Z32 is faster in a straight line, but the Z33 will smash it on the track. (assuming same driver).

 

Being an owner of a very low mileage 300ZX TT and having twice just driven 350Z's, my seat of the pants speedometer tells me the 300 is MUCH faster accelerating.

Possibly the fact both 350's had very little mileage may have hindered their acceleration. Also the twin turbo rush may just be creating the sensation of speed - but then isn't the sensation what it is all about?

While on the topic, here are my comparisons between the 300TT and the 350;
350 has a better combination of handling/ride. In sport mode, the 300 feels more responsive with higher lateral G's, but the ride quality is too intolerant of unsmooth road surfaces.
The 350 has much better brakes.
The 350 feels much more like sitting in a tub. Don't even consider resting your arm on the window sill.
The 300 has a much more usable designed interior.
The 300 has classical beauty, while the 350 has modern beauty.
The 350 has a little better exhaust sound (my recently installed B&B exhaust took care of that!)

Strangely enough, the 350's had a habit of delayed decceleration that really bothered me and slowed up useful quick downshifting. I haven't seen that even mentioned in any car magazine reviews!

In summary IHO, the new Z needs a shot of adreneline! It is way too heavy feeling. Greater power, without much greater weight, would go a long way in making the 350Z feel more responsive and more fun to drive. In addition to my Z TT, I own a Miata Shinsen Version and a WRX. Having done comparison test drives (on many other sports cars too) the 350Z just isn't as much fun - yet. Hopefuly Nissan will be upgrading the Z soon.

 

Last I heard you could get factory turbo upgrades for teh 350Z. I could be completely wrong here, but friend of mine who ownes one mentioned something like that.

If you have a look a the figures (I have seen a huge variance in figures for teh 350Z), the 350 does 0-60 (0r 100kph) in 6.5secs whereas the 300zx does it in 6.2.

 

Well ive heard road and track state that the 350Z does 0-60 in the 5.4-5.5 range and the quarter in the 14.1-14.3 range...... although i have heard th 300 0-60 in around 5.3-5.4 and the quarter anywhere from 13.8-14.1...my car is mostly stock exept for a clutch and an intake.......and i whomped a 350Z by more than 3 car links....driver has a lot to do with it to i would imagine....i love my 300ZX but i do have maintence probs like any car woth 79000 miles on it....much different price range...i payed 10 for mine.....and i think bang for the buck nothin is better than the 300ZX

 

While test numbers vary significantly for the same car models, for the record, Car & Driver clocked the 1991 and '92 Z's at 5.0 0-60 and Motor Trend clocked the 1993 (which I own) at 5.2 sec. The 1993 switched form aluminum to heavier steel brakes to combat durability problems.

The timed differences between the 350 and 300TT are small from 0 to 60 if you are drag racing from a complete stop. The twinturbo seems to out-accelerate the 350 while in motion, at just about any speed. The turbos require more time to spool up from a complete stop.

 

Copper727 and TT Enthusiasts,

I have the performance summary data from the May 1992 issue of C&D in my hand. Either I need bifocals or it says the tested 1992 300TT took 5.0 to reach 60 MPH.

Go to the site "Zhome.com" Click on Z History and then on Performance Data. There's all kinds of interesting info there, including a complete history car magazine test results.

 

I've had a chance to get my '91 TT out on my local (home) track one day a while back with some other cars, including some 350Z's and one '90TT .....The only car that passed me that day was the other TT.....Drivers make a big difference too! ;-)

 

I've been able to drive a couple of the 350Z's on track days at our local racetrack, and I'd have to say that my 300ZXTT is still the fastest of the two cars...the 350Z might beat the Z32TT off of the line, but when the turbos kick in in 2nd gear on the TT, I could reel in the 350 Z pretty quickly. In the corners, it boils down to who can drive the best, as the 2 are very equal there. The 165 MPH top speeds are nearly identical, and I think that the TT would still get there first. I was on the Portland International racetrack last week for a driving/racing school and I was completeley intoxicated with the power and acelleration of my TT down the straight-aways.....I love my Z32!

Finally ready to roll! My turn....

 

I bought my wheels and tires from one of my fellow Z Car Club of Washington members who upgraded his 350Z with some really nice bigger wheels and tires....He sold the 17"ers to me for $400.00 as I recall. I do like the way they look on the car, they fill up the wheel wells pretty well, and make the car track/drive better. Thanks!

 

Here's a better picture of those wheels/tires on my Z31......