Finally drove a Z34 yesterday

cstr_Cali · 04-26-2009, 06:28 PM

So after many wrestless days and nights I went to a Nissan dealer to drive a new Z34. I had many concerns about interior space in the Z being able to accommodate my "6,5.5 frame, which turned out to be well-founded but that's not the point of this post.

The car is astonishingly quick, and while it has similar performance stats to the 135i the cars couldn't feel more different. The 135 feels more smooth and calm in how it picks up seconds in traveling to the redline as where the Z just punches it's way to the right most portion of the rev tachometer. This explosiveness somewhat defines the Z's overall personality in being a very organic but fluid and composed performer. Handling was tight and super responsive requiring the easiest of inputs on behalf of the driver, and the ride feels firm but not jarring. This latter aspect makes the Z a real hard prospect to overlook, and to do so would be foolish for any buyer of interest.All in all it's a great package; the interior finish is better than any current Infiniti(Nissan how did you let this happen?) and everything feels just right. The 7AT I drove responded so quickly and smoothly it felt right in sync with the rest of the Z's powertrain.

The downside? I'm simply too tall for this car, and while most of my length is sectioned in my torso my legs are long as well. During the extent of my time behind the wheel in the Z34 my right leg stayed pinned between the steering wheel and driver-side biased portion of the lower center counsel.

The Z34 is by far one of the best cars I've driven in my limited span of driving years, and while I'm not an experienced professional driver I know a damn good car when I drive one. The Z34 is that.

Diversion · 04-26-2009, 07:02 PM

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts! Too bad it's not a car you can deal with as easily as you want to because of your size.. I'm 5'7" and it feels like the car was made for me.. even I hit everything on the way inside and out of the car.. I'm getting pissed off for kicking my door panels so much and scuffing them up with dirt, ugh!

-Div

Bibimbap · 04-26-2009, 07:21 PM

If anything there should be some lower railing sets being released for the car. If not, I'm sure BRIDES will do the trick.

nissmotourer · 04-27-2009, 05:03 AM

Very good write-up, car magazine worthy. And great for those who are shopping these two cars (not me

). Though I would have to choose the Z over the BMW 1 series since I am only 5'9" so interior space is not that much of an issue.

ACoupe · 04-27-2009, 08:55 AM

Nice write-up!
I'm 6'2" and the car fits me like a glove (more so than the G37 and it's damn sunroof).
I have to say the G37 still has a big edge over the Z in terms of the interior quality, fit and finish, but I would say the Z is on-par with the interior of my G35 Coupe.

04-26-2009, 06:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
cstr_Cali Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 347 Drives: smoke grey Rep Power: 573	Finally drove a Z34 yesterday So after many wrestless days and nights I went to a Nissan dealer to drive a new Z34. I had many concerns about interior space in the Z being able to accommodate my "6,5.5 frame, which turned out to be well-founded but that's not the point of this post. The car is astonishingly quick, and while it has similar performance stats to the 135i the cars couldn't feel more different. The 135 feels more smooth and calm in how it picks up seconds in traveling to the redline as where the Z just punches it's way to the right most portion of the rev tachometer. This explosiveness somewhat defines the Z's overall personality in being a very organic but fluid and composed performer. Handling was tight and super responsive requiring the easiest of inputs on behalf of the driver, and the ride feels firm but not jarring. This latter aspect makes the Z a real hard prospect to overlook, and to do so would be foolish for any buyer of interest.All in all it's a great package; the interior finish is better than any current Infiniti(Nissan how did you let this happen?) and everything feels just right. The 7AT I drove responded so quickly and smoothly it felt right in sync with the rest of the Z's powertrain. The downside? I'm simply too tall for this car, and while most of my length is sectioned in my torso my legs are long as well. During the extent of my time behind the wheel in the Z34 my right leg stayed pinned between the steering wheel and driver-side biased portion of the lower center counsel. The Z34 is by far one of the best cars I've driven in my limited span of driving years, and while I'm not an experienced professional driver I know a damn good car when I drive one. The Z34 is that. __________________ Waiting to see if she fits. Fingers crossed.

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04-26-2009, 07:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Diversion Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 393 Drives: 09 370Z Silver/Persi Rep Power: 284	Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts! Too bad it's not a car you can deal with as easily as you want to because of your size.. I'm 5'7" and it feels like the car was made for me.. even I hit everything on the way inside and out of the car.. I'm getting pissed off for kicking my door panels so much and scuffing them up with dirt, ugh! -Div

04-26-2009, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bibimbap Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dania, FL Posts: 148 Drives: 04 S2000 Rep Power: 17	If anything there should be some lower railing sets being released for the car. If not, I'm sure BRIDES will do the trick.

04-27-2009, 05:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
nissmotourer Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: antarctica Posts: 9 Drives: pinto Rep Power: 16	Very good write-up, car magazine worthy. And great for those who are shopping these two cars (not me ). Though I would have to choose the Z over the BMW 1 series since I am only 5'9" so interior space is not that much of an issue.

04-27-2009, 08:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
ACoupe Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 22 Drives: 2007 G35 Coupe Rep Power: 16	Nice write-up! I'm 6'2" and the car fits me like a glove (more so than the G37 and it's damn sunroof). I have to say the G37 still has a big edge over the Z in terms of the interior quality, fit and finish, but I would say the Z is on-par with the interior of my G35 Coupe.