Z-licious: Autoweek does 350Z in "Track" trim

[NFS4]

Lovely rims, but I could do without the tiny spoiler on the back:

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=coverstory&loc_code=index&content_code=08714922

If this new Z is to be a worthy successor to the family name, it must perform, and this 3.5-liter V6 certainly does. We found the engine, pump-ing out 287 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque, to be terrific. There is plenty of torque down low and plenty of horsepower higher up in the rev range. Cruising along at about 40 mph, we experimented by shifting it into fourth, fifth, then sixth gear to see how much torque it had, and there was always something there. You don?t have to wait for the engine to hit a higher rpm before anything happens, as was the case with the previous 300ZX Turbo. Some may prefer more thrust at the top of the tach, but this engine left us wanting little. With a curb weight of 3247 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio works to 1:11.3. That?s not supercar territory, but compare it to the Porsche Boxster S at 1:11.7, or the Audi TT Coupe quattro (225 hp) at 1:14.6. The Z wants to run, and there?s plenty of room on the powerband to air it out.

 

[LAUST]

Awesome

But I would NOT want to change those spark plugs!!

Edit: Pretty good review, nice to see them pointing out Power to Weight ratio, I some some tguys who could learn from that

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: LAUST
Awesome

But I would NOT want to change those spark plugs!!

Edit: Pretty good review, nice to see them pointing out Power to Weight ratio, I some some tguys who could learn from that

Plugs still don't look as bad as say, an LS1 camaro.

 

[Draco]

There is a good write-up in the latest C&D too. Just got it last week.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Any plans for twin-turbo edition?

 

[Mister T]

I would rather have a 4 door G35...

 

[BigJohnKC]

Nice. I like the look. I'm sure someone here will buy one sometime soon.

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: notfred

Plugs still don't look as bad as say, an LS1 camaro.

The Dreaded Number 8 Plug!!

 

[thebestMAX]

Nice car but the $27,000 price tag didnt last too long, Did it? Ill bet very few are sold without the track option and that makes the car just a little pricey for what it is, IMHO.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: thebestMAX
Nice car but the $27,000 price tag didnt last too long, Did it? Ill bet very few are sold without the track option and that makes the car just a little pricey for what it is, IMHO.

I disagree. I'm betting that the Touring and Enthusiast packages sell the most. The Touring because it's the only one with leather, and the Enthusiast because it's the best combo of gizmos, performance, and value.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: thebestMAX
Nice car but the $27,000 price tag didnt last too long, Did it? Ill bet very few are sold without the track option and that makes the car just a little pricey for what it is, IMHO.

For the money it's rather hard to beat.

The Touring because it's the only one with leather

Ummmm, you can't get any other packages with leather? That sounds very ODD!

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: thebestMAX
Nice car but the $27,000 price tag didnt last too long, Did it? Ill bet very few are sold without the track option and that makes the car just a little pricey for what it is, IMHO.

I disagree. I bet most are sold are not the top of the line Track edition models. I'll bet the most sold are the Enthusiast and Touring Models, with the Base model coming up a close second.

I've actually been considering the Touring model that starts at 32 grand.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Mister T
I would rather have a 4 door G35...

I'd take the coupe.

 

[vi edit]

Ummmm, you can't get any other packages with leather? That sounds very ODD!

The touring is the only one with leather standard, and none of the sites I've seen have listed leather as an option. Edmunds just shows a nav system, side airbags, and an aerodynamics package as the only available options on any model.

Leather isn't very "sporty" so to speak. Take a turn too tight and you'll slide out of the seat, even with a well bolstered chair.

 

[CraigRT]

that car just kicks so much ass........

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Ummmm, you can't get any other packages with leather? That sounds very ODD!

The touring is the only one with leather standard, and none of the sites I've seen have listed leather as an option. Edmunds just shows a nav system, side airbags, and an aerodynamics package as the only available options on any model. Leather isn't very "sporty" so to speak. Take a turn too tight and you'll slide out of the seat, even with a well bolstered chair.

YOu can customize one at nissandriven.com!

 

[NFS4]

Wait til the convertible gets here for spring

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: NFS4
Wait til the convertible gets here for spring

I don't have much need or desire to have a ragtop. It's loud, and around here it's really only usefull about 5-10 days a year.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: AmusedOne

Originally posted by: NFS4
Wait til the convertible gets here for spring

I don't have much need or desire to have a ragtop. It's loud, and around here it's really only usefull about 5-10 days a year.

Here in NC, a convertible is good from March til October

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: AmusedOne

Originally posted by: NFS4
Wait til the convertible gets here for spring

I don't have much need or desire to have a ragtop. It's loud, and around here it's really only usefull about 5-10 days a year.

Here in NC, a convertible is good from March til October

here in texas its good until december. its still 90 in october.

 

[LAUST]

BTW, I'm not a big ragtop fan myself when it comes to performance cars, too much added weight...love em on summer days though if it's just a garage model cruizer

 

[vi edit]

BTW, I'm not a big ragtop fan myself when it comes to performance cars, too much added weight...love em on summer days though if it's just a garage model cruizer

Loose structural rigidity as well...that and they look bad after a couple years, cost more, and are marginally useful here in Iowa.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: LAUST
Here in Denver it's good till 6pm when the rain starts every night.

BTW, I'm not a big ragtop fan myself when it comes to performance cars, too much added weight...love em on summer days though if it's just a garage model cruizer

Depends on the car. The Corvette weighs virtually the same in coupe (3246 lbs) and convertible (3248 lbs) trim b/c the engineers designed the two side by side and engineered the platform to be suitable for open top operation. The convertible Vette is about dead even with the coupe for rigidity.

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Loose structural rigidity as well...that and they look bad after a couple years, cost more, and are marginally useful here in Iowa.

yeah, thats the prob with T-tops too, with the flex of high power cars after awhile the tops don't fit as good and begin to leak

Depends on the car. The Corvette weighs virtually the same in coupe (3246 lbs) and convertible (3248 lbs) trim b/c the engineers designed the two side by side and engineered the platform to be suitable for open top operation. The convertible Vette is about dead even with the coupe for rigidity.

I did not know that about the Vette

 

[Dark4ng3l]

But the base vette has a removable roof so it needs the same added rigidity as a convertible because it doesnt realy have a roof(the z06 is hardtop though)