Checked out new 370Z
 

I was at the dealership for an oil change on my 09 Maxima and I decided to have a closer look at the 370. First impressions:

1) Electronics: exactly like Maxima but with less space, some buttons are scrunched in (push button start is nearly on the radio), but overall it has all the goodies a fully loaded Maxima would have.

2) Seats: AWESOME. Very supportive ( I was sitting in a roadster version) but was VERY impressed. They fit like a glove. Not quite as plushy as the Max, but better feel like it would hold you in tight.

3) Trunk space was limited in the roadster, but the coupe looked to have plenty under the glass hatch.

4) The Z is lower to the ground than I thought.

5) The sport package wheels look great in person.

Concerns:

Size- It was a pretty tight fitting car for a 6 foot tall driver. Anyone notice this? Then again I didn't mess with the seat adjustments.

RWD- Wonder how this is in winter (obviously cars in general aren't great in the winter)

Price- I didn't see any incentives listed, guessing full finance rate (5.9% or so)
Also didn't get into price with salesman as he knew I was there for oil change, but are these going for invoice or better?

KBB value on Maxima- Trade would have to be full blue book value.

Thoughts anyone?

Most people are getting invoice pricing.
I am 6'4" and I would say that is pretty close, if not the maximum height someone can fit into the Z. Living in Texas I do not deal with snow, but on all of your 1-5 points are pretty spot on.

Any word on interest rates people are getting through nissan?

Didn't try Nissan, but AAA got me 3.09%...

Where in the NE are you?

You can finance through AAA? Never knew that.

>RWD- Wonder how this is in winter (obviously cars in general aren't great in the winter)

KEN: Get a dd, ...keep your maxima and get a Z.

You can get better APR outside Nissan, unless they are running an special which in most cases don't apply tho the Z.

I just refinance to 4% for 60 months.

That could be kinda pricey, 2 notes on two 35-37,000 cars. Love the way the new Maxima's look, hate that CVT tranny.

Ah, but that CVT still gets you where you want to go... and with a 10y/100,000m warranty... :)

^What he said.I have DD sedan and my Z won't see rain or snow. If your wondering about perfomance in snow/ice ..... the Z ain't for u.

If you're wondering about snow handling, watch this...
YouTube - TURBO - Nissan 370Z - On Track

If you're comfortable drifting everywhere then I say trade the Max in for a DD 370Z:tup:

It does do that, but that car needs the 7spd auto. That drone that it makes at full power is annoying, but it is quite a looker!

Doubt you'll get kbb value in the northeast bro noone uses it. The market fluctuates so much in the north east it's not even funny most of the time kbb is wayyy off. Sometimes you'll get more than kbb most of the time you'll get less. I mean.. Who would use kbb if they gave low numbers? Lol

Does the Z melt in the rain? LOL JK. I drive it in rain, snow, wind, and sun and it still looks good. The only reason I might have to get another car and park the Z some is cuz Im putting too many miles on her. 18K in 8 or 9months.

If you want to drive in the snow with Summer tires then you are looking for trouble or something is wrong with you. :shakes head:

Unlesss you do like AK did then you will be a dangerous driver on the streets putting your live in danger and the other drivers too. ;)

BTW, you can take the VDC off in the snow...:rolleyes:

If you've got good credit, go to the Bank of America website and printout the Auto Loans Rate page (last I saw it was 2.94% on 60 months for a new car) - I carried that page into the dealer and they almost matched it - they tried to start me out around 5.9% and so I pulled out the printout and we were quickly in the 3% range. Should work with anyone who has good credit - it also helped that I bank with BofA and there was one 2 blocks from the dealer I went into. :)

or know how to drive.

And I will add, 30 + yrs of driving with no moving accidents and driving in all kinds of weather in FWD and RWD cars in different countries. Knowing the car and kowing whats around you really helps to prevent accidents.

Great info.

Any complaints about the 370Z from anyone?

I love the CVT in the Maxima actually. However, I imagine the 7 speed auto connected to the 332hp engine and a smaller car would mean incredibly different driving experience. How is the car on long highway road trips? The Maxima is VERY comfortable and smooth, how is the Z?

Since you posted about being 6' tall, and I am 6' tall. I'll give you my only complaint. Now this may be trivial, but like I said, it's my only complaint lol.

The dead pedal angle. It's too steep towards the firewall. I have to press my foot down to get to rest on it, which strains my leg, defeating the purpose of somewhere to put your leg to relax. I know anal right? But yeah, that's the only thing I would change if anything. Either make it a less steep angle, or bring it closer. Other then that so far I haven't had any problems. I thought maybe the trunk would be an issue, but I went and did my grocery shopping and got about 90% of my usual and it all fit with room to spare. Which is comforting. But I'm not sure once I get a sub box in there if that will have a drastic impact on it. But if so, I'll just put the bigger stuff in the passenger seat, so no problems with that I guess, but there's my :twocents: :tup:

Except Last winter, Snowed like 5 times! I didn't know what the hell to think.... APOCALYPSE? ICE AGE? :eek:

North Texas did get a good amount, though Houston only got one day and I borrowed an SUV from the parents since they understood my concern with driving the Z in snow/ice. Parents, so loving sometimes. :D

Honestly if I read your questions, you're probably going to be more happy with your Maxima.

