Nissan 370Z Forum

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)
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-   -   The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/1003-real-official-370z-test-drive-thread.html)

Crash 01-30-2009 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikon FM (Post 21052)
I test drove the 370Z today, it had the touring package with an AT. I was comparing the experience to my modded SKY RL and have come up with a pro and con list compared to the SKY.

Pro:
Sweet cornering, no body roll whatsoever, very tight. The guy who rode along was really cool and pointed us to some nice curvy back roads. Loved the corners in the 370Z. My Sky is good in the corners but I believe it is beaten hands down.

Nice and quiet in terms of rattles, squeaks etc. Communicates high quality build to me. (I really dislike rattles behind the dash).

Interior is very nice quality and I felt integrated into the vehicle rather than just sitting there.

Actually less blind spots in the 370Z than the SKY.

Con:
I still like the looks of the SKY but the 370Z is definitly hot as well.

My SKY (as modded) has 289HP at the rear wheels as measured on a dyno....... it is faster than the 370Z, but the 370Z has juice, I just need to figure out how to mod the vehicle to bump up the performance a bit.

Conclusion:

I'm buying the 370Z due to its build quality, level of sophistication, looks and it's "out of the box" performance (I'll be following perfomance modding on the forum too) :tup:

YES!!! GOOD DECISION!

Since our purchase of the Solstice GXP (The Sky RL's cousin) we've kicked ourselves in the @ss OVER and OVER and OVER!

Nikon FM 01-30-2009 06:36 PM

I'm not sorry I bought the SKY. Dang fun over the past 1.5 years of driving it. But, like I said, I really like the level of build quality in the 370Z. I'm slated to pick mine up next Friday :tup:

sbkim 01-31-2009 02:25 PM

I had the pleasure of test driving an auto touring/sport Z today at Denville Nissan in NJ. It was the platinum graphite. Car looked great - no surprise there. Still not 100% on platinum graphite color - it def has brown tinge.

I couldn't really get on the car but I definitely didn't feel any neck breaking torque at low RPM. Speed builds very smoothly - car felt slower than it really was. Didn't really hear much of the exhaust.

I am sure car feels different once it's broken in but driven in auto D mode, the car didn't feel all that responsive.

03_SB_Z33 02-02-2009 11:58 AM

<----------wants a 370Z badly




excellent reviews!

bboypuertoroc 02-02-2009 04:50 PM

The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread
 
Well we finally got the first 370Z in on island over the weekend and I of course went to check it out:

370Z w/Sport Package, Platinum Graphite, 6MT

First impression: WOW.
Second impression: OMFG.
Third impression: FAP.

I almost backed up over the curb of the parking space when I pulled into the dealership. My eyes were locked on the car that bad.

After entering the showroom I was immediately impressed by the looks of the car. Everything you see in pictures that you're not sure of is immediately put to rest... it all just works. Even the Sport wheels, which I vehemently detested, actually looked very good on the car. My wife, who hated the 240Z-esque roofline, instantly changed her mind about it. Also, I immediatly noticed how much smaller it was compared to the 350Z (there was a NISMO in the showroom right next to it).

I walked up to the front of the car to check out the lights and bumper. Very impressive how well the front end flows. Looks like a pissed-off fish, for sure, but I like it. Piranhas are pissed-off fish, after all. I did noticed (something I didn't believe at first) that the two side vents in the bumper really are blocked off (and I'd immediatly punch them out if I bought one). I love the front splitter that comes on the Sport package... very old-school look to go along with the 240Z styling. The hood is bad-*** as well. Nice lines that match up to the roof perfectly.

Took a trip around back to see how offensive the non-fog light is. Doesn't seem as bad as people make it out to be, but I'm sure it looks different when you're standing more than 5 feet away. The tails look great. I'm surprised by this. In the pictures it seems like they bubble out from the car too much. It's still a little more than I'd like, but it really does work with the car. The Sport spoiler really finishes out the rear of the car. I don't think I'd ever change it out for an aftermarket one. Opened up the hatch and was surprised at how much more room there is in the back. I was always a fan of the 350's strut tower bar, and wish the one in the 370 resembled it a bit more.

Last, I hopped in the driver's seat. I was blown away by the interior... leaps and ******* bounds better than any 350Z I've ever been in (including my previous 350). I can't even find words to describe how much better it was. The leather used around the center dash, the stitching running down the cubby hole, the feel of everything... just outstanding. The steering wheel felt awesome, and looks MUCH better than the eyesore in the 350Z. The interior seemed quite a bit smaller than the 350, which doesn't bother me one bit (I'm only 5'5" and ~165) but I could see it bothering taller/larger people. The view out of the front is decreased a little from the 350, along with the rear. The seats feel good, but I'm so used to the Recaros in my Evo that pretty much anything else feels like crap. The knee bolsters are very nice (I didn't have those in my Z) and feel very high quality. I like that there's an actual glove box now, but the space that used to be the "glove box" kinda sucks. The center console was much improved as well. The one thing I really miss from the 350 is the trip computer that had the MPH readout. I know it wasn't exactly accurate when ripping it, but at cruising/daily driving it was in a much better position to read than the actual MPH gauge.

All the while, I was walking over to and making reference with similar items on the NISMO 350Z for comparisons.

Well, now that work interrupted and I lost my train of thought, I'll leave my initial impressions at this:

370Z = epic f*cking win.

Any questions, feel free to ask. I'm sure I can conjur up more thoughts.

JacksHereR 02-03-2009 01:32 PM

can someone pretend they are putting a laptop behind the seat on their test drive> /grin

I hear theres a space but havent seen any photos

FairmanZ 02-11-2009 07:45 PM

OK, thought I’d add my test drive experience to the mix.

My background comes from lightweight sports cars (Miata, FD RX-7, E36 BMW M3) and mid sized luxury sports sedans (BMW 5 series, Mercedes E-class). I had read the rave reviews on the new Z, saw it in person in Tokyo, but never had a test drive until yesterday.

The car was a platinum graphite base with sport package and 6spd MT. Driving ergonomics seemed perfect, everything felt very driver oriented. The first thing I noticed though was the tiny rear view visibility. The rear window itself is huge, but the angle is so raked that the window opening looks like a little slit. Other than that, the cockpit was great, time to hit the road.

The biggest impression was how solid the car felt. Very old school Mercedes like in that it felt like one carved block of steel. The ride quality was similar to that of a BMW. In fact, it felt very similar ride wise to the 135i I test drove a few months ago. It also felt about as heavy as the 1 series BMW. In second gear, I punched it and the car rushed forward with a very linear feel. To be honest, the torque wasn’t as strong as I thought it might feel, but then I was being gentle as the car was brand new. The acceleration feeling from by butt dyno again felt similar to the 135i. I had driven an E46 M3 before and expected a similar feel from the new Z, but acceleration wise it felt more 135i than M3.

Next we hit a nice set of very tight curves, now the fun really began. Downshift from 3rd to 2nd, hear the engine roar as it blips the throttle, SynchroRev match in action. Way Cool!!! From that point on I kept downshifting just for the fun of it. The curves is where this car will pull away from the 135i IMHO. Where the BMW is setup as luxury sports coupe, the Z is pure sports car. The handling and grip felt outstanding, especially for a car of its weight. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go on any rough roads. So I don’t know how harsh the ride will be on poor surfaces.

