Actually, even more than the Maxima I would recommend looking at a sport
suspension and manual tranny equipped Altima 3.5 (which has the
240HP/240ft-lbs version of the VQ35 motor). Something like 0-60 in 6.1
seconds in a reasonably sized 4 door sedan for $24k, pretty amazing.
However, I must say that I do *NOT* like the VQ35 motor. Yes, it has great
power and torque, but it is not smooth at all, sounding very raspy and
unhappy when pushed hard at higher RPMs. The aural tone inside a 350Z being
driven aggressively isn't NEARLY as pleasing as a 300ZX or any other car
with more than 4 cylinders. I'm not sure why this is...maybe it's noise
from the timing chain that I'm not used to? I don't know...but regardless I
would not call the VQ35 motor "pure unadulterated joy".
-Carl
-----Original Message-----
From: Jake Hodges [mailto:jake@codeworm.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2002 9:28 AM
To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: anyone have a 350Z yet?
Well it only makes sense. The 360 Modena is 10 MORE than the 350Z, and 3
and 6 are both more than 2. The S2000 only has a 2 and a bunch of zeros.
See how none of this matters? Go drive the thing. It's ugly, but then
again, so is every other car made. It looks fun on paper.. Judging by the
Maxima that I just returned to Hertz with a nicked wheel and warped rotors,
the engine should be a pure unadulterated joy. TORQUE! WOOO!! In fact, I
would recommend looking at a Maxima if there was some aftermarket solution
to it's woefully lame suspension. The car will make you do bad
things. Get the "mad-pumpkin orange".
(Interestingly, they didn't seem care when I told them about the rotors. I
even said they got worse and worse while I was driving.)
On a side note, I've been enjoying the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety's website. Go here, pick your car, and then find the link in the
green sidebar that says, "Photos of vehicles with highest and lowest
ratings in this class. It's scary that even though the fuel line was torn
open and that the steering column moved up far enough that the drivers head
bottomed out the airbag and was allowed to hit the steering wheel that the
2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper was NOT the worst midsize utility vehicle. Please,
friends.. Don't buy SUVs.
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm
Sadly, James, the 360Z isn't yet rated.
>i have to admit you are probably right. the 360 modena is a much better
>looking and performing car than the 350Z OR the S2000. now why was it i
was
>considering the 350 instead of the 360 in the first place? someone remind
>me. :-)
>
>-james c
|