A week with the Z

[DevonK]

Very interesting review from someone who has had a week with it, brings up a lot of pertinent considerations for ownership.

 

[trackratZ]

Good points from 20:55 on, too. I think they're in really different classes and market segments, BRZ/GR86 and the Z. If you're good with $50K+ and have the means to spend more on tires, brakes, cargo, e.g. transporting tires, and overall maint later on, I'd say it's well worth the performance, plus for Nissan fans for sure it's a win.

OTOH, if more budget minded, then the twins will be way more cost-effective long term for sure, just won't have nearly the same power.

 

[2017370ZBlack]

I run Conti ExtremeContact Sport tires (275/35R19 front, 295/35R19 rear) on the 5-spoke Nismo wheels and easily get 20,000 miles on them with pretty hard driving in hot Florida weather, and Florida often has high-friction pavements due to the frequent rains. You won't have to change the tires every 5,000 miles once you wear out the stock tires and go with better ones. I don't track the car but upgraded the Akebonos (same brakes as the Performance Z) with Hawk HPS pads, stainless steel lines, and Motul fluid, and the brakes will last for a very long time.

 

[TaroBaapG35]

He noted the tires are almost done, so that will have an impact on the ride/sound quality. I ditched the trash Bridgestone re050a pretty quickly for conti dws and pilot sports and never looked back.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

I think they're in really different classes and market segments, BRZ/GR86 and the Z.

I've said that all along that comparing the three cars is rather pointless. At the very least the Z is a 2-seater while the 86/BRZ is a 2+2 seater. Similarly comparing the Z with the MX5/Miata is rather pointless - one is a coupe and the other a roadster, which again are two different classes of sports car (maybe when the Z convertible comes out it would be a slightly better comparison, but they're still two different price brackets).

 

[jdm-rhd]

so tires and exhaust...most here would probably replace them anyways.

some road noise and uncomfortable seats i don't feel are deal breakers.

the weight? just add more powa

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

This car has just over 5000 miles on it and all four tyres are nearly bald.

Gee, I wonder why ... oh, wait ... it's a press car that's been thrashed to near-death by various previous drivers doing tyre-spinning 0-60 tests.

 

[jc604]

Gee, I wonder why ... oh, wait ... it's a press car that's been thrashed to near-death by various previous drivers doing tyre-spinning 0-60 tests.

exactly XD. small channel, so its expected. Just annoys me that they even send him one for a week

 

[Jagman2000]

Agree interesting points raised - also agree with the following comments on Bridgestone tires which I did a few years back - won't do that again. Halfway through the tread life I had had enough noise and got rid of them. What a relief. Ride quality was not that great either.

 

[BurninateZ]

Putting aside the obviously used and abused tyres he goes on a about, he makes some good points. I think a lot of it could be distilled down into do you want to buy a 50k car or a 30k car though. I don't for a second think that the Z (or any of its more direct competitors) offer the same value for money as the twins, but we'd all be driving corolla's if we bought cars on that basis.

I want a Z because it's a well rounded sports car without glaring deficiencies. I don't know how many more alternatives there will be before the new "affordable" ICE sports car is effectively extinct.

 

[FBD]

When I first started thinking about the twins I was like no way, ever. Then slowly watching review videos from competent reviewers and I can see that there is real track design power built into the twins. And they look good. Combine that with the fact that here in Canada when my allocation arrives it will be $70k CAD or just over due to luxury tax and you really start wondering about the value. For now, it is the stunning good looks of the Z. After all this is a car and I'm always looking back at my car. As well, the twins are a dime a dozen where I live. No wonder these kids keep putting different track spoilers on them just so they can still pick out there car in a mall parking lot. When you get a Z you can be assured that if you are driving one that you'll not be passing very many on your travels. Its a niche car. And I like that.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

When you get a Z you can be assured that if you are driving one that you'll not be passing very many on your travels. Its a niche car.

To begin with maybe, but there are a ton of 350Z cars on the road now and quite a few the 370Z (both partly thanks to second-hand imports from Japan). The New Z will be similar in a few years time, partly because it is "affordable".

If you really want something "niche" you'd need to get an older car, like my S13 200sx - I only occasionally see another one out on the roads around here.

 

[trackratZ]

I want the new Z because I've BEEN a Datsun/Nissan fan forever. So far the Z fits the bill although has lots of shortcomings when priced north of $50K for what technology it doesn't have, just not enough in the package. Still hyped up with the Sport and estimating my own upgrades. Good posts by those interested in the new Z from other makes, lots of comparisons and nitpicks. I hope the new adopters stick with it and we'll have a cruise someday or maybe gathering at Z Nationals.

 

[FBD]

To begin with maybe, but there are a ton of 350Z cars on the road now and quite a few the 370Z (both partly thanks to second-hand imports from Japan). The New Z will be similar in a few years time, partly because it is "affordable".

If you really want something "niche" you'd need to get an older car, like my S13 200sx - I only occasionally see another one out on the roads around here.

Not in the city where I live. I'm on the main strip on the beach and I saw a White 370Z about a month ago. But the twins are everywhere. You can see 10 a day.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

The BRZ/86 twins are everywhere because they're a good car at a "reasonable" price. The BRZ tends to be less seen simply because Subaru makes fewer of them compared to the Toyota 86 ... but it's near impossible to tell the difference, especially at a quick glance.

The 370Z isn't seen as much as the 350Z ... yet, but as second-hand ones become more available (as people buying new upgrade to the new Z), you'll start seeing more of them around, especially if like here there are lots of Japanese second-hand imports. I've already notice the car yard advertising has been fading out the 350Z and getting more 370Z cars recently.

The New Z will also become relatively "common" on the roads, especially when second-hand ones start hitting the marketplace and as Nissan updates it with newer slightly tweaked models. That's why if you want something fairly unique you would really either have to go hyper-expensive or old-skool ... how many Model T's do you see on the roads?