Nissan 370Z Forum - Thoughts after my first test drive of the 6MT 370z

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- - Thoughts after my first test drive of the 6MT 370z (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/19857-thoughts-after-my-first-test-drive-6mt-370z.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve (Post 555097)

wait wait wait lemme get this straight you sayin' Silver sucks? :icon23:

Silver definitely does NOT suck. It's just not my color choice for the 370z. Dealing with the dealership is so troublesome. The whole time I was there, I was promised a car that they didn't have or was pushed into another vehicle that I didn't want in the first place.

I was continuously pressured to have my credit ran, even though I provided them my full credit report dated May 11, 2010 from my Identify Theft Protection from my bank; and even before showing me the car that I wanted to buy.

In summary of what happened, the dealership was trying to sell me a car that doesn't exist and go through with the sales transaction process. I assume they were going to try and do a dealer trade from the Bay Area. I was hinted that there was a white 370z Base with Sports that can be driven to the Sacramento area within 24 hours. I advised the dealer that I would rather not have my car being driven from the Bay Area, as that would put on unwanted miles on my brand new car.

Its the waiting game for me.

The shifter feeling is a what a true sports car should feel like. If you want a super buttery, easy sliding manual buy a GTI. But **** if you want to feel manly and be manly... buy a Z!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan (Post 555016)

The weird thing was when driving the 6MT was that the clutch pedal was too close to the brake pedal, so occassionally when I press in the clutch I would hit the brake pedal arm on the top. I find that unusually close. To avoid that I would need to use the big toe side of my left foot to press the clutch pedal. I find it uncomfortable since I'm used to resting the top center sole of my left foot on the clutch pedal.

Size 11 with wide feet here. I've never so much as grazed the break pedal when pressing in the clutch. Were you wearing tennis shoes or work boots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan (Post 555016)

The shifter was not impressive and is clunky. I couldn't get into gear as easily as my Mazdaspeed3 or my Civic Si. I test drove the 350z a few years back before I bought my Mazdaspeed3, and I see that the shifter feel had not much improved.

I had a 2007 Civic Si. The shifter on that car has a linkage that allowed more flexing which leads to a "smoother" feel. The Z has a more direct linkage where you need to actually hit your gears. The "smoothest" shifter I've ever used was a rental Toyota Auris while in Portugal. It was "smooth" as pushing a rubber band around, but in no way felt rewarding in the driving experience department.

What is it with dealers. Before I went to my friends dealership I went to a larger Nissan dealer just to take a look at a couple of Z's and get some numbers. I told them I wanted a Red 2010 Base+Sport 6SPD. They kept telling me they could not find the car and tried selling me Black white gray Auto Touring w/o sport. It was kind of funny after a while. After like the 5th time he came back to me telling me about a Auto I told him "If Nissan stops production of a 6spd and only offers AT I will not be buying a Z" LOL. Long story short I ordered it from my friend and he luckly found a couple on the boat on there way here.

Ya know your the first person who has the same problem with the clutch and brake as I did when I went to test drive the car. I'm about 6' tall and I feel like the clutch pedal was I guess too high or too long? I had problems test driving the car and I had driven manual cars since 16 and I'm 24 lol. When I was test driving every time I change gears the shifter felt strong but not heavy like the other said like a sports car compared to the my Civic Si, the SI shifter was much more flexible.

Anyways every time I change gears the car would jump because the clutch was so high. Someone here I think told me that it can be fixed after I purchase it, the dealer can lower it and shorten it for me because of that jump, sometimes it would push my foot out and my shoe would rub against the break. I test drove a 09 Silver Touring with Sport honestly, I didn't even know if syncro rev was on XD. I love it in Silver, looks great in person.

I also drove a 7at Red base and it didn't feel any different from my Si, except there's a huge surge of power when you actually step on it, faster accel and more torque. After all I am currently driving a torque less wonder honda XD. So since this had happened to someone else, can any one confirm that the clutch pedal could be fixed? because the only reason I liked the AT more was only because the car doesn't Jump like the manual. Anyone have that problem with their clutch?

The clutch pedal can't be adjusted. It just takes some getting used to. I had an issue with the engagement point at first before I got the hang of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleks (Post 555403)

Size 11 with wide feet here. I've never so much as grazed the break pedal when pressing in the clutch. Were you wearing tennis shoes or work boots?

I wear size 11 tennis shoes on that day when I test drove the 370z. I am 5'11" tall and weigh 205 lbs.

So when you drive your 370z, do you rest your heel on the floor or keep your left leg elevated? I keep my left leg elevated and the top center part of my foot on the clutch pedal. I do not rest on the pedal, just only when I need to depress the clutch pedal for shifting.

I find it weird that I need to use only the right side (big toe) part of my sole to depress the clutch pedal.

