OK. I have the Road and Truck mag for a few days now, so it is interesting that no one has posted about this yet. I think this is one of the nicest comparos I have read lately and it shows what a great deal the Z06 is and secondarily what a great deal the 350Z is. In this case the 350Z is a TRACK model.

I am only going to post the numbers and maybe as the thread goes on post about the mag's comments which were very interesting.

Finally, let me say that the mag says, they could not get a 911 Carera due to availability. So they went with the Targe model wich is the same thing as far as specs, expect it is 150 pounds heavier. They were concerned about rigidity, but driving the car, they felt it was as rigid as the 911 Carera. I thought that was noteworthy (150 pounds makes a difference both in acceleration as well as braking - plus weight tranfer when turning from side to side I am sure). Anyway here are the numbers:

0-60mph

350Z= 5.8
M3 SMGII= 4.9
Z06= 4.5
911 Targa= 5.0
-----------------------------------------

1/4 Mile

350Z= 14.4
M3 SMGII= 13.5
Z06= 12.8
911 Targa= 13.5
----------------------------------------------

Lap Time

350Z= 1:40:06
M3 SMGII= 1:40:09
Z06= 1:36:50
911 Targa= 1:40:79
---------------------------------------------

Skidpad

350Z= 0.88g
M3 SMGII= 0.89g
Z06= 0.98g
911 Targa=0.92g
----------------------------------------------

Slalom

350Z= 67.3 mph
M3 SMGII= 68.8 mph
Z06= 67.6 mph
911 Targa= 65.5 mph
------------------------------------------------

Braking: 80-0 mph

350Z= 213 ft
M3 SMGII= 213 ft
Z06= 204 ft
911 Targa= 208 ft
---------------------------------------------

PRICE

350Z= $34,688
M3 SMGII= $55,695
Z06= $51,450
911 Targa=$84, 975
--------------------------------------------


Now this is the most interesting part of the comparo I think. The mag claims they found a way to measure "Performance Per Dollar". In the following math expression:

(A x B x SL x SK x L) / root of P

(Dont know what the root sign is on the keyboard sorry)

A= 0-60
B= Braking
SL= Slalom
SK= Skidpad
L= Lap Time
P= Price

Hey where is the 1.4 mile?

The result from the above expression is (larger= better):

350Z= 7.8
M3 SMGII= 7.6
Z06= 10.0
911 Targa= 6.1

 

 

Some interesting comments were:

THe Z was the easiest to drive fast without needing an acclamation with the car. Unlike all the other cars. The 911 was the second easiest.

The Z06 was not only the best performer but also the MOST COMFORTABLE CAR ON THE ROAD as well! They say, the Z06s have come a long way since the first year. Hmmm....

They said that the 911's interior quality was as good as that of the M3's. Give me a break. I dont think so.

 

Interesting how the 911 did not score below 5 in the Performance per Dollar with that sky-high price. I cant believe people buy those things. Sorry.

 

^^
obviously you've never driven a 911.

 

those 1/4 mile and 0-60 numbers look very high for the Z. I've seen time slips for 13.9 in the 1/4 and 0-60 is usually around 5.4-5 with a good driver. The Z06 is a great performer so long as you don't mnd your rear axle locking up at highway speeds... I'd take the M over any of these cars, then the porsche, then I'd pick my Z

 

Interesting, but there is no way in hell anyone could convince me to take the Z over any of the other 3 cars. Although it is being compared favorable w/ much more expensive cars, I still can't see spending 35K on the Nissan. Performance per dollar is interesting... but based on something like that formula, a Ferrari 360s likely going to finish last. Yet, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't mean jack to a Ferrari buyer. Somethings can't be measured by mathmatical formulas

 

i'm bout to go buy that mag, you cant match the z06 for performance to the dollar

 

so, the corvette was the best calculated car and the 911 the worst?

thanks.

 

again, the corvette Z06 proves itself to be just as good if not better than anything else remotely comperable to it.

that in itself speaks volumes....

i think its safe to say that the Z06 is the best bang for the buck in the automotive industry. and its an american car. everyone fucking hates on the american cars but you cant argue with a Z06 when it will bitch slap anything you own or drive

 

Sorry, I have not. I have driven a Boxster. That's the closest I have come.

 

And the interesting thing is that it has been out for 2.5 years (granted the first year was with 385HP). I think the only production car that woule beat the Z06 in the Perf. per Dol. is the new SRT4. Off the category, but still.

 

Hey! hey! hey! Those M3 numbers are BS! According to someone who owns a 996, the 996 DOMINATES the M3!!

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...threadid=93264

(can you sense the sarcasm?)

 

And not only in the STRAIGHT LINE. That's the most amazing part of all. Look at those braking numbers. Everyone swears by the Porsche and M3 brakes.

GM can build performance. And Vettes have also been pretty reliable. What they need to improve on is design and interior quality. And I think they are improving on both grounds in the near term. Interesting stuff coming from GM soon. I hope I am right.

 

how bout the new e55, that would be a close race vs a z06, and it would prolly beat the 385hp z06

 

i want a zo6 even more!

