R&T: Nissan 350Z vs. BMW M3 SMG2/Corvette Z06/Porsche 911 Targa

[GTaudiophile]

The March 2003 issue of Road & Track article, "David and the Goliaths" pits the Nissan 350Z against the BMW M3 SMGII, Corvette Z06, and Porsche 911 Targa. I'm about to start reading it...details to follow...

 

[StageLeft]

Well considering that the 350z is _significantly_ cheaper than the others it's not so fair a competition. Here is a competition: take the difference in price between the 911 and the 350z and sink that into effective performance mods on the 350z and see who wins!

 

[Viper GTS]

They test a 911 but not a Viper?

Viper GTS

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Well considering that the 350z is _significantly_ cheaper than the others it's not so fair a competition. Here is a competition: take the difference in price between the 911 and the 350z and sink that into effective performance mods on the 350z and see who wins!

They are taking price/performance into account.

 

[boyRacer]

I think the Z lost in every test except for price... ...and it was almost tied or tied with one other car for braking distance.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Edit: Actually, looking at the graphs, the Corvette wins in terms of "performance per dollar." The 350Z did have the second-fastest lap time and was really only knocked for its cheap-looking interior.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Well, in terms of price/performance, the Nissan wins. It takes the cake in terms of its "confidence-inspiring" handling. It doesn't oversteer or understeer as much, and for the average driver, it's safer in that respect. It almost sounds too tamed in some ways.

I've never seen so many Zs in one day as I did yesterday... i must've seen 10 at least... Well... if that car has to survive they have to be 'cheap'... so much for the exclusivity.

 

[dirtboy]

While the 350Z is cheaper, I'm not impressed with the interior and I'm not sure how much I like the exterior. Even though I've never drived a 350Z, I have ridden in the G35 coupe.

I'm taking the M3 as the winner of this comparison. Looks like I need to go pick up this month's R&T.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Well considering that the 350z is _significantly_ cheaper than the others it's not so fair a competition. Here is a competition: take the difference in price between the 911 and the 350z and sink that into effective performance mods on the 350z and see who wins!

They are taking price/performance into account.

No details yet???

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
They test a 911 but not a Viper?

Viper GTS

What, a Chrysler?

 

[BatmanNate]

The Viper would dominate.

 

[GTaudiophile]

0-60 MPH
Nissan 350Z Track: 5.8s
BMW M3 SMG II: 4.9s
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 4.5s
Porsche 911 Targa: 5.0s

1/4 Mile
Nissan 350Z Track: 14.4s
BMW M3 SMG II: 13.5s
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 12.8s
Porsche 911 Targa: 13.5s

Lap Time
Nissan 350Z Track: 1:40.06
BMW M3 SMG II: 1:40.09
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 1:36:50
Porsche 911 Targa: 1:40.79

Skidpad
Nissan 350Z Track: 0.88g
BMW M3 SMG II: 0.89g
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 0.98g
Porsche 911 Targa: 0.92g

Slalom
Nissan 350Z Track: 67.3mph
BMW M3 SMG II: 68.8mph
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 67.6mph
Porsche 911 Targa: 65.5mph

Braking: 80-0 MPH
Nissan 350Z Track: 213 ft.
BMW M3 SMG II: 213 ft.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 204 ft.
Porsche 911 Targa: 208 ft.

Performance Per Dollar
Nissan 350Z Track: 7.8
BMW M3 SMG II: 7.6
Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 10.0
Porsche 911 Targa: 6.1

PPD = (A x B x SK x L)/P^(1/2)

A: acceleration to 60
B: braking
SK: skidpad
L: lap time
P: price

------------

So, looking at all that, here are my rankings:

1) Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2) Nissan 350Z Track
3) BMW M3 SMG II
4) Porsche 911 Targa

 

[ElFenix]

Z06 pwns!

 

[jteef]

whats up with the slooooooow 1/4 mile?

 

[Bignate603]

The Z06 DOES own, american engineering ain't all that bad

 

[GTaudiophile]

Where's NFS4?

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Where's NFS4?

At the Chevy dealership eyeing a Z06.

 

[flot]

That pretty much sums up my feelings about the 350Z. It just wasn't fast enough. I was on the preorder list for months, and when I finally got to drive one - gave the car back to the dealer. A 14.4 quarter mile is quick, but you can easily get low 13s out of a 300ZXTT so why pay $20k more to get there a second slower??

 

[BigSmooth]

This article is online now.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/roadtests/ArticleDisplay.asp?ArticleID=468

Interesting read.