350z - will I be disappointed?
Discussion
I'm looking for my next car now and am now in a position where I don't do many miles, so I'm considering the 350z. It's a car I've always wanted but the fuel costs have put me off.
I've read in-depth reviews of them and can't help but think I'll be underwhelmed by the performance. The engine although torquey, seems a bit lazy, and most people I've spoken to say it's much quicker than it feels. My last car was a MK2 Leon Cupra stage 1, running 300bhp. It was savage on WOT, but that was the only time I enjoyed it. I think a 350z would have much more presence and would feel a lot more special. I wouldn't have to wring it's neck to enjoy it, but I love having accelaration-induced whiplash.
If I'm honest I would prefer a blob eye STi or Evo 7/8, but the age/highly strung engine/high insurance combo puts me off a lot. Am I going to be disappointed with the 350z, or do I not need another turbo car?
Also, is there a noticeable difference in performance between the DE and RevUp models? DEs with GT pack can be had for £4k, and RevUps start at £6k. Is the difference worth the extra cost?
Just getting a feel for what others think before I test drive some poor bugger's car with no intention of buying
I've read in-depth reviews of them and can't help but think I'll be underwhelmed by the performance. The engine although torquey, seems a bit lazy, and most people I've spoken to say it's much quicker than it feels. My last car was a MK2 Leon Cupra stage 1, running 300bhp. It was savage on WOT, but that was the only time I enjoyed it. I think a 350z would have much more presence and would feel a lot more special. I wouldn't have to wring it's neck to enjoy it, but I love having accelaration-induced whiplash.
If I'm honest I would prefer a blob eye STi or Evo 7/8, but the age/highly strung engine/high insurance combo puts me off a lot. Am I going to be disappointed with the 350z, or do I not need another turbo car?
Also, is there a noticeable difference in performance between the DE and RevUp models? DEs with GT pack can be had for £4k, and RevUps start at £6k. Is the difference worth the extra cost?
Just getting a feel for what others think before I test drive some poor bugger's car with no intention of buying
I had one in 2007, it only lasted 9 months and 6k miles (fell foul to the discovery of sprog No.2 en route so was exchanged for a family car), I loved it but if you have a dodgy back, they are known for being a bit harsh on the lumbar spine...
There are probably alternatives but if that's what you want go for it, great fun in my experience. Not neck snapping, but it puts on speed nicely. Go drive one and find out if it's enough for you.
There are probably alternatives but if that's what you want go for it, great fun in my experience. Not neck snapping, but it puts on speed nicely. Go drive one and find out if it's enough for you.
it depends on what you have had before and what you are hoping to get from it.
Ive only had one 350-z when they were still quite new (it was 4 yrs old) and yes it was a big let down.
Was hoping for a modern Capri 2.8i with loads more power and sideways fun it felt quite slow, needed to be revved quite hard to get much out of it (dont mind that at all but just never felt quick). Also didnt feel nice inside, cheap horrible plastics and no rear seats. Should have been more fun. My old 200 Sx S13 and S14 were more fun,
Ive only had one 350-z when they were still quite new (it was 4 yrs old) and yes it was a big let down.
Was hoping for a modern Capri 2.8i with loads more power and sideways fun it felt quite slow, needed to be revved quite hard to get much out of it (dont mind that at all but just never felt quick). Also didnt feel nice inside, cheap horrible plastics and no rear seats. Should have been more fun. My old 200 Sx S13 and S14 were more fun,
I test drove one and it was extremely competent, almost too competent as you're not going to trouble it's limits on the road unless you're driving like a complete moron.
My main memory is that it felt heavy and didn't actually feel that quick - although a glance at the speedo showed that I was actually going much quicker than I thought.
I'd say it's a good car, but not as involving as I expected.
My main memory is that it felt heavy and didn't actually feel that quick - although a glance at the speedo showed that I was actually going much quicker than I thought.
I'd say it's a good car, but not as involving as I expected.
My old neighbour had one. I wasn't that impressed with it. My initial impression was that it wasn't that fast, and really didn't seem to like being revved out.
