DavidM

'Sports Auto' magazine took the 350Z Track model through it's paces and managed some very impressive numbers. They have put the S2000 through the same kind of paces a while back and here are the results:

Accelleration (S2000 vs 350Z):
- 0-60kph = 3.0 vs 2.8
- 0-100kph = 6.2 vs 5.8
- 0-160kph = 14.8 vs 13.6
- 0-200kph = 24.5 vs 22.8

- 80-120kph (4th gear) = 7.2 vs 5.3
- 80-160kph (4th gear) = 14.8 vs 11.2

Top speed:
- S2000 = 241kph
- 350Z = 250kph (limited)

Braking (S2000 vs 350Z):
- 100-0kph = 36.1m vs 35.7m
- 200-0kph = 147m vs 145.6m

Slalom (36m):
- S2000 = 118kph
- 350Z = 127kph

Evasive course (110m):
- S2000 = 128kph
- 350Z = 130kph

Nurburgring lap-time:
- S2000 = 8:39
- 350Z = 8:26

Speed on the main straight:
- S2000 = 226kph
- 350Z = 235kph

Hokenheim KK lap-time:
- S2000 = 1:18.9
- 350Z = 1:18.8

Speed on the main straight:
- S2000 = 168kph
- 350Z = 173kph

Those are some very impressive numbers from the 350Z .... seems to be a tad quicker than the S2000 everywhere and really impressed at Nurburgring - wow!. Here are some other car reference numbers from the same mag:

Boxster 2.7L:
- Nurburgring lap-time = 8:36
- Nurburgring top-speed = 226kph
- Hokenkeim KK lap-time = 1:19.4
- Hokenkeim KK top-speed = 169kph
- 0-100kph = 6.4
- 0-160kph = 15.2
- 0-200kph = 26.3
- 80-160kph (4th gear) = 16.2

Z4 3.0:
- Nurburgring lap-time = 8:32
- Nurburgring top-speed = 232kph
- Hokenkeim KK lap-time = 1:18.1
- Hokenkeim KK top-speed = 170kph
- 0-100kph = 6.0
- 0-160kph = 15.3
- 0-200kph = 27.5
- 80-160kph (4th gear) = 13.3

e46 M3:
- Nurburgring lap-time = 8:22
- Nurburgring top-speed = 245kph
- Hokenkeim KK lap-time = 1:17.6
- Hokenkeim KK top-speed = 184kph
- 0-100kph = 5.2
- 0-160kph = 11.4
- 0-200kph = 18.1
- 80-160kph (4th gear) = 10.6

Mitsubishi EVO VII:
- Nurburgring lap-time = 8:25
- Nurburgring top-speed = 241kph
- Hokenkeim KK lap-time = 1:18.2
- Hokenkeim KK top-speed = 172kph
- 0-100kph = 4.8
- 0-160kph = 12.7
- 0-200kph = 21.9
- 80-160kph (4th gear) = 9.5

Corvette C5:
- Nurburgring lap-time = 8:18
- Nurburgring top-speed = 252kph
- Hokenkeim KK lap-time = 1:15.9
- Hokenkeim KK top-speed = 182kph
- 0-100kph = 5.2
- 0-160kph = 11.3
- 0-200kph = 17.9
- 80-160kph (4th gear) = 10.5

Iggy_Type_R

Wow, impressive. Speaking of the 350Z I saw that orangy coloured 350Z drop-top yesterday for the first time... had the roof up and looked pretty crappy... I like the coupe more. I wonder if it's times/performance are the same as the coupe???

RedRover

So David, are you going to buy a 350Z ?

lyndon_h

Ok, I might as well be the first one to chime in. It looks like they didn't drive the S very well at all. A 14.8 in the 1/4 is TERRIBLE!!!
I have never seen a Z owner get a 13.6 stock either. Maybe with bolt ons.

There are at least 4 other points i could get at too, but its not worth it. Lets just say that those are very bad S numbers and very good Z numbers.

dhess

It does not mention 1/4mile times anywhere.

Read it again properly and you will realise that they quote 0-160kph times.

