How GT can you make the Z?

[Moondog]

Hey everyone, I’m a long time lurker on this forum. I finally picked up a 24’ performance over the weekend after lusting after this car for a few years. It’s my first time in a proper sports car. I had been driving a Hyundai Kona N and a Kia Stinger before that.
I love the Z, it looks sick. One of the things that drew me to it was a lot of the online reviewers said it was more of a GT car than a sports car.
I’m the kind of guy that is never going to track it, but would enjoy some spirited driving on long road trips. Other than that just darting around town, cruising, and some highway driving once a month or so.
is it possible to make this car more comfortable on the freeway?
I’ve read over some of the threads here on sound deadening, but other than that is there something I can do to make it more GT? As soon as I hit the highway I’m missing my stinger.
I’ve seen some coilovers on Z1 motorsports that are more geared to touring, but those still might be stiffer than stock. At least I could raise the ride hight a smidge to stop the scrapes when I leave my driveway.
Is trying to address this a fools errand? Should I have just got a Lexus RC 300 or something similar?

 

[RobotAZ]

My Sport is one of the best highway cars I’ve owned. Comfortable but able to respond quickly if needed. Also a small footprint in traffic. It’s perfect for me.

Unless you start swapping Perfoemance and Sport parts I’d say sound deadening and Michelins is what I’d focus on.

 

[FSUZ33]

My opinion is that it's a great mix of both fresh from the assembly line. Maybe not the posh level of interior comfort and amenities of some GT cars, but it's a Nissan, not a Porsche.
First drive was 315 miles back from the dealership, and I was perfectly comfortable the whole way. The seats are stiff, not cushy/plush (can only speak for the NISMO only) but fortunately they fit me very well. They're actually more comfortable than the leather power-adjustables in my old 350Z Touring. Suspension is firm, but compliant and seems well damped. Smoother ride than my 350Z Track and Touring, but the Touring's shocks were beyond shot by the time I traded it in.
Can't vouch for much on the Sports Car end yet, as I haven't pushed it, but plenty of others have spoken up for the quickness and and agility side.

 

[ZillaZ]

You sound like me. I love how the Z Performance is tuned though and have no regrets.
I will not be tracking my Z and it is my daily driver (when the roads are dry). If you have even driven things like Supra's, Corvettes, Porsche's (depending on model)... etc. You will realize, or at least I did, that the Z is a very happy medium.

Yes for a sports car it is more GT but it is still a sports car and is more sports car than what someone would classify as a GT.

Compared to a lot of sports car's is is a lot more daily-driver friendly but compared to a lot of GT's it may be too sports car for some.

 

[Moondog]

Thanks for the input yall. @ZillaZ this is my daily too, but I should be fine driving it in the wet as long as I'm not going full hoonigan right? I've heard the Potenzas are bad, but surely the car is still safe during a rainstorm?

Any thoughts on suspension changes? Do they even make coilovers that are more comfortable than stock?

 

[FSUZ33]

I’m no Master Modder, but I’m far more familiar with making a car more Sporty than more GT-y(?). Maybe you can find softer springs, but the vast majority will be stiffer, or at a minimum, progressive springs that may be a little softer for the first bit of travel, then tighten up.

If you’re looking for a little softer feel you can slap on tires with a taller and more compliant sidewall.

 

[ZillaZ]

Thanks for the input yall. @ZillaZ this is my daily too, but I should be fine driving it in the wet as long as I'm not going full hoonigan right? I've heard the Potenzas are bad, but surely the car is still safe during a rainstorm?

Any thoughts on suspension changes? Do they even make coilovers that are more comfortable than stock?

Oh yeah you should be fine. I am not a fan of the stock potenza's and will be getting Michelin A/S whenever these wear out because I drive my Z year round. I just avoid snow / wet if I can. They are totally fine in rain like you said just don't try to do any launches or anything lol.

The only annoying thing about daily'ing this thing is I get people trying to race me every once in a while but not near as much as in other sports cars I have owned. The Z is kind of stealthy and not flashy -which is something else I like about it.

 

[bpeckham]

Thanks for creating this thread, @Moondog. It's really interesting to see the different directions folks take their cars. I fall into a similar category as you.

One thing I noticed after just acquiring my car: it's a different car. I'd had my previous car for 11 years, and jumping from that to a Z was a change. It took me a few weeks to dial in the seat and steering wheel positions and get used to the clutch. But now I'm used to it. So my first suggestion: give it a little time, see if the car becomes for familiar.

A question I had after reading your post is: what do you regard as "uncomfortable"?

You mentioned "sound deadening". I agree with you here. It's difficult to have a conversation zipping down the 5. @FirstZ started a thread on this. That I'm watching.

You also mentioned "coilovers", suggesting the suspension is too harsh. I haven't really noticed this when highway (interstate) driving, I'm sure the folks at Z1 would help you out as to what to expect, if you make such a change. Scraping the chin spoiler is annoying, but I've mostly learned to recognize situations where this might happen, and avoid them. I think I'd avoid raising the car. Part of the look is how low it is. The roof barely comes up the the lower edge of an SUV window.

My Potenzas just wore out, and I replaced them with PS4Ss. I didn't do any measurements, but the car seems quieter now (and more confident under spirited driving). I live in SD, so I decided to go with the summer tires all year. I just dial it back in the rain. No snow to worry about here.

What options did you get? One of the things that makes the car feel a bit more "upscale" for me are the fancy floor mats and illuminated kick plates.

But I'm following that sound deadening thread to see where it leads.

 

[VR30Infection]

You might think about going from 19” to 18” wheels to get some more sidewall. This will help deaden the sound and feel of every crack in the pavement.

 

[Moondog]

@bpeckham thanks for the input. I got the car from Carmax so I have a 10 day return window for me to make up my mind of if this car is just too much sports car and not enough GT for me. I've got the carpeted mats and illuminated kickplate.

For the highway being uncomfortable now that I think about it, it might just be partially psychological. When I cross over one of those small grooves in the highway where two sections meet, its quite loud in the cabin and maybe i'm associating that with a harsher ride.

 

[VR30Infection]

Another thing would be to talk to guys that have done the KW v3. They are twin tube which is less firm due to lower gas psi. Plus they are double adjustable. They may be more comfortable at lower settings.

 

[Moondog]

I was looking at Acoustic Windshields, does anyone have experience with those and know if they are worth the cost?

 

[takemorepills]

I like the suggestion to go to an 18" wheel.
On my Q60 I would swap between 20"and 18" wheels from time to time, huge difference. If you're not interested in hot laps, Continental DWS06 tires are awesome on these cars, great in the bad weather. I have a few friends who have G coupes, 350Z and 370Z and they run DWS06 tires because they daily their cars through all 4 seasons.