So far so good. Is it fast? Check. Handles great? Check.

The last thing I really wanted to check out was the exhaust note. I had heard both good and bad about the engine noises. My take, with the windows down the exhaust has a nice bark. It really starts to sing in the upper revs. With the windows closed, it’s one very quiet car. Although downshift with SynchroRev will produce music to my ears even with the windows closed.

After the test drive, I was sold. I love the looks and the way the profile harkens back to the original 240Z. Bang for ones buck, I don’t think I can find a better sports car. The one thing that was holding me back was the weight of this car. Coming from lightweight sports cars, I have been saving for a Cayman S. Although I have the money for the Porsche, don’t feel like spending it now given the crappy economy. Then along came the new Z, it seems almost perfect for me. The test drive even made me forget about the GT-R that was sitting in the showroom that almost stole my heart.

I now intend to buy this car one day. I'd like to wait for a 2010 model to make sure any bugs are worked out, but I don't know if I can wait that long. Bottom line, I think the new 370Z is a phenomenal sports car for its price.

semtex 02-12-2009 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacksHereR (Post 27185)
can someone pretend they are putting a laptop behind the seat on their test drive> /grin

I hear theres a space but havent seen any photos

http://www.the370z.com/attachments/n...p-p1000586.jpg

chubbs 02-12-2009 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium (Post 18175)
...Perhaps it was the change to black cloth for the ceiling (love it)...

Do they all have black ceiling cloth? My God, I've been waiting for this for ages. I even thought of painting it black in both my Z's, because I hate that light grey.

Please tell me that black ceiling cloth is standard!

s2kap2 02-15-2009 08:44 PM

Just drove an auto/base model (the only one they had). I will be replacing my Honda S2000 so all comparisons will be with the Honda.

Here is my (long) review.

This is beginning to sound cliché but the car looks better in person. Looking at magazine as well as computer images, I found myself focused on the odd boomerang shaped headlight and taillights. In person, the whole design comes together, and you think to yourself, “ah, now I get it.” The base model wheels also look very nice in person. The way the spokes bend in towards the hub center is quite nice. Much better than the flat, one dimensional shape when viewed head-on.

Once inside, the seated position feels like I am sitting very low, with doors and dash looming large around me, likely exaggerated by the high sills. The seats are very supportive and for the most part comfortable. Just different from the excellent S2000 seats that I am used to. No better, no worse. I still don’t care for the 3- pimple gauges atop the dash but they are effective and easy to see. The speedo and tach look nice and I really like the new back lighting. Much better than the old orange look. The info center to the left is almost useless.

One item that I was not expecting was the way the starter button works. In the S2000, the starter button activates only the starter motor. When cold, you might have to hold it a second longer or hit it again….just like a regular car. With the Z, you just hit the button and the brain takes care of everything else. I do absolutley love being able to keep the fob in my pocket.

When I fired the motor, I was expecting more. I drove a G37 coupe and the exhaust note at idle and under load, contrary to luxury sensibilities, seems louder and a little more aggressive???

Once underway, the engine is very willing. I wonder if the DBW has been adjusted to feel stronger that it really is on tip-in? Acceleration, even under light throttle is very effortless, as if the engine is yawning and saying, “can I go back to sleep? Wake me up when you need to actually do something.” The ride is firm but a little floaty compared to the S. The steering is also too over-boosted for my tastes. On the open road, the Z would clearly put some distance between itself and my S on a straight road. It makes lots of power and I was taking it easy. The numbers indicate more lateral road holding than the S but it simply is not as balanced or communicative as the S. These traits however are not always bad. The Honda is a fantastic car but too narrowly focused. A casual glance at the steering wheel puts it into another lane and you feel every rock on the road. The Z is the better long distance car.

I would describe the 2 cars like this; The S2000 is a lean Olympic sprinter, the Z is a stocky guy in a biker bar with a shaved head, who’s going to kick your a$$ if you look at him.

par4bmw 02-15-2009 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2kap2 (Post 31274)

I would describe the 2 cars like this; The S2000 is a lean Olympic sprinter, the Z is a stocky guy in a biker bar with a shaved head, who’s going to kick your a$$ if you look at him.

Cool review. I agree with the Z wanting to kick a$$. Can't wait to add another 20 or so whp and really have an attitude.

CrookedTeeth 03-07-2009 07:31 PM

Anyone whos test drove this car possibly driven an Evo X? I was interested in as to how the two compare :tup:

Akirasoft 03-19-2009 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrookedTeeth (Post 40354)
Anyone whos test drove this car possibly driven an Evo X? I was interested in as to how the two compare :tup:

I'm not sure you can really compare the two directly... I recently test drove one and can compare it to the evo 8 I owned for 3 years and sold last year...

I was actually surprised the 370z was as twitchy as the evo was but with MORE steering effort (likely due to be larger wheels). Power delivery and the car felt plenty fast... Faster than my evo was stock but not as fast as my evo was after cams, boost control, exhaust, intake, bigger front mount etc etc etc. that is to be expected as approx 260whp won't be as quick as approx 350 or so whp.

Interior was the biggest surprise for me. Everything felt like it was in the right place and was of much higher quality than I expected from Nissan. Navigation system is significantly better than the one in my Acura RDX.

I had really meant to cross shop the 370z with some other options (genesis coupe, camaro, not really sure what else) but now I'm not sure that I will even bother. I know already that I don't like the look of the genesis coupe and don't think that the size of the domestic models (mustang/camaro) will appeal to me.

That being said I still haven't picked up a 370z but at this point I'm really just trying to pick a color. Either black or graphite but based on pics online black does not really seem to suit this car. that graphite color sure does look nice (and since my last 3 cars have been black, it will be a nice departure...)

ENT-Z 03-28-2009 08:44 PM

Finally test drove one
 
I finally got out there and drove one today. It was a very dreary and rainy day, but for some reason the dealerships were busy!

The first dealership I hit, the salespeople and sales managers are tools. They don't want you to test drive one unless you are really interested in buying that particular car. They want to "keep the miles off of it" but would be happy to order me one based on a refundable deposit in case I don't like the test-drive when it comes in. Sheesh! Good thing there is another Nissan dealer a few miles down the same street.

Second dealer is cool, my wife and I are off for a test-drive in a loaded $40K model, no questions asked. The ride was awesome, better than expected (coming from MB and Audi). Power was great, but maybe a little less than expected, but then again I kept it under 4K. Blind spots were not as bad as expected.

So I'm psyched to place an order for the exact specs I want b/c my internet search shows no such equipped cars in a 30 mile radius. Well, the salesman finds a car just how I want it at dealer a few hours away - he can have it here Monday!!! DAMN, I was trying to be responsible and wait a few months to scrap together some more cash. The guy is killing me. What to do, what to do??? Of course I can't get the damn car off my mind now that I've driven it.

My advice - if you are not 100% ready to buy now, do not go and test drive one -- it will be torture on you!

rreign 04-24-2009 06:17 AM

AHHH, Finally got to drive one...
 
On my way back from the Savannah airport the other day, I was passing the Nissan dealership and just couldn't resist anymore. Pulled in and what do I see? A freaking GT-R sitting out front, right next to 3 Z's. After checking out the GT-R and joking with the salesman about test driving it, I pointed at the white Touring Sport 370 and said, I want to drive it. He never saw it coming when we pulled out, haha! I mashed it out of 1st to second, by the time I was ready to shift into 3rd (about a second from when I was in 1st) I was at about 80 and had to ease back. With a scared look, the salesman said "she shifts pretty smooth, huh?" I was pretty sure I wanted this car by this point, but now I KNOW I WANT THIS CAR!

FlashBazbo 05-14-2009 08:37 PM

The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread
 
This won't hold any interest or relevance for most of you, but I enjoyed my first drive in a Z today and I learned a lot. Even after a number of weeks reading on this forum, there were some surprises for me.

First, of course, was the realization that a geezer test driving a 370Z Touring w/ Sport Package can very easily scare the crap out of a sales guy riding shotgun. Bwa-ha-ha-haaaaaa!

Now for the more pertinent observations for those who haven't yet driven a 370Z:

1. I found the ride and sound deadening to be very much on the luxury end of the scale for a sporty car. I was shocked. Very quiet. Some suspension jiggle, but not as bad as with a lot of less sporty cars. My 4cyl Honda Accord is much louder under acceleration (inside) than the Z. The quiet and smoothness muted the sensation of speed. I don't think I would like the added mutedness of a G37. Not knowing better, this is what I would have expected from a G37.

2. The gravel noise in the rear wheel wells is real, but it's not as bad as discussions on this forum had led me to believe. It only made itself known when we were driving across gravel patches in front of some intersections and driveways. I didn't find it that bad, at all. Of course, if I lived on a gravel road or drove a lot on roads with a lot of sand on them, my opinion would be different.

3. Rear visibility IS an issue. It is probably worse than you think it will be. You are essentially backing up in your mirrors. There is ZERO visibility directly out the rear quarter panels. You have the left and right side mirrors and the "mail slot" of a rear window. Backing out of a mall parking slot? Pray. A lot. And hope people are alert and charitable enough to slam on their brakes to miss you. You will be hard pressed to see them at the normal angle they would be coming from. When backing, the 370Z is the Mr. Magoo of the parking lot.

4. Speed. It's there. Acceleration. It's there. But you need the instruments to know it's there. The Z never appears to work for it (except for the burning smell when you park the car afterward). It seems to me that the car is so well put together that it masks what it's doing. No big shove in the back. No real jerk with gear changes. You hit 80 thinking you're doing around 40. Maybe I'm just too accustomed to the violent acceleration of my sportbike. I know the car is fast, but it was so effortless -- it seemed like a letdown.

Overall, I found the 370Z to be a highly-refined, fast car. It shares very little with a purpose-built, true race car. It lacks some of the visceral cues of the fast cars of the past -- the Gs to the back, the jerk of the shifts, the noise of the engine and transmission, the squeal of the brake pads -- but it's faster than all of them. I'm impressed. Maybe it's too civilized . . . or maybe not.

At any rate, my wife approved. If I want it, it's mine.

Crash 05-30-2009 04:50 AM

Damn it... :( So I wasn't going to buy a 370z and I was going to build up my 300zx. But today my mom asked me to go to the Nissan dealership because she doesn't know jack about cars and she needs to buy a new car. So I went...

Needless to say, I ended up test driving a new Z. They didn't have any manuals with the sports package so I tested an auto with the sports package...

First off, I don't get what's so bad about the gas gauge. Everyone made a big stink about it, but I think it's perfectly fine. Also, I did notice that there wasn't too much you can see out the back window, but the blind spots weren't that much worse than my Trans Am's so I know the fish-eye lenses will be just fine.

Anyway, on to the good stuff. I was EXTREMELY comfortable sitting in the driver's seat. I would even say it was far more comfy than any Porsche or Ferrari I've been in. The seats hugged my back well and didn't show any sign that I'd be holding on in hard turns because the seat didn't grip enough.

Acceleration was good. I see what you all mean about not feeling any torque, but once the car gets up in the RPMs it does feel like it pulls well. I assume that with the new special torque converter and it's variable lock up system that the car would likely start to pull at lower RPMs with a manual. We'll see.

The sound (for a stock car) is great. It's better than my LS1 was and it's more crisp. From inside the cab, it was actually quite loud and I'm not sure if I'd like that on a long road trip, but it's no louder than my current Z. So I'm sure I'd be just fine.

I didn't play with the navi or the sound system that much, but when I heard the sound, (touring with navi obviously) it did sound like more than enough for me. The prior person that drove that car left on the station on some lame channel and I didn't feel like messing with the radio, so I shut it off. :D

The car was out of gas when we first left the dealership, so we stopped at a gas station. I'm used to the gas door being on the left, so pulling up to the pump and not knowing exactly how far the quarter-panel sticks out, I pulled a bit far away from the pump. LOL But that's OK. The stickers on the car showed people that I'm not retarded, just test driving. :D

All in all, I like the car a lot. So I told the salesman to find me a white manual z. Looks like I'm getting one. HAHA

jakoye 06-01-2009 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash (Post 81029)
I'm used to the gas door being on the left, so pulling up to the pump and not knowing exactly how far the quarter-panel sticks out, I pulled a bit far away from the pump. LOL But that's OK. The stickers on the car showed people that I'm not retarded, just test driving. :D

The gas door's on the RIGHT side of the car? What's the point of that?

Is this just a residue of a limited-production sports car that they don't bother to completely revamp for the American market (since the driver is on the right side in Japan, it makes sense for the gas door to also be on that side)?

MutantChicken 06-02-2009 05:50 PM

Alright, I finally got to test drive one today. A white ( not that the color matters ), auto, sport model w/o nav. Now just so everyone knows, I've been driving a truck for the last 20 years, I'm currently driving an 04 4X4 Ram. The last car I owned was a 1967 Firebird 400, so it's been a while since I've had a car as my daily driver .... lol. It's not to say that I haven't driven quite a few, I had a great job when I was younger working at a tire store and I was lucky enough to get to most of the delivery jobs, meaning I got to drop off a lot of really nice cars to either our clients or the dealerships, it was pretty cool for a 19 year old ...

But I digress ....

Today I got to drive the 370, the last Z I drove was a 300 ( yes, it's been a few years ) and I must say they have have come a long way. I was a bit disapointed as the car was both an automatic and almost completely out of gas, and the guy letting me drive it let me know that we would not be driving it long enough for that to be a problem. : (

As everyone else has mentioned , the visibilty stinks, but you get used to that pretty quick, I even got used to sitting on the ground pretty quick ( a stange sensation going from a 4X4 to the Z ! ). Quite frankly I don't understand what everyone is complaining about with the road noise .... the mud tires on my truck make more noise ... lol.

The power was a bit hard to gauge, I didn't feel like I was pushing it at all but I went from 0-80 in no time, and I was trying to be good, the salesman was kind of holding on to what ever he could ... the one thing I didn't care for was the transmission. I didn't really have much of a chance to play with it much, and the little I did, it seemed like it didn't want to down shift when I wanted it to, and then it would all of a sudden drop... I'm sure once you've had a chance to use it a bit it works great, but I would rather have a stick, I've been driving one of those for almost 30 years , I think I've got that down pat.