I thought I'd test that for myself. With an aftermarket exhaust, they can sound really gold for a V6. Handling is decent but it's neither playful nor ultra-precise. The weight of the car is palpable. I would go as far as to say it feels rather heavier than it really is. The mechanical grip seems massive. The engine isn't an inspiring thing to drive. The other controls felt good, and the seats were great. They're quick enough, but not fast, but they hide their speed quite well. You don't get the sensation of speed that you might expect.
I thought I'd test that for myself. With an aftermarket exhaust, they can sound really gold for a V6. Handling is decent but it's neither playful nor ultra-precise. The weight of the car is palpable. I would go as far as to say it feels rather heavier than it really is. The mechanical grip seems massive. The engine isn't an inspiring thing to drive. The other controls felt good, and the seats were great. They're quick enough, but not fast, but they hide their speed quite well. You don't get the sensation of speed that you might expect.
Loyly said:
My old neighbour had one. I wasn't that impressed with it. My initial impression was that it wasn't that fast, and really didn't seem to like being revved out.
I thought I'd test that for myself. With an aftermarket exhaust, they can sound really gold for a V6. Handling is decent but it's neither playful nor ultra-precise. The weight of the car is palpable. I would go as far as to say it feels rather heavier than it really is. The mechanical grip seems massive. The engine isn't an inspiring thing to drive. The other controls felt good, and the seats were great. They're quick enough, but not fast, but they hide their speed quite well. You don't get the sensation of speed that you might expect.
That is a very good description (better than I could have articulated) the end feeling was this V6 rwd powerful coupe did not deliver anything like what I was expecting, it was bland, numb, did not offer what you might expect.I thought I'd test that for myself. With an aftermarket exhaust, they can sound really gold for a V6. Handling is decent but it's neither playful nor ultra-precise. The weight of the car is palpable. I would go as far as to say it feels rather heavier than it really is. The mechanical grip seems massive. The engine isn't an inspiring thing to drive. The other controls felt good, and the seats were great. They're quick enough, but not fast, but they hide their speed quite well. You don't get the sensation of speed that you might expect.
The missus had one for 3 years and I drove it a lot. We took it across Europe on a road trip, getting to drive the main passes and drivers roads around the Alps, covering 4000 miles in 12 days.
As people have already pointed out, it feels heavy. That V6 feels like a big old lump and the car has a tendency to feel weighty, especially in rapid direction changes. I'd say that it drives more like a muscle car than a sports car overall. Compared to my RX-8, my Porsche 944 or the wife's MX-5, it felt really sluggish at times.
That said, I never felt like it was slow. It was possible to break traction in 3rd if you were too heavy footed with it, even in the dry and with decent rubber. In a straight line it was pretty fast, and felt decently planted. We had our asses handed to us by a pair of Mk2 Focus RS when playing around on the German autobahn, but most of the time it was reasonably speedy. Ours had a Cobra exhaust system and the noise was utterly epic. In fact, that was my favourite part of the car, the noise it made.
Compared to the wife's Impreza, there was no shove. The power delivery from the engine is pretty linear, and so nothing approaching the push you get from a spooling turbo. If you like that, then you'll probably find the 350 lacking.
It also cost a fortune to run. We had endless problems with the hood, with the suspension and it chewed through tyres. There always seemed to be some little niggly thing or another needing doing, but we may just have been unlucky.
Would I buy one? Nope, probably not. Too heavy, too costly and there is better available at the price. I still miss that noise though.
As people have already pointed out, it feels heavy. That V6 feels like a big old lump and the car has a tendency to feel weighty, especially in rapid direction changes. I'd say that it drives more like a muscle car than a sports car overall. Compared to my RX-8, my Porsche 944 or the wife's MX-5, it felt really sluggish at times.
That said, I never felt like it was slow. It was possible to break traction in 3rd if you were too heavy footed with it, even in the dry and with decent rubber. In a straight line it was pretty fast, and felt decently planted. We had our asses handed to us by a pair of Mk2 Focus RS when playing around on the German autobahn, but most of the time it was reasonably speedy. Ours had a Cobra exhaust system and the noise was utterly epic. In fact, that was my favourite part of the car, the noise it made.
