What's Your Opinion On...

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CaptHamster
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CaptHamster
...the 350Z? Scrimped and saved and am looking at the 350...love the lines of the car, heard it handles moderately well and has a pretty good V6, but was wondering if anyone here owns one, or had any thoughts to share. I've got enough $$ for any model of the Z (Base, Touring, etc.) Anything to look out for, or would you just recommend a totally different car? TIA
 
I saw a magazine article comparing many performance cars' and crossovers' brakes. Can't remember which one it was. Either way, the NISMO 350Z had by far the worst brakes of the sports cars. They couldn't make it halfway through without suffering catastrophic brake fade. I'd assume the stock rotors were glazed almost immediately after a few hard stomps of the pedal. The Inifiniti FX45 did the same thing. None of the other brands did that, just the two Nissans. Hmm...
 
my best friend has a 350z touring, i've driven it a few times, and must say it's a cool car. GREAT power, with lots of torque, great on highways when passing is needed. The sound system is pretty good too. My only gripe is that i like cars to be roomier in the cockpit, of course this is pure personal preference but all in all it's not bad. I'm 5'8 and i felt the hood line was a bit tall for my tastes, but anyone taller wouldn't find itto be a problem. Reliability has been rock solid with this particular car so i don;t think you can go wrong with this purchase, good luck!
 
Thanks much guys. Havok_, can you remeber how the ride was? I've heard some pretty interesting things regarding the stiff sport suspension. As far as the cockpit comfort, I'm about 6'1 and a pretty big guy, so here's to hoping I'll fit! As far as the NISMO brakes, I probably won't even go NISMO on anything unless I have to, I'm just looking at this as a good, strong two seater for me. Oh, while I think about it, how are the safety features? i.e. airbags, ABS, TCS, etc?
 
There are several problems with the 350Z:

2008_Ford_Mustang_GT_front.jpg


2009-Dodge-Challenger-R-T-600.jpg


2007PontiacSolsticeGXP.jpg


...I'd be looking at that Ford pretty closely, particularly when they'll cut $1000 or more off the price these days...
 
Build quality isn't a concept Nissan is particularly good at either, I would be quite surprised if the Mustang GT was notably less reliable than the 350Z, and the Mustang GT handles pretty well despite its suspension (Not as good as the 350Z, but fairly close).
 
Toronado
Build quality isn't a concept Nissan is particularly good at either, I would be quite surprised if the Mustang GT was notably less reliable than the 350Z, and the Mustang GT handles pretty well despite its suspension (Not as good as the 350Z, but fairly close).
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I really thought the 350Z interior was much better, but in any case I don't really think someone in the market for a 350z wants a Mustang.
 
Perfect Balance
I really thought the 350Z interior was much better, but in any case I don't really think someone in the market for a 350z wants a Mustang.
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Depends. Early 350Z interiors, at least for me, looked like American garbage in much the way that our 2003 Altima's interior was. Horribly designed, poor plastic quality, terrible panel gaps. The Mustang's interior at the very least looks pretty nice, works pretty well, and overall gets the job done.

As for performance... Its a different game between them, but they're pretty close by days end. Granted, there is obviously a HUGE difference between the powerplants alone, but the figures are close.

At least for me, when you can get both of them in that $27-30K range, I'd hope that both are being considered heavily.
 
350Z? Not keen. I liked it when the original concept came out, but when I see them on the road I always think they look a little lardy.

Plus the GT Academy round 1 put me off them big style :sly:
 
I'm gonna admit, I've never been attracted to the Mustang. I come from a pretty much Toyota family (1990 Landcruiser and 2003 Avalon) and have been taught the ways and looks of the Japanese automobile:sly: I just think the 350Z was pulled off a little better than the Mustang, which to me seems like a poor attempt at retro-contemporary styling mix. The Z just looks a little more..."road car" than the slightly larger, slightly bulkier Mustang. That being said, I wouldn't complain if I had the 'stang, I just would prefer the Z. Also, I gotta go for the reliability.

P.S. - I don't care about interior styling so much as I do about functionality and quality of build
 
YSSMAN
There are several problems with the 350Z:

2008_Ford_Mustang_GT_front.jpg


2009-Dodge-Challenger-R-T-600.jpg


2007PontiacSolsticeGXP.jpg


...I'd be looking at that Ford pretty closely, particularly when they'll cut $1000 or more off the price these days...
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I'd look at the Solstice/Sky. The other two wouldn't even be on my radar. A Z will be much faster through twisty bits and barely slower when driving in a straight line. Maybe even faster than the Challenger R/T.

And are we talking new or used? If you are going to get one new, I would just hold off and wait until the 370z. (And then you'll have a car far better than anything badged SRT or SS. Or Ford.) Buying used I say go for it. If you plan on lots of hard driving, upgrade the brakes, which still don't fade half as much as thea Mustangs brakes. Otherwise keep it stock. Pay it off and trade for a used 2nd year model 370.

I have two gripes with mine:

Backing out of a parking spot in busy parking lots can be a hair raising experience.
It would be nice to go places with more than one other person. (Still not a big enough gripe for me to consider the style baron domestics.)
 
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I'd much rather have the Solstice GXP than a 350Z. Especially the new coupe version.
 
Rumple Foreskin
It can be outran on the freeway by a stock SRT Caliber. I don't care if you believe me or not, truth is that I did it.

Big problem.
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not really a problem at all. the driver wasnt putting much into it.

and of course then there is turning.

to OP: if the scary SRT Caliber actually registers as a problem, the Z will hit 100mph close to 2 seconds before the SRT.
 
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Bones Brigade
not really a problem at all. the driver wasnt putting much into it.

and of course then there is turning.

to OP: if the scary SRT Caliber actually registers as a problem, the Z will hit 100mph close to 2 seconds before the SRT.
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From a dig the 350 everytime. Go from a roll and see what happens. Unless you are exclusively a stoplight racer you will get beat everytime.

Don't under estimate the Caliber SRT, they are top end rockets.
 

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