Overall the car was a dream to drive, I just wish I could have driven it a bit longer and taken a few more curves, I only really had one good one, but the car handled it great. I was already sold on the car, but now I know for sure.....

Red, Touring, Sport, Nav.

Gotta have one !

Oh, by the way, it's a good thing I was having trouble with the tranny.... while I was fussing with trying to get it to downshift ( after just having gone a bit too fast...) I had tested the brakes and was trying to get it to go again and could figure out the trans and was just sort of rolling... and there was Mr. Highway Patrol .... guess it's a good thing the dealer didn't have a manual for me to test drive ! : )

stan618 06-24-2009 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiz-n-herz (Post 23915)
This is the same platform found in the G37 and Murano and FX Infinitis and other cars. They were able to shorten the length for the 370z, but they can't reduce the height and it's evident from inside. For the $$ this car is a steal and had I not bought an 07, I would buy this 370 hands-down, no question.

g37/FX/370z/M=nissan fm(front mi-ship, longitudinal engine behind front axle)rear wheel drive platform

altima, murano, maxima, quest=nissan D platform, front wheel drive transverse engine in front of front axle(not ideal weight distribution)

as far as height, a porsche caymen is 51.4" a 370z is 51.9 tall

dancetracks 07-04-2009 11:51 PM

I went for a test drive today in a touring base model (no sports pkg). Here are some small observations from sitting in the showroom demo and driving the auto 7AT.

1-clutch feels a bit heavy to me (floor demo car was a touring + sport 6MT). Everyone has been saying its light. Maybe I need to work out my legs more...

2-shifter felt great. precise is how I would describe it. Can't comment on vibrations since it was the showroom demo.

3-Interior quality was acceptable for the cost of the base car at $30K. One you start adding touring to the car it becomes over priced, imo.

4-ride quality with the base 18-inch wheels is great for this type of car. BMW-like is how someone else described it in this thread. I'm a little worried about how the 19-inch rims might affect the comfort quality, then again this is a sports car afterall.

5-noise levels were acceptable to me as I've never owned a Lexus or BMW so dont know what it's like to have a quiet ride. it was no more louder than my girlfriend's highlander or my old 2002 Acura TL.

6-Rear view and blind sports didn't bother me too much. I can see moving the mirrors out a little to cover blind spots or getting a convex mirror.

7-acceleration was not as fast as i had hoped. everyone has said it was linear and I agree. because of that you don't get the head jerk acceleration like from turbo charged cars like the subarus or evos. I remember my friends old M3 was also like this.

8-the auto / manual mode seems to work as advertised. didn't really test it as the dealer was situated around a small town so I could not get up in speed to try more gears.

9-at 6K rpm the engine was rough. I was able to push the car once, from 20mph to 60mph and the engine revved to 6K rpm and i had to let go of the gas because it was a 50-mph zone and the engine baulked. the dealer said it would have shifted smoothly if I had continued to give it gas for it to pass 6K rpm but I didn't want to chance getting a ticket for a test drive. his theory was that it shifted down two gears because I let go of the gas, hence this engine braking. call it whatever you want but I think everyone has already read that this engine is rough at high rpms.

10-didn't test braking much as I could not go fast enough to really see how fast they would stop the car

11-didn't test the radio or gadgets since I was more concerned with the drive and feel.

12-rear view mirror is so big it takes up 20% of your front windshield visibility. No joke. Go to the dealership and get into one to see for yourselves.

In conclusion did i like this car? Yes. But I will have to test drive some others first. The main thing that stuck in my mind after the test drive was the high rev issue and somewhat heavy clutch (subjectively heavy) of the showroom model. Overall the car looks great, feels good on the road, is comfortable enough for daily drives, and can go pretty fast (although you wont feel it). I would go with the base 6MT, but the touring seems over priced.

just my 2 cents.

I'm going to try and test drive a 2009 Subaru WRX next. Priced between $25-31k, it may be the poor man's answer to cheap speed (assuming the engine doesn't blow up on you). I was also going to test drive a BMW 135i but rumors of fuel pumps going bad and poor product quality has me leaning towards the 370z even more. i just hope it doesn't start to develop the buzzing/whining or creaking problems that others have reported in other threads.

-H-

k20z3 07-05-2009 12:46 AM

I had a similiar test thread too now I have to wait forever

shabarivas 07-05-2009 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrookedTeeth (Post 40354)
Anyone whos test drove this car possibly driven an Evo X? I was interested in as to how the two compare :tup:

I owned an X before I got my Z... With the X when you go around a turn fast - you get the feeling of - hey this car is smooth and i must be a smooth driver - wrong - the car is doing a million calculations for you to enable each and every turn be as smooth as possible. With the Z its just you, the tires and the steering wheel. Also the point of no return (oh **** moments) come linearly with the Z - that is when you are about to loose traction the car will give you signs all the way until the traction loss is not recoverable from. With the Evo x however you get this false sense of security backed by the AWD of always thinking you have a lot more room to go as far as pushing the car. Trust me on this one - I flipped mine over during a very very spirited run on some mountain roads.

Honestly it comes down to this- if you are getting the car for a pure driving feel perspective - get the Z ... if you want to become a better driver - get the Z. If you just want to go fast in a line or just drive on a track without really caring about much - get the X. Pretty simple really.

OWSIU 07-11-2009 10:07 AM

I got to check out the nismo 370z in person, I didn't get a chance to drive it since I was/still am here at the dealership pretty early getting my car serviced. I like how they left the showroom cars unlocked. I am totally blown away by the interior at first sight, it looks much better than I expected. It definitely doesn't look cheap, but some of the pieces felt a little cheap such as the leather wrapped cubby cover and the hard plastics, but if you never touched it you wouldn't know. Coming from driving nothing but sedans, I love the fitted feel of the interior...yes I did hit my head getting out of the car for first time :icon17:.

Its the first 370z i've got a chance to sit in, but the base z's interior is no different. The have it right next to a GT-R and I spent maybe 2 mins looking at it and most of the time drooling over the nismo z. Automatic sports cars are not my kind of thing :shakes head:.

Can't wait to get a test drive of a 370z (base, not planning to get the nismo):driving:, the interior has got me sold.

BillyGoatGag 07-12-2009 06:30 AM

How exciting! I can't wait to pick one up.

-Clay

VCuomo 07-18-2009 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OWSIU (Post 111964)
I got to check out the nismo 370z in person, I didn't get a chance to drive it since I was/still am here at the dealership pretty early getting my car serviced. I like how they left the showroom cars unlocked. I am totally blown away by the interior at first sight, it looks much better than I expected. It definitely doesn't look cheap, but some of the pieces felt a little cheap such as the leather wrapped cubby cover and the hard plastics, but if you never touched it you wouldn't know. Coming from driving nothing but sedans, I love the fitted feel of the interior...yes I did hit my head getting out of the car for first time :icon17:.

