences, but they also said the G35 is expected to have about 20 less HP.. rough est. was 285 for the Z vs. 265-270 for the G35... but they seemed pretty uncertain of all of this....

just what I have heard so far... be gentle...

 

I have a friend that works at NDI and he says the car is around 290hp (at least that is what the Japanese engineers are saying). The G35 coupe already has an estimate of 275+ hp so both cars will be pretty fast. Now only if they can get the car around 3000lbs, then it'll probably toast most cars in its price range (except for the SVT cobra )

 

I'm going to wait for the G35 coupe to come out, I like the styling more from the pics, even though they look very similar. I also think I'll wait for a few others to be the guinea pigs before I decide on buying one.

 

if i got a 350z id be shoping for a sports car. when i bought my cls i was looking for a luxury coupe. the cls just happens to have 260hp so everyone wants to race, but its not a SPORTS CAR! you cant compair the two. if i were you and if i was buyn a sports car, id get a vette hands down.
THE VETTE MAKES EM WETT

 

I like you SIG...

 

I think I read that there will be a twin turbo version of the Z as well as the Skyline with that same engine. Making at least 400HP as I remember

 

As usual, the dealers know little about their product line (especially incoming products). Both the 350ZX and the G35 Coupe have a 280HP variant of Nissan's wonderful VQ 3.5 liter V-6 engine. The G35 Sedan uses a 260HP variant of the VQ. The G35 and 350ZX will be available with a 6-speed manual from the get-go, while G35 Sedan owners will only be able to buy automatic (although Nissan plans on offering a 6-speed for the G35 sedan about a year after it's introductin - why I don't know.)

It would make no sense for a premium brand like Infiniti to be offering less horsepower than a Nissan-badged product...Z or not. Infiniti has always tried to offer more horsepower than their Nissan offerings...witness the 2000-2001 Maxima with 222HP and the I35t with 227HP. It's all brand recognition and bragging rights...but those horsepower descrepencies posted were substantial.

But, as you mentioned, we'll go easy on you.

 

hmmmm ...........what about a s/c 6spd cls v. 350z?...........iwonder

 

The G35 Coupe is a really nice looking car, but I have a feeling that when you start adding up the goodies, it will cost at least 5-6k more than a similar 350Z. I can't imagine Nissan having two very similar cars out at directly competitive prices. I think the Z will be aimed more at the sporty, younger crowd, while the G35 will be for the older and wealthier. Then again, there's so little info out that that's really all conjecture.


Part of the reason I decided on a Z was that I'd be very interested in supercharging a CL-S if I were to own one. That's a 5-6 thousand dollar proposition. And, I still don't think the performance would be equal.

A turbo version will most likely eventually come out. Aftermarket turbos, of course, should be out very shortly after release.

 

Great, a 300+hp front wheel drive Acura.....no thanks. I would rather mod out a G35 coupe.

 

I agree.. I still think a slightly modded 350Z or G35 coupe will take out a S/C 6-speed CL-S.. and would definitely outhandle the CL-S

 

One more thing you might want to consider between the Z and the G35 Coupe: back seat. The Z is a 2 seater!

 

only time will tell

 

I don't think the 350Z is even considering the CLS as a competitor. It has its sights set on more lofty rivals such as the TT, Boxter, M coupe, and S2000. The G35 coupe is more a rival to the CLS.

 

what is a competitor to the cls???????????

 

a competitor to the CL-S a new civic Si (just kidding guys)
seriously: IS300(even though it's not as fast),300M(it's a dodge enough said), Maxima(it's a pretty nice car but it's doesn't have a Honda motor but they'll sneak up on ya):P Lincoln LS(it's a slight upgrade from the 300 M but for having a V-8 they're not as spunky as they should be. )

by the way in the debate about the G35 vs the Z car. Not to knock your choice but I would have went G35. maybe I'm to traditional but I don't like the styling on the Z car. it's to "futuristic" much like the new caddy(i forget the model name cause usually I don't give a crap about GM:P )

 

Amen.

 

Actually, the original debate was between the CL-S and the Z, but G35 vs Z is a good one too. For those who have seen the G35 sedan but not the coupe, keep in mind that there are some pretty big style changes. Almost everybody agrees that the G35 has a funny looking butt. The lights could best be described as odd and at worst as ugly. The coupe is different. The rear lights have a similar theme, but the rear itself seems smaller and the lights fit in better. It all adds up to a very very nice looking car. I actually thought it looked a little more "futuristic" than the Z, but that's just my opinion.

If I was looking to buy a car in a year or so, I would definitely consider the G35 coupe. Now however, the Z is the only thing out there.

 

The 350z convertible is due to arrive in the early spring of 2003. Again, there have been no confirmed reports on HP for the 350z, but I wouldn't put it past Nissan to get the number closer to 300. I will keep everyone posted on the latest developments.

And yes, I know this is an Acura forum. But let's face it, we are all curious.

 

And we all love the G35 coupe

 

The closest one I can think of is the Volvo C70.

 

also the toyota solara

 

To be honest with you, there's really not a direct competitor to the CL-S. Granted, there would be plenty of cross-shopping happening, but no car other than the CL-S has it's horsepower, with it's FWD drivetrain, with two doors, at it's price.

I suppose the base 3.2CL could compete with the loaded-up Camry Solara SLE V6, but that's all I see.

You mentioned the Maxima not having a Honda motor...well, obviously...However, the VQ is perhaps one of the best V-6 engines barnone. I am not a Nissan fan by any means, but you must give Nissan credit for this engine. It easily rivals the J-Series engines from Honda. It's very quiet, has a broad torque and power range, and is extraordinarily flexibile. They've had anywhere from 190HP to now 280HP, with more room to give (some technicians believe that this engine can put out as much as 320HP-330HP horsepower without major changes).

Anyhow, the Lincoln LS and the 300M do nothing for me. They're good cars, but their fit and finish, reliability, resale and refinement all trail foreign competition.

But those Maximas...notably 6-speed 255HP variants, watch out.

As for the new Cadillac's...Escalde, EXT, CTS (one you made note of) and the upcoming XLR (originally Evoq Concept) all use the futuristic, "science meets art" styling.)

 

...did he just compare the CLS to the camry solara...say it isn't so...

 

I said the base 3.2CL, with 225HP, could theoretically compete with the top of the line SLE V6 variant of the Camry Solara.

 

i think he was talking about this guy