Okay, I know it isn't ideal, but the new 350Z is supposed to make 267lb/ft of torque. Think that is enough to pull a sub 1900lb CRX on a two wheel tow dolly? If I get the highest model of the Z, it comes with Brembos, so braking should be sufficient. The problem is clutch/transmission related, and the fact that the car is very low to attach a hitch to. Any thoughts?

Matt

 

Well Keith edwards towed his First Gen CRX behind a 92 Civic EX on a two wheel tow dolly... so I assume a 350z would be enough.

 

should be fine, hell my pathfinder only has 197 lb-ft, is 2 wheel 5 speed, w/ 115,000 miles and pulls fine, the old Z are supposed to have a bullet proof tranny so the new ones should be good, by the way i just replaced the clutch in my path 2,000 miles ago, the clutch was fine but the throwout bearing was shot.

do it matt, that would be a cool tow vehicle and would have more than enough power

 

and most importantly would be a fun daily driver!!!!


Matt

 

350Z has 274ft-lbs torque, 287hp.

I don't know how good of a tow vehicle it would be since the tranny isn't designed to withstand heavy loads, and the driveshaft is carbon-fiber. But who knows, it may serve as an adequate tow vehicle, but I know my 350Z won't...

 

hmmm. maybe i could tow my 1977 honda civic behind my B16a crx then.... hmmmmmm

 

I assume (and hope and pray) that you said this in jest.

But, I wouldn't do it. Unibody cars don't take so well to towing stuff. They tend to stretch, twist, and generally fall to bits. That is why my Caprice (body on frame sedan) is rated to tow more than a 6L Cherokee (unibody truck).

If you want a fast tow vehicle, consider a '96 Impala SS or possibly a '03 Mercury Marauder.

 

I'm curious as to how well the suspension on the 350Z would take to the weight of the CRX pressing down on the back end. Trans temp could be an issue as well.

 

What can you tow with a Mercury Marauder?

 

You could tow a CRX. I'd go with the Impala, personally.

Mike-born and raised on General Motors products since 1974

 

The Marauder is body-on-frame and has a large displacement, torquey motor. I'd bet it's rated at 2000lbs, but could tow more with helper springs or air bags. My Caprice (similar size as the Merc) is rated at 2000lbs stock, or 6000lbs with a load-leveler and helper springs.

 

But I wouldn't enjoy driving a Maruader every day. I'm looking for a fun daily driver that I can use to tow...


Matt

 

I would enjoy driving a Marauder all day. It's just a mean looking car - I'm anxious to see reliability though.

 

reliabilty shouldn't be too much of an issue...the problem is the gutless automatic tranny that won't let the car rev to redline.

wants a Crown Vic w/Mustang engine for a beater


[Modified by Ross, 1:35 AM 7/2/2002]

 

All crown vics have mustang motors...

 

Go for the Ford Lightning then!

 

You know what I mean...one of the hotter 4.6s, like the GT (260hp) or the new Cobra (390hp!). Crown Vics had 225 a couple years ago, I think they are up a few ponies from that now...but still not like a Stang.

 

How about the new Range Rover? Would that be a nice tow rig?

 

My friend Dave tows with a Land Rover that is very nice/comfortable. It just wouldn't be fun to drive everyday. I also had thought of maybe the Jeep Liberty as a possibility, which would be nice because at least you can put the top down, but still doesn't handle, and I'd probably flip it. As for the Lightening, I was told that it didn't make a good tow vehicle.

Keep in mind that when I talk about fun to drive, straight line speed means a lot less to me than handling. If I could only find a way to use a 350Z.....

Matt

 

Only if you want an overpriced, high-CG, short-wheelbase truck with a weak V8

Joel

 

The IRS would suck for towing.

Joel

 

how about a 2 wheel drive 5 speed pathfinder w/ the 3.5 motor, (ie. same as my truck but w/ 70 more hp)

thikn about it, my truck weighs 3680 lbs empty, 240 hp in that weight ain't bad, and ask joe and eric, that thing was pretty fast around cmp e/ 5 guys in it

seriously, get the lightning, that's what slow ser has and he autox it, has had it out on the VIR full course and tows w/it,, perfect combo

or, how about a used BMW 528 wagon w/ a 5 speed, don't hawve to worry about auto tranny temps and they make a hitch for it because the tow w/ it in europe

 

I dunno about the Nissan. I'm in dreamland here, but if I needed and could afford a medium-duty tow vehicle I'd have to go with the V8 Tundra. I just can't get used to Domestic ergonomics. Of course the big diesel Domestics are the only way to go for heavy-duty towing.

 

The new supercharged Frontiers and XTerras kick total ***. Or, how about a 255hp '03 Maxima?

Jon
who is employed by Nissan and then spends all his paychecks on his Nissan

 

Now there's a damn interesting idea. What about the TL-S then (since this is honda tech and all)?