Well, after a fun weekend of driving around a 350Z, and logging many miles, I am now back to my 95 SE.

Sitting in my Max feels like I'm in an SUV, high above the crowd. The sporty seats I thought I used to have in my Max now feel like bench seats. The steering feels as light as a Honda. The brakes feel spongy and weak. The acceleration is mediocre. The torque steer is again a daily reality. The suspension feels like a big springy mattress and I feel completely isolated from the road.

Driving the 350Z was quite an experience. The car stays planted to the road with such grip that it amazes you. The availability of power all through up to 6th gear is a dream. The throaty exhaust makes you drool. And getting over 28mpg on the highway in a 350Z was quite a shocker.

Bottom line is, my Maxima is not a sports car and I can't fool myself anymore. I can lower it and make it ride better, I can do bolt ons, etc to increase the output but a bulky 4 door sedan will not give you the same feedback that a sports car will.

I love my spirited grocery getter, but she's no sports car.

Anyone else had a chance to drive the 350Z and felt the same way? I'd highly recommend that if you get a chance, go drive the 350Z and use that as a benchmark on modding your car.

Only sour note, my neck aches; the suspension is firm that resting your head on the headrest will give you 12,000 bumps and a headache in 10 minutes, so post-Z experience includes an aching neck.

Oh yeah, saw loads of 4th gen Maximas at the Notre Dame campus (South Bend) and also a whole lot in Chicago.

 

I enjoyed reading the post, but if the 350z will make me feel that bad when I get back into my chariot, I best stay out of the 350z no matter how bad I would like to drive it. But like I said, it sure was great to read ! If only I were rich ! LOL

 

Take a ride in a 500 hp transam or camaro and you may feel the same way or say to yourself why even bother modding the max. Speed is an addiction and the only cure is BOOST!!!! jk Enjoy your car, its "your" car and eventhough it may not be as fast or good looking as others its still yours to admire and love!

 

im still cracking up laughing about this ..are you talking about my car or the maxima in general ? either way its funny ...rofl ..it may not be fast or good looking but its mine !!! ha h a ha !! your right about that !

 

I'm not saying that hp is all to a car. It's about balance, and control. The Z is a driving experience worth your time.

I don't want a 500hp car that's gonna spin the wheels everytime I give the gas a go.

Speed is not an addiction for me (though the cop who pulled me over on Mitchum Rd at 3am Saturday morning might beg to difer). I'm in it for the overall driving experience.

 

Thank goodness for my 88hp 91 Escort Pony. Driving the Escort after my Max has the same effect as driving my Max after the 350Z. I can still love my Max.

 

you BASTARD...I've been trying to convince myself that it doesn't make any sense to trade up to a blue 350Z track...thanks a LOT.

 

I meant in general! I knew someone would take it that way heh

 

My buddy has a 350z automatic and the only thing that impressed me was the handling and the smoothness. The acceleration was mediocre. (much less than what I expected)

 

My boss has a 350Z in the "Brickyard" color (I think that's what she said it was called - it's kind of a maroon/red color), and it's an automatic. Yes, she's let me drive it (we're a pretty close bunch at work). Even the automatic, I must say, blew me away. I felt as I was being pushed into the seat, and I had that sad feeling getting back into my max... just, kind of like it wasn't good enough But I still love my Max, and I know I cannot afford a Z right now, so oh well... I can just admire my boss' car every day and get the occasional ride in it.

 

Oh well, thank you guys for making me feel good about the Maxima I just bought today. Now I feel like I made a mistake in my purchase. I was actually looking into buying a 300zx but I decided not to because of gas expenses and high insurance. I was actually also thinking about getting an Acura Integra GSR, but decided to get the Maxima. Man, oh well, there is always time to get a new car sometime in the future.

 

The exhaust note is the only thing I don't like. From the inside it's nice but from the outside it sounds like, well, really weak like a 4 banger. It's not throaty at all...

 

get a G35 coupe. then you1ll have the best of both worlds. trust me!

 

i dunno, i love my max, i think shes beautiful, i could have gotten any 7,000 dollar car i wanted and i chose the maxima, and dont regret it at all.

 

350Z and maxima are 2 different sty-o of car, only exception is that they are both powered by VQ.

 

getting an oil change at the dealer ..they kept asking me , Common take it for a drive!?!? I said no several times , I continued to think about this post. I already want the car, and to make matter worse a Neon Srt v4 gave me to much trouble tonight ...hmmmm what to do ? man i need supercharger !

 

I must say 6th gear is quite weak in the 350 IMO and it has getup and go just like Maximas(02/03's and modded 4th gens) but by no means fast either. I guess after driving my brothers SS for 2 days my 350 and Max feel kinda tired!

 

i drove my buddies 300zx TT and it pushed me into the seat pretty hard

 

If you drive a tank and get into your maxima, you might think how comfy and fast the max is. :P

Youre comparing apples to oranges. The truth is, there are better cars out there today. The 350Z is a solid and fast car, no doubt and I loved driving it. But then again, i also liked driving the 2003 Toyota 4Runner (which i am considering for my next car). The max is a great car, especially to those who did their modifications and what not but its just a car. With all things in life, take care of it, and it takes care of us.

 

Everything in life is a trade off of some sort. A 350Z can't seat 4 comfortably, or 5 if needed. Well now the top end Maxima can't seat 5 if needed anymore. That's stupid on Nissan's part IMO. Anyway, a 350Z can't take you on a trip if you need to take a couple suitcases along. If you want some of both worlds you can have some but you better have a lot of money. The high-end luxury cars are packing quite a lot of get up and go such as Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar...etc. Some of those cars can easily give a 350 a run for it's money.

The maxima is a great combination for the money.

 

I forgot to include that the dealership had a very clean 97 Porsche 911 Targa .. they were trying to sell it and asking 44k i believe.

Joking around I asked the guy which one is faster. Check this out ..the dude said they took both cars out to an old airport and ran them and the 350Z was whipping it ..

Is all this true ? I have no idea ..just what the person said.

i was thinking if every maxima.org member sent me just $1.00 a month. I could afford a new 350Z and insurance ...right ? If this sounds good I will post up my pay pal address ... ha ha ! LOL

 

Dream on.

350Z is light and fast. Imagine a turbo in that thing, whoop dee doo!

6th speed is more cruising than anything. How else could I average 28+ mpg on the highway

 

350Z weighs 3500 pounds...

 

Remember that in addition to suspension tuning, a lot of the handling has to do with the stiffness of the framework.

The 350Z frame is dramatically stiffer than the Maxima frame. The 350Z is probably more than twice as stiff in torsion and bending as a 4th gen Maxima frame.

 

one of my friends has a track Z, and I think its a beautiful car, hes a ***** about letting people drive it - but now that I read this I rather not feel that my Max is a POS after driving the car.

 

let me tell you Ive driven a 350 and ive driven my max and ive driven a stock 300zx twin turbo. the 350's got absolutely nuthin on the 300zxTT

 

The max is a great daily driver. Its not in any means a sports car, but it is a quick 4-door. I love driving mine, but if I really want speed I always can hop in my Supra TT.

 

Just drive one of your cousins'/brothers'/sisters' cars, like their honda, and then get into your max, youll feel great.