Why is the Z slower than comparable cars?
 

So my first post here (other than the intro) is sure to spark a debate but I feel it's a legit question.
I have been doing a lot of research on the Nismo Z, as I'm 90% sure it will be my next car. But I can't understand why it's 0-60 performance is slower than other cars that have less power and/or lower HP to weight ratios.

The various magazines like the handling and that is a good thing. But most will complain that it's under-powered while also complimenting the VQ as one of the best V6's ever built (I agree). Years ago the Z was described as a beast. Now it doesn't even make the list of top sports cars. What happened?

Personally, I love the looks of the Nismo and I can always increase the performance. But I also wonder what happened to the once, almost legendary reputation of this car. I still want one.

Most Newer cars that have less hp and less weight have a turbo or twin turbo. Which cars in general are you try to compare to the nismo z?

Trust me even though the 0-60 time is slower than say example as a 335i (My friend has one)

Me and my friend go to a track we known sometimes and race around, I have a touring base w/o navi plus upgrades I have put on. My friend has increased his turbo size on his beamer and done a lot of things like me and I still end up winning. the VQ has the legendary back end power.

I find that once you hit second gear it's a friggin rocket.

because since 2009 the engine hasn't been upgraded while on other cars it has. the z had 332hp or 350hp for the nismo and guess what... 2015 it still has the same.

think that answers your question.

you're welcome :)

Ya im intriqued as to what youre comparing the Z to

if all you care about is 0-60 go grab a 5.0 stang or something

in terms of comparison z is in a precarious position as there is no 'true' competitor. compared to the miata/toyobaru's it's over powered vs their lighter and lower out puts. then it's all sport luxury cars.

the Z was designed originally to compete with lower end porches at a fraction of the cost. if you use that mentality then ignore the critics. you get 90% the performance for half the price is what you look at.

I will chime in here as a newbie to the forum but a long time car guy, specifically Z's. Nissan likes to find something that works and stick with it. The VQ engine is amazing. They have not really felt the need to update its specs because its pretty well balanced and reliable. More HP/TQ = less reliable in most cases.

I read an article from a respected source claiming the new STI will have a TT motor from the factory at close to 500 HP and 455TQ. Nissan will need to start working on their performance to keep up with the other sports cars out there. However there is quite a large performance parts market out there for the zcar and it does not take much to get a 370Z to beat up on pretty much all of the stock turboed cars on the market.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years.

:iagree:

I wouldn't say it is slower. If you look at stock statistics between 1/4 miles, the Z is in the middle still in the mid grade sports car section. It is not the fastest, however not the slowest. Also, the 5.0 mustang is only a .3 - .5 second difference from a Z in the 1/4 mile stock for 10k more, however it is more mod happy than the Z obviously.

Considering that a 370Z is about a half-second faster to 60 than a base Porsche Cayman (which costs twice as much!), I think that the Z's performance is more than adequate.

:iagree:

As of right now there are two options that Nissan can go with. The globally economical car (like Fords Eco Boost engines) and they make the Z a 2.0L TT which will be very bad for Z owners. or go with a 3.0L TT and compete with all the other sports cars that are increasing in stock power.

Or what I personally believe they should do. the 350 make it the 2.0 TT so they have their globally economical car they can sell. Not only that the rest of the world likes smaller cars anyhow. For the 370z (non-nismo) they should make it the 3.0L TT and for the Z Nismo they should sweeten the pot even more and do a 3.8LTT like the newer Hyundai Genesis.

Of course whenever we look at TT'ing a stock car from a manufacture add another 10k to the sticker price if not more. So it would push the Z out of the affordability range compared to Porsches because it would be just as expensive

But that's just my $.02

I'm curious as to what cars you are comparing it to. Most people will mention the muscle cars (5.0 & SS) as being faster but those have significantly more HP. Also, when the Z came out in 2009, the Mustang GT was only packing the 4.6 and the Z outgunned it by a good margin. The Z's powerplant just hasn't been updated since it's introduction. Most of the comparable cars have.

As some other posters have mentioned, the true competitor for the 370z is the Cayman (S), with which it compared very favorably in 2009 when I bought my Z and still does today. That said, if Nissan ends up taking the Z in a radically different direction (boosted 4 cylinder or premium sports car/porche/GTR territory), then I can see a Cayman GT4 in my future.

The VQ has a very linear power band, which is why the Z shines towards the end power. If you want to make it go fast off the line, then just add a 4.08 final drive.

