synth19

last time I let you drive my car.

Maximized

It really depends on what type of roadcourse it is. If the course is setup for high hp cars, such as Road America, the Supra will probably post quicker lap times. A track such as gingerman, rewards cars that are able to carry speed through the corners, which IMO the Z would post a quicker lap time.

A lot of people seem to forget though that the driver is the most important part in posting quick times. My friend had a professional driver doing testing last year at Gingerman and took out their tow vehicle(Cadillac Escalade). The pro was able to catch and pass a lot of the cars on the track, which included various Bimmers and Vettes. Motor Trend had Ron Fellows drive a bone stock Z06 around Gingerman and ran 1:33. My friend used to own the same car, but with Goodyear race slicks and PF pads and ran a best time of 1:32 on his lap timer. The difference between a real professional driver and above average SCCA racers or open lappers is huge.

importtuner

I've driven a Z, an STi, and a Supra. The Supra will walk all those cars above 80; I'm definitely with Srika on this one. But out of all the cars, I gotta admit the Z was by far the most fun!! Torque, N/A (it easily revs), the sound it makes, plus RWD rules!! The STi is no slouch either, I was soo freakin surprised on how hard it pulled to about 80~90mph. Unreal how quick that car is stock. By far the quickest feeling car I've driven; next to a BPU+ Supra! The Supra (stock 6-speed) didn't feel fast to me for some reason, but I knew it was because the speedometer was flyin, but it belongs in the highway; that's where it shines; in the upper rev band. But if I were to buy a car purely based on fun factor right now; it'll definitely be the Z!! I haven't felt more confident in any car, besides my R. Seriously for all you doubters out there drive em all and see for yourself!
-Justin

srika

first, and last, I suppose... I really didn't want to "go there"... ummm... I was coerced by "zeroday". so umm... I agree I like the low-rev torque of the Z. The Supra doesn't have much torque at low rev's.

cusdaddy

Compared to your old modified Supra, of course the Z will feel slow, but my point was not about how fast the car is, but that third gear acceleration in the Z is the strongest. It's far from slow, but again, no way near as fast as your old Supra.

cusdaddy

Again, as I said previously, only the 2003 model year Z has the bounce. The 2004 model got a redesigned suspension that eliminated it.

Finally, I drive the car every day, so I know what I'm talking about. If you don't believe me, read on my350z.com. It's NOT always present. It's only present under specific road conditions such as uneven pavement.

gavriil

Actually the Supra TT did hit $50K (and even more) in and around 1996. Srika might remember the infamous (for, at that time, current owners of the Supra TT) $10K drop in price by Toyota as a last effort to move the last of the Supras left in stock before the indefinate discontiuation of the car.

gavriil

Underpowered compared to a 13.1 in the 1/4 mile car, maybe. But in general, the Z is not underpowered. That engine is a beauty and the weight of the car and its gear ratios are also fine.

I mean come on. We call a mid 5s in the 60 car underpowered. Where has the world come to?

gavriil

I dont remember such good accolades for the S-TT by the press, but I dont doubt them either.

gavriil

I was trying to make 2 points:

1. Look at how tight the gear ratios are (by looking at the top speed for each gear)

and

2. Look at :
2a. 2nd gear topping at exactly 62 mph which is 100 k/h which is what Europeans measure accelration for
2b. Look that at the end of the 1/4 mile, the trap speed is just 2mph less than where 4th gear tops.

All of that is completely intentional by the Supra engineers. Bottom line? The car was geared for the ultimate times in acceleration measured by magazines. 0-60 mph, 0-100 k/h and 1/4 mile. In Europe they also measure 0-1000 meters which I am sure if we had stats of, it would also show intention with the gears ratios.

gavriil

You know the more I think about this the more it does not make sense.

A car that weighs 3500 pounds cannot do 0-60 in 4.6 and 1/4 mile in 13.1 with 320HP. Even with those ultimate gear ratios. This is more like 380HP.

Srika as an ex-owner, what have you heard about Supra TT engines being under-rated. If anything?

gavriil

Exactly. I was just going to...remind you of that...when I saw you mention its weight as a disadvantage above that above statement of yours.

gavriil

I am guessing what he menas and what I am trying to tell you also is that if you got the Z in a number of different tracks with cars like the 911, you'd be surprised at the results.

gavriil

I agree about the stiff ride of the Z. It's close to harsh, especially in the TRACK model.

gavriil

The only thing I can think of, of what might have happened with Srika and the 80mph+ run is the fact the Z's engine has a little bit of a weak spot at the top end of its rpm range. And if he hit 3rd at above 5K rpm, he may have gotten a little bit disappointed.

Or maybe there was something wrong with the car. Who knows.

gavriil

True and true to both paragraphs.

That's why I later wrote "a number of different tracks" so that we average out the "type of track" criterion and to the second paragraph: when we talk about a track comparo we keep the driver criterion/factor always constant, as a self explanatory rule.

gavriil

I cant disagree with the above.

One thing I remember about the Supra TT from magazine testing was the fact that the car was "tuned" to be really quiet for its class. That fact in itself takes away from the fun-factor of a...sports car. Not that there is anything wrong with a sports car being quiet. I for one, prefer it. That's one of the differentiators of a GT versus a sports car. The Supra is a GT, the Z is a Sports Car.

