Two guys at work are driving me nuts with this one:

350Z vs Porsche 911. Are there any videos with this kind of a race?

I know the 911 would clean up (equal drivers of course) and that they are really comparing apples versus oranges.

And what is the performance of a turbo/supercharged 350Z?

I need to shut these two up!

 

Actually, a 911 Carrera (non-turbo) wouldn't clean up a 350Z. Yes, the 911 is faster 0-60 or in the 1/4, but according to a R&T article, the 350Z actually beat the Carrera times around a track:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....ber=6&preview=

Here's their conclusion:
"Our Z Factor notes reveal that the 350Z gives away very little performance relative to its more costly competitors. What's not shown in the numbers is the overall ease with which the Z can be driven. Thanks to a willing engine and capable chassis, the 350Z makes it possible for impressive levels of performance to be accessed with minimal fuss.

Z buyers probably won't cross-shop M3s or 911s, but at least they can feel confident in knowing they're paying way less and still getting a whole lot for their money. As for buyers of these more expensive sports cars? It's hard not to respect Nissan's accomplishment, but they're probably fine with spending the extra cash for the added refinement their particular cars possess."


My thoughts: I'd take a 911 over my Z any day of the week, but the 911 won't wipe the floor with the Z. There's more to a car than just track performance, and that is where the 911 goes far beyond the Z.

 

but i would still get the NA 911 over 350Z tho.

 

Does the 350Z have better roadholding than the Porsche?

 

who wouldn't, but when buying a car I don't think many people compare a 80K+ car to a 30K one

 

[QUOTE=cusdaddy]Actually, a 911 Carrera (non-turbo) wouldn't clean up a 350Z. Yes, the 911 is faster 0-60 or in the 1/4, but according to a R&T article, the 350Z actually beat the Carrera times around a track:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....ber=6&preview=
the 350Z makes it possible for impressive levels of performance to be accessed with minimal fuss.

And

Z buyers probably won't cross-shop M3s or 911s, but at least they can feel confident in knowing they're paying way less and still getting a whole lot for their money.
QUOTE]

This is precisely why I bought the car. I read this article repeatedly, drove the car and bought one. I can mod it all day, have something you don't see everywhere and it will be plenty quick enough w/o expensive trips to the shop for maintenance. I love my Z, never thought I'd see the day I'd drive a Nissan being such a long time Honda owner tho.

 

I see Z's all over the place. Both Coupe and Roadsters.

 

True but its more of a theoretical comparison. Motor Trend attempted this in comparing the GTO with the CLK55 (same price as two GTOs).

 

something to chew on.........


-350z at it's limits where you extract full performance out of the car is much much easier to drive than 911 carrera.

911 2959lbs 315hp/273fltbs
350z 3249lbs 287/274


Sorry i don't buy it. Lighter car, more power....better platform, better weight distro for racing and he gets the 350z to perform better......not that i'm king of road racing but a better driver in a 911 would thrash the 350z.

 

I'd take the 911

then i'd sell it and buy the Z and a new Acura RL!!!

 

I understand the comparison, I was referring to oowindooo comment.

 

In certain tracks the fact that torque is about par will make these 2 cars show equal in track times. You are not at redline 100% of the time while racing on a track in order for that HP/weight advantage to show.

Plus it's not only HP and weight, it's also grip and overall suspension issues. Maybe the Z was wearing much stickier tires than the 911.

 

- 200 lbs?@#$ Yer kidding right......

- 911 is lighter so TRQ comparo isn't the same

- 911 has sticker tires than the 350z

- 911 is lighter and has more power so pretty much any track situation i can think of will give the advantage to the 350z unless the gearing in the 911 is completely whack......

 

The 911 Targa weighs 3119 (model tested in the comparo) so the weight difference isn't as severe as you say. Yes, the 911 Carrera is lighter. The Z is easier to drive on a road course due to it's near balanced weight distribution. The 911 is more of a handfull due to much of it's weight behind the rear wheels.

The Z got the same time around the track as an M3 according to the Top Gear show as well, so it's definitely competitive. I'm not saying it's faster, but it definitely is competitive.

 

-Some models of the 911 are lighter, some aren't. BTW, my Z weighs 3189, not 3249. The weight difference is negligable.

-How does the 911 have stickier tires than the 350z? The Potenza RE040's have approx the same dry traction as the tire options that come with the Porsche. All are high-performance summer tires.

-Weight balance and distribution play a very important part in the equation. Again, I'm not saying the Z is faster, just competitive

 

- ah didn't see that it was a Targa. Targe version is not a standard track version of the carrera in a much as standard 911. Welp....then to compare fairly one shold really be testing with the standard 911 carrera. R&T is kinda dumb for doing this.....obviously to have a headline 350z beats 911 headline to sell mags. Ugh.....


-not trashing the 350z in any way....just addressing the question from the original post. In the post he said 911....i have to assume just standard 911.

 

- Standard 911 is 3,020 lbs according to porsche.com. Still 170lbs heavier than your weight. 170lbs is ALOT...it's not negligable.....it would be VERY noticable in accel/braking/turning. Excellent example in road racing is the SpeedWorldChallenge. 170lbs in weight penalities really handicaps cars. Sorry, not buying it and refuse to believe how you could think 170lbs is neglibile.

 

I agree. I was talking about the weight of the Targa which the difference betwee the two was pretty small, but I agree that 170lbs isn't small.

 

yea my apologies for not seeing they were comparing the Targa; very stupid.