Compared to the wife's Impreza, there was no shove. The power delivery from the engine is pretty linear, and so nothing approaching the push you get from a spooling turbo. If you like that, then you'll probably find the 350 lacking.
It also cost a fortune to run. We had endless problems with the hood, with the suspension and it chewed through tyres. There always seemed to be some little niggly thing or another needing doing, but we may just have been unlucky.
Would I buy one? Nope, probably not. Too heavy, too costly and there is better available at the price. I still miss that noise though.
I had one for 5 years and throguhly enjoyed it, but it was certainly more a GT than an out and out sports car. That said, it could be pretty tail happy when pushing on, so you could have a lot of fun in it, but it wouldn't be the fastest car point to point.
In 2007 they introduced a new engine (identifiable by a bonnet bulge). Never drove one, but by all accounts noticeably quicker than the earlier engines. Mine was definitely a quick car though, but the tall gearing and linear power delivery means they don't feel as quick as you expect them to.
They are very much marmite cars, so you really need to go and test drive one to make your mind up.
In 2007 they introduced a new engine (identifiable by a bonnet bulge). Never drove one, but by all accounts noticeably quicker than the earlier engines. Mine was definitely a quick car though, but the tall gearing and linear power delivery means they don't feel as quick as you expect them to.
They are very much marmite cars, so you really need to go and test drive one to make your mind up.
I've driven one, it felt great at low speed - good steering weight, good shift, reasonably torquey but it never felt quick or really special. You may like it but coming from a relatively hardcore car to the 350z made it feel rather boring.
In summary a good car but not a great, drive one and decide for yourself.
In summary a good car but not a great, drive one and decide for yourself.
You'll love it, had mine almost 2yrs and still puts a smile on my face every time that big V6 fires up!! With an aftermarket subtle exhaust system, the sound at all rpm's is pretty hard to beat. Looks wise, they still look smart and more grown up than some S14's or similar priced hot hatches.
Ive had min on track a few times and it keeps up nicely, great balance and strong brakes (R34 Skyline GTR setup as standard) They don't feel fast until you look down at the speedo and think flip me three figures that easy. Table top flat lb-ft curve hides the sense of shove, these engines make as much torque at 2200rpm as they do at 6000rpm+ The controls, so steering, clutch and gears are weighted by design, however when pushing on all these things come of benefit.
Also in standard trim back in the day these did a 8:26 at the nurburgring, which even today is very good going imo. Tsukba lap time also a tiny bit slower than an NSX also, however quicker than a S2000 or DC5 Integra which by comparison is an all out track car for the road in its day. Don't buy the convertible, its a fair bit heavier and of course therefore slower and handles nowhere as good.
Ive had min on track a few times and it keeps up nicely, great balance and strong brakes (R34 Skyline GTR setup as standard) They don't feel fast until you look down at the speedo and think flip me three figures that easy. Table top flat lb-ft curve hides the sense of shove, these engines make as much torque at 2200rpm as they do at 6000rpm+ The controls, so steering, clutch and gears are weighted by design, however when pushing on all these things come of benefit.
Also in standard trim back in the day these did a 8:26 at the nurburgring, which even today is very good going imo. Tsukba lap time also a tiny bit slower than an NSX also, however quicker than a S2000 or DC5 Integra which by comparison is an all out track car for the road in its day. Don't buy the convertible, its a fair bit heavier and of course therefore slower and handles nowhere as good.
Edited by davey83 on Wednesday 21st June 13:26
Edited by davey83 on Wednesday 21st June 13:40
one bit of advice on these, I heard it on the forums.
Basically when you go to check the car over make sure it has an OEM exhaust and the wheels arent painted
What I mean by that is actually open your eyes when you look at the car
equally, if you intend on getting a mechanical inspection from your mate, perhaps do it before you buy it, unless of course the car isnt as quick as a focus and you need reasons to attempt to return the car to the dealer
Basically when you go to check the car over make sure it has an OEM exhaust and the wheels arent painted
What I mean by that is actually open your eyes when you look at the car
equally, if you intend on getting a mechanical inspection from your mate, perhaps do it before you buy it, unless of course the car isnt as quick as a focus and you need reasons to attempt to return the car to the dealer
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