After breaking my 300ZX im missing it terribly, so will definitely be replacing it with something else in the near future, question is, what?

 

I'm basically torn between 2 cars - an S15 Silvia Spec R, or a 350Z.

 

The Silvia has less power and fewer cylinders, but its lighter, rarer, and its turbocharged so can be tuned easier, plus i can stick a tasty BOV on it and get back my much missed 'tsssh' sound on gearchanges...

 

But then again, the 350Z has a V6 which would sound lovely anyways, and its would less of a handful because its NA with a torque curve as flat as a pancake... but they're a bit common for my tastes (i like leftfield car choices generally)

 

Anyone driven both and can compare? thing is i need a well rounded car really - performance, comfort, reliability and economy all have a part to play in my buying decision.

 

And yes, i know i could technically have the best of both worlds with a turbocharger AND a V6 if i went back to 300ZX, but it falls well short of the mark on reliability and economy!

I love the 350Z but i'm like you, I prefer a more exclusive car that you dont often see on the roads.

 

S15 for me

G35

 

S15!

I've had a 2004 350z and 3 silvias.

 

I'd say it's down to your cars purpose,

 

My silvia was a 330bhp modified jap import, fully tuned suspension etc with the Nissan k's aero (also known as the navan kit) it was excellent fun but a bit crude to drive having fully set up suspension etc....also irregardless of the meticulous servicing and maintenance of the car it still managed to melt a piston.... Both of the gap ones did this, the uk one I had though (what the forums called stage 1 tuned: intercooler enlarged, induction system and exhaust, approx 260bhp) was completely reliable.... They make a lively noise with the right exhaust on too. :)

 

My 350 on the other hand, best car I've had so far! Granted it wasn't quite as fast as the silvia, but much more useable power, much nicer noise, much nicer interior, and much much more economical.

The main thing I liked about the 350 was it came with no predetermined view of me (the driver) meaning I could turn up anywhere and it fit in, by that I mean it never felt out of place whether you were at a fancy place or down at the track,

Swell as the above points I kept my 350z as book stated, I.e. Nissan say put bridgestone re040s on it, then that's what it had etc and I have to say, the handling was SO much better than the silvia, ultra predictable, smooth when the tail let go, just an awesome car.

 

Now when I spoke to a local tuner he suggested that with an exhaust, Decat and induction kit that a remap would see a 276bhp (2003-2005) hit 340bhp..... Whether that be true or not I dont know but as I say mine had an exhaust and Decat and in a straight quarter mile beat a standard 350 by 2 car lengths consistently....

 

I'd definitely have the z, happy to give you any more info on either car if you need it.

 

Oh and so you know it unbiased I don't currently have either vehicle, I have my 300 and an s2000. The s2000 tries to kill me in the wet (pre 2004 suspension revamp) and the na 300 just can't compare to the 350z like id hoped it would.

 

So to sum up, my 300 will be sold and I will be getting a 350z again. (though I'll keep the s2000 aswell because the 350z roadsters are ugo!! :))

 

Sorry for the long post but this is certainly an area I can comment on. hope that helps :)

s15 mate..but thats just me

S15 spec r matey, anyday!

s15 ... no competition

As much as I like the s15, its a very attractive design, I always see it as a lesser car to the 350z. Same as the S13 and S14 compare to the 300zx.

 

and the na 300 just can't compare to the 350z like id hoped it would.

If you were hoping for S15 and 350z performance then you should of gone TT

if you were hoping for s15 and 350z performance then you should of gone tt

 

+1

I'd say silvia! My mates looking for one at the moment too, but he's after an s13 i think. Would be better if you still go on those drift days you were telling me about ;) ;)

well i also considered an s14 silvia as you can get them for mega cheap, but never really liked the look of the UK spec ones, preferred the Jap models. But then again, all S15s would be imports, whereas a 350z would be a UK car, so insurance might be something to consider as well.

 

just had a look on pistonheads and theres a lot more choice for 350zs, 15 pages of cars for sale, compared to 2 pages of s15s. Also, 350zs are a lot cheaper - start at £7k, whereas s15s are £9k.

Insurance halved when bought my 350, and with regards to the 300 comparing to the 350, you've totally missed my point, it was never about the performance, it was never going to keep up with that, meant as an all round, useable, good handling v6, unfortunately, the suspension and sheer size of the 300 just doesn't give the same experience as my 350 did, however, maybe I should have gone for a swb instead of a lwb :)

Insurance halved when bought my 350, and with regards to the 300 comparing to the 350, you've totally missed my point, it was never about the performance, it was never going to keep up with that, meant as an all round, useable, good handling v6, unfortunately, the suspension and sheer size of the 300 just doesn't give the same experience as my 350 did, however, maybe I should have gone for a swb instead of a lwb :)

 

If I missed your point then its becuase you went from talking about how quick the 350z was, and then to how the 300zx NA didnt not live up to it ;)

 

The 350z is a decent handling car in stock form, but a 300zx SWB NA Manual is smaller and lighter but you need to keep in mind that most Z's are running around on 20yr old tired suspension. A Revamp, even with stock components, but especially with a decent aftermarket setup does wonders for how the car feels and responds.

Edited July 30, 201114 yr by Yowser

As much as I like the s15, its a very attractive design, I always see it as a lesser car to the 350z. Same as the S13 and S14 compare to the 300zx...........................

 

My thoughts too.....

 

....yes the S15 is more rare on the roads; but the 350z is a better car all round; and it follows the "Z-car" lineage.

 

Richard:cool3:

I have a 350Z roadstar and without a doubt it is the best nissan I have driven. It seems all you need to do is fit a more noisy exhaust than the standard one to get a really sporty sounding car. I've owned and driven all others and they don't compare. The thing about the 350 is that you are going to get reliability and performance from a near standard car. There are loads of mods available if you need to go down that route but after owning your 300 you are going to have money in your pocket again if you buy a 350.