350Z...tell me a car in the US that is at the same price or cheaper that can compete w/it ?

MSRP $26k for base
287HP 274TQ
0-60 5.4
Lateral G's 0.88

Only cars that come to mind that are out now is the WRX or the Mustang GT...which still arent quick enough...but both have a nice aftermarket going....

Lets hear your thoughts...

I think the Mustang is pleanty quick enough to keep pace. I think you can add the Dodge SRT-4 to that list.

the mustang can keep up till about 100-110 mph
with my g-tech pro i got a 5.53 to 60
road and track tested it in 1999 and got 5.4 to 60 and 14.0 to 100

also the new boss mustang will have over 300 hp for about 29k and the cobra will now kill the top line track 350Z for about the same $$

But the 350Z will still be a much more refined car then the mustang. You get what you pay for. In the 350Z you give up a little on the numbers for a superior design and more refinement.

right now. in the japanese market. it would have to be the WRX. they both have refine interior. only htat the 350Z blows it out of the water in the coolness factor. the WRX's interior is somewhat bland in comparision. and for the speed. the 350Z takes the cake again. esp from 80mph +. now for americans. i would have to say mustang GT.maybe the new pontiac solistis. and maybe the dodge razor. those didn't come up yet. but it would be interesting to see. but once again. those cars are like no nothing. its all pared down to the bone.

Originally posted by YogsVR4
I think the Mustang is pleanty quick enough to keep pace. I think you can add the Dodge SRT-4 to that list.

I dont think a Neon will beat the Z in a road race...and when doing this comparo I want you to take in all aspects...acceleration, braking, handling, etc...

I guess I didnt make it clear that I only wanted to compare the base 350Z...due to it's good price and still offering good performance.

$26k~ and under...so that rules out the Mach 1 and Cobra.

Originally posted by NISSANSPDR


I dont think a Neon will beat the Z in a road race...and when doing this comparo I want you to take in all aspects...acceleration, braking, handling, etc...

I guess I didnt make it clear that I only wanted to compare the base 350Z...due to it's good price and still offering good performance.

$26k~ and under...so that rules out the Mach 1 and Cobra.

I thought you were looking for cars to compete with it at about the same price range. I think the SRT will give it a pretty good run although I do agree that its not as nice a car.

Dodge Razor concept car

2500 Lbs.
250 hp

$14,500 Usd!!!


I say when (or if) this gets produced it will be a Z killer

5.5 seconds (est.)
13.80 seconds @ 102.0 mph (est.)
120 feet (est.)
24/30 mpg (est.)

$14,500 (Dodge est.)

Front engine, RWD
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-V, Turbocharged
148.2 ci, 2429 cc
250
230
6-speed manual
F: P185/50R/19, R: P185/50R/20

from japan, aside from the WRX the only other car that matches or comes close to performance in this price bracket is the s2000.

The Neon SRT-4 or the Razor are by far the BEST bang for the buck. Don't get me wrong I love the 350Z and the new body style on the 2003 WRX it a lot better than the old ones, but for the price you can't get a faster car with more pontential than the SRT-4 or the Razor.

How about a 02 Camaro z28 6 spd? I"m pretty sure you coulda bought one of those brand new for under $26k...

5.7L LS1 v8
Close to 300 hp at the rear wheels.
Low to mid 13's 1/4 time.. which would destroy the 350z in a straightline battle.

I have no idea how many lateral G's though..

SRT-4's and Razor's might compete with the 350Z in performance, I don't know. I do know that a $15K Chrysler wouldn't have anywhere near the build quality of a $26K Nissan. Even a $26K Chrysler wouldn't be of the same quality craftsmanship.

yea, SRT-4 is a great deal for the price, and it has Viper seats in it, spend a few grand to lower and stiffent the suspension, maybe a few other things and you have a really nice car

Originally posted by Landbarger
I do know that a $15K Chrysler wouldn't have anywhere near the build quality of a $26K Nissan. Even a $26K Chrysler wouldn't be of the same quality craftsmanship.

:rolleyes:

That is a load of BS and you know it man. Don't go saying ignorant things like that.

The wrx will meet or beat the 350 in lateral Gs, and the subie certainly outgrips the nissan with 4wd, but there almost no contest in straight line acceleration. Id say they're both great values (the subaru gets extra points for practicality).

It may be a slight exaggeration, but it's based in truth. Certainly not BS that another $12 grand would improve build quality in the 350Z. You get in and it would sound like closing the door on a tin can (again, exaggeration to emphasize my point).

i don't think that you could use the Dodge NEON SRT-4 just yet b/c it MAY be produced with less power than tested...not sure though....my guess is that the S2000...comes close or the WRX

looks to me like Nissan isn't all that good at build quality in what they have done with the 350Z.

sports car on a FM luxury car platform.

not true brembo on track model. (but made by a 3rd party with Brembo name added)

poor choice in tires.

cheap plastic interior.

cloth seats that fray after a few thousand miles.

tread feathering after a few thousand miles.

non-adjustible camber.

aluminum "look" pedals (actually aluminum over plastic)

no glove compartment.

gas filling problems.

orange peel paint problems.

Consider the statement retracted. However, no apology.

Well, I wasn't expecting nor asking for one.

i hope this wasnt conveniently restricted to MY 03 cars, if not the LS1 Z28 or Formula would in the least keep up with it around a roadcourse (they're what, 200 lbs heavier? And dont bring up solid axle vs IRS this has been done too many times before. . .) and obviusly it has enough power to take it through the 1/4, topspeed, mile, 0-60, whichever acceleration test you like.

I dont know though, about braking, the LS1 Z isnt too bad off but i'd probably give that to a track packaged 350Z, but, those dont just cost 26K either. I dont believe that .88G is for the bas emodel either, where'd you get your info from?
One thing I did find is that the LSD, TCS and VDC systems used in these handling tests arent available on the base model 350Z, these handling and acceleration numbers are off. Unfortunatly nissan doesnt seem to list the lateral acceleration nor 0-60 on the base model, does anybody have these? i can't find them.

Do you know how many lateral G's any LS1 F-bodies pull???

laterall G on a stock LS1 Z28/SS Fbody was .89 to .91, depending on the tester & day, not sure if it was a 200' or 300' skidpad. Skidpad tests are not a proper way to test a cars handling, either. . .