and the general opinion is that the 300zx handles like a boat.. what are your opinions on the handling of the 300zx in stock form and modified. please elaborate on what and why the handling is effected etc if you can. im fed up with the 300zx being constantly a subject of abuse when it come to handling!

 

 

im just not very good at arguing so want some ammo

It's a grand tourer, it's not going to be razor sharp handling on the 2+2 but the shorty would handle well in stock

A lot do, with 18yr old worn suspension, far to many still running around on the original shocks, springs, bushings fitted when new.

 

I've driven many standard examples that feel big, heavy, lazy and soft becuase of the suspension condition and they would of put me of them for life if I did'nt know what one in good mechanical condition felt like in comparison.

 

But tbh the 300zx often gets this stigma...most of it stems from the old Z31 which was a boat but the Z32 was a completely new car and had some of the most advanced suspension design of its time (full multilink setup) and it holds its own against comparable cars. Im sure they are also claiming its too big and heavy too - despite it being smaller and the same weight or lighter than a Supra, Skyline, M3, 911 ...etc

 

it was built to compete against the best porsches of the time - the 944 turbo and 928....both of which it beats on the track.

 

I would'nt waste my time argueing with others tbh, been there done it. People are mindlessly ignorant when it comes to others car choices.

 

How many of these people have actually driven a 300zx I wonder.....or is it all my brothers mates, dads, cousin had one and he said it handled shit :rolleyes: or they've probably been in some £1500 shitter.

 

There is also a difference in the way a SWB and Slicktop handle compared to a LWB for example. The LWB being more of a heavier GT car. Uprated suspension makes a big transformation on all models though.#

 

SPL Time attack 300zx and UAS 300zx Slot car eat more powerful tuned Porsche 911 GT2's/GT3's around the track for example !

Edited February 2, 200916 yr by Yowser

After my LWB was put onto new springs and shock (standard i might add) and the alignment was done it went round silverstone like it was on rails. It gripped so hard the tyres actually melted and bonded with the rubber on the track now that's impressive :rofl:

tbh gaz, legrath is spot on. So many zeds are running tired suspension, it makes it difficult to make a compelling arguement.

 

The problem is, it all depends what your comparing the zed to? Im going to guess people compair them to something like an Evo6 or scoob sti, or even a R33/34 GTR.

 

The fact is things like the Evo, their forte IS handling and agility, there made to be agile for when the homoglamation takes place for the rally cars, whilst the zed was generally designed from to be a fast GT car (ok less so with something like a swb slicktop).

 

The next time someone says "your zed handles like a boat in comparison to my evo" just reply "your evo handles like a boat in comparison to a Radical SR8":mac1:.

 

No doubt they will come back with the old, "aaah well thats different, there completely different cars" but the fact is so is something like comparing the evo and the zed.

 

When it comes to the skyline boys, i can only comment on the R33 GTR. Ive only driven 2 (a 95 and a 97). The 95 felt pretty sloppy and was no doubt suffering the same probs as a similar aged zed with worn suspension, and the 97 was a pretty nice drive. However, yet again, id say they were two cars in completely different classes designed for different reasons. IMHO the only Jap cars you can really compair the zed to are the Supra, RX7 and the GTO/3000GT, and i know which id rather have!

Handles like a boat! That's why it so good in the yet eh lol

Gaz, interested to know where these people formed their opinion? I bet none of them have driven a Z, let alone one with new/good suspension?

 

That's why it so good in the yet eh lol

 

 

:confused:

Yeah put all new suspention on and its OK, but OK is as far as I would go with it.

 

Yes for its time its was advanced and for its time handled great etc, but things have come a long way sinse then.

 

I would say in comparison to anything built after 2000 (Fiestas, mondeos etc not even sports cars) it is not great.

i think bird ment to write thats why its so good in the WET :D

I bought my zed for long distance touring and fast acceleration this was what it was built for and it does this well for a 17 year old car.It was never ment to be rallyed but was raced as for it handling like a boat anybody who thinks that obviously dont know what they are talking about and should be left well alone imo.

Well having owned many examples of the 300 i sure never had a problem with handling, you just got to know the limits,as most twats that buy the cheap knackerd Zs are prob moving up from a Corsa they think they can chuck em about without the car biting them back big time.

Well, I know a driver factor is involved, but Rich was able to get his U.K. spec car - completely standard apart from Stillen arb's - around Castle Combe in under 1min 27. Now, that's not bad - Especially when I was timing modified Evo's at only slightly better than that! They can't handle too badly then, methinks!!

Mine was fairly terrible if im honest, but was suffering from classic old knackered suspension. Every bit i changed just trasnformed it each time.

I look back now and wish id replaced it all but there we go.

 

The M3 is just the same, only noticed the other day how soft it is suspension wise (now it still handles amazingly because all the bushes and links are in good condition!) But i think its time that had new shockers. Its like anything, age is its worst enemy.

 

Thats why i buy old magazines which compare like for like when they were new, a phenominal difference to how they all are now!

 

Besides, the evo boys are often comparing 03 or 05 reg cars with a bloody K reg! I had a similar argument on a local club, some guy who drives a vectra trying to tell me that the 300zx WASNT a Grand tourer!? LOL How many targa scoobies do you see??

How many targa scoobies do you see??

 

 

when you do see them, they look like this one

 

Was talking to Ben at driftworks about this recently.

It's just odd how people will bang on about how great the skline R32/33 handle when the suspension on the Z (& 200SX) is almost identical yet it gets such a bad rep. Same with the weight thing, mine was only ~1300kg with the boat-anchor VG30 in it (SWB man, targa) yet everyone says they're so heavy.

Granted the stock spring rates / bushings / ARB are not setup for razor sharp handling but change those and it's actually pretty good. Certainly surprised a lot of much more expensive machinery in mine.

Lol aye, somthing similar. Or what about this one?

 

 

 

This was a guy behind me in his poobaru when we went to the isle of man, that couldnt keep up with my old 300zx which at the time had completly shot front tension rod bushes!

 

He got out of it with a scratch on his head, amazing really! Spent the evening in A&E with him tho making sure he was okay!

Lol aye, somthing similar. Or what about this one?

 

 

 

This was a guy behind me in his poobaru when we went to the isle of man, that couldnt keep up with my old 300zx which at the time had completly shot front tension rod bushes!

 

He got out of it with a scratch on his head, amazing really! Spent the evening in A&E with him tho making sure he was okay!

 

 

lol that's quite ironic.

A Lot of its down to the driver though.

And a lwb z32 will dominate a Subaru on straights with long corners. Not so much on the really tight bends.

yeah, i have to admit that was a Very tight bend at 10 at night in the dark... on my maxis tyres and ruined suspension LOL. Did have a bit of a wimper from the tyres in the wet! Its near brandy well cottage if anyone knows the area. I forget which road number it is now.

 

Quite ironic though hehe...

 

Just had a look at google maps, and here are the corners.

The red blob is the subaru, the yellow box is the road corner you can see in the second picture.

 

Edited February 3, 200916 yr by Quavey

Wow those pics are mad!

 

I have no experience of a standard Zed but mine with coilovers wound up hard handles very sure footedly indeed. My S200 and 911 were fabulously handling cars but much more modern. The Zed feels heavier into and round corners so it doesnt feel as chuckable as the S but its if you drive it as it should be driven being smooth it was pretty quick. Mine still needs fiddling, it needs tsiffening up at the front to begin with but given a boit of time and fettling it will be awesome. Its wide and low and so it already has a really big headstart on most cars.

My 300ZX has Impul lowered suspension and it handles like a go kart. The only thing IMO that lets the handling down is the auto box. Although I like the auto model I think with manual you get a better feeling of being in control so you could probably say thats the driver and not the car?? But in no way what so ever could it be compared to a boat. Mind you some boats are built to handle :tongue:

being an ex subaru impreza owner, i can honestly say, yes the impreza does handle better then a 300zx, but there are key factors involved in this..... for a start an impreza is 4 wheel drive (obviously) so you get an even distribution of grip between the front and rear of the car allowing the driver to get better grip coming through the corner and onto the exit of the corner. Having said this, you normally find impreza drivers (myself excluded) are young and have little or no driving experience of high powered cars and will try and race anything and everything. I personally believe it is not down to the car but down to the driver.. it's all about having confidence in the ability of your car and knowing where your limits are and how far you can push them, unfortunately, far to many people drive beyond their limits and suffer the consiquences. just my 2 pence worth!

Maybe so, but i was 21 at the time of that accident (22 now), and other guy was 24 at the time LOL

 

But no i agree fully, in standard form the evo and scoob would easily get passed the 300zx, its not that the 300zx is a bad handling car. Its just that the smaller 4 wheel drive rally inspired machines are better.

 

I neglected to add the the rest of our party, another classic scoob, 2x evo 9's and an Evo6 had all made it around that bend infront of me LOL It was just the classic scoob at the back which came a cropper!

Well, I know a driver factor is involved, but Rich was able to get his U.K. spec car - completely standard apart from Stillen arb's - around Castle Combe in under 1min 27. Now, that's not bad - Especially when I was timing modified Evo's at only slightly better than that! They can't handle too badly then, methinks!!

 

For reference - Tiff Needle and Jason plato were racing a Mini cooper S and VW Sirocco gt around Castle Combe last night on Fith gear, and got both cars around in 1min 35secs !

For reference - Tiff Needle and Jason plato were racing a Mini cooper S and VW Sirocco gt around Castle Combe last night on Fith gear, and got both cars around in 1min 35secs !

 

On the other hand MK4 Golf's do mid 1.20's round Combe on track days all the time, I wouldn't read much into the 5th gear lap times.

I wouldn't bother with an argument "my car handles better than yours" etc.

I bought my car for me, not anyone else.

I am happy with my choice.

I have other cars, but the zed impresses me every time I look at it and especially drive it.

I won't say how much I paid for my most recent one, but it's the cheapest way of going this fast by a long way.

My last Z32 NA had lowered suspension and handled really well.The aftermarket momo steering wheel helped too, as it felt like a go kart compared to some 300zx's i've driven!