 

This is interesting, M3 vs 350z. The M3's 1/4 mile is a second faster, it brakes the same and handle better, but the Z had a faster lap time. Either they have issues driving the M3 on the track or they dont know how to launch the Z.

0-60mph
350Z= 5.8
M3 SMGII= 4.9

1/4 Mile
350Z= 14.4
M3 SMGII= 13.5

Skidpad
350Z= 0.88g
M3 SMGII= 0.89g

Braking: 80-0 mph
350Z= 213 ft
M3 SMGII= 213 ft

Lap Time

350Z= 1:40:06
M3 SMGII= 1:40:09

 

I'd take the M3 over all those cars. The Corvette is nasty and a great car but I just don't care too much for the looks. I guess I wouldn't mind any of those cars in my stable but If I had to pick just one then it would be the M3.

 

yea...buuuut i still REALLY like the m3...i just dont see the z06 is an everyday driver...ppl have said that the 6 speed is kinda hard to manage in normal traffic...plus the interior isnt all that great. Still...get some xenon lights in there, chrome 19s, black with zaino...and ill blow my pants as it drives down the street

 

Please post a link to this problem. I can't imagine it's a very common problem...................

 

If they use a 996 C2. The "Performance Per Dollar" is around 9. "Porsche, there's no substitute".

 

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD take your fraud ass somewhere else on the internet. You steal a dead guy's identity, lie about your cars, get busted for it, yet you still stick around. You have got to be the stupidest mother humper on the internet. Do us all a favor and pull the plug.

 

all the different z models vary by weight! track being the heaviest! I think the base model gets consistent 13.8's.

 

mmm...tasty, I would take the Z06 if I could drive a 6-9 month car. Who said it cant handle, if was only bested by one car(in the slalom, not the skidpad). Stopped shorter, ran faster, all of that.

Where is this story about the rear axle locking up at freeway speeds, I'd like to see it.

 

I wonder how an NSX would stack up? I guess not real good for a new one being that they are about 75K, but I bet a late model one around 50K would score pretty well.

 

u can't compare the e55 vs. corvette shit the e55 is like over 70g's loaded. yeah i have to agree, the SRT-4 would have to be the next best dollar for performance.

also the vette is light as shit, one reason why it brakes so well, also the z06 brakes kick ass.

one reason why the Z might have mid 14's 1/4 mile is its not that strong up top , they need vtec

 

the touring 6sp is the heaviest, the base has an open diff and narrower tires, so it would peg leg its way out of the start. and the track has lighter wheels, so i would think it would be the quickest.

 

I'd still either take the Porsche or the M3.

 

Honestly those Z times are what I've been seeing auto Z's run. It must have been a bad launch or something because those numbers just don't represent what the Z can actually do. The weight diff between the different Z models isn't enough to make that much of a difference btw. There's a 37 LB difference between the heaviest and the lightest Z (see below). The Z isn't at all weak up top either, it's got power evenly distributed throughout the entire RPM range. No huge peaks at max HP/TQ like that of the CLS. This will come in time though when all the turbo kits get released this april .

Curb Weights, 6MT 350Z:
Base:3,188
Enthusiast: 3,197
Performance:3,217
Touring: 3,247
Track: 3,225

 

This comparo reminds me of the article back in the day of the Supra TT -vs- Porsche 911 -vs- Ferrari.

The Supra TT was just a lil behind those two other cars. The article was about your bang for the buck.

If were talking strictly 'best of both worlds' the M3 wins hands down offering the most luxury as well as power.

If were talking strictly performance the Z06 wins.

The Z wins the best price but just like the supra comparo it's a question of 'status' and branding.

If were talking fun, I'd say the Porsche. Porsche is a FUN car to drive, unlike any other car I have had the privilege of fucking around in.

 

don't forget to add some type of modern auto or smgII to the vett. It should at least be a option???

 

Here are some scans

http://forums.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...=889571&page=1

The tire pressue on the front wheels of the M3 was too low, check out the rollover. That might be an explanation, or maybe the track just had no straightaways at all.

The M3 should be faster, IMO. But, the Z is a very impressive car and 3/100ths of a second is well within any margin of error. Besides, magazines are not the real world and I distrust US car mags...

 

Dunno, the SMG M3 is slightly slower than the Manual. They should have used a manual ///M3. Those times look about right (0-60 & 1/4)

 

Did they publish the source of the cars? Mileage? A ragged out and abused car won't give the best numbers.

Do they 'track prep' cars for the 1/4? Or run what they got at the time?

 

theres something fishy about that "performance per dollar" formula, wouldnt a longer braking distance as well as slower times result in a higher # using that formula? multiplying by larger #'s gives u a larger answer last time i checked

 

Maybe in the straight line but no way on the track.

 

350Z doing 14.4 in the 1/4 :thumbsdn:...and even the track model
I can beat that....Zeroday get ready to get owned at E-town. Shit I may not even put my headers in and take you with my SSRs Comps. only...this is gonna be easier than I thought

 

actually, hasnt EVERY single magazine published that smg is much faster (engage in 8/100 of a second or something). if the vette had smg...Chevy 4EVA!!!!

 

Oops.......

 

thats going to take one hell of a fiberglass dent puller to straighten that out


ooops