Spent weekend with the new Z (Sport AT) -- my impressions / review

[takemorepills]

Out of curiosity how hard do you think the car would have to be pushed in order to get the loss of traction and wheel spin you mentioned? Would moderately hard spirited driving still feel safe with the open diff in your opinion? Wish I could find one to drive and get a feel for it myself lol

"Safe"? Open diffs are "safer" for the vast majority of drivers.

It just sucks when they one-wheel-peel, but that's not unsafe.

You'll rarely see drifters using open diffs, they resist sliding around

 

[Valaroth]

Good subjective review, thanks! Sure looks like a good road car with more than enough power, if that's all it can deliver in Sport trim, nothing more worth mentioning for the interior and audio. Definitely not quality on par expected in a $40K+ car, but hey it's a Nissan 'Z'. I'm not sold yet.

I’m with you. I honestly think I’ll probably own one of these, this generation. I imagine a few of these gripes will be addressed in the 2024MY and beyond. It’s just too cool of a car. I did not expect to love looking at it or driving it as much as I did.

 

[Valaroth]

Out of curiosity how hard do you think the car would have to be pushed in order to get the loss of traction and wheel spin you mentioned? Would moderately hard spirited driving still feel safe with the open diff in your opinion? Wish I could find one to drive and get a feel for it myself lol

I mean, I don’t think it was ever a surprise. It’s surprising how much speed you pick up, but not how it delivers the power. I purposefully kicked the backend out with gas and steering alone. 85%-Full throttle will chirp the tires / spin them. I imagine an amazing set of tires would make a massive difference in every performance category more than the LSD will, but a midrange trim level that comes with the LSD would definitely be a welcome one.

To answer your question though, I felt very confident driving with spirit. Adrenaline is on-tap any time you want it.

I did not push it in the rain at all, however. Haha

 

[siggy]

Well, to be fair, I wouldn't even consider a modern Mazda.....

Really? They’re like luxury vehicles these days. Pretty darn nice inside and way better exterior aesthetics than most of the other manufacturers.

 

[Valaroth]

Really? They’re like luxury vehicles these days. Pretty darn nice inside and way better exterior aesthetics than most of the other manufacturers.

I completely agree. I bought mine because it’s the most balanced vehicle in terms of priorities I’ve ever driven. Anything that’s better than it is either way more expensive, or has to make sacrifices in one department or another. ?

 

[ceric]

I completely agree. I bought mine because it’s the most balanced vehicle in terms of priorities I’ve ever driven. Anything that’s better than it is either way more expensive, or has to make sacrifices in one department or another. ?

I got four Mazdas in my house. I voted with my hard-earned dollar.
Tried to buy myself a Nissan since .... still waiting.

 

[Valaroth]

I got four Mazdas in my house. I voted with my hard-earned dollar.
Tried to buy myself a Nissan since .... still waiting.

Which four? Haha
I’m just so happy that my Mazda has enough of literally everything to put most things to shame. Aesthetics, design, technology, performance, practicality, comfort, safety, reliability, value.

I’ve been a Nissan fan since I was a kid — because they represented affordable sportiness to me. The Z’s punched up, the GT-R dominated everything when it came out… I hope they can recapture some of that magic and get the formula just right with the next model year of the Z, and the next gen GT-R.

 

[takemorepills]

Really? They’re like luxury vehicles these days. Pretty darn nice inside and way better exterior aesthetics than most of the other manufacturers.

The turbo 2.5 is a huge letdown. 310tq and only average acceleration....

I'm spoiled by my previous mk7 GTI.

 

[takemorepills]

I tried to like the new Mazdas, I checked if they can be tuned, what I saw is they're resistant to tuning, and AT only for the 2.5T.

