Is new Z handling THAT BAD?

[involutions]

Because of my location, pretty much every new Z is parked on the showroom floor, and I won't ask a dealer to pull it out so I can joy ride. If it were parked on the lot I may be more willing.

With that said, I keep reading about the biggest fault, other than smoking the tires that came with the car new, being the way the car handles. Are these things really THAT BAD? Or, are they being unfairly compared to cars that aren't even in the same class?

When you drive your car are you constantly thinking, "Gee, this handles bad. Wish I bought a different car..." or are you thinking, "Gee, I can't believe how much I love this car!" ???

Be honest. In the spring I may venture out to see if I can find one to drive.

Thanks!

 

[MacCool]

If you're expecting an out-of the box track racer, you'll be disappointed (unless you get the Nismo). If you're an average Joe and dont mind adding a set of sway bars...you'll love it.

 

[Jah_Happy]

Depends on what you're used to and what you're comparing it to. If you're just putting around town itll be fine, if you're into more spirited driving you'll notice the floatiness quite quickly.

 

[Hernandooo]

I did a whole suspension package upgrade, and it handles waaaaay better then stock.

Keep in my mind. Brands like nissan need to sell cars to the masses. Not everyone cares about the handling of the car out of the lot

 

[Mellowyellow]

If you are looking for a car to take to the track, this is not it unless you want to throw on a couple of upgrades. If you want a car that is an eye catcher, has lots of power and is fun to play with then a Z may be for you.

 

[AlanZ]

I’m one of the “gee I can’t believe how much I love this car !” I’ve had it for a year. It’s not my everyday car. I wish it were though!

 

[jc604]

Front and rear sways plus lowering springs/coils really change the dynamic of the car, at least for me

 

[ZillaZ]

I am not a track guy and I enjoy the more "touring"-esque suspension. I drive it for fun around town and everywhere I go if the roads are dry. It's just a really fun sports car to drive everywhere. Already done a mini road-trip and it was pure joy for me.

 

[bpeckham]

I think this depends a lot on what you plan to do with the car. I use mine for the daily commute and a road trip here or there, and I think it's just fine.

However, there is this one sharp left turn on my commute, right after a sweeping right turn, where the car kinda rolls from right to left. It's a bit unnerving, but it settles in and does fine. It's at a traffic light, so most of the time I have to stop. ?

 

[MacCool]

I’m one of the “gee I can’t believe how much I love this car !” I’ve had it for a year. It’s not my everyday car. I wish it were though!

Yeah, I didn't mean to be "damning with faint praise" in my post above. I've had several Z cars going back 50 years. This Z Performance is the best one yet. I couldn't car less about abusing this Z at the track...it's my daily driver and I just want to have fun on the road. If I wanted to abuse the car, we have a great and highly regarded SCCA track about 10 miles from here but I'm not really interested. This Z is LOTS of fun, and I want it to be fun driving it to the grocery store or blowing off some high school kid in his Honda Civic tuner with a huge wing and whining exhaust.

 

[Zenogias]

Handles better than any other car I have ever owned, but I also don't mind the bose audio system that everyone craps on.. I do echo everyone else's assessment that it is not an ideal track car. If I were buying for just the track I probably would have went Supra.

 

[mikecarpage]

I think it would depend on what you've driven. It may be good to list off what good handling / sports cars you've driven.

I've never owned a brand new car prior to my Performance Z and my other 2 cars are both 21 years old on even older platforms. Initially, it's difficult to push the car due to break in. First 1k you definitely feel things becoming more playful. My experience is that I can feel the body roll present, but it isn't bothering enough for me on a curvy highway, or narrow twisting backroad. The car responds nicely. Immediate/sharp turns and weight transfers aren't best, but on smoother open curves it feels fine. You get a good feel of where the limit is, and makes you feel like you can push it further. It's a fine road car (7-8/10ths), not a track car (9-10/10ths). And if it's compared against track cars, that's where it gets shamed. I suppose the Nismo is much better handling.

That said, I get back into the slightly modified yet tired suspension of my e39 BMW and tell myself, this is the better feeling and more planted car. (suspension overhaul in progress)

I will invest in a set of anti roll bars for my Z eventually.

 

[D2M]

Handling is a relative term, relative to what you have driven before. I would say in some sort of context the Z drives similar to a muscle car ( Camaro, Mustang ) it has that sort feel. The difference being where you are sitting as you are sitting on the rear wheels vs in the middle of the car. I came from a 911 that was on rails at any speed, I was looking for something a little looser, a little more wild. I lover my Z, having a ton of fun with it.

The aftermarket is very strong with the Z so there is many product options to tailor the cars feel to your preference. The Z is a blank canvas.

 

[involutions]

I think it would depend on what you've driven. It may be good to list off what good handling / sports cars you've driven.

I've never owned a brand new car prior to my Performance Z and my other 2 cars are both 21 years old on even older platforms. Initially, it's difficult to push the car due to break in. First 1k you definitely feel things becoming more playful. My experience is that I can feel the body roll present, but it isn't bothering enough for me on a curvy highway, or narrow twisting backroad. The car responds nicely. Immediate/sharp turns and weight transfers aren't best, but on smoother open curves it feels fine. You get a good feel of where the limit is, and makes you feel like you can push it further. It's a fine road car (7-8/10ths), not a track car (9-10/10ths). And if it's compared against track cars, that's where it gets shamed. I suppose the Nismo is much better handling.

That said, I get back into the slightly modified yet tired suspension of my e39 BMW and tell myself, this is the better feeling and more planted car. (suspension overhaul in progress)

I will invest in a set of anti roll bars for my Z eventually.

Porsche 997.2 and 2007 Civic EX are the two best handling cars I’ve driven. Currently one a 2022 Mustang Mach 1, which is fine, but a little unsettling at higher speeds on bumpy back roads. Electric steering will never be the same as hydraulic.

 

[Murix]

The balance and suspension design is fundamentally there. The rest is tuning.

I don't know about the regular Z, but the Nismo handles well.