Trade in my 930 for a Z?
1977930
03-09-2004, 04:46 PM
I have a 1977 Porsche 930. A few weeks back I made the mistake of taking a Z for a test drive. Now I cant get it out of my mind.
Down side to this is I would have to sell the 930...
Anyone have any opinions? I dont want to jump the gun.
Is up keep on the Z high?
If you need major work done, is it a high cost? (I have to drop the engine for almost everything on the 930)
What the theft rate on the Z in the US?
Down side to this is I would have to sell the 930...
Anyone have any opinions? I dont want to jump the gun.
Is up keep on the Z high?
If you need major work done, is it a high cost? (I have to drop the engine for almost everything on the 930)
What the theft rate on the Z in the US?
kman10587
03-09-2004, 11:47 PM
The Z isn't going to be any more expensive to maintain than a 70's Porsche. If you truly like the way the Z feels and drives better, then go for it.
1viadrft
03-10-2004, 06:26 PM
I hope you get the TRACK edition though... nice-cars!
AC_A340-500
03-27-2004, 08:37 AM
Interesting discussion. I own a 911 3.2 (the lightweight european version with the high compression engine - 1160 kg and 231 HP), which has the performance similar to the early 930's. And I just so happen to be testing the new Z for the past few days.
To determine which car to own boils down to ideological preference: Old tech air-cooled, rear-engined vs. high tech front-engined.
In terms of performance:
The accelleration times are quite similar up to a point. Accelleration up to 180 km/h (where it all boils down to the power/weight ratio and gearing) is virtually identical. Above 180 km/h the power/wind resistance ratio becomes more important, and the Z gradually begins to pull away.
The top-speed of the 3.2 (HC) is officially 245km/h. According to my "Fahrzeugbrief" (an official document for each vehicle in Germany, kind of like a deed), the minor modifications done to my 911 raise the top-speed to 253 km/h. I think the Z is governed to 250 km/h. I'm sure that it would reach at least 265 km/h if the limiter were removed. There just seems to be a lot of potential left when the limiter comes on.
Braking is about equal too. Porsche is known for it's awesome brakes. The big Brembos on the Z are probably just as good.
Handling: static tests (i.e. latteral accelleration) are utterly irrelevant on a race track. The dynamic values for these cars (how does it react to late braking in a decreasing-radius curve, early power-on in an increasing radius curve) can't be that far apart. The Z is probably a lot easier to "rescue" should you push the limits too far. The 911 is a lot less forgiving when at the limit, making it more of a handfull to drive.
I haven't tested the Z on a race track yet (and sadly won't be able to before I have to return it to Nissan), but it's quite stable in all sorts of real-life at-the-limit situations.
Comfort:
Z has the advantage by about a mile.
Price:
Here in Germany, my old 911 costs about 17000 Euros. The Z starts at 33500 Euros
Reilability:
The Z is a Nissan and is probably pretty hard to break. The old Porsche is surprisingly reliable too (especially the 3.2's). Besides, the light-weight version doesn't really have much that can break down.
Looks:
The Z gets a lot of looks from people. Of course,the 911 does too.
Maintenance:
With the exception of having to set the valves every 20000kms, the 911 is virtually maintenance-free. The only thing that's realy expensive about the 911 is the fact that the dry-sump oil system requires 13 liters of synthetic oil. Over here in Germany, synthetic oil costs about 20 Euro per liter!
BTW, with similar driving styles, the 911 3.2 uses about 25% less fuel! I averaged 14.5 L/100kms (18 mpg) with the Z (over the last 350kms), while the 3.2 uses around 11 L/100kms (25mpg).
High vs. low tech:
Anyone who has driven in a pre-1998 911 with the windows down at Autobahn speeds, knows just how nice it is to drive in a technologically advanced car. I don't think that the 911 ever saw the inside of a wind tunnel. Driving the new Z is like taking a really cool and exciting yet relaxing vacation. Driving the 911 distances is more like taking an adventure holiday in the jungle.
If you have the cash, go buy the Z. That way you'll have had the pleasure of owning both!
To determine which car to own boils down to ideological preference: Old tech air-cooled, rear-engined vs. high tech front-engined.
In terms of performance:
The accelleration times are quite similar up to a point. Accelleration up to 180 km/h (where it all boils down to the power/weight ratio and gearing) is virtually identical. Above 180 km/h the power/wind resistance ratio becomes more important, and the Z gradually begins to pull away.
The top-speed of the 3.2 (HC) is officially 245km/h. According to my "Fahrzeugbrief" (an official document for each vehicle in Germany, kind of like a deed), the minor modifications done to my 911 raise the top-speed to 253 km/h. I think the Z is governed to 250 km/h. I'm sure that it would reach at least 265 km/h if the limiter were removed. There just seems to be a lot of potential left when the limiter comes on.
Braking is about equal too. Porsche is known for it's awesome brakes. The big Brembos on the Z are probably just as good.
Handling: static tests (i.e. latteral accelleration) are utterly irrelevant on a race track. The dynamic values for these cars (how does it react to late braking in a decreasing-radius curve, early power-on in an increasing radius curve) can't be that far apart. The Z is probably a lot easier to "rescue" should you push the limits too far. The 911 is a lot less forgiving when at the limit, making it more of a handfull to drive.
I haven't tested the Z on a race track yet (and sadly won't be able to before I have to return it to Nissan), but it's quite stable in all sorts of real-life at-the-limit situations.
Comfort:
Z has the advantage by about a mile.
Price:
Here in Germany, my old 911 costs about 17000 Euros. The Z starts at 33500 Euros
Reilability:
The Z is a Nissan and is probably pretty hard to break. The old Porsche is surprisingly reliable too (especially the 3.2's). Besides, the light-weight version doesn't really have much that can break down.
Looks:
The Z gets a lot of looks from people. Of course,the 911 does too.
Maintenance:
With the exception of having to set the valves every 20000kms, the 911 is virtually maintenance-free. The only thing that's realy expensive about the 911 is the fact that the dry-sump oil system requires 13 liters of synthetic oil. Over here in Germany, synthetic oil costs about 20 Euro per liter!
BTW, with similar driving styles, the 911 3.2 uses about 25% less fuel! I averaged 14.5 L/100kms (18 mpg) with the Z (over the last 350kms), while the 3.2 uses around 11 L/100kms (25mpg).
High vs. low tech:
Anyone who has driven in a pre-1998 911 with the windows down at Autobahn speeds, knows just how nice it is to drive in a technologically advanced car. I don't think that the 911 ever saw the inside of a wind tunnel. Driving the new Z is like taking a really cool and exciting yet relaxing vacation. Driving the 911 distances is more like taking an adventure holiday in the jungle.
If you have the cash, go buy the Z. That way you'll have had the pleasure of owning both!
khfromhb
04-28-2004, 10:17 PM
my 350z hasent been stolen yet so i guess the theft rate must be low!
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