Its the first 370z i've got a chance to sit in, but the base z's interior is no different. The have it right next to a GT-R and I spent maybe 2 mins looking at it and most of the time drooling over the nismo z. Automatic sports cars are not my kind of thing :shakes head:.

Can't wait to get a test drive of a 370z (base, not planning to get the nismo):driving:, the interior has got me sold.

There's more than just the base and NISMO... Try a Touring, and I'd make sure to get the Sport package with either the base or Touring.

6MT 07-19-2009 08:22 PM

The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread
 
Finally picked up the Z today after a 90 day wait for the factory order. The weather wasn't cooperating though. It was windy and rainy when I pulled it out of the service bay at the dealership. (Now it's very dirty.)

The car is very tight. Very little body roll with the Stillen sway bar upgrade. The exhaust note is very noticable with the Stillen HFC's and CBE. We compared it to a sport model that was also being delivered today. Quite a difference. Sexy is the only way I can describe it. (If you do the upgrade or have done it, you'll know what I mean )

Although I kept the shift points at around 3K, the car has quite a bit of pull and loads of torque (even though it's at the low end of the scale until break-in is over). Because of the rain and very wet conditions, the 75 kilometer drive home was uneventful and rather boring. I did have a police vehicle come up behind me, then move to my left to pass and then slow down to come around the passenger side. My only guess is that he was having a good look. Also, lots of young males staring at it as they past me. (Believe me, with the attention that this car garnishes, no speed limits were broken.)

The car is very easy to get comfortable in. The gearbox and clutch were tight and responsive. The gas pedal felt a bit "splashy", but more on that in a few weeks after some serious kilometers and terrain. The seats are wonderful. My previous car was a 2008 Honda Accord coupe (V6). It took me months to feel comfortable with the seats and feel of the shifter and clutch. With the Z, it was almost immediate. After one seat adjustment and the mirrors, I felt really good behind the wheel of the Z. (Nice change.) Fit and finish are supurb and the interior is a nice change from the "cheap" look and feel of the 350z.

The tires really need scuffing though. They are very soft and "grab" every piece of road debri (rocks et al) and throw them about. I'm sure this will not be an issue once the tires begin to wear.

One thing that really surprised me was the road and engine/exhaust noise. It is LOUD! This is not a car that you should take any hard-of-hearing passenger into and try to have a conversation. The Bose does a nice job, albeit with gobs of volume, to drown out the harshness. I'm not sure why, but with the windows open, it seemed a wee bit better (?).

Now, a few more kilometers to get rid of that "burning metal" smell, and I'll be really happy.

So my first impression was .... WOW!! Cool car!! I can't wait to thrash it about in a few weeks after engine break-in. In fact, in two weeks, I'll be taking it on a road trip to the Canadian Rockies for a three day excursion. After that, and an oil change, we'll see what she can really do .

Sorry folks.... no pics yet. The weather really was bad today, and the ones that were taken are very poor. Just a few of me picking it up in the dealership service bay. When the sun shines again, and I can detail it again, I'll post a few.

awesomez 08-12-2009 05:36 PM

The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread
 
I have decided to write a review of my 370Z after seeing many posts asking to give pros and cons on the car. Hopefully it will either help turn you away from buying or it will encourage you to buy.

First of all I am reviewing a 370Z Touring with AT and every option available. Some things may or may not apply to even 6SP version with the same options. I have had it for 4 months and put on 8k miles which include long distance trips.

Cons first:
- Rear tires with sport package make a lot of road noise
- Huge blind spot on driver side
- Massive side mirrors to compensate for blind spot but create even more obstruction even for someone who is over 6’ tall
- It does not have 1 mph cruise control
- The speedometer will travel +/- 4mph while cruise control is engaged depending on terrain
- There is a major city in my state that voice recognition with navigation will not recognize no matter what (if there’s one, there must be more)
- No USB input on the deck, only compact flash card
- Stock exhaust should be a bit louder
- Remote key buttons are huge, plastic, not sufficiently indented and get pushed accidentally in my pocket all the time
- The gas pedal is too big (bus big)

Pros:
- Fun to drive
- It is fast and has a lot of grip
- The brakes with sport package are amazingly smooth and effective
- The manual mode of the AT works very well and has no slip from 2nd gear and up
- AT feels like manual but without the annoying clutch
- AT has rev match feature
- It has a luxurious feel for a change from 350Z
- The cabin actually eliminates a lot of outside noise (but not enough from rear tires)
- Gas pedal has been adjusted so that you can actually maintain speed, encourages gentle driving during low revs
- I’ve had better than advertised gas mileage when driving normally (3-5 mpg better than 350Z), during aggressive driving it’s much worse than 350Z
- Smoother ride than 350Z even with sport package
- I actually like the loud engine at high revs
- 19” Rays with sport package look great
- I like the rear wing with AD package
- Remote keys work from much greater distance than 350Z
- Leather seats are sticky so there is no slipping during cornering
- Leather seats will not make you sweat any more than cloth

Issues other reported but I haven’t experienced:
- Oil overheating - I have not ever reached 230 degrees even in 110 degree temperatures and 100% humidity
- I do not have any rattling noises so far
- I do not have an “oil consumption” problem so far
- No brake issues
- In fact there are no known problems so far

In conclusion, this car is either so beautiful that people can’t get enough or is so ugly that people can’t look away.

Benibiker 09-08-2009 11:42 PM

I decided to test drive some 370zs today, stopped by at King Windward Nissan, parked my Mini right in front of the lobby, went inside and went straight for a PG Touring w/sport package. Sat in the car, instantly felt comfortable in the seat. Played around with the shifter, it felt pretty good. Got out opened the hatch, plenty of room now that the brace is gone. Opened the hood, things looked pretty nice under there. Spent about 15 minutes in there and no one ever asked if I needed help or had any questions so I left and decided to go across town to Tony Nissan where I was instantly greeted. I went for a base GP manual, took it out for a spin on the highway and didn't like the feel of the transmission. As with my 02 and 05 350zs, the clutch would engage too high and you couldn't engage it smoothly. Either it wasn't engaged or suddenly it would engage, made shifting gears very jerky. At about 65 I felt a vibration up front somewhere, the whole steering wheel vibrated. Outward visibility sucks, you just have slits looking back, out the sides, and forward. The base model has too many empty buttons all over the place, makes the car look cheesy. The digital gas and temp gauge look out of place, hard to read in sunlight and again pretty cheesy. The car feels heavier and more planted than the 350z, definitely more civilized but not sure I like that. Wasn't impressed with fit and finish, front chin spoiler was hanging on one side, windshield strip was loose on one corner, door panel was loose on the driver's side, and one of the three stack gauges was loose. I could probably find more issues but didn't spend enough time in the car. Next I drove an auto MB base model, lots of the same fit and finish issues but the transmission was marvelous. The whole car felt more solid than the manual. The manual's drive-line just felt too loose and cheap. Next I drove a Black Touring auto w/sport package, the interior was much better, the leather was nice, no empty buttons. Again the auto is amazing, when I buy one it'll have to be an auto and black, black was the best color in my opinion. All in all, not sure I was as impressed as I thought I'd be, mostly disappointed with fit and finish. I'll wait for the 2010s to come out so the can fix their issues...

m4a1mustang 09-08-2009 11:55 PM

Could it be that both of those cars were dedicated test cars and rather beaten up?

Benibiker 09-09-2009 12:10 AM

They had between 30 and 50 miles on them, the paint looked like hell from being outside, not sure how long they've been on the lot but they're the last of the 09s.

xetexuk 09-21-2009 01:24 PM

Hi - from the UK here - just drove a 370z on Saturday and absolutely loved it, le mans blue with black interior, can't wait to order. Fantastic stuff!

r1ng3r 09-30-2009 03:50 AM

First post here, registered today to fill this out! Yes, it's a novel, sorry. I've hidden humor in it as an enticement?

I'm newly military, going to OCS in Ft. Benning (I leave for basic tomorrow night and will be doing OCS in January...oooooo excitement!). The pay is good and I've been shopping around comparing sporty cars before I leave so I can make a purchase as soon as I'm able.

First, my driving experience: I've been in sports cars since I was 15 and purchased an '89 IROC-Z Camaro. At 17 I'd saved up and bought a '95 Cobra. I knew I couldn't keep anything for too long so I made sure it was something that wasn't going to lose value so I could get the money back (which I did, every penny). After that I put myself in a '98 Eclipse (absolute piece of junk). I'm proud to say that my vehicles have all been mine. Nobody bought anything for me, though I have recieved help with insurance.

I kept the eclipse out of necessity for my first two years of college and then used the extra money that I saved from my loans to lease an '07 Suzuki SX4 AWD. It's an absolutely fantastic every day vehicle and I was sad when I turned it back in today. I have had zero trouble with it, the suspension is good for a little spirited driving, and it's great in snow. Suzuki's rally experience really shone through. It didn't have much engine (just under 150hp) but the suspension was taught, the steering was great, and it was impossible to screw up in. It handled better than the Eclipse by a wide margin. Anybody who wants a good everyday vehicle that can be an real hoot on a gravel road should look at the car, it's an absolute steal and extremely useful in all conditions. Better value than what subaru offers and just as much rally cred (unless you're talking WRX versions).

I've participated in as much motorsport as I've been able to, going to autocross events as much as possible. I've spent time learning to drive fast on gravel (illegal, yes, but always done in totally deserted areas and without incident...and it looked pretty cool in the videos I made for a class in college!) I'm pretty decent, can heel/toe, and have never crashed. I've been in 6 accidents, none my fault. I got my ribcage crushed in a t-bone accident by a grandma in an F-150...that was not too fun. 1 speeding ticket, ever, and it was in the Camaro, nearly 10 years ago. I never got a ticket in the Cobra...something that I think is quite the achievement for having been 17/18 at the time. I'm from South Dakota, so I've had my licence since I was 14.

Since I've had experience with sporty cars and the ins and outs of handling a vehicle, I'm really particular in what I want from a car, and I know what to look for when I test something. I'm buying a base 370z with sport package. I've compared it to other things in my price range (WRX, RX-8, used C6 Vette, '10 Mustang, '10 Camaro) and I think it's the best buy.

The first thing I noticed while driving the car:

This thing feels like it's made out of a single block of metal. No exaggeration...the chassis has absolutely NO flex or give, the doors and hatch shut like they're made of granite, the whole thing feels like one piece with no welds. I really don't want 6 broken ribs again, and this car feels like it would do as good a job as any protecting me. Naturally a viagra-stiff structure bodes well for handling and keeping interior rattles to a minimum as the vehicle ages too ;) It feels MORE solid than the Mustang, which has about 300 extra pounds of structure. The only thing that compared structurally was the RX-8. No chassis flex in that either...but due to the suicide door layout, it really doesn't feel very strong when you shut the doors. If I can feel the doors flex inward when I shut them, that's probably not a good sign for crash tolerance.

The interior goodieness:

It's great. It doesn't feel "uplevel" by any means. It doesn't feel luxurious. If you want to see a luxurious feeling interior in a vehicle in the same price range, check out the '10 Mustang. THAT cabin is absolutely plush. I'll put it this way: The new mustang's interior is like a well made fancy leather boot, extremely comfortable and coddling. The 370's interior reminded me of an expensive running shoe by comparison. No, it's not plush, it's not lined with chrome, it's not "cushy." However...which would you rather spend a day walking around in, a boot or an athletic shoe? The Z's interior is purposeful. It feels expensive for a completely different reason than the Mustang's: it's designed to do something specific. The seats hug you, the dials are well shielded from light, easy to read, and look high-tech.
I LIKE the weirdo gas gauge. I've never been in a car where the gas gauge was accurate....the depletion of the gauge is never linear, and that friggin needle means next to nothing. Little red dots provide less information than an analog gauge, sure...but when that analog gauge isn't accurate in the first place, who gives a crap? Let the dots get down to one dot and then fill it up. Easy, simple, and every bit as easy to read and reliable as an analog gauge.
As far as comfort goes...I found the vehicle extremely comfortable. The seats, though well bolstered, do not impede your shoulder movement and they provide excellent lateral support in base trim, at least for skinny little me. The driving position makes it very easy to see out of the front of the vehicle, unlike some other low riding sports cars where all you can see is hood.
The shifter is great, very crisp, and the clutch, while it took some getting used to because the engagement was on a completely different part of the travel than I'm used to, is light and very grabby, excellent for driving like you're not an 85 year old grandma in an f-150. Which you should all be doing. *glares*
Oh, almost forgot. Holy trunk space batman! I bet I could put at least 3 dead hookers back there if I bent them right. Much more space than I was expecting from a sports car. And if you need extra storage space, the passenger side seat pulls forward and there is a spot there that could easily absorb another dead hooker if she were maybe dismembered a little. Or a smallish suitcase or a good sized duffel bag.

Downsides to the interior:

Ok...yeah you can't really see out of the sides if you take a quick look over your shoulder. Those quarter windows look great but are a joke as far as visibility goes. However, and this is a big however...the mirrors are sized and placed such on the vehicle that I was able to completely eliminate all blind spots. I had the dealer walk around the vehicle after I repositioned the mirrors to my liking, and at no point did I lose sight of him. If I can see a skinny little nissan salesman, you can see a car in your "blind spot." Back out of parking lot spaces slowly (or just park that pretty sports car in the back of the lot and walk a quarter block to the store!) and you will be fine. Yeah, the rear window is a slit from the drivers seat, but it's a very wide slit (quit snickering) and when I use my rearview mirror I'm not trying to see the sky..I'm trying to see the road.
Oh yeah. The base radio sucks. The sound is slightly muddled and you can't hear much bass once the vehicle is moving due to the only other issue with the interior...it's noisy. There's a lot of tire noise, though no wind noise that I could detect. The wind noise is even muted with the windows down.
And synchrorev match is going in the negative section, because it worked flawlessly every single shift, smoother than I could ever hope to heel and toe, and it made me feel like an idiot. I loved it.

Exterior goodieness:

Um...it's hot.

Downsides to the exterior:

You might wind up dating somebody who just wants to ride around in your OooOoooOshiny.

