Sort of a weird question but I wanted your input as to which car is quicker overall on a road course. I'd also like to know which car "feels" faster while driving... So if you took two perfectly stock cars and drove each for 20 mins, which car would you put your money on in a race against each other based on how it felt?

There are two parts to this question, the first being which car is actually faster overall, and the second is which car feels faster and more fun, both are very different from each other and I'm sure we have some folks who can shed light onto this.


Lets take a 2007 STi versus the best year 350Z w/sports package, and lets match them up in various events and use the average to figure out which is quicker overall in various tests.

Here are the categories:

1. 1/4 Mile drag race

2. Road course times, doesn't matter which course

3. Braking

4. AutoX course


By taking these categories and taking the average time we can figure out which is a faster car overall.


Lets assume that both cars have the same exact tires so that it's a fair and level playing field.


One of my friends is highly into Z's and has a 2004 350Z that she got over an STi because she is convinced that the 350 is "a lot" faster than an STi of an equal year. I've never driven a Z nor do I know much about them, so lets pair a 2004-2007 STi and whichever year is the best for the 350Z w/ sports package, and lets also give both cars the same tires so that everything is fair and equal.


Remember, this is not just a drag race, it's an overall race to test all aspects of each car. This is the first place I thought to look for an answer because I know we have some really well rounded car guys/girls that can shed light to this debate.

 

The STi is faster in school zones (don't ask).

 

On paper I'll bet that the STi is faster. though I have no real proof.

 

The 350Z is going to feel faster because of the Rear Wheel Drive. It's easy to upset the car or hang the tail out. The Big V6 makes more torque down low.

I would bet that the STi will probably be faster in eveything but Auto-X. The ability to make a RWD car rotate on an Auto-X course is pretty hard to overcome

 

The sti will feel faster off the ine and in the 1/4 mile, go from 80-150mph and the z will walk all over the STI.

 

I just sold my 05 350Z for an STi and here are my thoughts

1) The STi takes off quite faster from a dig then the 350 did

2) The Z should lay down better course times because the STi has god awful body roll and the tires squeal on corners I could take at the same speed in my Z.OH and UNDERSTEER! I hate understeer. Leading me to believe the Z had the superior suspension.

3) My Z's brakes feel the same as my STi's.

4) I am going to go Z over STi on the AutoX for suspension reasons but AutoX is really a driver by driver issue.

 

who drives a stock 2007 sti with a ****ty factory tune all I know is that I can take one no worries from 80-150... but Im not stock! they are not that fast the 370 however in the g37 moves pretty well above legal speeds!


check the stigs board on top gear? I think it would depend on the driver!

 

Tires have a lot to do with the squeal, so lets assume that they have the same tires.

 

Well given same tires, I still don't like the under steer . I am used to RWD and over steer but given time I will adapt. I guess call it a toss up based on the driver.

 

Even with the DCCD set to full rear? My car rotates REALLY easily when I have the diff set to full rear... In auto mode I do have a bit of understeer but the DCCD full rear option changes that, drastically/

 

TTIWWOP of friend please...

 

You've gotta go impartial on this one:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/show/powerlaps.shtml

STi wins on that lap, and will also probably feel faster. The traction from AWD off the line and full throttle from apex out can both put you in the seat pretty well.

 

sti hands down

 

I've driven both extensively, and the STI totally wins in all categories - however, this is on a subjective basis only, and most of the 350Zs I've driven have been auto, and convertible

 

The 350z also had a bump up in horsepower in 2007 I believe. It went up to 306hp or something around there.