DavidM

So David, are you going to buy a 350Z

I am still undecided ... I still want to drive a brand new S2000 (ie. different suspension) and to a degree and wondering if to wait for the '04 model (if it is released here next month). Though, I'm at Surfers at the moment and had a very good and thourough test-drive of a 350Z here. I was quiete impressed with the car on that test-drive.

Ok, I might as well be the first one to chime in. It looks like they didn't drive the S very well at all. A 14.8 in the 1/4 is TERRIBLE!!!

The acceleration numbers they managed are not that bad at all. They are not that car off the 'best-ever' numbers that I've seen. 0-160kph in 14 sec flat is about as good as it gets for the S2000.

As far as the lap-times go, the Hokenheim time is very good, but the N'ring time might be able to be improved on .... maybe 5secs in it, but I doubt much more.

I have never seen a Z owner get a 13.6 stock either. Maybe with bolt ons

The 350Z in this article is 100% stock-standard.

I wonder if it's times/performance are the same as the coupe???

No, the covertible is inferior in terms of perfroamamce to the 350Z Coupe. For one thing the car carries extra 100kg (ie. 1550kg) and then the suspension is of a softer setting/tuning. Also the brakes are smaller (than on the Track model) and the aerodynamics are inferior. Not to mention tortional ridgidity.

realthing

DavidM,
I read an article in a recent Evo magazine in which they tested a Europe specification 350Z (new in Europe). They comment on how wonderful the European suspension setting is. Apparently Nissan is so impressed with this set up that it will use it for all 350Zs.

Might mean even more waiting time for you to compare this car with MY04 S2000.

honda9krpm

It looks like the S2000 is still winning.
It's being compared to sport coupe and not many other roadsters in it's class

RedRover

DavidM, looking back through an old thread called "If you had to replace your S2000......." I found a post which you made on April 29, 2002 in which you said...........

What's my budget Bernie? Though, below $80k it would still be an S2000; can't get a BoxsterS for that money.

- For $45k (or less) it would be 200SX
- For $65k (or less) it would be MX5 SP
- For $90k (or less) it would still be an S2000
- For $120k (or less) it would be BoxsterS (2nd hand)
- For $150k (or less) it would be a current shape 911 (2nd hand)
- For $200k (or less) it would be a new 911
- For $250k (or less) it would be 911 GT3
- For $350k (or less) it would be F360 Spyder (2nd hand)

New M3 would be on high on the list if I wanted more than 2 seats.

Does this bring back memories? Does the Nissan 350Z knock out the MX5 SP?

DavidM

hehe, that's a good find :-) Yes, things have changed a little bit ... now I'd chnage the above list a little bit (have to chnage the price brackets a little bit too):

- For $50k (or less) it would be WRX STi (2nd hand, current shape)
- For $70k (or less) it would be 350Z Track
- For $90k (or less) it would still be an S2000
- For $120k (or less) it would be BoxsterS (new or 2nd hand)
- For $170k (or less) it would be a current shape 911 C4S (2nd hand)
- For $210k (or less) it would be a new 911 C4S
- For $250k (or less) it would be 911 GT3
- For $300k (or less) it would be F360 Spyder (2nd hand)

The 200SX is not sold anymore, but if it was I'd rather it than the STi... not sure what 'sports car' you can get these days for $50k ... is there any?

The 350Z definatelly wins the under $70k bracket, and at the moment I'm debating it it wins the under $90k bracket ... it has not won yet. If it had a 'sportier' engine, weighted 100kg less and had better interior quiality/materials then I'd say that it's the best thing on the market for less than $100k. Though, that's how "ifs" go.

After I drove the Boxtser/s again (4 weeks ago), the S2000 raised a bit more in it's value (for me) as the speed/thrills it offers when pushed hard are not far of the Boxster S. Boxster S is definatelly the better car but the price difference is hard to justify (for me).

I lost interest in the normal 911s after I drive them (hard) ... nowhere as good to drive as the Boxster S. Though, the 911 C4S drove like a dream and set a new benchmark.