Drove a 350Z today.

This is a car that GM should definately benchmark for a new Camaro.

This was the less expensive "Enthusiast" model. The "Track" model is even cooler with Brembo brakes and 18" wheels. But this one was very nice none-the-less.

Where do I begin? The chassis? The motor? The little Z car details?
I know where GM should start. How about the seats. Even in cloth they were beautiful. They were so supportive and so cool.

OK GM.....let's get crackin'.

wait......wait.....wait....the cavemen should be trudging in any minute..."but what'll it do in the quarter,yeeehaw!"

The 350Z is the new Camaro benchmark until the new Mustang comes out if it is all that is hyped up to be. I see a BUNCH of G35 coupes and 350Z's here in San Diego every day. Theyre beautiful cars with plenty of power, awesome chassis, and a good interior. The way they sell proves that gobs and gobs of power are not needed to sell a car. The 5th gen needs to shoot for the 350Z in all aspects. It needs a peppy V6 like the 350Z to keep the base model exciting and an awesome V8 to satisfy those with more power. If they can make the V6 model as exciting as the VQ35 is in the Z, then the success of the V8 is sure to follow.

It is a joke as a sports car. There are 2 import cars that have four doors seat five and handle, stop and go a decent amount more. They have AWD and are more easily moded. If the 350 Z was a little more money than a miata I could understand giving up all the above for 2 seats. It's just a two seat sedan. At least the STI and EVO dont hide there roots. The 350Z is a good looking car. But its about 4 years to late for its cost/performane ratio. The comp. In this price segmant is getting hot. Isnt ford supposed to release a 300 plus HP AWD 2 door Rally Focus?

Comparing the 350Z to an STI or EVO sort of misses the point. What I'm trying to say is that the car has alot of great attributes that would apply directly to a 5th gen Camaro. Attributes that would make a future Camaro more desirable.

It really feels like it's a couple of notches or so above any Camaro/Mustang, but is still in the same general price range.

IMO it is a great car.....but, I miss that V8 burble though.

Originally posted by Evil Turbo SS
It is a joke as a sports car. There are 2 import cars that have four doors seat five and handle, stop and go a decent amount more. They have AWD and are more easily moded. If the 350 Z was a little more money than a miata I could understand giving up all the above for 2 seats. It's just a two seat sedan. At least the STI and EVO dont hide there roots. The 350Z is a good looking car. But its about 4 years to late for its cost/performane ratio. The comp. In this price segmant is getting hot. Isnt ford supposed to release a 300 plus HP AWD 2 door Rally Focus?

What!! The 350Z is a great car. Road and Track did a comparison test a while back where they compared it to the Corvette, Porsche 911 Targa and BMW M3 SMG II. All of these cars are far more expensive, the objective of the article was to see how the 350Z stacked up against them. While it acclerated slower than the competition, it handled really well, slaloming right up there wiht the Z06 and its lap time was actually faster than the M3's and a few tenths of a second slower than the Porsche's. (The Z06 crushed them all. :D )

The final conclusion of the test was the Z beat out the M3 and Porsche in performance for dollar. The Z06 won by quite a margin, but the fact remains the 350Z is a pretty solid ride. Remember, a cars worth is not determined 100% by its quarter mile time.

Originally posted by Burmite
The 5th gen needs to shoot for the 350Z in all aspects. It needs a peppy V6 like the 350Z to keep the base model exciting and an awesome V8 to satisfy those with more power. If they can make the V6 model as exciting as the VQ35 is in the Z, then the success of the V8 is sure to follow.

That's exactly right. I'm hoping that Camaro can have at least the same level of fit, finish, sophistication and refinement as the 350Z. And really, I won't stomach any excuses on why it couldn't happen.

These cars....350Z, G35 Coupe, RX8 and the new Mustang; will be Camaros' benchmarks.

I want to see Camaro excel.

Originally posted by Evil Turbo SS
It is a joke as a sports car. There are 2 import cars that have four doors seat five and handle, stop and go a decent amount more. They have AWD and are more easily moded. If the 350 Z was a little more money than a miata I could understand giving up all the above for 2 seats. It's just a two seat sedan. At least the STI and EVO dont hide there roots. The 350Z is a good looking car. But its about 4 years to late for its cost/performane ratio. The comp. In this price segmant is getting hot. Isnt ford supposed to release a 300 plus HP AWD 2 door Rally Focus?

