jmark

For those Nismo 350Z doubters check out this full road test & video. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=121814?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.* Sweet review & video. I agree with most it except that the ride is better than stated & I don't hear the boominess in the cabin. Look at the measured times! I am telling you folks this car is much more than the specs....... This Nismo Z test car posts some very impressive acceleration numbers — 5.1 seconds to 60 mph, 13.6 seconds through the quarter-mile at 103 mph. Among front-engine, rear-drive coupes on the near side of $50K, BMW's twin-turbo, 300-hp 335i is quicker, as are the Corvette and Shelby GT500. But these cars will take a few thousand more from your bank account than the Nismo Z. As good as the Nismo feels on public roads, the true gains of its seam-welded chassis can only be realized in a track environment. For a car that weighs 3,354 pounds, a 71.0-mph slalom speed and 0.91g on the skid pad are signs of talent — the last Lotus Elise we tested had less than a 1-mph advantage in the slalom. Mount up the Nismo Z with stickier tires and you'll have a capable if portly track-day car straight from the Nissan dealership.

Not in Greer SC yet....

Cool. Here is my ITG & TWM Air Horn set up all sold by MSA.

I have a couple of SCCA drivers willing to test her out already!

For sure John. In the hands of a good driver this car would be something. It sure makes me feel more accomplished! Here is a Youtube of a Japanese RS Nismo Z. The RS comes with a 3.8 liter motor good for about 35 more HP & leather seats. The rest of the car is US Nismo Z. Watch it & let me know what you think.

Nice wallpaper of a Nismo Z in red. Mine is Silver Alloy. Got mine last Thursday. Serial # 0007! In short the car is superb. Here is what I said on another site. The car is superb. Not sure if you have driven or seen one yet. If you get a chance do it. Pics don't come close to showing the stance of the car. The cars look is unlike anything on the road right now. Everyone that sees it is blown away by it & wants to know where to get one. The great thing is Nissan has refined this car alot over the years. The way it drives is even better than its looks. The handling is top notch but still maintains a decent ride. The new HR motor revs much more freely and the fit & finish is very nice. I really wonder if since this car has the extra chassis welding if they take a little extra time on the assembly/paint. The gearbox is much smoother and the clutch take up lighter. The sound the exhaust makes will have me driving with the windows down! I have not found anything I would change. She's a keeper. The car is much more than what's on the spec sheet. It is what the Track model should have been all along. I have owned quite a few sports cars and this is the best one I have ever owned. The Nismo Z has the soul of the old 240Z for sure.

You haven't driven a Nismo Z. Even Sam M. from R & T said in his early drive of the Nismo Z the car was very close to the Cayman S. Can't beat the Z for the price. I picked my Nismo Z up today & I am very impressed. Alot more car than my 03 Track and very well put together. The 07 motor revs alot more freely. John with your expertise I think you would really like the Nismo Z. MC over at my350z has driven 4 different Caymans and really like his new Nismo Z.

Thanks Chris. The quote reminded me of the 240Z. Pics up soon.

Here's a traslated article of Nismo Z vs. Porsche Cayman S from the latest Z Magazine Volume 4 from the my350Z page. Thanks to gsazabi. I thought it was cool & it sorted reminded me of the 240Z & 911 comparos. The article is written in the journalist's point of view (driving Nismo). The track tested is Japan's famous Tsukuba Circuit. 'Superiority Complex of 1.361 Second' "I'm catching up, I'm catching up, I'm catching up!" From the cockpit of the Nismo Z, I can see the Porsche Cayman S ahead, driven by LeMans 24 Hour winner and Kondo Racing's Super GT 500 class driver Seiji Ara. From the first corner to the first hairpin, the distance between two cars widen, however, the gap shrinks quickly back because of the torque range difference. Turning into Dunlop corner, the two cars get separated a bit again. However, by long coener of 80R they're bumper to bumper. Amazing that Nismo Z driven by amateur can keep up with a Porsche driven by a racing driver. This machine is very good on corners. When the Cayman realized Nismo Z's potential, it was a huge surprise. Ara, stunned that the Nismo Z driven by amateur is right up on Cayman's tail, took the last corner with insane speed and didn't even engage the brakes. -NO WAY!- The Cayman's rear end broke loose. With high pitch screech from the tires it straightened out on the main straight. Absolutely stunned, I just trailed him slowly in the Nismo Z. Cayman's time was 1'8" flat. Ara announced, "That's the fastest it'll go." However, afterwards Ara drove the Nismo Z again and recorded 1'66". The difference was 1.316". Ara noted that he's done 1'57" in the Nismo Z in better conditions. Given the condition of the day, Ara already expected about 1.5" slower laptimes. Either way, in a head to head battle around Tsukuba Circuit, the Nismo Z crushes the Cayman S. 'Pros and Cons of Version Nismo and Porsche Cayman S' The Cayman S is ranked right under the 911 Carrera. Some people might say, "Porsche is 911, right?" But there is a reason why this machine was chosen as an opponent of Nismo Z. First off, it has similar output with 3387cc, 295ps engine. It also has similar dimentions.(skipped the numbers) The Cayman S weights in at 1410kg. Compared to it the Nismo Z has 100kg disadvantage but also has 19ps more. Furthermore, it has opposite level mid-ship mounted 6 cylinder engine to be able to fight on same level. Cayman gets the same Rear Engine Rear Drive(RR) layout that Porsche's been working on for a long time. However, this is the con of Cayman. Porsche's top model is still the 911, and Cayman will be never given an engine of 911's standard. Ara explains, "With this layout tweaked and elaborated more, this car can become a wonderful machine. The rear suspension and strut didn't have a problem at all. The overall package is still wonderful." The best part of the Porsche is its braking performance, in which Ara quotes, "Outstanding! No complaints whatsoever. This is the only weak part of the Nismo Z." Therefore, they're first-class worthy opponents against each other. Mostly, this Cayman S is equipped with Porsche ceramic carbon brake front piston, rear piston aluminimum mono block caliper(optional at whopping $14,300!). It also comes with Porsche Active Suspension Management(PASM) which includes Sport Mode with adjustable dampers. The tires on Nismo Z is Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R, and the Cayman is equipped Advan Sport. Both tires have their strong and weak points. "You should experience it", Ara exclaims. "The Cayman is a really solid sports car. The feeling is incredible. Compared to the same Mid-Ship NSX, it is nervous and more predictable." Only part that makes the driver nervous is that it's a rather expensive sports car that's called Porsche. On the other hand, the Nismo Z will not make the driver feel as nervous as it is half the price of the Porsche. Overall, the car (except for the brakes) is awesome. Was there ever a time when a Japanese car could be compared with a world standard car such as Porsche? To be able to get this kind of machine for almost half the price is the best thing ever.

If you can find the Ebbro version it is great. Hard to find & pricey....

My Nismo 350Z is in & I pick her up tomorrow! Serial #0007! Pics to follow.

I was told the Konigs are Chinese made for around $30 a rim.....

If you want Panasports contact Les @ Classic Datsun. Konigs are alot cheaper.

The Nismo Z is a 2007 and there are more than 2 in the US. Mine is due into the dealership around July 16. Please shoot some pics. Mine is Silver Alloy as well.

Not sure how you can say the 350Z is short lived. 2008 will be its 5th year. My Nismo Z's ETA is July 16!

New 07 motor requires the hood be modded. Car has 2 intakes & the air plenum is taller.

Just noticed Steve your new Z is a 904 white with blue interior. Not many of us have that combo. Congrats.

Took my 78 280Z to a rad shop. First time they didn't let the coating setup long enough and we ended up having to have the tank done again (this time they footed the bill). This time the coating they applied dryed for 3 days. Seems to have worked this time.

VIN for my Nismo Z is listed in my signature. :classic:

Got my VIN # for my Nismo Z. Car should be here week of July 13!

OEM factory gray

Here is what I use in my Z cars. Works well. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=moisture%20absorber

Comment from Bruce Campbell Vice President, Nissan Design America, Inc. Where do you see sports car design heading in the future? What about the next generation Z – must it always have ties to the original 240Z or is there a point where you’ve taken the original concept as far as it can go and you start completely fresh? The current 350Z, when it was introduced in 2002, marked a point of departure. It signaled the birth of the "modern Z," offering design that is clearly distinct from its predecessors while retaining the spirit of the original – not only in design, but in driving exhilaration and performance value. The following generations of the Z will continue to be modern, with very emotional design impact. The DNA of the 240Z will always be present, but the visual cues might be less prominent.

Years ago someone was swept away into a drainage pipe & killed during a 291 downpour. We barely even got rain in Greer.....