Why does first gear in every other car feel and seem faster than the Z?

keb370z

Not my baby!!!

keb370z

And you know what people? I think m4a1mustang figured this whole thing out. I never slip the clutch. Ever. My entire life up until a few years ago was spent being poor and driving used cars with an almost used up clutch I was trying to squeeze as many miles out of as I could. So I have myself trained to never slip the clutch.

So. Guess I just need to slip the clutch more?

Not that it's going to happen. Just theoretically.

IDZRVIT

There ya go............operator error!

__________________
"America.... still builds rockets!"
Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp
'13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

keb370z

For the on the track with the Chevy Malibu scenario, yes.

But not if you go back to my original point. Slipping the clutch every time you take off is not an option in daily driving. I'm not going to drag race every car on the road.

In daily driving, if I drive my Z spiritedly but properly (as in, not slipping the clutch), the Malibu is going to tie or beat me every time until I get into high RPMs in 2nd gear. And a Lumina, and an Accord. And a Camry. And many others.

Not that it matters. I still love my Z, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. It's just kind of eye-opening for me that a sports car's first gear feels so slow. I know Nissan has a reason for that, and I think their reasoning is because they've engineered this car to be a sports car you can drive every day. If there was so much power in 1st that the tires spun every time you took off, it would be a pain in the butt to drive. But that's just my guess.

keb370z

Hey check this out. I found the exact same thread in a 350 forum and lots of people agree with me.
350z in first gear feels slow. - MY350Z.COM Forums

For those of you who don't want to click over, here's quotes from the people on my side of the argument. And long story short - I'm going to try getting out of 1st faster and see what happens. (I think someone actually mentioned that earlier in this thread, but I kind of got lost in catching up with the other posts.)

* Begin quotes *

1st gear isn't really a gear where your going to feel that kind of pull. It's a 350z, not a Trans Am. V6 with a relatively heavy body so she gets up slow. Coming from an automatic myself, I can relate to the difference in feel of launching. (Even my auto Civic seemed to get moving quicker). However, once you hit second....it's on.

Yupp... minivans, corolla's, civics... etc etc... they all pull away faster from the light than I do (6 Spd) under normal driving. 2nd gear is no doubt when the fun really starts

yes! i thought i was the only one

I'm glad someone else started this thread. I've been feeling the same way since March 2006. I really have to rev the thing up to keep up with minivans when the light turns green. If I drive 'normal' (should I say, civil?) the minivan pulls ahead every time. But when I get into 2nd gear and apply the same pressure to the accelerator the Z pulls ahead every time. Oh well...I think it's really meant to make good power at higher speeds, not for drag racing.

I used to get pissed about the whole idea of being passed by bumbling minivans at stoplights while driving normally, etc. but I've also had the pleasure of going through a number of very cheap rental vehicles- among this fleet was a Kia Sportage, a minivan (forget the brand), a G6, etc. I realized that most of these cars are built for driving light to light at <40mph speeds and they seem to move very well from the stop light up until about 40 where they fall flat on their face. I think there is also the mentality that some feel they have to give it their all at a stop light when sitting next to a Z so they don't feel as badly about their car but I could be wrong. Either way, I hear what you say about first gear which is why I waste next to no time in it and move as quick as possible to second


i think i know what you mean. Personally, i can make 1st gear really go IF I WANT TO. the thing is, it really seems like i am doing extra much doing that at a stoplight (noise it produces n all). The pedal is very sensative for first, and the car is using a lot more power to get it moving. But yea, sometimes i just want to go after a stoplight normally, but i would look like a slow fool unless i do a quick switch to second, or make a bit of uncessary noise. Dont get me wrong, not saying i dont like exhaust, i freakin love it. But there are times for it and times to keep it cool... there is hardly a middle point sadly.

And also, from MANY 350z races i have seen, 350z's tend to be behind in first, and start pulling forward starting in 2nd and going to 3rd. I gaurentee you, almost all of them end up pulling towards then end where the power kicks in (unless it is outclassed)

The minivans pull ahead of you because the automatic stays in 1st gear for 1 sec and shifts right into 2nd. If you do the same, I'm sure you'll feel better. Z's 1st gear is not meant to be driven insanely.

IDZRVIT

Gee, seems you have a real issue with grocery getters.

I couldn't care less if a Malibu takes off from a light quicker than me and most Z owners would probably agree. If I want to go quicker at the next light, I can! But what's the point, really?

__________________
"America.... still builds rockets!"
Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp
'13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP