....I set my expectations to high. In my short test drive I managed to shift from 1st to 4th 2 times and I hit the rev limiter a few times. In summary I didn't feel very connected to the road when driving the new Spec V, it didn't offer much driver feedback. The acceleration didn't impress me very much, I kept waiting for some kind of power surge through the rpm band, but nothing ever came just the rev limiter. I honestly feel that my classic SE-R could have out accelerated this car. As far as the shifter goes, it did not provide me with a positive feel, it actually felt very sloppy, my classic offers a much more positive feel. Also running through the gears I wish Nissan would have geared the car differently, I hated the fact that you have to shift into 3rd to reach 60 mph. As far as handling goes, I never felt that comfortable to take the car into turns at speed.

I went to the Nissan dealership thinking that the Spec V would be leaps and bounds ahead of my classic SE-R. In the end I feel the Spec V only offers more refinement, a quieter ride, and more usable interior and storage space. I am glad that I did test drive the new Spec V, I also plan on test driving a new Tiburon to see how they compare. In the end I think I will probably buy another B13 or maybe even a B14.

P.S. Is the new Spec V a hydraulic clutch? The clutch is engaged and disengaged effortlessly. The greatest part was, soon as I was finished test driving the Spec V, I got in my Sentra to leave and I stalled it,. My clutch is seriously 300% stiffer than the Spec Vs . It took me the 20 min ride home to get used to my clutch again.

Go back and take a normal SE-R for a test drive, you will like it a lot better. I drove one today and I liked it better than the Spec.
But it still isn't a classic.:)

I gotta agree with pretty much everything there, then again i've been driving a full bolt on 200sx for about a year now so I guess its a little unfair to compare the two without similar mods.

The Spec I saw at the NYC Int'l car show had a hydraulic clutch...so yes, they are hydraulic based on that....

The 2003 Spec-V will have different gear ratios. I know 1st will be longer. I think 3rd will be longer too. Should make a big difference.

I drove a Spec V at the convention, and the rev limiter does suck, but I loved everything else about the car. There is no surge of power, its always there. I've dynoed one, and stock it made 150wtq from 2500 - 5000 rpm. That is very impressive. That's why there's no surge. You are at max torque from the get go. Add a few mods, and it gets better. The car I dynoed has a AEM, header, and cat back. Its dynoing again in a weeke or two. And it only has 1500 miles on it.

I agree with everything Sandman said. I came to the same conclusions in December. Not only did I feel it was no faster than my Classic was when stock, it really struggled to make power above 5 grand IMO. Made more noise than power.

The thing I really didn't like was the drive by wire throttle. I felt completely disconnected from the engine. Give me a cable please, it works just fine and has to be cheaper than all that electric gizmo crap.

1st and 2nd will be extended and the will be shortening 3rd and 4th slightly... overall when you get used to the car its a wonderful torqy ride...i couldnt complain but alot of others can, people say the new tranny is very smooth...but i still liked the feel of the standard ser tranny....but i still love the classics

Well I own both and after driving my Spec V for 8 months going back to my NX is akward to say the least. It feels so slow and sluggish especially in the low end. Hell you can ride around in the Spec in 5th gear at 35mph no problem and it will still accelerate. I accidently started going in 4th gear once and the car moved.

It has power everywhere and certainly doesn't slow down until you are smacking the revlimiter (which needs another 600rpms). When you add a CAI to the equation it get's even better.

The handling is awesome, sometimes I think it is better then my NX with the Shocktek suspension. Mostly because of the HLSD I think. I really really love the car.
Besides it looks better then the boxes you guys drive:-P

http://www.speakeasy.net/~nxracer/specvsmaller.jpg

Lee
91 NX (AEBS, header, exhaust, pullies, JWT ECU, JWT POP, Zex 9lb. Flywheel, Autopower Cage, Corbeau Forza, ST rear bar, Shocktek Suspension 400/300 springs, Pacesetter SS, custom roof aerodynamics)
02 Spec V (AEM CAI)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nx2kracer
[B]
Besides it looks better then the boxes you guys drive:-P


Hey! You are outnumbered here so watch out! ;)

I will admit the SPec is torquey as hell, but I like most others dont care for the low limiter. when i test drove one months ago, i bounced off that thing at least 7 times during my test drive. I feel sorry for the sucker who bought that car, it was probably beat to death!

I know I'm out numbered, but that doesn't make the Classic any prettier;-)

I personally know 1 other guy that has the car and loves it. He also owns an ITS Classic he road races in the SCCA.

I'd like to own a blackout Spec V and a classic. I honestly like the looks of the classic better than the B14 and B15 but that's just me. Never driven a spec V though, I'll have to do that soon.

I have an NX and a Spec V...seems to be a pattern developing here. :)

Misc. ramblings about my experience with the Spec V...

I like the near effortless clutch on the Spec V, not so much the drive by wire throttle, plus it's much more difficult to heel/toe than the NX, which is damn near perfect for heel/toe.

Spec V seats ROCK! Far better than the stock NX seats.

The handling of the Spec V is VERRRRRY close to the NX with AGX and 400/300 Ground Controls. I've pushed both cars on the same twisty road close to me, both to the point where the tires start to slip, and the speeds through the corners are very close, within 1 or 2 MPH. Credit Nissan for adding a nice front strut tower brace, and the integrated rear bracing behind the rear seat for making the Spec V a very tight package. The stock tires may not be the stickiest out there, but they do have decent grip, QUIET, and are pretty good in the rain. The rims are heavy MOFO's; I've seen them listed somewhere at 24 lbs. I'm definitely getting lighter rims next year.

I'm glad Nissan is changing the gear ratios, first gear is practically a throw-away, IMO. Too bad a tranny swap or gear swap would be $$$$$; I'd love to have different ratios in my '02.

But I also love to rev the sh*t outta my NX...she's taken that kind of abuse for 10+ years without complaint.

OK, I've rambled enough...I'm going to sleep...

A few minor specs on the Spec;):

It is a torque monster, as was said. This car gains 8-10 HP from just about anything you add to it. It's torque is lower in the powerband too, so you guys who are used to seeing 7500 on the tach will be disappointed when you get up to it's measly 6,100 (or is it 6,200?) redline. The reason it will never rev above that is the pencil thin rods, which are short by the way causing a lot of stress to the cylinder walls. The ring lands are so small as well. It's a displacement-type engine, not a revver.

Suspension. 325f/375r (the B15 needs more rate in the rear per Kojima, and obviously... Nissan;)), FSTB, Super thick rear axle (no, no independent suspension, sorry), and stronger dampers. The dampers aren't quite strong enough for the spring rates though, so you may feel some bounce in the ride.

Rims, yes, 24lbs-ish. The contis suck IMO also.

I/H/E/Balance Shaft removal/Knock sensor grounding... you'd see about 165ish to the wheels to be VERY modest in my estimation. Of course, you guys probably knew all of this anyways, but I thought I'd shed some light on the reasons for it's good/bad performance depending on what you're opinion is.

Well today I test drove a New Tiburon. I really liked this car, I think if I were to spend 18-19K on a new car this might be the one I purchase. The shifter on this car was very nice, never had a problem finding the gears, the only draw back was it had the 5-speed, the dealer told me the 6-speed feels the same way though. Didn't ever hit the Rev limiter on my test drive, but I am almost certain the car will reach 60+ in 2nd, got on it in first and shifted to second and then let off, looked down car was running about 40-45. The car I test drove had a sticker of 19K (dealer said we could work on the price), it only lacked the more aggressive spoiler, 6-speed and modified pedals. What it did have was the 181hp V6 (feels to have about the same power as the Spec V), Sport tuned suspension, 17" wheels, 360 watt Infinity sound system (6 speakers 1 sub), leather, spoiler, power everything, sunroof. All and all I was very suprised and impressed. This car rode and handled very well. I felt very connected to the road, something the Spec V did not offer me. If anyone is looking for a car in the 18-19K price range I would recommend looking at this car, along with a Spec V, so you can come to your own conclusion. I myself I currently looking to test drive a plain jane SE-R, I am hoping that I will like the feel of the 5-speed more and maybe I will like the feel of this car more than the Spec V.

