This blog is to share test drive experience. Nissan Z is usually called as Fairlady Z in Japanese market. The first Z was introduced in market in 1969 and the first model has worldwide sales of 550,000. This particular model was the best-selling sports car in the world at that time. Though it was out of market for 2 years between 2000 to 2002, it came back to market straight after and continue to sell still now.
The current sixth generation model Z34, equipped with a large engine called 3.7L V-6 cylinder. It is a complete two-seater couple car which does not even have a narrow rear seat. Soft Top Open Model Fairlady Z Roadster was available in Japan market until end of 2014 however both coupe and roadster are still on market in United States. Later the Fairlady Z was remodelled in 2008, got a smaller body size than the predecessor Z33with increased displacement of 200cc.
In the era when hybrid and downsizing turbo were at their peak, even in sports cars, the displacement was reduced to turbo, The lightness and technological innovation increased the coverage of small displacement. There were almost no sports with large displacement and naturally aspirated engines in this era. When it comes to cars with 3.5L or more engines, many SUVs and large minivans are used recently. If you try to search for a sports car with a displacement of 3.5 L or more, from the cheaper one, Nissan Fairlady Z, Ford Mustang, Lotus Exige, Chevrolet Corvette, Nissan GT-R. These five are less than 10 million yen. There are only Nissan, American cars and Lotus. Fairlady Z is the best of all these.
Design Features
Below are some of the extraordinary features of this model
- Exterior With large displacement engine of 3.7L
- A high-performance sports car 336 horsepower (355 horsepower for NISMO).
- In particular, the front bumper and headlights are the same as ordinary passenger cars, compared to other sports cars.
- The price and displacement of Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are more like sports cars.
- The interior is cool, like a sports car, but I thought it was a little too rough. The interior is not beautiful.
- Since the test drive was NISMO specification, the steering was Alcantara, the seat was Recaro, and it was different from the standard car.
Everyone is interested test drive despite the fact that 10 years have passed since its release I was also surprised at the ease of the test drive even though it is at the end of the model. There are only about 30 test drive vehicles in Japan. I haven’t heard that the GT-R has 100 test vehicles and a test drive. Perhaps only the upper-class passengers offered by Nissan can test drive.
Moreover, most Fairlady Z test rides in Japan are ATMs. I thought that I wanted to ride MT, there was only an AT test ride. Well, considering that the purchasing class is middle-aged and older, I want to feel free to enjoy a cool sports car as a result, is there more demand for ATs? Or will MT riders choose a car like the GT-R? Even Porsche Cayman, which is likely to be compared, seems to have a lot of ATs when testing in Japan.
I wanted to try and explore sport car model Fairy Day Z but I was offered model NISMO. NISMO is enhanced in all aspects related to driving, also price starts from 6.17 million yen which is 1.6 times of Japanese yen. Though engine displacement is the same body size and engine output are different to compare with Fairlazy Z. Driving experience with NISMO is completely different from Fairday Z so unfortunately, I can’t evaluate the regular Fairey Z. But I wish I get chance to test drive few more domestic sports cars.
Engine Performance
Large displacement engine is natural attraction, it accelerates with a large torque from the low rpm range. However, it is not a level that cannot be handled. In terms of accelerating as soon as you step on it, the turbo that was used in old Japanese sports cars (low rotation torque is thin, power is rapidly output when turbo is applied) . Though it has 350 horsepower, it is easier to handle than the 280-horse power car used in the past.
Fairlady Z is FR. There is no worry about torque steer like high power FF, so I stepped on it with confidence if it is a straight line. Perhaps NISMO specification’s feet are hard, I lightly stepped on with the acceleration to spin the wheel easily, but the behaviour is It’s stable, so it’s not too late. You can accelerate steadily. If you are familiar with FR movement, there will be no problem. The Abarth 595 made a trickier move
Suspension
It’s the hardest car I have ever tested ever because you won’t get rolls with usual cornering. The tires are very thick (NISMO rear is 285 / 35R19), so the grip is really great. This may not be a point of failure however it is not suitable for public roads, daily trips or office purpose. It is easy to handle as cornering characteristics are almost neutral.
Engine Transmission
Fairlady Z is normal torque converter type and it delivers very strong torque. Not interlocked with the steering as Nissan cars paddle shift type is fixed in general. People will be fine once they start used to it. It is not a big deal to compare AT person’s manual mode where the shift lever is upside down (only Mazda and Alfa Romeo are closer to acceleration direction).
Driving position
Recaro seat is the standard in NISMO spec. Semi-bucket type with reclining function, but I am not so comfortable may be due to my physique despite the fact that it is a semi-back. Hope Many Japanese and Asians may have the same feeling. I felt that seat is too wide and it is made for Americans and Westerners not for Asians. The seat position is also low and the front visibility is not bad. but It is hard to see the back side from driver seat.
Conclusion
I felt limit was very high but it was fun & I could not drive this car every day. You can use this only for long trip but not as main car. On the other hand, Mazda Roadster or Toyota 86 is best and safe if you would like to drive on public roads for short distance. I will be back here again to share my experience as soon as I get chance to test drive FairLazy Z.
