Daily Driving a NISMO - negatives of ownership?
 

Whats up guys - its time I get a new ride and Im considering the 370z NISMO as my everyday driver.

I commute 100 miles a day and this would be my first stick. Previous rides were the C63 AMG, a few SRT8's and a Lexus IS350 to give you a background.

Any big negatives Im not seeing aside from being my first stick? The C63 and SRT8's were terrible on gas and turned into a money pit. Most of my commute is 65mph highway.

26mpg, looks and a sporty ride are whats attracting me to the NISMO. Im also considering a 335 and S5 as well...

Matt

The Z isn't practical for a daily in the Northeast and in reality, you'll probably get between 20-22mpg.

Bmw breaks like a cheap honda if u push it on boost otherwise drives like a pony, dunno about s5 but if its direct injection lease only it, but its an expensive ride to maintain. Nissan 370z is good on mileage and gas and cheap to maintain if u dont mod, w/ mods ull be broke but happy.

Only thing about the Nismo on long rides is comfort. The stiff suspension and lot of road noise might get a little annoying. That and you can't carry as many dead bodies in the trunk like the C63. Other than that, it's a great car. I think you will see 22-26mpg highway at 65.

Fixed!

I daily drive my base in CT and it's fine. I got good all seasons that cut the road noise in half. But I like loud music so it only bothers me when my wife is in the car. I am also pretty sure the stillen gen III gave me a few more MPG's on the hwy too. I average around 29-32 hwy and 24 city. This was the first year my black beauty has seen snow but she did pretty good in these past few jokes of a snow storm. Also the seats are horrible for long drives so if you want a long commuter 370z get the touring package with leather.
But overall i would never trade it in for another car. I just can't wait to get my wife a new car so that I can convert my 370 in to a weekend racer and drive her old beater.

The NISMO is stiffer than the base and Sport package Zs, so make sure you give one a good test to make sure you are comfortable with the ride.

If you are commuting 100 miles per day you're probably doing a lot of highway driving, in which 26mpg is entirely reasonable.

The Z is a surprisingly practical sports car. Lots of space in the hatch and smart storage options in the passenger compartment, and it does well in snow when equipped with proper tires.

I don't have a nismo but I daily drive my Z ~70 mile round trip mostly highway and get 22-23 mpg. I put on winter tires in the winter also. I can't hear any road noise over my exhaust :bowrofl: I didn't buy this car for a nice quiet ride, I bought it to have fun with:tup:

I drive to the beach (50 miles) every week each way. The drive is not comfortable. I can't imagine doing that everyday. Don't get me wrong, I love the Z in my daily commute (5-10 miles). It's also a great head tuner. You would get 24-25 mpg easy if you use cruise control.

What's your profession if you don't mind me asking? You don't want to arrive to work with a sore back and drive home after a long day with one either.

suspension might be annoying on bumpy roads but i have no problem dailying my nismo

I most definitely can't get any higher than ~21mpg on the freeway. I'm sure that rating is determined on slow (55 or 65mph) highways, but down here we all go 85, and you're not getting 26mpg at 85mph.

I don't mind the ride, personally, as I end up listening to my car more than my stereo while driving, and the bumpy from the suspension isn't horrible on the freeway.

I could see north-east being a problem with snow and stuff but I had a 80-100 mile (both ways combined) commute for years where I averaged over 60 MPH and I usually got 28 MPG on the way in and like 24 MPG on the way back (due to one being more uphill than the other). I have to say I am really glad I got the Z as it actually made my commute a lot more bearable IMHO.

I DD mine. 60 miles per day, most of it on toll roads. Cruises very nicely at 80 and I average 21MPG. Just went over 45K miles, and plan to keep it until it's worn out.

Its fine for a DD. Get crap azz old nissan wheels like I have with winter tires and drive without crazy aggression. I get 26mpg.

Commute 70miles round trip in SoCal. Not sure on the Nismo, but Touring model is almost cushy. Clutch is easy, so traffic's not too bad.

Only issue is mpg (21-23), and MAN, am I putting a whole lotta miles on this car!

I'd call the Nismo the exact opposite of "almost cushy."

im at 61k daily driven miles. my commute is only 5 miles to work. i average 17.6 mpg.

if im cruising on the freeway with the cruise control on i see 24 mpg.

OP considering your previous cars the Nismo will be SUPER loud and uncomfortable.

i still love mine but i really need a beater. after three years the tires and gas add up$$$

At only 8k miles in, I'm already starting to see this. At least the tires part... gas here is cheap. :yum:

Also, the idiots in my town that park next to me when I'm far away are starting to add up$$$. I swear, I can park like 10 spaces away, next to a curb, and I'll come back with a scuff. Just got a brand new one on the rear right of my bumper. Fortunately it's light enough to buff out, but still. :mad:

My commute is short, 6 miles each way but I take trips to Vegas and Phoenix which are 110 and 180 mile respectively. There are definitely more comfortable cars, but few which are funner to drive and you will receive more compliments than you can stand. Tires will make a big difference of noise level for sure and as far fuel economy goes...well for me it wont matter anymore... FI Twin Turbo installed and at the dyno right now!!!!:p

Right on Bob!

And OP, not sure if the same applies in Jersey but I can't go anywhere without a little rice bucket or Mustang trying to pick a fight with me. First few spankings you give them will be fun, after that its just plain annoying... be prepared!

MILFS in Accords and minivans will hate you, and cut you off every chance they get. Cops will follow you too. Every WRX will want to race you.

Love your username! It's actually my license plate

OP, as much as I love my Nismo you have to be aware of the following...

1. Gas millage is 20-22 like most people have said here. Unless you drive like a grandma.

2. It's also true the suspension is stiff and the tire noise could be annoying.

3. This is the most thing you should be concerned and I am surprised nobody has brought it up yet... The nismo is even lower than the regular 370. The front bumper is longer and only 3" off the ground. My driveway has a mild incline but there is no way for me to get onto it. Seeing you are from NJ, the nismo is going to be a snow plow. Your front bumper is gonna take a lot beat be prepared. And after the snow storm you will have even less access to certain places because the snow and ice is piled up everywhere(even you spend good amount of money on winter wheels and tires).

That being said, if you are cool with those things Nismo would be a fun car to have.

I have been DDing my Nismo since May 2012 -- it's my only car, and I'm in eastern PA. Here's the skinny:
1. Bone stock, the tires suck (noisy) and the suspension is very stiff. Swap out for better rubber and put in some new shocks, sways, and springs to soften the suspension. Not only does the performance improve, which is typical for such mods, but the ride comfort changes drastically, which is very atypical for such mods. It's crazy how much more pleasant the car is to drive now.

2. I'm gonna get heat for this, but I drive this thing in winter with summer tires (which I absolutely do not recommend, btw) While the northeast has it's crappy weather, it also has an extremely efficient network of snow removal and salt distribution. Main roads are usually cleared very quickly. That all being said, if the roads are icy and you don't have winter tires, though, don't drive it that day; it's not safe and very stupid. I have missed 1-2 days of work this year because I wasn't about to risk my safety to get to work in these conditions. Snow in the northeast is unpredictable; some years we get almost no snow, others we get tons. Not worth fussing over if you like the Z. You'll find a way to work it out.

Having a second car with AWD helps (as does family close by with alternative modes of transport, like a GT-R with summer tires, a 911 with summer tires, a Mustang with summer tires... oh wait, wrong season)

3. I get 17.7 mpg all around, and I use the fun pedal without regard to mileage. Honestly don't give a hoot. I'm about to go forced induction, also. Bye bye, three digits next to the MPG!! :)

4. Ground clearance. After removing shipping spacers from the factory (dealer should do it before vehicle delivery but are notorious at forgetting), the car sits about 4.5" off the ground at stock height. Going up even moderately steep driveways requires a good diagonal approach, a careful right foot, and a complete disregard for the bottom (not visible) part of the front bumper. You will scrape; it doesn't bother me as long as the visible, painted parts are ok. If you lower it, speed bumps and minor highway dips/bumps at higher speeds can cause a little ground contact (with Swift springs, you're looking at about 3.25" of clearance in the front. See below.

http://www.the370z.com/members/mfein...8c4ad856-h.jpg


Again, though, swapping out the suspension and adding new tires are the best things you can do to make this car far more livable as a DD. I don't regret going with the NISMO one bit, and the pure pleasure I get from driving it as well as the attention it receives makes it a killer ride to have.

^^Wow you are brave to drive your nismo using summer tires. Lol. Just be careful when the temperature is below 40. Because summer tires will lose grip in low temperature.

Also you are right about the stock height of the nismo. I was wrong. It IS 4.5" off the ground. Even so, I couldn't get onto my driveway no matter what angle I tried. But I am still planning on going lower haha... I have a truck for DD so I don't care.

I've had my Nismo for just over a year now. Average trip to work is only about 10 miles. However I do take several road trips a year from Lubbock to Austin (~370 miles each way) or Houston (~520 miles each way). Even on those long road trips I'd rather be driving my Nismo than my old Altima :driving:

Not sure if it's bravery or stupidity :rolleyes: -- Yeah the tires just turn to hockey pucks below 40 or so. I just go light until they're a little warmed up from highway driving and I usually don't have issues. Last winter I got stuck coming out of a side street because there was a slick patch of snow/ice on the road. A cop came over and very graciously pushed the car for me while I gave gas to break it loose. Really nice guy --- except he started by pushing on the spoiler rather than the bumper (and this was a big dude who had some strength) and I was like :ugh2: :icon14: nooooo! He said I had a real sharp ride.

This car is really unique on trips; it can get tiring but when you realize that it pulls in 6th on a rural freeway, it's very easy to wake yourself up again. I drove this back and forth to college on several occasions, from Philly to St. Louis, which was about 900 miles each way. I did it over two days and it was long but peaceful.

Ouch Lol. I hope the spoiler didn't break off.

The only thing I have noticed is how chappy your guys' gas mileage is. 21MPG at 85MPH??? Jeezus, are you guys in 4th and 5th the whole time? Same with 21-26 at 55-65MPH. That's terrible. On the freeway it you're really on CC at 75MPH, you should get 26+ let's say a COMFORTABLE 25. On my drive from TX to CA averaging 85 on CC stopping whenever I wanted with a bit of city I did 28.4 miles. I was doing 500 miles between fill ups.

I've DD'd mine for several years now. It's like everyone's said:
1. Tire noise is loud
2. Suspension is stiff
3. Ground clearance is limited
4. Winter is a weak spot with several solutions available. I have an AWD backup car.
5. Don't expect Civic-like fuel economy

Also, if you get very sticky (fun) tires, you'll be replacing them often with such a long freeway commute. I spend about as much on tires as I do on gas. If you're thinking to get all-season tires, I would just buy another german car.

On the upside, it has plenty of torque, is reasonably comfortable, and climate control and such are nice, and I like the look of it. I didn't expect this, but the car gets compliments from random strangers about every week. I do track days now and then, and that's really why I bought it over a more comfortable/practical car.

21-26 - because race car.:icon18:

My Nismo is a DD and I enjoy the quicker ride to work. The only downside is my wife doesn't like to sit in it b/c the Nismo suspension is too stiff, especially with all the crappy roads in LA. If you're on a long stretch of FWY with lots of bump, it can be very annoying after several miles at 80mph. Steep driveways are a bitch, even if you have stock Nismo springs. IMO, the best seat in this car is in the driver seat. Passengers may not enjoy it for longer trips.

You drove to slow for race car, lol

I've never gotten above 22 out of a tank. I can get 24 on highway, but as soon as I hit 5 mins of city driving, it drops to 21.


Tapatalk

I've been as high as 28 mpg on the turnpike, and low as 6 mpg doing trackdays.

Even at 20mpg, that's twice as good as my fast car. Pretty sure the 4.10 gears hurts the mileage on the highway, but they are worth it IMO.

I also DD my Nismo, I take a lot of driveways sideways, and only have to avoid a couple of speed bumps.
Stock I was getting getting 21-28, best ever on a the freeway was 32 on a road trip. I noticed a drop in fuel mileage when I switched to the Swift R springs, a little bit of improvement with a light weight flywheel, I also have a 3rd stage clutch/pressure plate, and have the rev match on all the time, which uses more fuel. So now I average 16-24.
I think my biggest complaint about this car is the road noise, but that also depending on the tires you run. Next thing is how fast I go threw tires on this car. Right now it's been everly 12,000 miles, but I am run pretty soft compounds, 200 tread wear and below, but still.

32mpg?!?!?!?! wha?


im 80% city driving and my computer says 17.6mpg

17 if I baby it but I have a stretch of road that allows me to see triple digits frequently, so it generally gets about 15. I do better dd my gmc 4x4 turbo diesel LOL! The best I have ever got on the Hwy is 27 and most the time it's 23 or 24 mpg.

lmao

I DD my nismo and took it on a 1000 mile road trip the 2nd month i owned it. My girlfriend actually prefers the way my car rides over her CRV. (She must like it firm :))

That being said, the nismo kinda sucks over interstates that have a lot of road separations, or railroad tracks. I definitely don't come to a complete stop before i hit railroads but i do slow down a little. Still feels like you get punched in the kidney if you go over a bumpy old railroad track.