Are all Classic owners full of themselves? You guys think that your 9-10 year old car is better than a 2002 Spec V. You must be kidding, right.

Come this December I am taking my Classic and my brother's Spec V to the track. Both are stock with a CAI the only power mod on each. My Classic also has some pep boys gas shocks and NX brakes, giving it even a better than stock advantage!!

I will run both with the hotlapper unit that I have. I will run them both on stock tires, 195/65 for the classic (larger than the 185s it comes with) and the 215/45 for the Spec V.

Then I will run them both with race tires and I will report back to you.

If the Spec V is faster around the track than the Classic, I expect you all to stop this blather about how much better your 10 year old car is :rolleyes: I am getting tired of all the unsubstantiated claims that you guys keep making.

Mini Cooper, baby!!:D Take you all down!!:rolleyes:

Originally posted by nj1266
Are all Classic owners full of themselves? You guys think that your 9-10 year old car is better than a 2002 Spec V. You must be kidding, right.

Come this December I am taking my Classic and my brother's Spec V to the track. Both are stock with a CAI the only power mod on each. My Classic also has some pep boys gas shocks and NX brakes, giving it even a better than stock advantage!!

I will run both with the hotlapper unit that I have. I will run them both on stock tires, 195/65 for the classic (larger than the 185s it comes with) and the 215/45 for the Spec V.

Then I will run them both with race tires and I will report back to you.

If the Spec V is faster around the track than the Classic, I expect you all to stop this blather about how much better your 10 year old car is :rolleyes: I am getting tired of all the unsubstantiated claims that you guys keep making.
Well I can't speak for Classics, but I like my '01 SE better than the Spec I drove. It may make more power, you just don't feel it.
I have raced against them in Auto X and its pretty much a draw, I beat them and they beat me...pretty much depends on the driver that day. (One day I beat one by 2.0 secs and the next day he beat me by a sec....back to back events)
When I test drove the Spec I did a speed run from one on ramp to the next off ramp. entry speed was the same...exit speed was roughly the same..about 180kph..with just a slight advantage to the Spec. (scared the crap out of the sales guy when I threw the Spec into an off ramp at 180 kph :) )
The suspension on the Spec is better than the SE/PP but my tires are better (SO-3's) so my grip is as good or better.
But most of this thread is on driving impression, not fact. The Spec may put out better numbers, but it feels lacking from the drivers seat, at least compared to the hype.
Oh and BTW the dealer was going to give me a sweet deal to trade in my year old SE on the Spec and I turned him down.
SR20's forever :)

If the Spec V is faster around the track than the Classic, I expect you all to stop this blather about how much better your 10 year old car is

Whatever Naji.

You keep missing the point that I and others have. And that is, after 10+ years since the original and watching Honda/Acura and Toyota redefine the sport-compact segment, the best Nissan can do is a beam axle and an engine with a 6200 rpm redline that runs out of steam at 5 grand.

I will still shit twice and eat it if any Spec-V can catch and pass me on track.

Here we go with the beam axel again. You act as if the beam axel is like the one on the Tercel. It is a Watt's linkage axel design. It has been used by many race cars. The Caterham Seven uses it and it is one on the best handling roadsters there is.

Ask Mike Kojima and he will tell you that the multi-link rear on B14s and B15s is BETTER than the IRS on the B13s. Why?

Because the B13 is not very rigid and its strut towers are like potato chips. Also the multi-link beam keeps the camber and toe constant under load, something the B13 IRS cannot do. The problem with the beam is that it had too much toe-in. On the B14 you can fix that by bending it to 1/16 toe-in or 0 toe.

The Spec V has 1/16 toe-in from the factory, perfect for high speed racing.

I am the only one racing a B14 in the SE-R Cup and during the last race I had the fastest hot lap time for the entire weekend, a 2:11.xxx. And I was running an open differential. I took Pole on Sat. The Kojima/Paule B13 could only manage a 2:12 and it was running a quaife differential.