These seem to be your care-abouts: trunk space, interior space, snow driving, comfortable, smooth on long trips...

None of those would be items I would use to describe the Z with....

Thing is I like the Maxima a lot, I just like the sports car more than the luxury sedan. If the points I make are livable such as a decent ride on a long trip (I'm talking 2-3 hour road trips nothing extensive), decent leg room, decent trunk space...but the major difference I'm looking for is power, handling, to get back into something that sounds great and isn't so silky smooth as the Maxima (which is great, but I've had it two years since they came out and I'm bored of silky smooth!)

Then you might want a BMW or something like that, that can be quick and have some space too.

So I'm guessing like me your Z is a daily driver. I'm going to have to figure out a plan for next winter. I have my dad's truck I use as a work truck, so atleast that is an option. I still live in an apt until next month, then I hope to finally have a garage! :excited:

If you want a compromise then a G37 (or BMW as Steve says) is the better compromise between luxury and sport.

The 370Z is great, but it's really a sports car with some daily convenience features, but it's no GT.

As for the road trips, it kind of depends, who you are doing them with. :)
I think 2-3 hours should be no issue... But other people might have different road trip requirements...

I like the 370Z/Maxima interior setup when fully loaded..I also like Nissan in general, resale value is GREAT on the Z's, as is the VQ engine, electronics, etc...its just a great CAR even if not my #1 choice looks wise.

I'd go Corvette, but to get it fully loaded how I want it is 55k or so, and that's just too much for car. BMW M3 is also great, but not going 65k on a car. If I can grab a 370Z for 38ish + TTL fully loaded with a good rate and a good trade on the Max (with only 9k miles) I think that would be a good situation. For 18 months I have a VERY low mile total, and I think Nissan will give me a good number since its basically a new car mile wise.

I would still check out the G37's (Infiniti = Nissan)...
But it seems with us "arguing" against you, we still helped you made up your mind towards the Z :tup:

Go for it...you know you want it. We have a 2002 Maxima that we're keeping for winter driving. I also have an Infiniti FX45 as the other daily driver/kid hauler.

Considering both the Vette and the 370Z are similar, what brought you guys to Nissan vs the Corvette?

I honestly never considered the Vette

I've never driven a vette, but I've heard they start to feel kind of like a older firebird after awhile. With all the clanking, and rugged ride. I've noticed the same thing with Mustangs.

That's no go for me.

They look like they would be hard to manuver. Really long in the front end and like you say it seems that it would handle something like my old Camaro, which might of been what I was looking for at 17 but would llike something more refined now.

I drove it and you're right, I didn't like the long front end either, it's noticable when driving. The interior is no contest to Nissan, as are the seats. However Nissan should up to 385-400HP in the Z stock and I think they would be nearly impossible to beat.

I also have to say I like the roaster vs the coupe Z in terms of looks. What made you decide on Coupe vs Roadster?

Also is anyone here a Touring + Nav WITHOUT Sport package owner? Is it worth 3k for brakes and a spoiler and bigger wheels?

You take that out and you're talking 38 MSRP or so for Auto Touring with Nav. Probabaly 35 + TTL

I got a brand new 2009 Z coupe (touring/nav/sport/6MT) for $35,200+TTL (sticker was $40,200). Remember the special VPP deal Nissan was offering last month where folks eligible for VPP would get the full Nissan employee discount? Yep, that did it.

Wow...thats exactly the combo I'd want, but with Auto. 35k + TTL is 5k off sticker, not bad at all. I'm sure a dealer could come close to that if they wanted even today.

You can say you have VPP but you want a better price. But not sure if you will have as much leverage with a vert since the verts are all 2010s. I knew what my VPP pricing would be but I was looking at an 09 coupe and the 2010s were due out soon. I was able to get below VPP without ever showing any VPP paperwork.

The roadster just looks better to me, less of a sloping roof. but thats gonna cost some cash fully loaded.

I wonder if there are many touring coupes with nav without sport package (I'd rather save 3k)

Also is it just me or is black the best looking color on the Z?

I really like my Nissan dealer, and I love the Nissan interior/electronics/comfort. I don't love the exterior of the Z, but everything else is top notch. Keep going back and forth between Z and =Jeep SRT8 though they are totally different.

[QUOTE=Maxima09;511510]
Also is it just me or is black the best looking color on the Z?

No, it's not just you. Black is the best color the Z has.:happydance: