(Hagerty) How fast is the new $50k Nissan Z? — New Z vs Supra vs Mustang Mach-1

[takemorepills]

Obviously hard to tell without driving it, but my impression from the videos/reviews so far is that the traction issues are primarily tire design and LC/drivetrain tuning, as it seems like Nissans LC controller is pretty liberal with amount of tire spin it allows. I wouldn’t think it’s due to chassis as SG’s tech review pointed out significant changes were made in the rear to handle the extra torque.

I’m also wondering ? why Nissan chose not to use the GTR-grade Dunlops from the late model 370Z NISMOs. The slightly wider rears would surely help traction and I had thought it’s a better tire than the Bridgestones. They do wear very quick though, so that could be why.

What I meant about chassis is more accurately rear suspension geometry.
This is where Nissan might be weak. When a vehicle is putting down respectable power, the suspension geometry of the driven wheels is very important.
I believe the Focus and CTR both used trick suspension geometry to help with all the power they made.

I did see that Nissan braced up the rear, which is good too. But not much different about the rear suspension geometry.

 

[jdm-rhd]

hated seeing this vid...was so hoping the Z would fair better.

maybe with better tires and upgraded suspension it could be a contender...

 

[Raven1]

What I meant about chassis is more accurately rear suspension geometry.
This is where Nissan might be weak. When a vehicle is putting down respectable power, the suspension geometry of the driven wheels is very important.
I believe the Focus and CTR both used trick suspension geometry to help with all the power they made.

I did see that Nissan braced up the rear, which is good too. But not much different about the rear suspension geometry.

With More and More information coming out the suspension is not a direct carry over from the previous iteration Z car, with 80% of the suspension being redesigned with much of the focus going to the front end geometry. I wish we had specifications on what redesigned on the rear to either enhance or go the other way and mitigate the traction issue. I'm hoping it is minimal as Z cars in the past have had 1000whp and not too many noted traction issues.

What I'm hoping for is it is a simple sway bar, coil, wider tire & wheel combination to transmit applicable power down to the road with little to no breakage of traction. But then again, with this car, breaking traction and swinging the rear sideways was a fun aspect of driving it, LoL.

Or maybe it's engine management and it's all ECU traction control issue.

Or maybe it's transmission valve body and shifting.

Awww Shet, I'm going to put myself in the corner and over think this again . . .

 

[Raven1]

Honestly tho, just want to finally get mine and have fun figuring it out with the rest of us out there / on here. The best part about Z forums is how helpful and knowledgeable everyone is and how willing to help out everyone is . . .

 

[Z_Coastal]

Drag races are not important to me. I want to read more about the on-centre feel of the steering that has been critiqued by some reviewers.

 

[Lvckv69]

When looking at some of the more difficult cars to obtain - the Dealers just do the opposite - basically its all about the agreed upon financing and running the credit unless you pay cash - and then FINALLY - you can then test drive to see if that ‘hard inquiry’ was worth the hype. Regardless I would hope people would look to test drive it before purchasing. Heck - wait a year and all the ‘early clout fools’ will trade it in and you’ll get a no hassle test drive at CarMax.

No need to test drive it. I used to own a 370z so for me there is no difference.

 

[trackratZ]

Amazed so many comments on this thread. There's just too many variables, tires, trim, weight, options, for a real apples-to-apples comparison, and only one part of performance - drags. Like they say "Wait for it"

Except that offer by @rocksandblues best post yet! ?

 

[AlphalphaMale]

I don't understand the point of this argument. You can do a lot of things to a car by dumping money in it but it still doesn't change the fact that the car from factory underperforms compared to cars in the same-ish price range. There are just as many people who don't want to touch the tune and stuff as people who will dump money to the car to make it a street race hero, especially when straight line performance is literally the first thing that 99% of the people care about.

And especially when the things you feel the need to do to the car void your warranty.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

No need to test drive it. I used to own a 370z so for me there is no difference.

There's ALWAYS ALWAYS a need to test drive.

Although the new Z is based on a lot of the old 370Z, there are also lots of differences. Even at the most basic level, the styling changes to the body may mean you find it more difficult or easier to see out of.

 

[DevonK]

If you actually, like, you know, want to own this car in the next 18 months, good luck getting a test drive.

I wonder if dealers will allow you to decline your nationally reserved car based on a test drive when it actually arrives. I doubt it.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

So, you get the car later. Big whoop-de-doo. Other than a massive show-off / ego-boost, there's no actual need to be "first", plus it allows Nissan to fix any problems. That's why you never buy version 1.0 of anything, you always wait for at least version 1.1.

 

[Lvckv69]

if the recession hits in '23, it will be a good time to buy cars

 

[DevonK]

So, you get the car later. Big whoop-de-doo. Other than a massive show-off / ego-boost, there's no actual need to be "first", plus it allows Nissan to fix any problems. That's why you never buy version 1.0 of anything, you always wait for at least version 1.1.

Which is what the "new" Z is - OK maybe a version 2.0.

Getting the car a year or two later is not always an option for some - they need a car soon, and buying an interim vehicle doesn't make any financial sense or is just not possible. Not everyone is sitting on half a mil in cash assets grabbing every new interesting car that comes out lol.

 

[jezzza]

So, you get the car later. Big whoop-de-doo. Other than a massive show-off / ego-boost, there's no actual need to be "first", plus it allows Nissan to fix any problems. That's why you never buy version 1.0 of anything, you always wait for at least version 1.1.

I'm pretty far from egotistic but I'll happily be the guinea pig.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

grabbing every new interesting car that comes out

Unfortunately that's precisely what too many of these "must be first" fools do. They simply have to have the latest toy on the block and in a couple of years they'll be selling off their "must have it now Z" for whatever is then the new toy on the block (the new Honda S2000 perhaps, probably electric / hybrid). You just have to watch some of these review videos when they're talking of the cars they've actually owned ... "I had a 3670Z", "I had a Mustang", "I had a Corvette" ... they upgrade their cars almost as quickly as their cellphones. They aren't really interested in the actual car at all, but simply the bragging rights to be first of their friends to own each one.

And then they keep complaining about every tiny detail that doesn't fit their ideal. If they'd have waited sensibly, they would have known the details and wouldn't have wasted their money.

This also then creates a false demand, which often means higher prices (especially in America with their wacky system of letting dealers basically charge whatever they want).

The only bonus is that it does enable people who can't afford brand new to still be able to buy one second-hand in a couple of years time.