370Z = old technology?

captain1

Got some free time at work and did some browse on car reviews at Edmunds. I was surprised by some 0-60 results. The cunky X3 can do so in 5.8 secs and 2013 Accord = 6.1 secs.

Our Z is roughly at 5.x secs (roadster / coupe / auto manual all different). Z is a true sport car, but it's < 1 sec quicker than X3 and Accord.

Is the current Z getting old?

edub370

vq is slightly dated and we get zero traction out of the hole. whereas the x5 is awd so someone could just put the right pedal down and go. i imagine if u looked at the 1/4 mile times of all vehicles u listed u would see the z start to put quite a gap on the rest

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Rockhound

I would hesitate to classify it as strictly “old technology” – as that carries an unnecessarily negative connotation. I mean, there’s plenty of truly old technology out there that still can achieve impressive performance (think pushrod V8s and live rear axles).

That’s not to say that Nissan couldn’t incorporate some technologies such as direct injection for potential gains, but the Z’s performance is mostly a matter of its power/weight ratio. Same with the examples you mentioned. The new Accord Coupe was tested by Motor Trend to get to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds, with a 14 sec 1/4mi @ 101.4 MPH.

C & D’s first 370Z instrumented test resulted in a 4.9 second 0-60 and 13.5 sec 1/4mi @ 106 MPH. Weight between the two is very close (as tested in those two tests the Accord Coupe was 3367lb and the Z was 3373lb). Roadholding was of course much better for the Z at 0.97g versus only 0.83g for the purposely softer Accord.

I guess what I’m getting at is that shaving considerable time off of your acceleration figures once you’re in the sub-5 second range is a matter of diminishing returns. Look at the Nismo, for instance, with an additional 18hp and 6lb-ft and yet I think the normal 7AT Z still turns in the best 0-60 times.

The bottom line is that performance cars have less room to improve than normal sedans and crossovers, so this isn’t just a conversation for the Z. Heck, base Corvettes (430hp 6.2L V8) achieve a 4.5sec 0-60 - just 1.1 second faster than an Accord Coupe.

Cmike2780

You're oversimplifyling the results. For one, 0-60 is magazine racing is stupid. It's an old way of thinking about performance. The quarter mile time and trap speed is more accurate at measuring straight line performance. Also, 1 second difference is HUGE. If the Z cut a whole second off it's 0-60, you're looking at supercar territory.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Dwight Frye

Is your only criteria for judging a sports car it's 0-60 time ?

HKYStormFront

this^

how the Z drives and feels and delivers the power is what makes it a great sports car, not just the stats. yes they are important but i promise, the Z is much more exciting to drive than a '13 accord

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1st

The Z has handles over the accord and the x3 all day. Not to mention sex appeal.

axmea?

The Accord has lots of new tech actually. In fact, you should test drive an Accord and tell us how you feel after that.

nmjaxx9

For what it is, I love my Z, wouldn't think twice about any other car right now, yeah it doesnt have the most power out the box, but thats what mods are for, 370z FTW! (spoken like a fanboy I know )

JungleZ

for 33,000 I feel like i got all i could get. Even though gas mileage is more horrible than i thought, it doesnt matter because i got a car that has a monster V6, looks great and handles good enough on the streets for me.

tonythetiger

take those 2 cars and bring it to the track, huge difference!

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Cmike2780

Horrible gas mileage, was your old car a prius? Lol. My old RX-8 got between 15-16mpg on the highway...the Z sips fuel by comparison.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

nmjaxx9

Unless you step on the pedal, I realized grannying it on the highway vs a couple pulls on the highway and im down like 3-4 dots.

Cmike2780

Worth it though.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

JungleZ

I'm getting 13-14mpg all city driving. Probably the norm for city driving but dam thats brutal with 4.30 A gallon,.