Porsche 911 VS Nissan 350Z

[pcar9119]

Well I got the car out today after my Zenith carb conversion. Me and a friend with a 350z went on a spirited drive around Newago County. What a blast!!! The car ran awesome with no issues. And yes, we dragged it out, Growing up here we marked a quarter mile out of town, and thats the first place we went. He got me by about 1 car length. I'm totally happy with that. For a 30yr old car, I couldn't be more pleased. I hit around 100 in the quarter, give or take, my speedo is off, so I don't know for sure, he said he was about 100 and I was finally starting to catch him, so go figure. Next I want to get his ass to the track. So I'm a little slower than a Z, I think I can live with that!!!

[pwd72s]

Stick with the 350...I understand the new 370's are faster than a Cayman S...that is, if R&T test results are correct. (edit) Came close to buying a 370...glad I sat in one first. It's a car for short guys.

[767driver]

As the owner of both a 911 ('88) and a 350Z ('04) I can tell that they are both very enjoyable cars, but very different. The comparison is not unlike that of comparing the air-cooled 911s to the 996/7. The Z, while faster, is bigger and heavier though by modern standards it is not a pig.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by 767driver

As the owner of both a 911 ('88) and a 350Z ('04) I can tell that they are both very enjoyable cars, but very different. The comparison is not unlike that of comparing the air-cooled 911s to the 996/7. The Z, while faster, is bigger and heavier though by modern standards it is not a pig.

By modern standards, neither is a 928. The Zs run quite a lot of tire as I recall, and this is a good thing.

Enjoy them in good health.

[Bullet Bob]

I have an '88 911 that is stock other than a GHL exhaust, SSI headers, and a Wong chip, and I have always wondered how it would fare against a 350Z. I do know that I can take my brother in his BMW Z4 though it is pretty close. Before the upgrades he had me by half a car length through 3rd gear. Now I would say I have him by about that amount.

[dshepp806]

Road & Track just did an article on "Clash of the Coupes" Nissan 370Z vs. Porsche Cayman...anybody read it?

Doyle

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by Bullet Bob

I have an '88 911 that is stock other than a GHL exhaust, SSI headers, and a Wong chip, and I have always wondered how it would fare against a 350Z. I do know that I can take my brother in his BMW Z4 though it is pretty close. Before the upgrades he had me by half a car length through 3rd gear. Now I would say I have him by about that amount.

depends on the venu and the driver. sub-60mph back road or drag strip or VIR or autocross or.............

[burgermeister]

I dun git it. If I wanted 1/4 mile times, I'll get a 'vette or a hot-rodded F-car.

Which one is more fun to drive, is what I'd be curious about.

[pcar9119]

It was interesting to see what all my work added up to is all. I don't want a quarter mile car, I was just curious where my car was at up against a modern day sports car. He is actually running a narrower tire than I am on the rear. My SC is a wide body conversion and I hav 10" wheels on the rear. He is running a 9" on his Z. I have 255's and he's running a 235.

[Bullet Bob]

I didn't buy my 911 to drag race but it is fun from time to time. I bought mine to help with the 30 mile commute through the hills :-) I'd say it gives me an extra 20 minutes every day that I didn't have when commuting with the Camry.

I loved my brother's Z4 and it is much more civilized and the AC works in the hot summers (no shirt stuck to my back). I still prefer my 911 though because of the smell, sounds, and bare knuckle driving feel that it gives. I also like to get my hands dirty when it needs some work.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

...I understand the new 370's are faster than a Cayman S...that is, if R&T test results are correct..

I believe that article was with a 2008 spec Cayman S.

Check out the May issue of Top Gear magazine. They compare a new 370Z vs a base model Cayman (with PDK). While they don't run comparison numbers, they note that the Cayman is clearly faster.

"Both cars are fast in a straight line. Equally so in real terms. But introduce a few corners and the Cayman quickly, and literally, leaves the Z behind. On fresh, baby's bum tarmac, the Nissan grips with total assurance, but it's readily unsettled by the same surface imperfections that the Cayman just ripples over...

...The traction control was blinking away in a straight line all afternoon on our test, the driver of the 370Z always sweating to keep up with the serenely composed Cayman."

More..

"But every aspect of the Cayman justifies its price tag. Swap the comfort and improved quality of the Nissan's cockpit for the Porsches and you can instantly see, feel, even smell the reason you'd be paying much more. Take both cars through the same fast set of bends, and most people would probably be prepared to dig even deeper."

[pcar9119]

I think everyone here mught be missing the point, It was 2 great cars enjoying a beautiful drive thru the country. High speed low speed, being with another enthusiast like myself is always geat fun. Thats the important message here, it's level of appreciation of anothers car and what it's heritage is. It was a great drive and I will do it again with anyone willing to go, even a, uh, a , it's hard to say, mustang guys. LOL.

[ratpiper71T]

I get it. And when I finish my soon to start resto on my 71't, I'm gonna drag and do some some country drives with one of my buddies whose building a hotrod mustang. He's probably gonna blow me away. I don't care. It's all good fun. He's way ahead of me on his project, obviously, but shows me pics of his engine rebuild which I find facinating. ON the same note he's facinated by my 911 because it's so different.

[mede8er]

Originally Posted by 767driver

As the owner of both a 911 ('88) and a 350Z ('04) I can tell that they are both very enjoyable cars, but very different. The comparison is not unlike that of comparing the air-cooled 911s to the 996/7. The Z, while faster, is bigger and heavier though by modern standards it is not a pig.

Yep, as an owner of both these are totally diffent experiences....and it's all good.....

[767driver]

Yes... it IS all good!

[diverdan]

One of my favorite car shows is in a small town in northern Michigan. Since it is not a densely populated area the turn out is small and all sorts of cars are there. The variety of toys that folks enjoy makes it all that much more fun. The search for the fastest, best, ultimate is unreachable, but the wide variations make it much more interesting.

Diverdan

[berettafan]

agree being around car guys (that actually drive. Not the polish and stare crowd) is soooo much fun!