Quote:
Originally Posted by Driftomodachi
I don't think Nissan missed. Have you driven a Cayman S? I have, several times. It feels similar to the z during normal driving. And the z hides it's weight very well because it has tons of grip. I've never taken the z or Cayman to the track so I can't compare the 2 there. Bnd the Cayman's cheap interior (not the new 981 based cayman) isn't as nice as the Z's IMO (one of the biggest complaints of the 997/981 based cars, especially the cheesy cup holders) but hey, everyone's entitled to their own opinion 
Give Nissan credit, they make the GT-R and it beat the 911 turbo (which was the performance goal) around the Nurburgring. |
I own a Z and a Cayman, so I have the experience part well covered.
Interior plastics on the 987 are better then the Z. Mine is lightly optioned so no full leather etc...which brings it up market (for $$$ of course). If you want to look at little things, how about that ugly plastic ebrake holder on the Z? Exactly
From a big item perspective, the respective traction control systems are night and day. The Z's is abrupt and really no fun. Other cars (including the Porsche) have multiple levels of intervention, and allow for some light wheel spin and fun, some even having multiple settings. What a concept
To me, steering feel is pretty immediately noticed. Turn in, weight, ratio all seem to be right on the Porsche. The Z will turn: there is a lot of grip with the big rubber, but you have to set the turn differently and it doesn't rotate the same way (and why should it: engine up front).
I look for a car that feels great: I don't care about 'smoking' anyone. If I did, lots of V8's out there for less change.
Please don't read into what I am saying: the Z has lots of pluses. I just think Nissan fell short in a few key areas and when you compare the Z to a 987 or 981 for feel and sports car fun, the gap widens.
What Nissan did with the GT-R has absolutely no relevance to the Z car. The GT-R is a > 100K car with turbos, an expensive transmission, AWD, more computers then the space shuttle. Great engineering? Absolutely. Tossable? Not a verb most would use.
- b