Okay my friend is looking for a car I told him to get a Maxima SE but he also likes the 300ZX NA he says what ever one is faster he will take. He atleast knows what a Maxima feels like since I let him drive mine but we never get test drive the Z's since we only find them at those rinky-dink auto dealers who will only let you start the car. So my question is what is faster STOCK a Maxima SE or a 300ZX NA?

 

I've been the owner of both cars and by far the Maxima owns the 300zx n/a. It's sad to say that the 300zx is a slow car but the only version that is worth getting is the turbo edition. You really should tell your friend to really consider getting the maxima:
1. it's faster
2. more reliable
3. the aftermarket mods for the maxima exceed the n/a market

MAXIMA hands down...

 

Wow thats crazy I had a feeling the 300ZX NA was slow since they put way more effort into the turbo version. I'll tell him to buy the Maxima

 

Yeah, go with the Maxima. My brother owns an N/A 300zx and personally I think that car sucks.

-Chris

 

My old 93 auto put the smackdown on many N/A Z's...but at least the Z is a sports car.

 

The N/A Z is as much of a sports car as a Mustang V6 or Camaro V6..

And what kind of idiot dealer won't let you test drive his cars. What the crap is that?

Did you tell him there's no way you are buying a car before driving it?

 

get maxima

 

I've owned both as well (however, I had the TT version...), and I'd have to agree - get the Max! Chicks might be more inclined to wanna take you to bed if he had the Z as opposed to the Max, but you'll get to their bedroom a LOT faster (and more comfortable) if you were in the Max!

Besides, friends don't let friends get by other Maximas!

 

well lets see I'll go against the grain...... I have a 94 300ZX NA..... and a 96 Max SE auto...... my Max struggled to break into the 15's in street trim with intake and exhaust ..... my Z runs 14.7 at 96+ at stage 3 intake/ecm/exhaust ..also in full street trim..... I fail to see how it is slower??? .... oh yea if you care about topend.... the Max has nothing for the Z there.... NA to NA similar mods... the Z will pull the Max and never look back.....and did I mention the curves... well you can guess about that...

on the other hand.... the Z is not cheap to maint or insure... the Max wins on everyday use.....
thats why I have both..... Z for the track ... and Max for the street.... later

 

Guy, people have run 14.7s and 14.8s in 95-99 maximas stock (talking about 5spds). With intake ECU and exhaust I ran 13.4s on slicks and 13.8s on street tires... Topend you are right, stock for stock it's no contest, but in a 1/4 mile race which is the typical measure of a car's acceleration, the maxima is just as fast or faster and also responds better to mods.

As far as handling yes the 300ZX N/A will outhandle a stock Maxima but the maxima is without question the faster car with boltons on both cars.

 

Straightline speed, the Max will win.
Maintenance, Maxima
Practicality, Maxima
fun to drive, Z
cornering ability and aftermarket mods available, Z.


If you have room for a dedicated sports car with no luggage room, then the Z is great, but if you're looking for a fun to drive car that's practical and can haul four with luggage, then Maxima.

 

I know there are many claims on the internet... of great #'s in the 1/4 ... I have seen stock 300ZX claims as low as 14.6.... but I was going with 2 things what my cars will run on the same track and what I have seen at my local track..... of the 5or6 Maximas I have seen on my track.... the quickest run was 15.3xx 97 SE 5spd intake/exhaust/clutch/udp/ect.... granted I think my local track sux .... 60ft times for both my cars run around 2.2...

 

Maxima because its cheaper to insure.

 

Not necessarily...I pay more for my Maxima's insurance than my Z.

I own both a 96' Maxima auto and a 93' 300zx N/A 5-speed. Off the line the Maxima wins. the Z has a tremendous pull on the top end. The handling is top notch and tight for a stock suspension. It rides like a Maxima with JIC's though. I think it needs thicker swaybars. The brakes are wonderful. The Maxima will get better gas mileage and is much cheaper to own. Aftermarket is about the same on both cars. You will get more attention from everyone with a stock Z than with a modded Maxima. You'll hate that no more than 1 other person can ride with you. There is no room to put anything but t-tops in the trunk. You'll also like the fact that the Z can squeeze through smaller gaps in traffic. I still love my Z though, but I have the Maxima for comfort.

 

i owned both and my old z was a great car... with the tops down the chicks loved it and it cost less then my max all around

 

i say get the Z.........

maximas are dumb

 

I guess you're more lucky than I am. I got double the quote I currently pay for my 93 Max vs. a 90 300ZX N/A

 

In that situation I would definitely get the Max. Everyone holds the Z to such high standards just because the TT is a d@mn supercar. So when you lose to someone or the acceleration isn't knock your socks off, people are disappointed. Get the Max with the same performance ability minus handling and peoples jaws begin to drop. Its just like Stangs. The six version is only elevated out of POS domestic status because its big brothers(GT, SVT Cobra) are f'ing beast.

 

Okay so a 97-99 Maxima Auto will be able to beat a 300ZX NA Auto right? And if its the 2+2 version no doubt the Maxima is faster right?

 

I have to chime in on this.. I have a friend who has a 96 n/a Z auto that ive against against in my 99gle and i have always had edge. both cars are completely stock. I must say though the Z definatly takes the corners a lot better but thats to be expected from a car like that.

 

i hope i don't sound stupid for saying this, but was curious if you can drop a v30de-k into a Z? Or even a 3.5... Just as a hobby car or something to burn time

 

I dont know..its a pretty tight fit inside a Z's engine bay.. plus if your gonna attempt a 3.5 you would have to use a 350Z or G35 intake setup. I also wouldnt want to be the person that has to run all the wiring to make it work either.

 

I was trying to decide this myself when I bought my 97. I made the right choice. They're similar in speed, with the 300zx no faster, and the max I got was much cheaper, had lower miles, and undoubtedly will cost less to insure, run (gas mileage on the 300z sucks), and repair.

 

Depends on what year, but I say Maxima SE if it's 4th gen or up.

I know quite a few Z32 owners. Why waste your time bothering w/an N/A.

 

It has been done. the 3.5 anyway.

 

i say get the maxi