Handling

Ok, I'll admit, I scared the crap out of the dealer who rode with me. But it's ok, because when we got back, he started raving to some of the other employees like a 40 year old mangirl. I didn't hurt it either, so if you're in Sioux Falls and you see a yellow 370z on the dealer lot...I promise there's nothing wrong with it due to me. The car HANDLES. It's tuned for understeer at the limit, which is good in a production vehicle with limits this high. The last thing you want is snap oversteer when the shoulder consists of trees or angry cattle. Grip was astounding. It gripped better than the C6 Vette I drove. If you want a bit of a safety net, the stability control is tuned such that you can have a little bit of fun before it slaps you on the wrist and calls your parents. The steering is extremely accurate and turn in is nearly as crisp as the RX-8...but the steering wheel is much higher effort. So, feel free to drive it with a cold, you won't sneeze yourself off the road.
At parking lot speeds (in a parking lot, no less), the wheel is a touch lighter, so you're not going to look like you're wrestling a bear pulling out of your driveway.
Basically, I was just extremely impressed with the handling. On high-speed sweepers (offramps....) small corrections in course result in a tiny bit of stutter from the rear end as it goes over small bumps and comes back in line with the front, due to those big clomping tires and the short wheelbase...but it's a sports car and that's good feedback.

As far as ride...due to the extremely stiff structure of the vehicle, the engineers seem to have been able to work out a no-compromises suspension tune. Since there's no chassis flex, they were able to calibrate things based entirely on the suspension itself and the end result is a vehicle that smoothed out the frost-heaved roads of south dakota with easy while still cornering almost completely flat, with almost no rearing or diving under acceleration.

Engine

It's a good engine. There's a little bit of vibration that comes up the shifter and there's a little bit of harshness to the sound when you get close to redline, but the power delivery is seamless. It's definitely putting out the advertised power. I've read the other reviews on here, and seen that people are commenting that it doesn't FEEL as fast as some other things even though it is. I know why. The reason is that the VQ has a very linear torque curve, so power delivery isn't nearly as peaky as you might get in a turbo motor, or even the V8 in a mustang. That's why this engine wins awards. It's just so freaking linear. The other factor is something I just mentioned: there's almost no rearing or diving under acceleration or braking. We're all used to a car squatting on the rear tires and lifting the front a touch when you hit the fun pedal....this car doesn't do that. That's due to the suspension tuning and the short wheelbase to width ratio.
It's not exactly a great sounding engine. It seems to have a strange electric sort of pitch to it, like some strange metallic synthesizer. The engine revs cleanly and without drama and the intake sounded like something from a videogame. It sounded like somebody took a sample of the engine at a certain RPM and then used a computer to raise and lower the pitch as it revved through the range. I suspect I'll be putting on a new intake.
The exhaust sounded nice though...but obviously that'll get replaced too, especially after having read about the near 20hp gain that can be had there.
Does it FEEL as fast as a new Mustang? No, it doesn't. The torque never gets as high as that engine, though the horsepower and torque under the curve is better...so it IS the faster car and more powerful engine. It's just sneaky about it.

That's about it I guess. The car outhandled the trackpack equipped mustang I drove, and accelerated better (though not by TOO much...they did an extremely good job with the new stang). It handled equally to the RX-8 and made it look like a ninny in the power department. It's not as fast as the vette or new camaro...but vettes are expensive and the camaro feels like you're piloting a drunk linebacker by pulling on his ears. And the WRX, while impressive in handling, userfulness, and power, was slightly behind in all performance categories and looks way too tame for me.

Spring next year, I'll be in a 370z. Now I just have to decide on a color. Why oh why don't they offer a nice metallic green?! I mean, come on, they gave the friggin thing FANGS. At least let me order it in green.

Matt 10-22-2009 11:57 AM

The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread
 
I've done hours and hours of reading, across the [seemingly] entire Internet, trying to absorb every possible piece of information available about the 2009 370z. I actually think I got pretty close to getting it all...

I've read the bad reviews. You know, the ones where people can't stand the Z. Whether they be BMW lovers or Camaro drivers, they nitpick about every little detail and turn in negative. I've also read the euphoric reviews. You know, the ones where the driver is so excited to be driving a Z, he couldn't possibly notice anything wrong short of the steering wheel missing.

So here I go, my semi-lengthy review after driving the 370z Nismo for one day. I'll try not to make this too Nismo-specific. This will be more geared to the people that are considering buying a Z.

- The exterior is beautifully done by Nissan. While some hate the look of the Nismo body kit and spoiler combo, I absolutely love it. Pictures don't do it enough justice. You lose the fangs from the front end of the base/touring, and go more towards the 350z style (which I prefer...although I certainly like the "fangs" as well). The Nismo rear bumper is a thing of beauty. The #1 thing I've heard so far from my friends is, "I thought it would be smaller!". Love it.

- The exhaust is good, not great. Compared to the base/touring exhaust, it has a noticeable, aggressive rumble to it when you start it up, as well as in higher RPMs....however, it slower dissipates at idle and lower RPMs. It won't hold a candle to the likes of Stillen and F.I, however if you're like me and you do not want to break any noise ordinances and enjoy a [slightly] quiet cabin, the Nismo exhaust is near perfect. Loud when I want it to be, quiet when I want it to be. The tips look great as well.

- The rims and tires on all the versions of the 370z are awesome. While the non-sports version leaves a little to be desired in terms of styling, I think they all still look great. I'm not sure why some people go out and get new wheels as their first big "upgrade". I've had aftermarket rims on all my previous cars, and don't think I'd ever change these out.

- The "road noise" is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. I've driven MANY cars and while it's not the quietest, it's extremely far from the loudest. I have a 1972 VW bug. I've driven "Humvees". Those are loud. I've also driven a G35 and a Lincoln Towncar....those are certainly quieter. But do you seriously want to get into a 370z and not hear anything? Didn't think so. There is no "road noise"....just "the sound of your 370z".

- Gadgets and such. The FOB is great. With controls on the doors (within 2-feet) unlocking/locking the doors, the FOB never leaves the safety of my pocket. The gauges are good, except for the far left display with mpg/mph, etc. It's a little too "1990's" for me. I would think they'd have something a little more modern, but I guess they reserve some of the niceties for the Navigation owners :)

- One of the concerns for many people looking at the Z as their daily driver is space. Let me tell you. I take frequent trips up the east coast with my girlfriend, and we carry a lot of **** with us. Guess what? I tried to fit it all last night....and it all fits. It sure as hell blocks my entire rear view, but it fits just fine. A friend asked me last night, "What about when you go grocery shopping?". Friends, if you're biggest worry is having enough room for your groceries, get a Murano.

- Blind spots. They are there, sure as ****. Are they bad? Not in my opinion. I don't need a special side view mirror or back up camera, even with my "obnoxiously large spoiler" (as one reviewer said of the Nismo spoiler). I can see just fine. I'm addicted to backing into parking spots, and even with my 1 day old car, I still do it with ease. Unless you're in a neck brace and your peripheral vision is horrible, you're not gonna have any issues.

- Performance. I've driven the 300z. I've never driven a Porsche. I've driven a Ferrari. The most hp I've ever had beneath my right foot is 162 (only counting my own cars). I'm not going to argue with people way smarter than me on performance, but I will say it's amazing. Linear acceleration from 10-20 or 70-80. When I push the pedal, the car responds generously and vigorously. And I haven't even hit 4800 RPMs yet (obeying break-in the best I can). The brakes blow away any brakes I've had before as well.

- Sync-rev is amazing. Heel-toe fanboys out there tell us they leave it turned off, but trust me....they leave it on!

- Suspension is weird in the Nismo. I'm no pro-tuner or track guru, but the Nismo is supposed to have it's own upgraded Suspension and dampers, yet it actually rides rougher than the base/touring. While it hits bumps and reacts firmly, it immediately stiffens back out. Not sure I'm explaining it well, but it certainly doesn't handle uneven pavement, bumps, low-quality roads with the most finesse.

- Nismo specific information now. I've read all over these forums, "Is the Nismo worth it?". The best answer I've read is "if you want the Nismo, then yes". Can you upgrade the base/sport/ to achieve better performance than the Nismo, with less money? Absolutely. Can you get all the luxuries of the Touring for nearly the same price? Absolutely. Does the Nismo have enough to warrant the price difference anyways? Yes! I won't go into full detail, but with all the extras in the Nismo, and no plan (or need) to do any additional performance upgrades, the Nismo is perfect for me.


When I got the Z, I was thinking I would drive it for 3-5 years until the "next best thing" came out. But as much fun as I've had in the past 36 hours driving the car, I hope this will have a permanent spot in my garage, regardless of what future cars I may purchase.

370Zsteve 10-26-2009 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesomez (Post 149057)

Issues other reported but I haven’t experienced:
- Oil overheating - I have not ever reached 230 degrees even in 110 degree temperatures and 100% humidity
- I do not have any rattling noises so far
- I do not have an “oil consumption” problem so far
- No brake issues
- In fact there are no known problems so far

In conclusion, this car is either so beautiful that people can’t get enough or is so ugly that people can’t look away.

+1 :icon18:

Brandon26pdx 11-13-2009 04:51 PM

I tried out a yellow 09 touring last week. Had 6mt but no sport package so unfortunately didnt get to see the Syncro-RevMatch in action:shakes head: (They didnt have a 6mt/sport on the lot)

Coming out of my 08 6mt the car's controls felt eerily similar so it was a snap to jump into and drive off in without hiccups. (The first time I drove a manual 350Z was pretty hilarious...these cars have much touchier controls than average.) The clutch engagement was much more abrubt than my car, but a lot of that probably had to do with the fact that it had 8 miles on it;) The pedal was definitely not any lighter than in my car though...if anything a tick heavier. The transmission felt very similar but seemed to shift smoother into 2nd than my car does, but maybe I just got a notchy transmission and this one was unusually smooth...hard to say on that. I didn't get to get on it much but I goosed it once in 2nd gear at about 3500 rpms...definitely more thrust at throttle tip-in with this engine, and noticably louder compared to my car, which can be good or bad. I like loud when it's a good loud...I liked it. Not as sophisticated as, say, the blatt of a Porsche flat-6 or as awsome as the roar of an Aston Martin V12, but not nearly as dissapointing as it's been made out to be. I liked the engine sound better than my car.

The interior on a 370Z touring is pretty exciting compared to my base 350Z. The materials seem much higher quality...borderline luxurious compared to a 350Z. Doors close with a more reassuring "thunk". Alcantara seat/door inserts and keyless push-button start are hot. Leather on the seats was soft and not at all cheap feeling (ie. light years better than cheapass feeling leather you get in a Honda) The guage cluster has less of a low rent feel to it. The digital fuel level gauge was probably trying a little too hard, but it's interesting and colorful to look at nonetheless. You sit much lower in the car compared to the 350, so it's more difficult to see over the hood if you're vertically challenged:icon17: When I got back in my car I felt like I was sitting on the roof, which is really saying something, considering you already feel like you're sitting in a bathtub in a 350Z a little bit!

The only thing about the exterior styling I though was a swing and a miss was the sideview mirrors. Big. Gaudy. Not nearly as attractive as the svelte 350Z mirrors. Otherwise the exterior is much more grabbing to look at IMO. The 370 will turn heads than might not have noticed a 350 and as well as *almost* any P-car.

Overall, easily the best true sports car you can buy for the money now. A 2010 Cayman S is better. A 2010 Corvette with Grand Touring package is (probably) better (havent driven one). But, those cost $20-30k more. All depends on what you're comfortable and able to spend on a car.

370Zsteve 11-13-2009 04:56 PM

:icon18: Good honest post +1

Z_U_later 11-27-2009 03:30 PM

I went to my local Nissan dealer last week to test drive the new 370z roadster and had one of the worst test drives of my life. Fist of all the sales person I got did not know a thing about the car, she couldn't find the gas pedal in an automatic to pull the car out of the parking structure. I got to take it on the freeway for a bit and boy it has great pick up. We got off the freeway and I was about to turn in to the dealership she asked me if I wanted to see how it handles on the side street so we went for a ride around the block and this is where the fun starts. I make a right turn to go back to the lot and a 100ft after the turn the engine cuts off and I turned into a side street. I tried starting the car again but no luck. At this point we were in the middle of the road on a small street and cars were going around us in both directions. Not wanting to get read ended, I had the sales girl get in the driver's seat and steer the car out of traffic while I pushed it. Once we were safe I went back to figuring out what had happen. Well after a few minutes of looking around I found out what the problem was, the car was out of gas. The sales girl contacted the dealership and they sent someone out to fill the tank. Apparently this was the sale's girl 3rd on the job which explains her lack of knowledge of the car and that this dealership has a system of informing sales people weather a car has enough gas for a test drive. If the wipers are up that means that the car needs gas if the wipers are down then the car has gas. The wipers were down on the roadster we took so she thought it has gas. Well after the horrible experience I had you would think they would give me a deal on the car, they didn't. I told them that the car guy at my credit union was going to get it for me for 45K and if they can beat that I would go with them but she said the sales manager wanted 2K over invoice so I thanked them for the test drive and left. One good thing came out of this, at least I know the car is light enough for me to push by myself LOL. Anyways my roadster should be coming in by the first or second week of December.
P.S. I got the automatic because I live in So. Cal. where the freeways are known as parking lots.

370z Roadster 7AT
Touring/Sport/Nav
Black w/ wine interior
Bordeaux Canvas Top

antbear 12-02-2009 10:02 AM

Z U LATER's test drive
 
Will it be a 2009 or 2010?

You will love the AT. With the AT all attention can be devoted to making those corners work for you. For that reason...AT's seem are showing up in the best cars these days..Tokyo 2009: Lexus reveals $375,000 LFA supercar...finally [w/VIDEO] &mdash; Autoblog

Z_U_later 12-03-2009 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antbear (Post 303831)
Will it be a 2009 or 2010?

You will love the AT. With the AT all attention can be devoted to making those corners work for you. For that reason...AT's seem are showing up in the best cars these days..Tokyo 2009: Lexus reveals $375,000 LFA supercar...finally [w/VIDEO] &mdash; Autoblog

Picked my 2010 Roaster on Monday and have been taking the long way back and forth to work:driving:
2010 370z Roadster
Magnetic Black
Wine interior bordeaux top
Touring\Sport\Nav packages
7AT


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