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Comments
The new Z is not on my current shopping list. But I am going to take one for a test drive as soon as it's available for the fun of it. I know the owners of a Nissan dealership who have promised to accomodate me. I will say that the estimated weight of 3200 lbs has also struck me as too high. Compared to a Boxter / Boxter S, S-2000, or even a 911, it's 300 to 400 lbs heftier. These are the pure 2-seater cars I think Nissan would have wanted to target, not the old overweight 300ZX of yesteryear.
Also, I wouldn't use BMW as a standard for weight efficiency. They are great cars (I may be upgrading my 540i to an M5 soon), but they have never been known for being light on the scales. The Z3 / M Roadster are downright too heavy for their intended purpose, IMO.
Final comment, I would be very leary of the 350Z as a convertible. Unless they are going to go with a completely different chassis design, the convertible version would likely end up at 3300-3400 lbs and have less rigidity than the coupe. Not a pretty sight.
Convertible - the last Z had a convertible near the end of its life. It was too expensive and heavy. It didn't look as nice as the Mitsu 3000GT Spyder (yes, the Spyder was way too expensive and heavy.) The convertible might go well agaisnt a Porsche Boxster though.
Actually, I've read Nissan's literature and they mention 7,500 cars for the first 90 day run (http://nissannews.com/cgi/frameset.pl?/corporate/news/2002speeches/reltim2002018160457.html). Depending upon demand that could change. At no point do they say that the 7,500 cars is for worldwide consumption. They give US pricing, not worldwide pricing. If you have an official quote from Nissan saying 30,000 worldwide, let me see it. I've only found a reference to 7,500 in the first 90 days (and they're giving US prices and equipment).
<<you are somewhat narrow minded but there is commerce outside the borders of the U.S.>>
How pejorative. Impressive.
<< On top of that, the pre-sell does not include the entire U.S. allotment for the 2003 model.>>
There's no way in hades the car will pre-sell its entire run. Even if it's only 30k for worldwide consumption, there will be Z's sitting on lots. It is afterall a Nissan. And I am a HUGE Nissan fan. The rest of the world doesn't share me love.
<< And while you are laughing..I see you have a VW Jetta, now that is funny. >>
By default I own a Jetta. No other manufacturer makes a fun, near-luxury car with some power - I tried the Rex but the interior is bargain basement, the Sentra SE-R's a joke inside and out, the IS300 is a dog, the Celica's cramped and the shifter notchy and the RSX is a rebadged Civic with honda's wretched i-VTEC. Currently the only car with any moxy and luxury in the Nissan line-up is the 02 Max SE manual. If Nissan hadn't abandoned enthusiasts over the past 6 years, I'd own a Nissan. Unfortunately, unless one wants a boat-like Maxima, there is no Nissan alternative that offers fun, speed and luxury.
-Carbon drive shaft.
-The new Z will be lighter than the previous-generation Z32, but it's still no featherweight. Many decisions which can affect the car's final curb weight still remain; preliminary estimates have the car at about 3,190 lbs, or about 300 lbs lighter than the Z32 twin turbo.
-In production trim, the VQ will make at least 280 hp. Given the car's current weight, a minimum of 290 hp is necessary if Nissan is to meet its goal of 11 lbs per horsepower. Considering the engine already makes 240 hp in the Altima and 255 hp in the Maxima, finding another 30 to 40 hp isn't an unrealistic expectation.
- Several changes will be made to bump power in the Z version of the engine. Since the Z's engine is longitudinal, it will receive a new intake manifold. The Z engine will get variable cam timing on both the intake and exhaust cams--the Maxima and Altima have this feature only on the intake side.
-Also likely is a change in the cam spec from that of the Altima and Maxima, but the 6500-rpm redline will remain. Two catalytic converters (one on each side) will be placed immediately after the exhaust manifold collectors in each downpipe.
- Nissan has settled on the dual exhaust exits in the rear fascia however, the exhaust is yet to be finalized.
- Farther down the drivetrain resides Nissan's new six-speed rear-drive transmission or five-speed manually shiftable automatic coupled to a rear-end housing with a viscous limited-slip differential.
- There will be significant changes to spring rates and shock valvings.
Nissan is too reluctant to reveal any detailed performance spec so far. I am sure there has to be a reason..... and we all will see once pre-orders arive...
One thing for sure, $50,000 worth of performance for $30,000! Uncommon on a car in this price range, Nissan has managed to cross-platform the exotic suspension bits with enough other cars so it can amortize development and production costs to give enthusiasts a true performance-car suspension for only slightly more than an economy car price.