Are you kidding me?
You're actually comparing a car like a 350Z to a 4 door econo sedan? That's unbelieveable!!
What happened in this country? Since when are 4 door econobox wannabe cars cooler than real sport coupes?
Who cares how many they can seat! And besides, a real sports car is not supposed to be able to "seat 5" and carry all of your and your buddies' gear. The marketers have really gotten a hold of you people and brainwashed you all.
If this is the trend, then this country is F***ED up!!

The above statement is so wrong on so many levels, I don't even know where to begin.

And that also goes for the post by Derek Smalls. It seems like you insinuate that because a person cares about a quarter mile time that he is stupid and/or ignorant ("cavemen") or that he is a redneck ("yeeehaw!")

the evo and STI are running artound 16pounds of boost from the factory to pull those numbers. I have nothing wrong with factory turbocharged cars, but that much boost doesn't leave much room for increases without doing a turbo upgrade.

If I wanted to spend the money on turbocharging a car, I'd get the kit for the 350Z.

1/4Mile isn't caveman, but it is not a very good indication of the overall worth of a car. I think that's what he was getting at.

:D Never fails. Bring up a new performance car, and watch the comparisons skip all over the place. I'm just waiting for someone to compare the 350Z to a Viper or a Lightning.....or a Hummer!

Just the same, why should a 2 seat 350Z be a benchmark for the next Camaro, when you have a equally impressive Infinity G35 Coupe that seats 4, has a very quick V6, has a halfway usable trunk, costs around $30,000, and is a headturner? :confused:

Originally posted by guionM


Just the same, why should a 2 seat 350Z be a benchmark for the next Camaro, when you have a equally impressive Infinity G35 Coupe that seats 4, has a very quick V6, has a halfway usable trunk, costs around $30,000, and is a headturner? :confused:

You're right. The G35 coupe is probably a more appropriate benchmark.

But the 350Z is valid too. Here is a really cool and well executed car for Camaro money (the one I drove had alot of equipment and stickered for $29K).

This is not an exotic...it's made by good 'ole bread and butter Nissan. It has a very sophisticated and world class chassis and powertrain..and has alot of really neat featues that somene took some time to think of.

If Nissan can do it...I would find it pathetic if GM couldn't do it.


BTW...as far as 1/4 mile times, 350Z owners are running low 14's to high 13's, stock.

I think the G35 & 350Z are the same chassis & same drivetrain as well. :)

It is ironic that the next Camaro would need to catch up to an Infinity, let alone a new Mustang.

.......I ran with a 350Z at an open track event last fall, I've really taken to them........incredible performance for a V6 and handles extremely well. :eek:

Personally, I like the looks of a 350z MUCH, MUCH more than the G35....and it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all for the Camaro to emulate this car in most every way......except $$....I still want a mid to high $20k car.....:cool:

The dealer in the next town over has a track model and if it doesn't sell in the next few days....I'm going in for a test drive:D

Originally posted by Z284ever
That's exactly right. I'm hoping that Camaro can have at least the same level of fit, finish, sophistication and refinement as the 350Z. And really, I won't stomach any excuses on why it couldn't happen.

These cars....350Z, G35 Coupe, RX8 and the new Mustang; will be Camaros' benchmarks.

I want to see Camaro excel.


I don't care about the sophistication of a Camaro. I just what the damn thing to go fast as hell in the 1/4 and handle turns decently. Yeeeehaw! :p

Originally posted by Got-LT1
I don't care about the sophistication of a Camaro. I just what the damn thing to go fast as hell in the 1/4 and handle turns decently. Yeeeehaw! :p

When you say "handles turns decently", do you mean that it only needs the ability to turn?

Just buy a truck.

But the truck won't go fast as hell in the 1/4. :)

I'm just screwing around anyway, in a good mood I guess. I would love to see nice, refined (sp?) new Camaro, but only if it can really haul in a straight line!

Originally posted by Got-LT1


I would love to see nice, refined (sp?) new Camaro, but only if it can really haul in a straight line!

I think that we all agree that would be a pre-requisite.