DevonK

Well-Known Member
First Name
Take a guess
Joined
Mar 27, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
1,027
Reaction score
1,714
Location
Toronto
Car(s)
TBD
Daily life with the Z with Ben Hardy
That was worth it. He's owned the Supra, a Boxster, and several Mustangs, and prefers the Z as a daily to all of them. Wow. Between this and Topher's positive takes I am swinging back into the Z column and away from the (unobtainable right now) GR86.
 

because_murica

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2021
Threads
10
Messages
546
Reaction score
1,732
Location
'Murica
Car(s)
2013 Camaro SS-1LE
Occupation
Litigator
That was worth it. He's owned the Supra, a Boxster, and several Mustangs, and prefers the Z as a daily to all of them. Wow. Between this and Topher's positive takes I am swinging back into the Z column and away from the (unobtainable right now) GR86.
 

DevonK

Well-Known Member
First Name
Take a guess
Joined
Mar 27, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
1,027
Reaction score
1,714
Location
Toronto
Car(s)
TBD
Ouch, this is fairly scathing from Car & Driver. The part that stuck with me:

"It's an attractive proposition on paper and at first glance, but, as it turns out, the 2023 Nissan Z is not the budget world-beater Z-cars have been in the past."

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a39969206/2023-nissan-z-drive/
Well at least most of the weaknesses they found are readily addressed by an owner at little expense - use better gas and get better tires.

Personally I don't really want a car with Corvette-level limits because I want it to be playful at reasonable speeds on the street. Both TheTopher and Ben Hardy make this exact point in their reviews - the Z is not too much car for street fun.
 

DevonK

Well-Known Member
First Name
Take a guess
Joined
Mar 27, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
1,027
Reaction score
1,714
Location
Toronto
Car(s)
TBD
After watching/reading all of these reviews I'm left with the sense that the Z will be a great everyday driver and GT car but those looking for razor-sharp responses from their sportscar should probably look elsewhere - the twins at the lower end, Boxster/Cayman above.

Commentary on steering feel has been all over the map, garnering praise from some, critique from others. Most feel the car is easy to be playful with, but Cammisa doesn't see it that way.

Seems that the car's weight (and its nose-heavy distribution) is its major weak spot. Without going to a more expensive adaptive suspension, or spending more to further stiffen the chassis, anything Nissan might have done to further improve handling response (like using firmer shocks and springs and/or thicker ARBs) would have resulted in a serious and to them unacceptable degradation of the ride quality.
 
Last edited:

Denver the Last Dinosaur

Well-Known Member
First Name
Denver
Joined
Jan 28, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
690
Reaction score
743
Location
Gone
Car(s)
cardboard box
^ Yep. As one of the review videos said, the stock car models are for those driving on the street. Those wanting track cars will get the "Sport" and replace everything anyway. Then there will be the inevitable Nismo version (or at least Nismo add-ons) at some future point.
 

therumblewagon

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Threads
31
Messages
1,444
Reaction score
3,356
Location
California
Car(s)
CX-5, Elantra N
"Interior room is similar to the 370Z but seating position and outward view is greatly improved with a lower dash height. You can even see the Z’s broad hips in the rear through side mirrors, again another nice thought from the designers. Below, Rob (5’10”) and Tyler (6’5″) demonstrate headroom in the Z. Rob still has headroom with a helmet on and Tyler has a few inches of headroom as well"

1656205114387.png


As someone who is 6'6", this might be the best photo of the Z I've seen to date. Sure, it's a little tight, but if there's a will, there's a way!
 

Denver the Last Dinosaur

Well-Known Member
First Name
Denver
Joined
Jan 28, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
690
Reaction score
743
Location
Gone
Car(s)
cardboard box
Sports cars are rarely built for big people ... in height and/or width. :)
(Which makes you wonder why many of the American reviewers of the Z are big fat old guys.)
 
 





Top