Nissan 370Z Forum - My first sports car! A dream fulfilled!!

Although I've owned my 370z for a few months when I go downstairs into my garage or pick up the keys I still can't believe I own one. The feeling from the date of taking deliver on the 5th of July still is present and it is a joy. So this is my story which transpired prior to the month of July.

I was in the market for a new car as my Jetta 2.5 4DR lost value due to the VW scandal. Also, it became apparent that I'd be spending more than the car was worth to maintain and I wanted something with much more than 140hp base. Naturally living in Connecticut my peers have told me go with a truck, SUV, or something with AWD. I didn't see a need for a large vehicle as I don't have a family of my own and am a bachelor so arguing of sports car vs family wagon was history.:rofl2: As for other AWD cars there are many Subaru's around, Audis, BMWs, etc. One thing came to mind about awd is the need to buy all new tires should one tire have more wear than the other. For a new car it couldn't be something too common. Not to mention the markup on Subaru WRXs or STIs with low mileage were outrageous. A coworker who also worked for Carmax told me he could see me driving a 370z and should look into it. Regarding winter we agreed I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Some time went by and I found myself driving the same car in a video game...Forza Horizon 2. Yes it's a game but the more I played around with it the more I thought of the car.
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I've even browsed this forum as a guest and said when the car was in my possession then an account would be created. At times I went back to suvs and grew fond of the Mazda CX-5. However my heart told me should the suv route be pursued the sports car reality would be severely postponed. While worrying about escorting friends and such a friend with a bmw 325 coupe rwd said "Look, you're not Uber & and who do you know doesn't have a car that would need a lift?" He had made perfect sense as he also drove his bmw all year around. Snow tires on all corners with weight in the trunk. After that bit of info it was all the confidence I needed to make the dream a reality.

Around the end of June I ordered the car to be delivered to my local Carmax site. Even on a work day with the title in hand the opportunity to leave with a new car was very possible. I met with my coworker who led me out back to the black cherry 370z he was talking so vividly about and how I should look into gold rims for it. There she was...

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I liked how it was parked next to a Camaro SS which was another car I failed to mention was a possible choice. I read about some owners switching from that car and also how it was big and bulky. Had to agree with them though.

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Truthfully I haven't drove manual in 5years and was worried for a sec about stalling and embarrassing myself on the road. The first thing that came to mind was the clutch after reading how it likes to grab near the top. After confirming this I was quickly off and out onto the roads driving. Equipped with the BFGoodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S this car hugged the corners and the VDC light rarely came on. One thing I like about the car is the power delivery. It's very smooth and the car loves to rev.

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After the test drive around some local roads and the highway it was time to make it official. I gladly traded in my Jetta and used the value towards the 370z. I tried to hold back my emotions while filling out the paperwork as it was the final stretch to getting this car. To add more humor a lot of ladies onsite (staff and customers) were wondering who was taking deliver of the car and when my coworker pointed at me they smiled as I passed by...as I walked to the big prize. Out with the old and in with the new!:cool:

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New ride getting cleaned up for delivery
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After all was done she was mine; a 2010 Black Cherry 370z 6spd Touring w/Sport Package. While making the rush into work there were a lot of stares at the car because it's not something you see often like the competition nor in this color combination. If you wanted silver and in manual with sport package or touring w/sport be prepared to pay a bit more even with higher mileage. My car with 39,500 miles on the nose with a no haggle price tag of $22,500. At work people waited for me to emerge from the car to see who was driving it. From a distance some people thought it was a Porsche until they came closer and saw the Nissan badge.

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Also, the first upgrade added to the total purchase price was a backup camera. I wasn't able to get the car done same day and I of course lost the Homelink Mirror which the installer said wasn't compatible with the backup cam going to be installed. The loaner car was a Ford Fusion and man did depression set in. The model received had less than 200hp and it a slouch in pick up speed due to the curb weight. Compared to the Z it felt like I was riding on top of a horse. Parked in my garage I sadly walked upstairs praying my 370z be ready the next day for pick it. Surely it was and off I went to reclaim my ride.

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Normally a concern for a new car was trunk space. Coming from 16ft cubic space down to 6.9ft was thought to be a challenge. Thankfully a little research prior to purchase offered me some assurance this vehicle would have more than enough space for daily life. Here are my personal cargo tests so far with this car.

Test #1 Full shopping cart from local Walmart. Food & car supplies.

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No problem!
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Test #2 Golf gear. Easy and with room for more!
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Test #3 Costco shopping and filled the cart up as I was going to have a little cookout. Didn't get a pic of the cart, but some people stopped and waited to watch me load the car. A guy came over and ask me "Are you sure that's going to fit?" I smiled back and said "Yes it will...watch this". To their surprised I had the trunk neatly packed in a short amount of time. A little trick I've learned when packing this car is to fit items in like a puzzle to maximize room. Whatever didn't fit in the trunk, if it were maxed out, went on the passenger seat and the floor.

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If trunks full...
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Only dislikes so far...there is no trunk release button in the car which to me was very strange. Also being a part of the "300hp+ club" nearly everyone wants to race! So far the tally of 45 cars that tried to get me to race while minding my business on the roads. The worst was a cocky BMW M4 drivers who blew past me doing 120 only to slow down, put his hazards on and then wait for me to get close to blast off again. I passed him later as he got pulled over by a trooper..they love to hide behind signs and the on ramps. :tup:

Since snow is in the forecast for next week I plan to get the Blizzaks LM-32s and A7s for rims since the Tirerack website wont give me an option to put the TRmotorsport C2 in the cart. It keeps saying "These rims won't fit your car". Order processed and my winter gear arrives next week Monday! Hope you all enjoyed this story of mine. Cheers!

Sport Edition A7 Silver Painted