Honda S2000 vs. Nissan 350z/G35

[achc]

I have been trying to compare the Honda S2000 to the Nissan 350Z and its big brother G35. Its getting harder and harder everytime I think of it.

The Honda offers much less power but gives about the same speed as the V6 3.5L due to its weight. Both car are front engine, rear wheel drive which is what I like. The 350z/G35 push the engine back so it made the weight more balance. Honda engine problem (but some people like this) is that you need high revs to get torque. That means changing gears all the time. Especially when passing.

If anyone watch TopGear, they probably seen the show where they compare roadster. The conclusion was it is better to buy a roadster that was design to be a roadster at the beginning like the S2000, it was never a coupe where the 350z roadster just got the roof cut off from the coupe version,

So what do you guys think?

I always hear the sound of G35/350z on the street and they sound really nice. Never hear those sound from a S2000.

[kingsley]

The 350z/G35 push the engine back so it made the weight more balance.

You got it wrong here. It's the S2000 with its engine placed behind the front axle that gives it a 50/50 weight distribution, not the Nissans/Infinitis.

[Supershyguy]

what are you looking for?

Style , looks, or Lexury lol


if you are just looking at pure performance and handling then S2000 would be perfect for you and you can stop looking anywhere else.

Dont bother with the G35 if you want handling lol car is too heavy.

[PrinceMS]

I went to honda dealership and guy says "S2000 is not winter car AT ALL!" so if you are looking to buy somefin for a year around, it does narrow down your choices :)

Again, what are your goals for the car?

[warpdrive]

You got it wrong here. It's the S2000 with its engine placed behind the front axle that gives it a 50/50 weight distribution, not the Nissans/Infinitis.

Nope, the 350Z/G35 also use this design


The Nissan FM platform is a modern FM layout automobile platform. The name is derived from the "front midships" location of the engine, referring to the engine's center of mass being located behind the front axle centerline, shifing weight to the middle of the car, leaving the front suspension less encumbered. The engine is pushed as far back to the firewall as possible, creating a weight distribution that's close to 50:50, as well as enabling engineers to place the front wheels as close to the corners as possible for better handling. This platform debuted with the 2001 V35-series Nissan Skyline, and has been used as the basis of nearly all of Nissan's rear and all-wheel drive applications since its inception. The platform has been revised recently for use in the JDM Nissan Fuga/USDM Infiniti M35/45, being stretched in wheelbase and reinforced for additional torsional rigidity. This version is referred to as the "enhanced FM" platform.

[warpdrive]

Personally, the 350Z/G35 feel like heavy pigs when you drive them back to back with an S2000. The two are not comparable at all in terms of the way they drive and feel.

What are you looking for? Go-kart feeling sports car or touring car? If you intend to drive long distances, the frenetic feeling S2000 may tire you out as you have to keep the revs up higher to keep the speed up.

[mau108]

if I had to choose (note I currenlty drive a prelude so I do have to rev up but its not as bad as it seems), I'd pick the 350z. The engine under the hood is one of the best v6 engines made and the tone of the exhaust (music to my ears!). Yes its heavy but meh.

OH ONE FINAL NOTE! DONT GET THE COUPE 350Z AND MAKE SURE YOU READ UP ABOUT ITS TIRE WEAR ISSUE IN THE EARLIER YEARS (I believe nissan fixed the problem up in 04).

[achc]

Wow, I never new the s2000 engine is behind the front axle as well. You might be right on the s2000 kingsley but G35 also offers the samething.

I guess S2000 will be my choice.

After all, the 350Z I think looks kinda ... bad? The G35 looks great but the 350Z is just like a compressed G35 but with all that round shape left there. So its bulky. It does give 50 more hp then the VTEC which sounds like a lot. And the V6 offers lots more torque but thats just because bigger engine. Thats just all theory think right?

On the handling side, is G35/350Z really that bad? I mean both cars have Limited Slip Differential, Front Engine / Rear Wheel Drive System so the weight should be pretty balance.

[warpdrive]

On the handling side, is G35/350Z really that bad?

350Z roadster: 3601 lbs
S2000: 2868 lbs

As I said, the 350Z is a heavy pig. The S2000 just feels a lot more agile, and tossable. The 350Z can generate good numbers on a track, but it's not as fun to drive

[mudmojo]

S2000 -> think hardtail, sharp angles, short wheelbase, agility, can get annoying after a while if not in the mood

Z -> think freeride, more compliant, higher numbness quotient but more comfortable

:cheesygri