Suggestion of a good brand and est price?

You can get Nissan factory gears in 4.08. They'll run you around $2000 installed by a shop, or about $800 if you know what your doing & have the proper tools, if you don't it will cost you a lot more later ;).

Our cars are pretty quick in a sense. Just when I go hang out at local meets, all you see are old civics that are fully built and wrx and evos with minimal mods and the z can't win a race off a dig. It's like fast in regular world, but at bottom half in the car world. The drivability is where it shines over most cars in the same price range. Not to mention my nismo will turn more heads than a wrx with a big intercooler.

This.

It really does feel slow toward the bottom of the rev range because it makes all of its power above 5k. If you want a good dig off the line you need to rev it up a lot and even then the VQ doesn't make nearly the torque that other (especially v8) cars do.

Funny thing is every time I'm romping on it and think to myself how slow it feels, I end up looking down at my speedo and thinking "thank Christ there wasn't a cop around!":rofl2:

Because at the end of the day you're comparing an actual nice sports car to an econo-box that just happens to be fast.:tup:

My WRX was definitely faster 0-60, but the Z is faster up top. Once I got the car tuned, it made a HUGE difference down low and throttle response.

It's the result of being unchanged for 6 years. In 2009 it was top of the pack, and in 2015, it's essentially the same car yet. No longer top of the back but it can still hold it's own in just about every category. There's always someone faster/better. As long as you're happy that's all that matters. That's why I have mine! :tup:

What kind of tune did you get?

I just got schooled by a PT Cruiser. I know what you mean. :icon17:

Those are drag strip kings, don't mess with them.

Did you knew they made factory turbo PT cruisers? :driving:

Thanks to all for the input.
As I said, the Nismo Z is my car of choice. I had a 06 G35 that I built up, only because I really wanted a Z but the dealer made me a deal on the G that the Nissan dealer couldn't beat. I finally traded it in on a QX60 for my wife and now I'm finally going to get my Z. When making comparisons, I found (as others have pointed out) that the econo-boxes (love that!) had faster launch times and that was perplexing. But as others have also pointed out, the Z is not a drag racer nor am I interested in drag racing it. (I have a '55 Buick I built for that). I also like how the most comparitive sports car to the Z is the Porsche and that the Z is better looking (IMO) and performs just as well for less money.

Thanks again. I enjoyed the opinions and it gave me a perspective of the passion of Z owners... a passion I too will share very soon.

cause them minivans with bald headed middle aged losers are frikken fast, thats why. :mad:

i loved driving mama's sienna when i was 17... thing had balls. until you put people in it.


i get rekt' off the lights by a lot of cars because i like to engage the clutch fairly slowly in first. then i like to wind out first


did you know that RACECAR spelt backwards is RACECAR?!?!?!:eek:

Basically my take is when the Z came out in 2009 it was faster than most if not all cars in that price range. Really the Z competed against the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. (poor man's Porsche)

Since then, the genesis, mustang, and camaro have been upgraded at least once if not twice. The Z meanwhile was only upgraded aesthetically. I assume the Z35 will return to the top or near the top, unless they go for a lighter weight car with less power.

the only reason why 17yr olds drive minivans is for one reason. and it's not for just transportation. :icon17: haha

:hello: long time no post! :D


my Z can still get me in trouble in 5sec so i dont see the car as being too slow. :icon17: plus it's got that special something those other cars dont have. it's not just speed im after.

Howdy, stranger. :tiphat:

:tiphat::tiphat: :hello: :hello:

:driving: :tup: :driving:

It's not the car, it's the driver.

/thread

Why is the Audi TT never on the list for a 370Z comparison car?

I TT mine and still get my a$$ waxed by some few stangs and what not...but there is always someone faster and better. Really, for all the things you can do with a Z compared to other imports your are way ahead, performance and power per dollar.

lol car and driver has it up there... but it's a TT come on!

:roflpuke2:

I know, there are :supergay: car, but, front engine, 2 seater...lol

Why is the Z slower than comparable cars?

Because you're comparing it to faster cars.

Compare it to a slower one and see if it's faster THEN?! :roflpuke2:

:stirthepot:

:iagree: You want the Z's true competitors (RWD, front engine, 2 seaters, with similar power plants) you get Audi TT, BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster/Cayman.

EDIT: I realize the Porsches are not Front engine, but other factors are consistent :tup: