My 370Z is REALLY a Sports Car...Yours is Not?
 

So you are basing your assumption that a 370Z need not be quiet, or it's not a sports car unless you can hear the debris hitting the rear wheel wells? Or weight?

Then kindly remove the following (as they do not constitute a sports car):
<ul>
<li>Passenger seat (not needed unless you have a passenger; you will not receive a ticket either—unless you take a passenger).</li>
<li>Door panels</li>
<li>Rear lid and back interior paneling</li>
<li>Interior lighting</li>
<li>Nav or stereo</li>
<li>AC (Leave the heater as you will have to have it to legally drive in cold weather regarding the visibility through the windows.)</li>
<li>Carpets</li>
<li>Headliner</li>
<li>Door kick plates</li>
<li>Electric windows (Convert to hand crank—much lighter in weight)</li>
<li>Replace the drivers seat because none the factory Nissan 370Z drivers seats have the proper bolstering to qualify for a true sports car.</li>
</ul>
The items above are convenience items and are not necessary for a sports car.
<ul>
<li>Remove the following appearance items (not necessary for a sports car:</li>
<li>Rim center caps</li>
<li>Cut the exhaust tips off</li>
<li>Throw away the engine plastic in the engine bay: covers etc.</li>
<li>Sidemarker lights</li>
<li>Burgers: front and rear</li>
</ul>
There is much more than can be dispensed with if you are qualifying the 370Z as a true sports car. Remove the items above and the 370Z will closer approach the true definition of a sports car.

Another route is to commission Mine's to actually make your 370Z into a real sports cars. (Mine's are more than qualified to do so. But I'm willing to bet that there only a handful here who can afford the price tag.)

So what was that definition of a sports car again? Thanks.

Don't straw man me, bro.

I simply said that the 370 was designed around a specific price point as a performance car. You have a complaint about the interior noise that a small but vocal number of people have, that's okay and I understand -- but to call it a failing? I think that is an exaggeration because of the type of car that it is.

I wasn't saying that sound dampening or any of the other things you listed ruin the sports car experience, either. While you were very clearly trying to be smug as you made that list, if Nissan left out some of those things in the name of price I probably would've been okay with it. I also sort of think it is funny that you equate a minor amount of tire noise on dirty roads with things like air conditioning.

I actually think Nissan should have released the Nismo as a bare-bones track version that had no stereo, lighter bucket seats, etc. I can understand why they didn't (cost/profitability) and I wouldn't call it a failing, though.

You missed that my reference regarded those who are now more oriented to convenience and who is willing to pay for it. This reaches out into areas such as a rear window wiper, heated mirrors (for those in increment weather here). Nissan did fail as there are those of us who would have willingly paid more for the extra goodies that we find appealing. They missed that market by country mile. Why is that Nissan JDM has more factory accessories than we do and the North American market doesn't?

Maybe the smaller minority is the mature minority that didn’t really have to purchase a 370Z but chose to do so? Nissan should be happy we were interested. I have not knocked those who wish to decrease the weight of their Z; race their Z; add glass-shattering stereos to their Z. Not something I am interested in any longer (and I have no problem telling that to their face) but they are happy with doing so, and I'm happy for them. People have mentioned that they would enjoy less wheel well road debris noise and they are branded a minority of owners who do not understand sports cars or the premise of the Z? Well I'll be damned for being so out of place. Makes me regret actually purchasing a 240Z and a 280Z—when they were new. But then again, I'm in a minority.

This is something I've always wondered about, I will admit. I guess Americans don't order those options so it isn't worth it? I really have no idea.

Yeah the car is a noisey one. It's quite similar in a porsche 911 actually, you hear most things that happen to the tyre and if you're going over rough road there's a hefty roar in the cabin. The lotus's are no different either.

If you want a nice driving but refined car BMW's your best bet. The 1 series coupe, 3 series couple and Z4 are significantly more refined that the 370z but still give you a beautiful balanced rwd feel. In the US i hear the G37 would fit the bill as well, (we don't get it here down under). But anyway the BMW costs more, so all a weigh up really...

What's good is that when you see a 370z driver you know they didn't just buy the car for the style, they're true driving enthusiasts to be able to put up with the rawness of the vehicle.

I had a 350 and was nothing like the 370Z. I think the lack or little sound insulation on the wheel wells is the cause of the noise.

Anyway, I'm not complaining

The back wheel wells are in the cabin with you. Any car with that arrangement will be noisier - you'll hear a lot of stuff the tires pick up that you wouldn't notice otherwise. My wife's Miata is fairly loud - but because the back wheel wells are in the trunk, you don't hear all the stuff whacking around inside the fender.

What do you guys do? Just drive around with the stereo off looking for problems with the car?

Just put on a little Chevelle at 25 vol and no more problems. I've never heard any road noise in my car. I didn't even know it was a problem till I read this thread.

Seriously in the Z I like the way it sounds. I want to hear it. Love the car. I think some of you want to find issues with it. Hey if it makes you feel better.....

I don't see the problem in any case, just sell it and buy something else if you are unhappy. Nobody's holding a gun to your head to keep the car. Perhaps your next purchase you will be more careful during the test drive phase prior to plunking down the 40g's.

Mandates for Z Ownership? Or Please Someone Tell Me What I'm Allowed to Purchase!
 

You are in the market for a new home. You find the one you want, where you want, but the garage bay floors are not finished the way you would like, and the garage door openers are not belt drive with a battery backup for those times when power failures occur (plus, you like the quietness of belt drive openers). Do you keep looking until you find the house with the correct flooring, and garage door openers? Or do you implement the changes yourself because every other aspect of the home is to your satisfaction?

The OP was concerned about the noise and asked for feedback; others chimed in and said they were concerned too. Owners joined the forum to ascertain more about their Z and whether members are experiencing issues along their concerns too. Still others are looking for a solution to an issue that members might have found.

Now, I've gone ahead and bought my new home, but I change the flooring and garage door openers to suit my taste. Do my neighbors come and pay me a visit to chastise me for doing so because they don't think it was appropriate? It's my house and I'm paying for it, but WTH, my neighbors know better than I do (supposedly) what is right for me.

Maybe AK can settle this by categorizing what the criteria to be a the370z.com member is? If one of the criterion means that you are required to think like another member—because said member believes they have the universally correct definition of who should and should not buy/own a 370Z—then maybe some members do not belong here, and maybe some Premium Members need refunds?

And nobody held a gun to your head making it mandatory that you post on this thread either, or that you become a forum member (there are other forums out there) but you are a member here and you would think you can post at least something constructive. Yes? No? Maybe?

P.S. There are members who would believe that you did not buy a true 370Z sports car because yours is an automatic transmission.

Dude, total FAIL on the reply. The guy wasn't even talking to you, wtf??

only people who agree with me can post in this thread

edit: no really this this thread is now a train wreck

His response among the others (e.g. posts at Edmunds, et al) is that quiet is associated with luxury and that what you should have purchased...it's a sports car after all. That was exactly what I responding to. Now I'm not to suppose to reply in this thread because it wasn't directly made to me?

Is this yet another of the new criterion for the370Z.com?

If so...WTF? And what the WTF did you post for too?

Rep Point! :tup:

because I felt like telling you you're way out of line, that's why? Got a problem with that, tough chit.

ibtl