Ok guys i think a test drive isn t a bad idea!

 

The front seats are roomy but the back are pretty small for maybe someone over 5'8" probably.

 

Wow what a nice objective thread when compairing and apple to an orange

I of course went to look at the Z before i got my IS and the thing that threw me off was the knowledge of the dealer who walked up to me when i pulled on the lot. He couldnt tell me why i should choose Nissan over brand x, guy was clueless... Of course before i left i talked to a manager about that dude and he said, 'oh hes new...', course i didnt belive him and told him, you dont go to work for ppl with doing your homework do you?...

oh back OT if your expecting a tax deduction soon take a look at the ES350 (you can always add coilovers) or i hope your wife/gf/bf whatever has a more suitable 'mommy' car.

 

I've driven my friend's 350z recently and it's a completely different feel. You're going from luxury-sport to pure sport and there's no way that you could begin to compare the two. The 350z was quick, stiff and aggressive on the turns, however, going from an IS to a 350z you immediately realize how luxurious a Lexus truly is. The IS obviously isn't going to handle as well as the 350z but when you purchase an IS that probably isn't one of your priorities. The IS is still quick and handles pretty well for a car of it's class. You're giving up a few items in the sport department but you're gaining a whole lot more in terms of luxury.

 

i've never driven a Z, but i wouldn't think the handling would be similar at all due to the weight difference and varying stiffness. performance isn't THAT different.

 

It is different. How different is subjective but its still different.

 

I've done a fair number of miles in the Z, the IS 350 is a great ride, quick, handles well but it doesn't have the "slot car" stickiness of the 350Z (what does?). Subjectively the Z feels quicker, although the magazine tests seem to show them neck and neck.

I've carried three kids in the back of my IS, although it's better with two... I'm 6ft and have lots of room up front, more than in the 350.

 

Actually they ride amazingly well. Feeling every bump in the road is not "riding like crap". People who have spent time at the track or have performance driving experience know what I mean.

The first thing I would do to any luxury sedan, be it a bimmer, lexus, audi, whatever, would be to lose the "grandma" suspension and get something under there that gives you feedback from the road.

 

I should qualify my statement then - if you don't spend time at the track or have performance driving experience, the Z rides like crap.

All kidding aside, though, most people that buy a Z are probably not buying them for the track. In those instances, the bumpy ride can be a bit unforgiving, and can really suck on a long road trip.

 

Previous car was an 04 Touring 350z... Feel is more aggresive, handling more stiffer, performance wise, its an all around nice sports car... 2 seats, depending on your age (college student) dont have to give rides to friends and save gas very spacious, more room than a s2000, z3 (id recommend it over the s2000 and bmw)

not as much room as an is350, this car is actually roomier than i thought and i feel like im driving a 2 door sports car, the handling is just right, acceleration is very smooth (havent gone ***** to the wall yet...2500 miles...want to get at least 5k before i start redlining gotta keep the car for 10 yrs), luxurious interior is much better than the z...except the seats in the z are so comfortable!

z is much louder, trunk space in both are awesome but is350 has the back seat so i only need to make one trip to college instead of 4 or 5 with the z.

dont have a baby so couldnt tell you about the seat...seems like it would fit, definately dont get a z if you're having kids

DEMO BOTH!!! people can say whatever they want on here but only YOU as the driver will love whatever car being a lexus forum...i think the lexus will be favored?

 

I'v heard to many sleeper stories on 350'z...

Dont get to "big headed" around one thats turbo'd UP

 

A rear facing infant seat will be REALLY tight in there, and may not fit so well in the middle rear seat with the tranny tunnel hump. Your spouse may not appreciate having the passenger seat all the way fwd to accomodate the baby seat. And, when you graduate to a convertible sear facing rear, it'll be way worse.

If you hold off a year, until the baby seat faces fwd, you'll be a lot better off.

 

IS3502007,

I actually sold my heavily modified 350z for an IS350, so I can most likely give you the best comparison, from my opinion.

My 350z had intake, exhaust, ECU, test pipes, intake manifold, headers, pullys, spark plugs and fuel injectors. With all these engine mods, the IS350 still felt slightly faster. Best I ran my 350z in 1/4 was 13.2@105 on 17" rims. The IS runs roughly 13.2-13.5 stock, so that would explain why it felt about the same.

Now as far as turning/handling goes, they are different leagues. The IS handles more like a sedan, while the Z felt like it handled like a car with glue tires.

The IS doesn't feel nearly as stable as my Z did on turns, but the truth being, with your new baby you wouldn't be taking 90 degree turns at 30-40mph anyways.

If you feel you need to make you IS handle better, as I did, you should get some coilovers and sway bars. Then it will be more compariable to the Z's handling.

 

I agreed 100% with Rickster31, I traded my 2003 350z in for the IS350, mine wasn't as heavily modded as his, I only had the NISMO intake and exhaust. The Z definitly handled better, but I think the IS is a little quicker, but the one thing nobody mentioned is Nissan skimps on the thier interiors, even on the Infiniti's they use the cheapest material. That bugged me more then anything, that the interiors was falling apart and discoloring.