Cross shopping other cars with the Z?

Duc_Z09

Here's my opinion, feel free to disagree...

I think cars like the Golf GTI, BRZ, Focus ST, Mini Cooper, Mazdaspeed 3, etc are so popular because they feel a lot faster than they actually are. That's why owners get so attached to them.

But the Z is the opposite; it's hard to believe the speedometer when you look down and see triple digits because the power is smooth and deceptive. V8 muscle cars have neck-snapping torque to let you know how quickly you're accelerating, and the hot hatches have torque steer... but the Z just sort of zips along without any drama, then sticks like flypaper when you reach an apex and start to apply serious lateral G's.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that some cars can be exhilarating at relatively low limits (i.e. you can drift a BRZ at 20mph because it has no grip), but for the Z those limits are a lot higher and you have to push it harder to feel the excitement.

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2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot)
2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

MR.nismo

I agree with DUC. The power delivery on the Z is linear. I used to own Evo's , Mazda speed 3, and their power delivery is like a sudden punch but that is it. There is no much of a momentum behind the punch. Evos are quick but no fast, and the same goes for the speed 3, is quick but not fast and there is a difference between quick and fast. I had a trans-am v-8 and sure it had power but it was heavy to maneuver.
The Z is not the fastest nor the most powerful car out there but one thing is for sure and that is a well balanced package when it comes to power, weight, agility and handling, fuel consumption and other little things in between.
By the way DUC_Z09 I assume you are a Ducatisti? If so I'm a fellow Ducatisti as well, 1198 model. Cheers!!!

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Sarcasm and Orgasm are about the same thing. One is good....the other is better.

Tigger

****. You wanna bring up fuel consumption? 31.8mpg on highway. Think it was just over 500 miles and had quite a bit of fun along the way. Can't get much better than that for the amount of power you get!

Duc_Z09

Nice! I've got the smaller one, the 848. I don't really need the power of an 1198 but sometimes I do wish I had the dry clutch and monoblock brakes.

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2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot)
2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

MR.nismo

And that is why I'm keeping my 1198. I was thinking on getting the Panigale but wet clutch is what keeps me away from it. My clutch is vented and the louder it gets the more I like it. If I get a wet clutch bike then it would be the BMW 1000.

__________________
Sarcasm and Orgasm are about the same thing. One is good....the other is better.

Duc_Z09

Can't blame you, they're still the best looking thing on 2 wheels IMO. I demo tested the Panigale S back when it came out in '12... They're a lot better sorted geometry-wise than the 1*98 series bikes and they certainly have a $h*t ton of power (way more than what anybody not named Bayliss can use IMO), plus those nifty electronic rider aids. But something's still missing. Maybe sometimes more is less.

I've already got full Ohlins, a Dan Kyle link, Woodcrafts, Termis, and a bunch of other junk on my 848 so I'm pretty much committed to it. I'll add 28 or 30mm offsets, possibly go 520 15/41, and maybe upgrade the brakes and call it lovely.

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2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot)
2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

Zipper 104

Yup...I had my Z out for the first time in ages yesterday. There were people pulling up next to me on the freeway, slowing down and gawking like they had never seen one before.
There's one freeway entrance ramp I usually wail up like there's no tomorrow. This time I decided to just ease up it, like the old man I am. Well, I'm almost at the end of the merge lane when I see a car almost in my blindspot. I decide to just nudge the speed up a bit to put some space between us. No drama. I look down at the speedo and see 170 kph. (just over 100 mph) WTF? I didn't even get on it.
I didn't own a car for the past 15 years. I looked only at one 370 and bought it. Looked at nothing else. With Swifts the suspension is near perfect. It corners like on rails, hauls a** better than I ever need. It costs me the same as any other car to park and insure each month and gas mileage is really here nor there since I drive it so little.
I was thinking today that I bought the right car. The only alternative would be to go back to being carless again.
OP, buying yourself a Z really was a good choice. All the other cars mentioned in this thread are a dime a dozen out there.

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