Sarah-n-Tuned 2023 Z Review

[jezzza]

 

[Go2ZZZ]

I bet she nailed it….. to get the car

 

[Loco38SUP]

That was painful….

The tapping all over the car with fake nails was annoying.

-RJM

 

[indio22]

Actually one of the better reviews I've seen. Liked the focus on the underpinnings, inspecting the various components, comparing and contrasting to previous gen. Showed some details not focused on in prior "shaky cam" reviews.

Reminds me when I went to a Ford event to see Bronco for the first time, while people were mostly standing around staring at the vehicle, I was the guy crawling underneath with a measuring tape. I took more photos of the Bronco frame/suspension componentry than the topside.

 

[Heavy Dupree]

She got the final drive ratio incorrect, the 3.133 is for the 9 spd auto, the manual has 3.538 rear end gearing.

 

[NecioVato]

Her reviews are always interesting - very quirky but she is definitely knowledgable when it comes to cars. It’s always interesting to me when people KNOW something is not as good as another vehicle on paper but still pick it - I was a little shocked she picked this over the Supra. Anyway - thanks for sharing OP

 

[indio22]

She got the final drive ratio incorrect, the 3.133 is for the 9 spd auto, the manual has 3.538 rear end gearing.

Do you think "final drive" is really the differential ratio? In that case, I did the following calculations, to estimate the engine rpm at 70 mph:

AUTOMATIC:
70 mph * 0.597 (top trans gear) * 3.133 (diff gear) * 336 / 26.6 (P275/35R19 tire) = 1,654 rpm

MANUAL:
70 mph * 0.795 (top trans gear) * 3.538 (diff gear) * 336 / 26.6 (P275/35R19 tire) = 2,487 rpm

Looks like there is a significant difference in highway cruising rpm, when comparing the automatic to the manual equipped Z.

 

[Heavy Dupree]

Do you think "final drive" is really the differential ratio?

Yes, the final drive ratio is number of teeth on the ring gear divided by the number of teeth on the pinion.

Nissan official spec sheet.

 

[indio22]

Along with providing for lower rpm highway cruising, the automatic setup also digs deeper with it's first gear/diff combo:

Automatic: 17.00
Manual: 13.43

 

[MHockey17]

Her reviews are always interesting - very quirky but she is definitely knowledgable when it comes to cars. It’s always interesting to me when people KNOW something is not as good as another vehicle on paper but still pick it - I was a little shocked she picked this over the Supra. Anyway - thanks for sharing OP

I don’t think it’s that surprising tbh. Sure there’s a significant difference between the two on-track performance, but these are both primarily street cars, and on the street the Z has been mostly praiseworthy. Plus the Z is also cheaper (markups aside).

I feel like people & many reviewers put too much stock into the “numbers”, whereas in reality on the street most drivers aren’t going to be timing every launch, roll, corner, etc to notice the difference. For an enthusiast car all that really matters is if it has good style & is enjoyable to drive; Smiles per miles, as they say

 

[siggy]

She got the final drive ratio incorrect, the 3.133 is for the 9 spd auto, the manual has 3.538 rear end gearing.

He (I mean she) really sold it though! Just a joke guys! It's 2022 after all.

 

[NecioVato]

I don’t think it’s that surprising tbh. Sure there’s a significant difference between the two on-track performance, but these are both primarily street cars, and on the street the Z has been mostly praiseworthy. Plus the Z is also cheaper (markups aside).

I feel like people & many reviewers put too much stock into the “numbers”, whereas in reality on the street most drivers aren’t going to be timing every launch, roll, corner, etc to notice the difference. For an enthusiast car all that really matters is if it has good style & is enjoyable to drive; Smiles per miles, as they say

I have to agree with this - one of my best friends always asks - 'WHO are you racing etc' when I start talking numbers and always pushes the 'Smiles Per Gallon' vs the numbers debate. One thing you forgot to mention - is that most of us won't be able to match those numbers since they use pros at times, make sure they have the perfect conditions etc. Hence why when you see racing vids online - sometimes the slower car on paper winds up being faster bc the other person mis-shifted or something.

 

[MHockey17]

I have to agree with this - one of my best friends always asks - 'WHO are you racing etc' when I start talking numbers and always pushes the 'Smiles Per Gallon' vs the numbers debate. One thing you forgot to mention - is that most of us won't be able to match those numbers since they use pros at times, make sure they have the perfect conditions etc. Hence why when you see racing vids online - sometimes the slower car on paper winds up being faster bc the other person mis-shifted or something.

That is a very good point too ; a lot of those review times are after multiple passes/laps/attempts also.

 

[jdm-rhd]

He (I mean she) really sold it though! Just a joke guys! It's 2022 after all.

ive seen where people comment or questioned this over the years...is there a straight answer? no pun intended

 

[trackratZ]

Her Taco Bell assessment, same ingredients.....yup nailed it! And 'these cars don't age well' I hope the new Z is buttoned up much better than prev gens. The NVH of both 350Z and 370Z were horrible compared to similar in the price range and gets worse over time.