My 300zx vs. my s15 Silvia

Right. I've had some time to take the Silvia on some long drives and I've definitely taken the Zed out on some big runs so it's time to compare

Personally, I like a good driver's car. I like something that goes and handles well on the open road. It's also gotta have good bang for buck. I can't see myself ever buying a car which is more than $40,000. It's just not me. Jap turbos suit all of my criteria. I hope that adds context to why I have a 300zx and Silvia.

This is a comparison of what my cars currently are and not what they could be.

My cars:
My 300zx is an Aus Spec 5 speed 2+2 converted to TT by AVO. The OEM suspension and brakes were also donated by a TT.

The S15 is an Aussie delivered Spec R GT. That just means that it has some extra bits that add weight and make it slower.

Straight line performance:
300zx wins. End of story. No questions.

Handling / braking / steering:
This goes to the Silvia. The steering is very precise and if there is any oversteer it is very easy to correct. The power steering was apparently something Nissan concentrated on for the S15s and it really shows. It is very nicely weighted. My 300zx feels boat like in comparison. The braking feels underdone and you don't get any real feedback.

Cabin and comfort:
You can't beat the 300zx's climate control, Aus Spec cloth seats and cruise control. The Silvia cabin feels very sparse in comparison. Even the vents feel flimsy. The ride in the Silvia is very harsh.

I've done the Sydney to Melbourne and Melbourne to Sydney trip a few times and the most comfortable car I drove was a (please don't hate me) Toyota Prado. I drove the 300zx from Melbourne to the Hunter Valley and back. Best road trip ever. I would need an arse reconstruction if I took the Silvia on that trip.

Practicality:
The Silvia can fit a Mountain Buggy pram in the boot and still has room for some luggage for a weekend away. The missus loves that. The 300zx can fit a subwoofer and not much else. Both cars can easily take a child seat. The Silvia is a smaller car so I have more room in the garage. The Zed would be a better towing car but I don't tow.

Presence:
The Zed wins. Easy. It looks more aggressive, they turn more heads and mine sounds pretty good. You gotta love the 300zx cabin too. Being a wannabe jet pilot, the Zed feels like a cockpit with the dash kinda wrapped around you and the big transmission tunnel dominating down the middle. That's one of the things I love about the Zed.

The Silvia is still a good looking car (I like the Aero wing, body kit and wheels) but the 300zx wins here.

Maintenance / Cost of ownership:
Holy crap Silvia parts are cheap. It's much easier to work on too.

Verdict:

I would drive -

The Zed for VERY long lazy drives and drives without the family.

The Silvia for hills, mountains, winding roads and weekends away with the family.

The wife's Subaru when I want to do the grocery shopping or feel like a grown-up.

Any disagreements? Please visit here:
http://www.dailypuppy.com/

 

Nice comparison.
Our 20yr old cars still come up to the mark. Gee no surprise there.
Practicality not the Zed, but fun, eye catching, end envy value, the Zed wins hands down.

For transporting the family and luggage around on long trips, that why they make Station wagons.

Nissan do make a skyline wagon....

 

Cool write up

 

Ya 300zx feels like a boat cause its a 2+2, my 2+0 slicktop feels nimble as

 

I have to admit, the slicktop's I've driven do feel a lot tighter, however they also felt much more... Twitchy?

 

Yeah I guess you could say that, fixed with better wheels tyres and suspension though, also the whiteline sway bars helped a LOT handling wise, car felt so flat and through the corners to me anyways was like black and white after changing nothing else but them (to compare)

 

hmmmm

My best mate has a 2 seater slick top and i have a 2+2 targa

Your right two totally different cars.....his does feel slightly tighter....but i have to say I feel a hell of a lot more confident in the 2+2 going hard wayyy more stable. slicktop would be a good car to go sideways in

Mine
Stillen sways
Toyo r1r
Zeal Function Coilovers
Collars
Tein tensions
front strut bar
Proper Alignment and setup from road and race

His slicktop
Toyo t1r on regamasters
Tein Flex coils
F+R strut bars
Tein Tension rods
Whiteline sways

So pretty damn similar....his is more fun to get the arse out...but mine holds like f**in glue and is way more go cartish.... I am about to throw in the rear strut bar and fender brace so will be interesting to see how it compares then when i tighten it up that little bit more.

