A friend of mine who owns a S2000 and Audi S4 said that he would never consider either a G35C or 350Z as "real" sports cars because they are too heavy.

Whats up with that?!@!$#

Granted they are both a little overweight but they handle great IMO.

 

First of all, he has no room to talk with the S4. I don't know what year it is but the only thing great about it is the fact that it is an Audi (very very nice interiors) and that it has all wheel drive. The G35c is faster and has more power than the previous S4 (even though the new one when it comes out will have more). Also, the audi is much much heavier (over 4k lbs) The s2000 on the other hand, is very light --- but is very small. I mean these things are tiny. Weight has little to do with a car being a sports car. They come in all different weights and sizes.

Andrew

2003 6MT blue on order

 

The weight is very important in a SPORTS car! If you got enough power and grip, then that's fine.
I have a S2000, and I think it's heavy for it's size and power (Not much low end torque to start quickly, but plenty fast than a lot of cars. 0-60 between 5.3-6.5 depends on the driver) If they can make the S2000 weight as little as the Miata at around 2200 lbs (BTW, S2000 weight 2800 lbs) and get a little more torque, say Max 180-200 ft/lb @7500 rpm and starting 150ft/lb at 4500 rpm. And keep the 240 horses at 9000 rpm, then the S will be a awsome car!
As for the G35C, I think it's got enough torque to push it's weight; and the Horse power is fair (for it's size), but I don't think it grips as good as it should directly from the factory to be SPORT. I'm sure it can be made to glue to the ground by changing the suspension and tires! But the weight is very important in a sports car! Especially the CG! You want to make it to the Lower Center as possible. Anyway, like I said, wieght , power , and handling need to be balance all together to make a good sports car! You need power to move the weight, and you need the grip to hold all that force (created by the weight and speed) with the good grip, and don't forget you need Great brakes to STOP too!
I love the G35C on the street and love my S2000 on the track! Once you get that little 4 bangers spinning on the track, it feel like driving a F1 car at high rpm! Love that feeling at 9000rpm! DO you know how much fun it is to shift around 7500-8000 rpm on the track?

 

hmm, interesting, as a former S4 owner i know that S4 is heavy as hell. S4 weights at OVER 3600lb. CURB. So tell your friend that he has no room to talk

 

Hehe,
I didn't mean to say that wieght was unimportant to a sports car. I meant to say that sports cars do come in all weights and sizes and that they all have entirely different strengths and weaknesses. Weight is very important to a sports car. Actually, you are wrong about the G35C in the handling department. It pulls better on the skidpad than most sport cars (over .9 g's). Does it have skateboard like handling like an s2000? No. But most cars aren't built like go carts with motorcycle like engines. I know what you mean about the high rpms of the honda though. My roomate has an Integra type R and that thing at the tracks was intense with always having to shift. If you want more torque in your s, strap on a supercharger. that's what he did with the integra and now it flies at any rpm and has a very flat tourque curve. Of course, that voids your engine warranty...

Andrew

2003 6MT blue premium aero (on order)

 

If the S2000 is compared to the Z with "wimpy 50 series tires and 16 inch wheels" does that mean with 18's and 30 series tires it'll do better? So I wonder would the 350Z handle as well with 16 inch tires. ALL S2000's are the same. No handling packages or anything.
I mean make sense. The S2000 is great for what it is and the 350Z is great at what it does.
When you have to bash one car to bring yours up it seems to make you look a little jealous/bitter/ignorant.