So your statement above, combined with what I remember reading from mag testers, make sense.

srika

yeah they were underrated.. it was making more like ~360 hp stock

srika

you're right, the Supra is a GT and Z is a sports car.

srika

I agree on this also, for instance the S2000 has much higher fun factor than Supra, esp the older ones with the 9k redline. And yes it was very quiet stock, too quiet for me but aftermarket exhaust solves that. Actually that was still relatively quiet, at least the exhaust I got, so one day I removed the cat-back portion of the exhaust (including muffler), now that was some fun factor.

srika

it was at the upper end of the rev's where the car seemed to be "running out of steam"... do Z peeps typically short-shift, then?

gavriil

350Z Coupe

The high performance Nissan Z®, which comes with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, has sold over 70,000 units since its introduction to the U.S. market in August 2002. The stylish, 287-horsepower 350Z continues the Z heritage of design, performance and value that has remained unchallenged since the original Datsun 240Z was introduced 35 years ago as a 1970 model. In 2005, the 350Z adds only minor enhancements.


Enhancements to the 2005 350Z Coupe:
· Standard Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
· Clutch pedal effort has been reduced for easier operation
· 5-speed automatic transmission features downshift rev matching
· Standard driver’s seat front and rear lifter
· Heated outside mirrors
· Faster navigation system processor for improved route calculation times
· Newly available Ultra-Yellow exterior color (Liquid Aluminum exterior no longer available)


350Z Roadster

The 350Z Roadster offers sports car lovers high performance excitement and dynamic driving experience, but with an open top. Featuring a power-operated soft top with glass rear window, the Z® Roadster is designed to transform from top-up to top-down in 20 seconds. The fully automatic soft top stows compactly under a lightweight tonneau cover, completely hiding the top when down. The Z Roadster will continue to offer the powerful 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 287 horsepower and 274 lb-ft torque.


Enhancements to the 2005 350Z Roadster include:
· Standard Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
· Clutch pedal effort has been reduced for easier operation
· 5-speed automatic transmission features downshift rev matching
· Standard driver’s seat front and rear lifter (except for net seat design)
· Heated outside mirrors
· Faster navigation system processor for improved route calculation times
· Newly available Ultra-Yellow exterior color (Liquid Aluminum exterior no longer available)



Source: Autospies

synth19

Stole these from another site... Can't really tell from these pics..but sorta kinda reminds me of my friend's S2k yellow....

acura1983

i dont like...in my opinioni'd get the standard Z

1SICKLEX

I like that color on the Z. The Axis Z with the yellow inside was nice when I saw it. good color for the car.
The convertible Z looks atrocious. It NEEDS the top, part of the distictive styling.

kumar6

that look kinda like orange juice....

kumar

Zoot

reminds me of a bananna from those "runts" candies

Silver™

Saw one tonight. Looked good to me.

Time For Sleeep

I dont' think I'd be able to pull off a yellow car. Just something about my skin color matching the body color of my car. Alil' off.

-The Z however... looks good, hard top and or convertible IMO.

brianlin87

iTrader: (1)

not bad

majesty

its alright

heyitsme

GARDENA, Calif. (September 16, 2004) – In 1970, the original Datsun 240Z changed the sports car landscape in North America with its ingenious approach to performance, technology and design. The Z®‘s rebellious spirit continues stronger than ever in 2005 with the arrival of a special 35th Anniversary 350Z offering 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Brembo® brakes, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, available two-tone leather-appointed seats and a choice of three exterior colors, including a new Ultra Yellow. The 35th Anniversary 350Z will also feature a higher level of horsepower.

nandowong

hot

Beltfed

05 Track Z to get 300hp..............guess the anniv model will as well.

cusdaddy

The Track and 35th Anniversay model are getting the slightly modified VQ engine that the 2005 G35c 6-speed will use but with 2 more hp. Sounds great at first, but there is a disadvantage.

The new VQ engine now has a 7000rpm redline vs 6600 for the regular VQ. It also has an increase of 13hp, (300hp vs 287hp) but it now loses 14lb/ft of torque (260lb/ft vs. 274lb/ft) compared to the regular VQ.

So basically, an increase of 13hp, but a loss of 14lb/ft of torque. I doubt this will do much to improve acceleration, and I think I prefer the regular engine with more torque, as 13hp can be gained through adding an aftermarket Intake & Exhaust with no loss in torque.

Maximized

I would have liked to seen a lot more power. 300 hp isnt going to cut it. I would have liked to seen 325 or more, which would put the car into the mid to low 13s.

cusdaddy

The document linked below details the power changes. The figures are located at the the top right of page 3. It shows the increase in HP to 300, but decrease in Torque to 260 for both the Track and 35th Anniversary model.

http://www.nissanusa.com/buying/Ebro...m_encoding=UTF -

Crazy Bimmer

Why they lower the torque? Is the VQ engine pushing to its limits with 300hp?

1SICKLEX

One of the reasons is car makers desires to publish and advertise peak horspower ratings. 7,000 RPM is a Honda engine. That is screaming!

Funny thing is this car and the new RL have the same power ratings from the same size engine.
3.5 liter V-6 with 300hp and 260lbs torque. I wonder where the RL makes it's peak power in the rev-line.

Considering the old 3.0 made 222hp and needed twin turbos to make 300 horses, the naturally aspirated 3.5 VQ making 300 horses is technology getting better.

The loss of torque has to be b/c the VQ can make more power at higher revs but loses torque.

Maximized

Those are 2 completely different engines.