Finely tuned for enthusiasts: the all-new Nissan Z

[Donalex]

It's not a miss if the car remains true to it's heritage, that of a GT.

It's easier to go from soft to stiff, than the other way around. TWSS

 

[71zman]

Did anyone catch the Tires that were chosen for this car?

 

[MCN1SMO]

Did anyone catch the Tires that were chosen for this car?

Bridgestone potenza S007

 

[c.jizzle]

Having been driving my Z for the past 10 days I can honestly say the tires suck. No grip at all. When I punch it I feel like the car is drifting. First mod to the car is definitely grippier tires. Michelin Pilot PS2.

 

[MCN1SMO]

Having been driving my Z for the past 10 days I can honestly say the tires suck. No grip at all. When I punch it I feel like the car is drifting. First mod to the car is definitely grippier tires. Michelin Pilot PS2.

Once I take delivery in a few days and get some break in miles on it. My plan is to get back in to autocross. I think it's going to be quite the experience at first until I burn the tires off. All the reviews echo exactly what you just said that there isn't a gradual feel of grip loss you get in a good tire it's a snap feeling of no grip.

 

[pectab]

Having been driving my Z for the past 10 days I can honestly say the tires suck. No grip at all. When I punch it I feel like the car is drifting. First mod to the car is definitely grippier tires. Michelin Pilot PS2.

Yeah same, temp is below freezing here in Canada so probably even worse for me. Give it some throttle and the rear end is in the other lane traction control kicks in pretty late but haven't spun out yet. It is fun though.

 

[Supremekai]

Yeah same, temp is below freezing here in Canada so probably even worse for me. Give it some throttle and the rear end is in the other lane traction control kicks in pretty late but haven't spun out yet. It is fun though.

Shouldn't you swap to winter tires?

 

[Donalex]

All the reviews echo exactly what you just said that there isn't a gradual feel of grip loss you get in a good tire it's a snap feeling of no grip.

Perfect indicator of too much power for the platform. V6 TT FAIL, IMHO

 

[pectab]

Perfect indicator of too much power for the platform. V6 TT FAIL, IMHO

I disagree. Just needs good tires.

 

[trackratZ]

Perfect indicator of too much power for the platform. V6 TT FAIL, IMHO

Not really, the platform is decent, just needs some tuning. Of course tires first BUT a narrower rear sway bar may calm things down back there. The new Z needs better balance. These will be done before I dare tracking it with our Nissan Challenge. Of course, brakes are crap also, pads and high-temp fluid a must.

 

[MHockey17]

It's not a miss if the car remains true to it's heritage, that of a GT.

It's easier to go from soft to stiff, than the other way around. TWSS

I agree it sounds like the tuning is in line with the heritage theme they were going for, I say “miss” though because most of the reviews rightfully lament its handling characteristics compared to current market competitors, most of which seem to offer more versatile setups with better mix of “GT” and “sport” feel.

For the base trim, the softer heritage/GT-inspired setup makes sense, but if your going to add an upgraded suspension to the top trim and call it the “Performance” model, I think it should feel performance-oriented and perform commensurate with your competition.

 

[Leo]

Which non-shill anyone are you paraphrasing?


Consumer Reports:
"... CR’s testers praise the steering’s impressive weighting and quick reflexes"

Motor Authority:
"...Direct, well-weighted steering helps me put the car exactly where I want"

Car and Driver:
"... The new electric power steering is linear and predictable enough"

CNET:
"...The new electric unit is a little numb there, but the steering tightens up when more angle is dialed in"

Road and Track:
"...The new steering system is very good and more precise than before"

Gear Patrol:
"... However, the steering weighting and road feel — something the old 370Z had in spades — leave something to be desired after the shift to electronic power steering. But it’s still plenty accurate, with a point-and-shoot feel"

The Drive:
"...while the steering is of a natural weight and offers reasonable feedback"

The Drive.com.au
"...The steering is light and precise"

Doubleclutch.ca:
"... Nissan fitted electronic power steering to the new Z, but rather than lightening the steering feel they have made it heavier and smoother feeling. More positive caster in the suspension geometry increases steering feel and stability which makes the new Z feel nimble in spite of its weight making it easy to place on the road allowing us to really enjoy the drive"

Autoguide:
"... though the Z’s intuitive, well-weighted steering makes it easy to collect back up"

Autodaily.com.au:
"...The Z’s steering has been switched to electric power assistance, the 370Z having used a hydraulic rack until the end. The new system has nice weight and delivers progressive, linear front-end responses"

MotorTrend:
"... Nissan improved the Z's steering, too, one of our pain points with the old 370Z. The weight is a little heavy, but the steering is reasonably precise"

Good job purposely choosing mostly the early reviews and first drives that are full sunshine and rainbows instead of the real reviews.

Jason Cammisa openly said the Z's steering feels dead af. Also, linear and predictable steering doesn't equal great steering feedback.

 

[BurninateZ]

Good job purposely choosing mostly the early reviews and first drives that are full sunshine and rainbows instead of the real reviews.

Jason Cammisa openly said the Z's steering feels dead af. Also, linear and predictable steering doesn't equal great steering feedback.

Though in fairness, only a few cars avoid criticism relating to EPAS.

 

[Papa G Z]

Has anyone taken delivery and already switched tires? A lot of the issues are tire related but have not seen comment where someone actually switched to pilots or other and said wow what a difference! Mine is due in on 3/31 and likely will stay oem unless someone really finds the perfect tire.

I have a 2008 Saturn sky redline turbo we bought a couple years ago with less than 10k miles but had original tires. For safety I immediately bought new tires. I selected continental extreme contacts and having two sky redlines over the years with stock tires the extreme contacts are very sticky!

Be curious if/when owners make their tire swaps to see what they go with and the pros and cons of the switch.

 

[trackratZ]

Jason Cammisa openly said the Z's steering feels dead af. Also, linear and predictable steering doesn't equal great steering feedback.

Steering 'feel' is also highly affected by, guess what, tires! The ratio, on-center, caster settings could be fine on the new Z. Put on better rubber with stickier compound and stiffer sidewalls, and steering will be way sharper. Feedbacks to share after those that swapped.