2013 Car and Driver Lightning Lap

Red__Zed · 05-10-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zrider

I don't remember where I saw that Nissan was targeting Porsche Cayman's performance with the 370z. Just as they did with the GTR beating the 911 turbo.

Still there's a huge performance gap

.

This says it better than words can:

Tazicon · 05-10-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMan8

Nissan Z has always competed with the Porsche as far as road feel, design, and performance. Porsche is of course more refined with better feel, but at 2x the price. That's where the whole "poor man's Porsche" came from. That's why these times don't make too much sense. The difference between the 370Z and cayman should of been much closer.

I own both and I know why they aren't closer.............I love the 370 Z Sport but it doesn't handle like the Cayman S. Yes in a straight line its faster (on the lower end, but not by much at all) but once you hit the twisties they can not even be compared.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-10-2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Awesome car... Just too expensive IMO. For the price of a new one I would rather have the c7.

I did research some CPO models but even still they were a bit more pricy than a new Z even with quite a few miles on them.

It's just one of those cars I love but would never actually buy because it doesn't present itself as a very good value relative to what else is on the market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazicon

I own both and I know why they aren't closer.............I love the 370 Z Sport but it doesn't handle like the Cayman S. Yes in a straight line its faster (on the lower end, but not by much at all) but once you hit the twisties they can not even be compared.

Contributed to the MR platform.

Davey · 05-10-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Awesome car... Just too expensive IMO. For the price of a new one I would rather have the c7.

I did research some CPO models but even still they were a bit more pricy than a new Z even with quite a few miles on them.

It's just one of those cars I love but would never actually buy because it doesn't present itself as a very good value relative to what else is on the market.

I'd love to have one... If I was a Porsche mechanic.

I think they're SOMEWHAT reasonably priced used from what I recall but the maintenance costs and price of parts would be the issue for me.

370zrider · 05-10-2013, 07:09 PM

I think since R&T published this comparison, people (myself included) had the idea that the performance difference between 370z and Caymans is really short.

It may look weird that 370z's time is nearly 3 seconds slower than Cayman's

But I don't think Nissan could have improved the 350z that much as for having a big difference between the 370z and the 350z.

Tazicon · 05-11-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

MR is just more balanced. The Z takes more skill to achieve what the Porsche can. You really gotta become one with the Z. The porsche is effortless driving. Better is subjective to your driving expectations. MR puts up less of a fight, like AWD/FR does. So criticisms of whats better can go on all day if you're driving expectations are high, low, moderate etc

But the Porsche undoubtedly has a more refined engine and a more balanced chassis, not to mention a better feeling shifter.
The Z feels more aggressive under load, is more fun and leaves a lot less room for error., The porsche is a sword and the Z is a hatchet. But with one swing of both, you can cut anything in half.

This^ The one thing I will say is in the twisties the Z is more fun as you really HAVE to drive it.

Last night when we went out and the wife was driving the Porsche, she kept saying that the Z is raw and the Porsche refined, pretty much like you stated. She won't let me get rid of the Z though nor would I want to. For the money, and cost of upkeep you can't beat a Z. (Edit: and the fun factor! The Z is a blast to drive)

m4a1mustang · 05-11-2013, 07:23 PM

I agree for the most part. The Z tends to drive more like a muscle car than a lot of people care to admit. You have to wrestle with it which is always fun.

cossie1600 · 05-11-2013, 09:24 PM

Why don't we compare 2013 Cayman to 2013 370z

m4a1mustang · 05-11-2013, 09:46 PM

Hahaha...not even on the same planet!

red6spd · 05-12-2013, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Hahaha...not even on the same planet!

In what sense?

m4a1mustang · 05-12-2013, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

In what sense?

2013 Cayman is a big step up. Practically a brand new car for 2013 while the Z has stayed mostly the same. The Cayman entered a new performance envelope so you can't really compare them like in years past.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-12-2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

2013 Cayman is a big step up. Practically a brand new car for 2013 while the Z has stayed mostly the same. The Cayman entered a new performance envelope so you can't really compare them like in years past.

And this is most likely why Nissan is taking an extra year to develop the Z35. To make a proper yet, attainable Cayman fighter...

I hope?

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-12-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I agree for the most part. The Z tends to drive more like a muscle car than a lot of people care to admit. You have to wrestle with it which is always fun.

I agree it handles Muscle-car'ish, but the Z still feels way more precise and it's chassis supports that feeling. Like stated a million times before. The z is a jack of all trades a master of none. It's 8/10's precision, 8/10's muscle, 9/10'ths GT. No other car is like this. There are 10/10th cars that can't fit the multi-role like the Z. Most people have a one-track mind and need wish for 10/10th cars. The Z isn't such which leaves it a low selling car for a small market.

Thank you Nissan for thinking about a small special market. But the Z34 was not updated as needed. Just hoping the Z35 gets all the attention the Z34 didn't get.

370zrider · 05-12-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

2013 Cayman is a big step up. Practically a brand new car for 2013 while the Z has stayed mostly the same. The Cayman entered a new performance envelope so you can't really compare them like in years past.

If the 370z couldn't keep up with the 2008 cayman, I think there is an even wider gap between a 370z and a 2013 cayman

370zrider · 05-12-2013, 12:00 PM

wonder what ideas Nissan has in mind for the z35. I don't expect a big improvement.

They can't handle cooling issues while staying on a budget, therefore turbocharging is far from being the solution. Maybe the only way they can improve the z is with a serious weight reduction

.

05-11-2013, 07:23 PM	#142 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I agree for the most part. The Z tends to drive more like a muscle car than a lot of people care to admit. You have to wrestle with it which is always fun. binary0x01 likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-11-2013, 09:46 PM	#144 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Hahaha...not even on the same planet! b1adesofcha0s and Davey like this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-12-2013, 12:00 PM	#150 (permalink)
370zrider Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mexico Posts: 106 Drives: 370zM6tour12nosport Rep Power: 13	wonder what ideas Nissan has in mind for the z35. I don't expect a big improvement. They can't handle cooling issues while staying on a budget, therefore turbocharging is far from being the solution. Maybe the only way they can improve the z is with a serious weight reduction . __________________ Stillen [gen3 CAI + headers + HFC + Exhaust + UD Pulley + lightweight flywheel] + Uprev e-tune+ PC680 Odyssey battery + oil cooler + MishimotoThermostat = 312whp + 252wtq @1,500mts or 5,000ft elevation Last edited by 370zrider; 05-12-2013 at 12:33 PM.

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05-11-2013, 09:24 PM	#143 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	Why don't we compare 2013 Cayman to 2013 370z