Now lets here from the Z fans.
BYW, My personal policy is I never will pay sticker for any car.
However, I will never buy a car I do not have an opportunity to test drive, especially a hyped car, and I'm beginning to dislike the hype. "It's performance is unbelieveable!!! (but we can't tell you exactly what its performance is.)" seems to be their advertising campaign philosophy...
Back to the Z...
If anybody is starving for more power here's what you do. Stillen makes a supercharger for the Maxima which costs around $4,000. Since the Max and the Z share engines I am sure you wouldn't have a problem slapping the SC to the Z and watch out!.
Peace
Speed
sorry about being completely off subject.
Jim Xo, sphinx, do you want to be the first one to have La-man sunset performance in August if I change my mind?
On top of that we have Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS) to ensure accurate combustion timing and max power.
[FOLLOWING IS A QUOTE]
- High-efficiency intake manifold with equal-length intake runners
- 10.3:1 compression ratio
- Noiseless timing chain
- ETC (Electronic Control Throttle Chamber)
- Drive By Wire (my favorite!) for faster throttle response.
I wasn't knocking the maxima like I said. For what kind of car it is meant to be, it is great. But that still doesn't mean I would call it sporty. Its not a sporty car so not calling it that is not an insult.
I agree that the Maxima is "sportier" than its intended competition. It's no BMW 330 (and far from a boat), however it has great options, great power, will out-handle most in its class, and offers a manual transmission with a V6. I think the manual transmission is what gives it it's "sportiness".
So yeah, the maxima is the sportiest mid sized sedan for the money. Nobody else has even tried.
I'd take a base 325i over it for basic things like a real suspension, precise steering, and good tires. Someone please supply some empirical evidence that the Maxima handles well, because from driving impressions it sure doesn't.
Slalom, mph 58.10
Infinity I35 (the luxery clone of the maxima with a softer suspension) Motortrend Nov-2001
Slalom, mph 62.40
Look, it's not a 3-series. And no FWD sedan made by anybody else is, either. The 3 series is the premier SMALL RWD sedan in the world. But the Maxima is clearly the leader within it's class, IMO. No Accord, Camry or other Japanese offering has ever come close to offering the same "fun to drive" rating. The last R&T issue I have listed the 2000 Accord EX V-6 at a whopping 0.76g on the skidpad. My wife's Isuzu Trooper could almost match that (0.74g). The only FWD cars I have ever driven that I would concede as near equals against my 95 Maxima SE relative to handling are Audi A4 and VW Passat. Neither of which had anywhere near the power/acceleration at the time (1995), and still haven't caught up.
I know from your previous posts that you own a Prelude and are quite satisfied with it. However, with all due respect, you're living in a glass house when it comes to cars that are oxymorons. I've seen plenty of criticisms of the Prelude as being the best car in it's class - which is????? None. There is no such thing as a FWD sports car. It's too heavy for a sporty coupe. And on and on..
So, whether you personally consider the Maxima a "sport sedan" or not, I respectfully suggest reevaluating it against the true competition. I just had a buddy of mine over who got a new TL-S that he wanted to show off. After a few spins through my favorite test course, he conceded that my 7 year old, 120,000 mile 5-speed Maxima was the sportier feeling of the two. Albeit I conceded that his TL-S was smoother and quieter.
P.S. As for other's who suggest the new Altima may be a better handler than the current Maxima, you may be right. But I don't think by orders of magnitude. And if you can overlook the Altima's inferior interior, you are a better purist than me.
Does anyone know what specific engineering challenges there were in converting an engine from FWD duty to RWD duty? I would think it would be pretty tough....different transmissions, weight balance, etc.
but then again, I'm not an engineer
As for the Z, I'm looking forward to trying one on. That FM platform seems keen. Of course, I'll probably go G35 if the fun quotient is high enough.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
DL
Carbon fabric looks real good but spoiler sucks! This spoiler looks more like old infiti XJ?'s spolier.
Also, Ray's 18 incher looks lighter.
i currently drive a 96 240sx with 115,000 miles, and am considering the new z, howver dont think i want a car that rides much harder than my 240 (for daily driving). any thoughts on this?
i am pretty confident the new z will be fast, and handle solidly, howvr am curious about what the ride will be like!
P.S: Dat2, not sure about the ride since no demo Z will be at any dealerships. The owner will be the only one to drive the car.