I have another appointment with another dealership next week, so I'll give the 6MT another test drive to see if I can live with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuszNissan (Post 555055)

I like the notchy feel, let's me know I am in gear. Seems like a lot of people like a smooth shift with zero feedback.

FuszNissan, I acknowledge that you are a dealer...maybe you can help me get into a Red Base w/Sports 6MT. I live in Sacramento, CA. I read that you usually have great deals to give.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250 (Post 555401)

The shifter feeling is a what a true sports car should feel like. If you want a super buttery, easy sliding manual buy a GTI. But **** if you want to feel manly and be manly... buy a Z!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but VW GTI's are automatic with the paddle shifters. They are not manual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan (Post 555511)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but VW GTI's are automatic with the paddle shifters. They are not manual.

You are wrong. GTI's come with available 6spd manual.

Golf R32's are what you were thinking of. They're AWD and only came in Auto.

^^^ gotcha...

Can someone post a picture of the pedals inside their 370z for closer observation? I can't find a pic that shows the pedals clearly and closely.

I should've bought this before I left for vacation:

http://www.the370z.com/members/tongm...-next-370z.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/tongm...6-img-0094.jpg

Never had the clutch pedal location problem. Clutch engagement and shifter notchyness is just something you get used to over time.

I do find that the gas/brake pedals are too close and I don't even have a big foot (size9.5-10). I haven't had to slam on the brakes yet but I do feel my foot sometimes hitting the gas pedal as I am applying brakes. And I think I've read on here where somebody had an accident because they slammed on the brakes and it seemed like maybe they hit the gas at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan (Post 555504)

I wear a 13 and have a semi-wide foot and not once have i even brushed the brake pedal while shifting, not in my boots or sneakers. The clutch is supposed to be near the brake pedal in real sports cars so that you can use left foot braking if you choose to on the track or spirited street driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 555090)

Can't you modify the shifter to your personal tastes? I don't get it. But as far as dealerships go. OP, I understand what you are going through. I been to dealerships left and right and nissan is just playin a bunch of hoe games when it comes to the Z and I'm getting bored myself. My experiences have been very similar.
They only have black, gray, white black cherry and red. I'm looking for blue. No one has a blue. Everyone is trying to make me pay msrp or $500 over to order my blue. No base+sports. I guess they are mad that base + sport was the 1st to run out in 09. Nissan has become more rapist at the dealership. Not only that I feel the touring package is the biggest rip off in the history of car option rip offs. Ok. For nearly $4,000.00 you get, leather bolstered fake suede power seats, a trunk cover and a bose stereo that sound 5% better than the RDS in the base model. Ummmmm where did nissan get $4k? I think the base should have a minimum a 4way drivers power seat. Save weight is the reason they choose for not offering a few things but, the prices they ask are not on par with what u get in the touring package. Period.
Not only that, they like justifying not haggling by saying. The Z has no direct competition. Maybe not in price but there are other cars. The corvette and porsche cayman on the certified pre owned tip is an option. The corvette at year end with 10k rebates is an option.
I'm married so I'm not trying to attract chics. I just want a fun sports car that's fast as f*#k that I can mod. I was Z crazy but its wearing down as I haggle prices. I'm waiting for year end on the camaro to see what happens? I'm also considering, trading my G for a genesis coupe. I don't know yet. But nissan as a corporation is just starting to bother me.
Don't know if I should wait and see if the RX-7 will come back out. The RX7 was my 1st import and a buick grand national was my first sports oriented car. Or should I say sport boat. Lol. Either way it is fast.
My purchase of a Z would have me owning 3 nissan products at one time. The fact that I have a 5 nissan vehicle history and they don't want to budge on the Z price is really pissing me off. I own a 09 G37s and 08 altima 3.5. I previously owned another 98altima, 06G35, and a 98 240sx. I've also owned 3 GM cars and a 93mazda rx7. The mazda has been my favorite car other than my experience in a 370z. (Not including exotic rentals)
Overall I prefer imports, but will go back to muscle cars if the stealership keeps getting greedy. I don't go more expensive cuz I need vehicles for other purposes as well.

I totally agree with your post. It must have been my lucky day when i bought mine i walked up on the lot and there it was a blue base with the sports package. Last 09 on the lot and it was marked down from 35,600 to 29,500. i couldn't sign the papers fast enough!

Way to call it Papo I was thinking the same thing... Clunky shoes or something... Remember too that you were test driving a relatively new car... My 370 is 2 weeks old today.. I got it with 26 miles on it. The first 500 miles you TEACH Yourself how to feather the clutch in a 370... I have 1600 miles behind me after the trip to Zdayz. Breaking mileage is complete and first oil change to get that break in oil out of the crankcase.. and this baby is as smooth as silk. As a previous 350Z AT owner who once a month kicked themselves for not getting a manual tranny I am now in the heaven I was dreaming about back then.

Make the leap, take the time to learn your particular car... and drive it like you stole it!