Why is the Z slower than comparable cars?

Zero dark

Our cars are pretty quick in a sense. Just when I go hang out at local meets, all you see are old civics that are fully built and wrx and evos with minimal mods and the z can't win a race off a dig. It's like fast in regular world, but at bottom half in the car world. The drivability is where it shines over most cars in the same price range. Not to mention my nismo will turn more heads than a wrx with a big intercooler.

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Duc_Z09

This.

It really does feel slow toward the bottom of the rev range because it makes all of its power above 5k. If you want a good dig off the line you need to rev it up a lot and even then the VQ doesn't make nearly the torque that other (especially v8) cars do.

Funny thing is every time I'm romping on it and think to myself how slow it feels, I end up looking down at my speedo and thinking "thank Christ there wasn't a cop around!"

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2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot)
2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

Duc_Z09

Because at the end of the day you're comparing an actual nice sports car to an econo-box that just happens to be fast.

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2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot)
2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

@NT

My WRX was definitely faster 0-60, but the Z is faster up top. Once I got the car tuned, it made a HUGE difference down low and throttle response.

b15

It's the result of being unchanged for 6 years. In 2009 it was top of the pack, and in 2015, it's essentially the same car yet. No longer top of the back but it can still hold it's own in just about every category. There's always someone faster/better. As long as you're happy that's all that matters. That's why I have mine!

Smashley

What kind of tune did you get?

onzedge

I just got schooled by a PT Cruiser. I know what you mean.

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Firebase99

Those are drag strip kings, don't mess with them.

b15

Did you knew they made factory turbo PT cruisers?

Wicked Daddy

Thanks to all for the input.
As I said, the Nismo Z is my car of choice. I had a 06 G35 that I built up, only because I really wanted a Z but the dealer made me a deal on the G that the Nissan dealer couldn't beat. I finally traded it in on a QX60 for my wife and now I'm finally going to get my Z. When making comparisons, I found (as others have pointed out) that the econo-boxes (love that!) had faster launch times and that was perplexing. But as others have also pointed out, the Z is not a drag racer nor am I interested in drag racing it. (I have a '55 Buick I built for that). I also like how the most comparitive sports car to the Z is the Porsche and that the Z is better looking (IMO) and performs just as well for less money.

Thanks again. I enjoyed the opinions and it gave me a perspective of the passion of Z owners... a passion I too will share very soon.

kenchan

cause them minivans with bald headed middle aged losers are frikken fast, thats why.

mishuko

i loved driving mama's sienna when i was 17... thing had balls. until you put people in it.


i get rekt' off the lights by a lot of cars because i like to engage the clutch fairly slowly in first. then i like to wind out first


did you know that RACECAR spelt backwards is RACECAR?!?!?!

ZMan8

Basically my take is when the Z came out in 2009 it was faster than most if not all cars in that price range. Really the Z competed against the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. (poor man's Porsche)

Since then, the genesis, mustang, and camaro have been upgraded at least once if not twice. The Z meanwhile was only upgraded aesthetically. I assume the Z35 will return to the top or near the top, unless they go for a lighter weight car with less power.

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kenchan

the only reason why 17yr olds drive minivans is for one reason. and it's not for just transportation. haha

kenchan

long time no post!


my Z can still get me in trouble in 5sec so i dont see the car as being too slow. plus it's got that special something those other cars dont have. it's not just speed im after.