If nice were my main concern, I'd be more inclined to get a Civic hatchback

 

[2017370ZBlack]

Upgrading the stereo in the 370 base was easy. I have a Kenwood eXcelon head unit with Android Auto, front and rear cameras that can be turned on at any time (so I don't bang the carbon fiber lip in a parking lot), Morel 2-channel amp, and Focal speakers in the doors and tweeters in the dash. No need for a sub and amazingly good soundstage. The amp and crossovers are under the flat portion behind the seats. Upgrading the Z would be similar. I don't mind that Nissan kept things like the window up/down switches on the door the same. I just ordered a set of the new door scuff protectors they are offering for the Z for my 370, LOL. Should be here in the next day or two.

 

[takemorepills]

Upgrading the stereo in the 370 base was easy. I have a Kenwood eXcelon head unit with Android Auto, front and rear cameras that can be turned on at any time (so I don't bang the carbon fiber lip in a parking lot), Morel 2-channel amp, and Focal speakers in the doors and tweeters in the dash. No need for a sub and amazingly good soundstage. The amp and crossovers are under the flat portion behind the seats. Upgrading the Z would be similar.

The 370 utilized standard DIN mounting if it doesn't have navigation.

The new Z will be like my Q60, integrated head unit without many options to upgrade. Buy the one you want....

I am not certain that the aftermarket will provide options if Nissan doesn't make enough Z's for it to be worthwhile.

Fortunately, since the audio out from the stock infotainment in my Q is clean, there's no need to replace it.
However, most manufacturers have weird signal processing or fiber optic in their infotainment systems meaning you need expensive adapters and post processing to clean up the signal

 

[Valaroth]

The turbo 2.5 is a huge letdown. 310tq and only average acceleration....

I'm spoiled by my previous mk7 GTI.

I tried to like the new Mazdas, I checked if they can be tuned, what I saw is they're resistant to tuning, and AT only for the 2.5T.

If nice were my main concern, I'd be more inclined to get a Civic hatchback

Fair criticisms — and to each their own! Balance was my main concern. With 93 octane, the 2.5T is deceptively quick —250hp and 320tq. Stock for stock it outperforms most things in its price range, and I’ve seen the tuned 3 hit 60 in 4.9 seconds.

I recognize I’m defending my own purchase (lol) 320tq* stock is class-leading (on premium gas). 6 speed AT is what it is, not bad/not great — same for torsion beam rear suspension. But all is reliable as all get out. And I’ve been in the new Civic. Still prefer the cabin and tech and all in the Mazdas. Not sure there’s a better looking interior/exterior design out there in the range.

The new Z stomps everything we’re talking about, performance-wise. I just wish it didn’t sacrifice anything other than cargo space and number of seats. Haha

 

[takemorepills]

Fair criticisms — and to each their own! Balance was my main concern. With 93 octane, the 2.5T is deceptively quick —250hp and 320tq. Stock for stock it outperforms most things in its price range, and I’ve seen the tuned 3 hit 60 in 4.9 seconds.

I recognize I’m defending my own purchase (lol) 320tq* stock is class-leading (on premium gas). 6 speed AT is what it is, not bad/not great — same for torsion beam rear suspension. But all is reliable as all get out. And I’ve been in the new Civic. Still prefer the cabin and tech and all in the Mazdas. Not sure there’s a better looking interior/exterior design out there in the range.

The new Z stomps everything we’re talking about, performance-wise. I just wish it didn’t sacrifice anything other than cargo space and number of seats. Haha

Ok, share the tuning info with me! When I researched earlier this year, I hit a wall. I couldn't find anything like what can be done with Honda, Nissan, VW and up until recently, BMWs. Those cars (when turbo version) have been enjoying very cost effective, significant upgrades.....

 

[Valaroth]

Ok, share the tuning info with me! When I researched earlier this year, I hit a wall. I couldn't find anything like what can be done with Honda, Nissan, VW and up until recently, BMWs. Those cars (when turbo version) have been enjoying very cost effective, significant upgrades.....

He lists the mods in the description — I’m planning to do the BMS cold air intake and JB4 next year, along with some new tires.

 

[takemorepills]

He lists the mods in the description — I’m planning to do the BMS cold air intake and JB4 next year, along with some new tires.

They have JB4 for it now?