If only they made a 4 seater slicktop !!!!! :br:

 

Sounds like the back end of the slicktop is over tightened, might be worth trying swapping the rear Whiteline swaybar with a stock one and maybe getting rid of the rear strut tower brace too.

 

Yeah, was thinking that might be a good move....he doesnt drive it that hard...dont think he will ever really notice. I do though :br: lol

Naturally i would think that the slickies or 2 seaters would never be as stable no weight in the rear at all....cant remember 1 used ever in higher level motorsport not just weekend warriors. All 4 seaters from what i have seen. ie UAS, Powertrix, SPL track cars all use 4 seaters.

 

you are pretty much spot on with your comparing, my brother has a s15 and when i drive it you can really feel the difference in their handling!i actually said wow :O LOL!

 

Some interesting discussion here.

I have to agree, long trips are Z territory through and through. I have recently done a couple of 1000km days and can climb out of the Z without feeling shattered.

Mine is a 2+0 TT Targa and I would agree the hardtop does feel that little bit lighter but there isn't all that much in it.

I have previously owned 3 2+2 TTs, one auto, two manuals. I am not at all certain that the 2+2 is a more stable car, quite the opposite in my experience.

Weight distribution in a 2+0 is far closer to optimum...hell just look at fuel tank location to figure that.

I accept that some of the full blown circuit cars began life as a 2+2 but then virtually all of the weight baring components have been relocated to sit between the axle lines and as low as possible.

In terms of what is best as a regularly driven car it is perhaps personal choice.

I'd take my 2+0 any day but I dont mind it being lively. If on the other hand you are more content with a car where you can perhaps get away with a little inattention and it is a little less lively then the 2+2 is not bad.
When it comes to a circuit I'd lay odds on the 2+0 but the truth is that neither is a bad car.

 

Yep agree with that, 2+0 TT slicktop would be an awesome racecar. I have a 2+0 slicktop with couple of rear suspension mods, stabiliser rear bar etc,That makes a good difference in high speed cornering. tightens up rear nice. front also.
NA but it still goes fine for road, more than you need, bloody speed cameras.

TT 2+0 for sure for race, nice set up with 18" slick tyres & would handle real nice at high speed, like glue. As far as weight distribution for racing, once you have stripped it out added roll cage & race brakes & suspension, stick each wheel on some heavy duty race car scales to see where your weight is at, 60/40 front/rear % is a start, if scale weight is out left to right add some small weights or place accessory race parts in position to get an even scale weight left to right or R/L even weight displacement. Do this with driver in car with full race gear on & half tank of gas. & keep weight low as possible.
Once you have this even weight set up with driver in car, make sure all your rose joints at this set weight are free & easy to move, not sticky & tight.
2+0 TT with motor set back 15'' to rear, drivers racing seat set back also, to get weight on rear, battery on other side, fuel tank position etc.
A great package for race & doesn't need to cost a fortune.

 

I considered the Stagea but fair's fair - My wife gets to choose her own car. I suspect she will choose another Liberty. She loves the safety of All Wheel Drive and it is a comfortable car.

Interesting question - she hasn't actually said "so when are you selling the 300zx?" I'm dodging that bullet for as long as I can.

A few other comparisons I made over the last couple of days as I drove to Geelong in the Silvia:

Gearbox:
The Silvia's is very precise and the 6th gear makes all the difference with freeway driving. The short throws between gears also makes for faster shifting. The Zed gearbox still feels good and it's position is fantastic but the travel from 4th to 5th is too much.

Noise:
You can hear lots more in a Silvia cabin. This is part of the reason that a Silvia is nowhere near as comfortable as a Zed. I took a random day off when I was car shopping (I can do that as I am the boss!) and drove some 350z's. THis was when I was undecided about choosing a Silvia or 350z. I think there were over 70 350z's advertised on Car Sales (just in Victoria ) and their price has really dropped. They are a quiet and comfortable car!!!! Light years ahead in cabin comfort compared to Zeds and Silvias.

Safety:
I never really compared safety between the cars because there's no point. Compared to, for example, a current model Lancer, both the Zed and Silvia are shite.

Fuel Economy:
Not even going to bother comparing as everybody on this forum knows the answer.