Test drove a 2008 350Z today

[wrx265_karter]

I took our Titan for it's regular maintenance job at a local Nissan dealership today and thought I'd hit up the chance to test drive a 350Z. The test was rather short but I was able to get it up to speed on the freeway and I've got to say I'm rather impressed. The interior is a couple of steps up from my Evo (as to be expected) but what really got me is the responsiveness of the engine. Nissan really did a great job on the VQ35DE-HR variant and how responsive and silky smooth this engine revs! It didn't feel like a big displacement V6 but rather feels more like a high rev 4 banger! The chassis, though softer than the evo, is comfy but stiff enough to give the driver that 'sports car' feel when taking corners. I was expecting the steering to be less responsive compared to my evo but I was surprised it's actually just slightly subdued. Very impressed overall to the point that I'm really thinking about trading in my 8 for one. The seed has been planted! 

[DTNS]

dude,

wait for the Evo X. or better yet, the GTR!  :notworthy: :thumbsup:

[wrx265_karter]

GTR is way out of my price range plus I'd probably be too afraid to drive it daily. I was considering the X but I'm sorely disappointed that it's slower, heavier and more expensive that the previous models. The STI was another choice but the styling sucks plus the it's also slower and more expensive than the previous one.

[SkylineGTR]

can't go wrong with the 350Z.

[AUCH]

wait wait wait...  is the R35 GTR going to land in pinas thru the nissan dealers?  if it is, finally woohooh!!!  not that i can afford it though...

anyway how did the 350Z pull?  cant be as hard as you evo8 i bet?

[AM]

GTR is way out of my price range plus I'd probably be too afraid to drive it daily. I was considering the X but I'm sorely disappointed that it's slower, heavier and more expensive that the previous models. The STI was another choice but the styling sucks plus the it's also slower and more expensive than the previous one.

The Evo X is heavier, but most say it handles better than the Evo IX... acceleration time is a bit slower, but it goes faster around a track.
The new STI unlike the Evo X didn't get much heavier, the new STI weighs only 44 lbs more than the previous model, but gains an extra 12 hp. 0-60mph is still an impressive 4.8 sec.

2008 WRX STI starts at $34,995 (+$2,000 for BBS package that includes fog lights)

[AM]

Very impressed overall to the point that I'm really thinking about trading in my 8 for one. The seed has been planted! 

I just wonder when the all-new Nissan Z will be introduced.
Seen the Nismo version...
It would have been ok, but the rear is just over the top. 

[DTNS]

wait wait wait...  is the R35 GTR going to land in pinas thru the nissan dealers?  if it is, finally woohooh!!!  not that i can afford it though...

the R35 GTR officially sold in pinas? I seriously doubt that!


and even if they would bring it in, I woudn't have mine serviced at the Nissan casa, knowing how "good" local casas are...  :violent1:

[Conan®]

wait wait wait...  is the R35 GTR going to land in pinas thru the nissan dealers?  if it is, finally woohooh!!!  not that i can afford it though...

anyway how did the 350Z pull?  cant be as hard as you evo8 i bet?

With the price of the GTR, I doubt that Nissan will bring that in. I'm sure gray market importers will.

[wrx265_karter]

anyway how did the 350Z pull?  cant be as hard as you evo8 i bet?

Being an NA car instead of the turbo, it pulled nicely and progressively. Very very smooth power delivery which is what Nissan's intention was with the new VQ35HR engine in the 07 and 08 Z. It didn't wheeze or felt like it was running out of breath while accelerating towards redline. The Evo, being a turbo, pulls differently. Obviously, there's the turbo lag from 1k-2.5k RPM but once you hit 3k RPM, the power surges forth until about 6.5k where it drops a bit. I have the regular 4g63T without MIVEC so the engine isn't as smooth as the VQ. I heard the MIVEC equipped 4G suffers less from lag and is smoother overall. The Evo seems to pull harder because you get this enormous amount of power once the turbo spools. With the 08 Z, it builds up progressively and steadily up until redline which how a proper sports car engine should behave IMO.

[AUCH]

hmmm...  anyway, i am assuming the 350Z you tried out is an auto?

[wrx265_karter]

hmmm...  anyway, i am assuming the 350Z you tried out is an auto?

Nope 6 speed. It'd be pointless to get an automatic sports car. 

[AUCH]

Nope 6 speed. It'd be pointless to get an automatic sports car. 

wow, excellent...  i just assumed that it would be an auto since most if not all 200sx in pinas came out auto

[Conan®]

wow, excellent...  i just assumed that it would be an auto since most if not all 200sx in pinas came out auto

evo_karter is in the US not in the Philippines.

[qnz_78]

the R35 GTR officially sold in pinas? I seriously doubt that!


and even if they would bring it in, I woudn't have mine serviced at the Nissan casa, knowing how "good" local casas are...  :violent1:

although there are a bunch of bad dealerships dito sa atin, there are a few good ones around where I wouldnt mind taking a car such as the GTR if I had one