Shifter is great, clutch is an on/off switch compared to any other car I have driven that had 3 pedals like God intended.

Isn't the clutch supposed to be an on/off switch from a performance driving point of view as opposed to daily cruising? On a track, you stab the clutch quickly, shift quickly and then dump the clutch again. You don't feather or modulate clutches on a track. You want a very short range digital clutch, not a longer range analog one. Seeing youtube videos of racing drivers footwork, the clutch pedal on these cars doesn't seem to travel more than 10 or 15 cm from very top to very bottom.

Well when the 370Z gets an oil-cooler and some real brakes then you can make your "it's a track car" argument. Until then, it's just got a crappy clutch.

That just goes back to the compromise argument.

Nissan could change the 370Z's specs a bit and sell it as an awesome track-only car. Strip the interior, drop the power windows, power door locks, radio, etc. Give it an oil cooler and a factory roll cage, etc. You'd probably come out about even on mfg cost changes and it would be a great track car. But then it would never be worth it on the market: not enough of them would be sold because it'd be a horrible daily driver for a commuter, so they couldn't really afford to produce them that way in the big picture. The increased sales for track drivers would never make up for the loss of regular consumers who just like the look and sound and feel of it and want a "sporty" daily driver.

So they make compromises. The idea is to put out a track-capable car that's still cheap to buy, just barely commuter-friendly enough to keep the sales volume high enough to keep the car around, and only needs a few key mods to be ready for amateur track use.

Ford is doing great with their BOSS/Leguna Seca car.

No, it doesn't go back to that argument. Just spend a few more bucks and improve the car with an oil-cooler, brakes, and clutch better suited to its mission in life: To be a sporty car that can be driven at HPDE's on the weekend if the owner so chooses.

The Z has trackworthy brakes. They're just not sufficiently cooled. The lack of ventilation is a design flaw.

Hah you quote faster than I edit. The Mustang is in the enviable position of having high enough sales volume to be able to afford a one-off variation for more serious use. We have the Nismo edition in that role, and I totally agree the Nismo should come with an oil cooler and better braking.

The clutch I'm not so fond of compromising on though. Changing out a clutch (to get back to the short quick version we have today) is kind of invasive and expensive, and I'd rather it have a more-tracky clutch in the compromise than a more commuter-friendly one.

i'd rather take the z though, with its flaws on oil cooler and brake pads and clutch (things i can fix) vs certain track capable cars with a super awful interior which i cannot change.

In my opinion, I think the stock clutch is actually very resilient. It can hold 500rwhp without slipping which is pretty incredible if you ask me, although I'm not in love with its high engagement and chatter at times.

Touche! :tiphat:

I bounce back and forth. When I hammer on my Z06, I wouldn't trade it for anything. When I am stuck in traffic or just cruising on the freeway, sometimes I wish I had the 370Z and an extra $500 a month.

This also seems like "not an easy fix."

Pads, I expect to need to do. But brake ducting?

Meh, I enjoy cutting holes in the bumper of my brand new car.

LOL, well...now it has an oil cooler it seems :)