Honest Opinion of a new 370Z Owner
 

About two weeks ago I bought a 2012 Magnetic Black 370Z Touring w/Sport & Navigation Package and thought I would post my honest opinions about how I feel about the car. As a frame of reference my last car (which I sold) was a 2007 BMW 335i Coupe. So here goes:

I scoured the internet and forums to try to find a valid 0-60 time for the 6-speed manual version of this car and I found numbers as low as 4.7 all the way up to 5.2 seconds. I did this because I love the thrill of acceleration and my old BMW 335i Coupe is consistently ranked at a 4.8 second 0-60 time with 300 bhp and 300 lb feet of torque and I believe that was pretty accurate. Well I can honestly say I think the stock version of this car is truly closer to 5.2 seconds as it isn't even in the same ball park as far as acceleration goes compared to the BMW.

Also, the engine in this car feels really course at higher RPM's. Feeling more course than the engine feels in any other car I've ever driven and I'm not sure why. I've noticed too that the car feels like it jerks if you try to hold a steady speed in lower gears, almost like the gas pedal is too touchy or something and needs to be accelerating or decelerating but not holding consistent.

As far as the interior goes I really like the bat-cave like feeling it has and I got the Persimmon leather which I absolutely love.

So far I've had a full nose, half hood and mirrors clearbra installed and just a few days ago I ordered a Fast Intentions TDX Catback Exhaust w/18" resonators from Tony but I am not scheduled to receive it until the middle of July but I'm really hoping this makes the car a little more powerful and adds a significant better sound to the exhaust note.

Let me know what you think, all opinions are welcome.

Hi, welcome. Black / persimmon is a beautiful choice. The interior was a big factor in my decision to get a Z, and I got a 40th because I liked the red.

I can't comment on the 0-60, since I haven't timed mine. Maybe add a sticker. Since you scoured, you know that you'll see decent gains after ditching the restricted exhaust. Hopefully that gets you the 0-60 you want.

The engine noise is a bummer, but it's mentioned in every review of the car so you knew that too. I don't drive mine like a man, so I don't have an issue with it.

Maybe the BMW felt faster in the seat but the Z must be more fun for you, right?

The stock exhaust especially the stock cats kill the car. I assume its because Nissan had no choice because of the emission standards. the TDX will give you the sound but test pipes or hfc's will give you that added power "bump" you are looking for. With nothing but test pipes I had no problem running ahead of 335i's and don't forget the Z out handles them significantly even in stock form.

I've driven a 335. I feel the only reason it just feels faster is that the turbo gives a lot of pull making it appear like your going faster than the Z. Many people on here have pulled on 335's. Exhaust, HFC, and maybe an intake and your good to go. Sound better, pull harder, little quicker.

1. 335 torque curve - all modern boosted engines focus heavily on the torque at low RPM. This is where the driver will "feel" the pull of the car during normal and spirited driving. I can tell you that an electric motor torque curve is actually the ideal torque curve shape for drive-ability. also in the 335, the turbo lag reinforces the fact you are receiving more torque at low rpm.

2. high rpm NA engines have a bias towards peak torque numbers at higher rpm and sacrifice low speed torque. This makes them feel slow when driving around town even with a little bit of liberal pedal application.

3. Perception is a resultant of many factors, however the actual acceleration is based on how much time is spent at xx Horsepower vs vehicle weight/aerodynamics/etc.. My guess is that driving an electric car with 250hp, you would say it feels faster than the Z with 332hp. This is why all manufacturers focus on torque at low engine rpm for future engines, peak power is a nice advertising number but the shape of the curve provides the feel of the car.