Now in a Stingray, Z end of an Era

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

My thing with the 370z was taking corners... I fixed it's shortcomings with the koni shocks n swift spec R springs and the eibach sways set in the middle setting. That pretty muchbsorted out all its problems for about $2k. Stoptech used to sell a brake upgrade kit for the Z. Which improved my brake modulation coming in and out of a corner.
As far as steering. The Z in my opinion was TELEPATHIC. Not almost, not kinda. Very telepathic. The only car I've driven with better steering was the giulia and the Mercedes amg gts. Im even gonna go as far as to stay The Z steering feel is better than a 911.

Im in a camaro 2ss with MRC which is the grand sport corvette suspension. The 1LE widens the tires stiffened the springs and lowers the car by an inch, getting 1.2g vs the 1.1g I pull in my car.
The SS and stringray was designed to benchmark the 1LE and Z06 of last generation while the Z06 and 1LE surpass the performance of the MRC SS and stingray... The z06 and 1LE of last gen was already destroying most of what was out there for the 1st time in a while... And it's gotten better now. These cars are great. And obviously are going to eclipse a Z... But that said. A Z with those minimalistic mods I mentioned and with its short wheelbase and size? It's hard to beat as an overall drivers car feel!! I mean yeah. It needs an exhaust to give it life for your senses. But it's overall drive and steering feel is way above its weight class. And the New Nismos are really well sorted out. Nissan has made a more refined Z even though they haven't given updates you can see... They've added finesse to the handling. Maybe you guys just really weren't built for the Z or didn't understand the Z. I'll admit though. You have to mod the Z slightly to be optimum. But even stock it was well sorted. It feels so good you don't mind performing small mods for big gains in handling enhancement. The Z is a canvas to a true enthusiast.

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Eh, my Z was far from telepathic or well sorted. Like my cx5 better in thebhandling dept, even if the narrow tires give obviouslwer limits, its better behaved and more intuitive. Im thinking your opinion comes from your mods, which sound rather likely to have fixed the issues I had with it.

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

I drove my Z 6 months b4 I modded it...
It drove better than all the muscle cars of last generation. Better than the Audi TT and BMW Z4. It was only overshadowed by the Porsche Cayman. At the time I hadn't driven a 911. Modding it only made it better. Maybe you had a defective car? I don't know...

But I'm still perplexed you're comparing a Mazda to a Z.. It's just so friggin apples to oranges it's ridiculous. Put 332 hp in your cx5 n see how uncontrolled and lacking poise it has. It's easy to feel sorted with 180hp. It's n I t hard to get great handling in a 4 banger. I've driven Kia Rio's with great performance vigor on mountain roads? Does that make it in the same class as a Z? Smh...

You're pretty delusional right now my man. I mean really... I'm glad you're enjoying life and enjoying your batcave lifestyle. And being the former owner of an FD RX7 I know Mazda is amazing with handling. I'm sure your CUV feels great for what it is... But it's nowhere near the same as a Z. The powertrain pushes the wrong end. You're not gonna take curvy roads in the triple digits comfortably. It's not that type of vehicle... And you're not gonna convince anyone that a cx5 is comparable to a Z.

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Hrmm...my CX5 has 250hp/310tq and is AWD. Where did you get your specs from?

The only way I'll own a vehicle anymore is if it's "pushed" from both ends. AWD is superior, IMO, especially in inclement weather, etc.

That said, it's more composed and better sorted than the 370Z ever dreamed of being (mine, anyways, 2012 Sport/Touring). That does not mean it was objectively faster, just that it was much better executed, and doesn't skitter and dance and break loose and bounce around like a pogo-stick when you encounter irregularities like the Z does. A vehicle doesn't have to turn better lap times, etc. to be better sorted. The Z is definitely faster, its suspension is just woefully underdamped compared to every other vehicle I've owned, including my CX5. I can upset a 370Z without even applying the gas beyond maintaining speed. Just give it a dip or irregularity and watch it step sideways/lose traction. My Dad hated going out to supper with me if we took the Z because it did it on overpasses just cruising at the speed limit. Unnerving.

As to the triple digits and curvy roads...well, depends on the road and all that, pretty subjective, your statement there.

My advice is go to a dealer and drive a CX5 GTR/Sg model. It won't surprise you with the speed with only 250bhp but the suspension might make you take notice, and 310# of torque at 2000rpm sure is nice.

Originally Posted by F.I. Inc.

Yes, they are Tony approved! Frank, when I get around to it, I may put your pipes into production. We will call them, "The FP" option.
-Tony

Originally Posted by FPenvy

...........i wasn't gonna jump into this thread. However, did you really compare a CX5 to a Z and go even further to say it has better handling? i think it may have been in need of a driver mod if thats your findings

what in the actual fuck i hope you're just trolling.

if serious.

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Not trolling as hard as Nissan was when they set up that suspension. Bouncy bouncy.

Seriously though, you guys are trying to compare 370z to Camaro and Mustang, and that makes even less sense. 80hp gap between my cx5 and your Z, and my cx5 has 40# more torque than your Z. Camaro has what, 118hp more than your Z? Yet you compare...

Im just commenting on suspension though. The cx5 gtr is much more composed than the 370z in the corners, etc. if any ireegularities exist. Its just a better balanced suspension regwrding rebound control.

Originally Posted by F.I. Inc.

Yes, they are Tony approved! Frank, when I get around to it, I may put your pipes into production. We will call them, "The FP" option.
-Tony

Originally Posted by FPenvy

well then if you're serious.......

i'll address your comments in order.

the Z is comparable to mustang and camaro regards of HP gap due to the fact it can handle quite well. i have played around against both cars and the Z holds up well to the point depending on launch i've kept up to and/or beat a new 5.0 mustang.....in mexico of course.

as for the suspension, what was wrong with your Z that you experience was that bad? also what is your age? seems to be weak, whiny, older guys who say the ride and suspension sucks and buy soccer mom SUVs. although i know multiple distinguished older owners in here who roll on full race setups like gangsters.

i'm pushed my Z on stock suspension/brakes very hard and it feels great. the one failing part i've experienced was rolling a tire sidewall. those tires got switched at the end of that season.

and yea i'm sure an MX5 feels more composed when you can't get it past 80mph.

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

...Ive owned a Z, a Z06, and 2 CX5s. Go drive them all. Get back to us.
.

Originally Posted by mikeb

Several forum members have done just that; they've have driven vettes, caymans, stangs, and all other beasts. I know because I read thru those opinions closely before I purchased my 2015. Now that I've owned the car for over yr I agree with the majority. My Z suspension feels well damped, however our roads a decent and my Z is low mileage and in great condition. My take away from your experience is that perhaps the 2012 had dampening issues or *your* particular car had issues. Perhaps your road are really that bad or maybe Nissan sorted things out in later models. Either way, you are swimming upstream on this forum

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Like my cx5 better in thebhandling dept, even if the narrow tires give obviouslwer limits, its better behaved and more intuitive.

Originally Posted by Cyber370

Wow, we now are comparing CX5's to a Z. So, it wasn't an April fools joke after all. I don't even have words.