Road & Track gets it wrong

BanningZ · 03-02-2009, 10:31 PM

I know Car & Driver had almost the exact same write up and they said,

Quote:

"The only gaffe is to the tach's left: a multifunction display with LED fuel level and water temperature readouts that look jarringly out of place to us, like a pep Boys knickknack stuck on with double-sided tape. Nissan says the production version will at least be more legible.

I tried to proof read all that and I think I quoted it word for word.

I know that Road & Track and Car and Driver are both owned by Hachette Filipacchi Media, so I imagine it was the same car.

Epik · 03-02-2009, 11:03 PM

Should use a picture with the car turned on for comparison.

Nice, though.

semtex · 03-03-2009, 06:52 AM

You know, truth be told, I suspect that Nissan gave R&T a pre-prod test car to use, so really it's Nissan's own fault. I just finished reading the comparo of the Z with the RX-8, 135i, and Solstice GXP in Car and Driver, and in the article they specifically referenced the 'test car' they were using. Sure enough, it too is missing the black inlay around the LEDs. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I got graded on a rough draft of an essay instead of the final draft and I lost marks for spelling mistakes, I'd be pretty pissed (assuming those spelling mistakes were corrected in the final draft). But if I had submitted the rough draft instead of the final one, I'd have only myself to blame for the poor grade.

That all having been said, I wonder how often this happens. Like how many of the reviews written up by car mags are actually based on pre-production versions of vehicles? Because these write-ups influence people's buying decisions. And keep in mind that the inaccuracies can go either way. Like in this instance, they slagged Nissan for an issue that's been addressed in the production vehicles. Well, they could just as easily heap praise on a test vehicle for an attribute that is subsequently removed in production vehicles, with the buyers getting 'bait and switched'. It's a little unsettling.

FoxMan · 03-03-2009, 12:47 PM

If the review was important to a buyer, you would think they would check the issues\praises when they had a test drive. Anyone that relies on a magazine article as the final say on a car they are interested in purchasing is an idiot.

MaximumPwr · 03-03-2009, 12:59 PM

The article should of said it is hard to read 10% of the time. I don't see why people are having trouble seeing this. I looked down, check the fuel level and check the water temp and look back up. I've only noticed the sun really impair the gauge once. One thing I do like is that when you have 43 or 42 miles left in your gas tank the entire gauge lights up letting you know. You can't miss it.

semtex · 03-03-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxMan

If the review was important to a buyer, you would think they would check the issues\praises when they had a test drive. Anyone that relies on a magazine article as the final say on a car they are interested in purchasing is an idiot.

Yes, but what about those who rule out even going for a test drive because of something they read in an article? You're assuming they make it as far as taking a test drive.

!xoible · 03-03-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Yes, but what about those who rule out even going for a test drive because of something they read in an article? You're assuming they make it as far as taking a test drive.

but really, who cares?

IMHO magazines are just to make people feel better about their choices. u go read articles where Z prevails, others go read articles where Cayman does or Corolla... who gives a dang!

semtex · 03-03-2009, 02:44 PM

So, you only read articles about cars you already own?

enenen · 03-03-2009, 03:47 PM

my only real gripe with the 370 is that goofy gauge/screen and the clock. i liked the little computer thing on the 350, and wish they hadn't gotten rid of it. and i would prefer traditional gauges on the left pod. although I have a feeling this will be one of the changes a couple years in, but I don't think I'll be willing to wait that long for something so small. If that does happen, hopefully it is something that can be swapped out in the earlier cars.

!xoible · 03-03-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

So, you only read articles about cars you already own?

i dont read magazines really... i hate reading, i see pictures. but search around car forums everyone gets super excited about "hey our car wins" lol whatever that means

when i buy a car i test drive it quite a few times, go online and find a forum (like im doing here, G35 driver, 6MT.net, E90post, M3post, etc.) read and get all info i need. this way i know people are biased so i can filter that out, i read about real problems, and i get to meet cool car whores like me and know what im getting into

semtex · 03-03-2009, 05:37 PM

^LOL. Whatever works for you, dude. I'm pretty much the opposite. I read about cars that I'd never want to buy, just for the sake of reading about cars. When I think I might want to buy a certain car, I start reading through all the reviews as part of my preliminary research. I'd never make a final purchasing decision based on reviews alone, mind you. Really I'm just looking for preliminary red flags. If I see a red flag, then I know not to waste my time with a test drive and dealing with salespeople. I'll give you an example. I was actually considering the G8 GXP as well as the 370Z. Then I read that the G8 has the annoying skip-shift feature that GM puts in so many of its cars. That right there told me I needn't bother with a test drive, because that's one 'feature' I wouldn't tolerate.

But like I said, whatever works for you. Different strokes, different folks.

zsport1 · 03-03-2009, 06:38 PM

Interesting.

MikeGTO · 03-04-2009, 10:43 AM

[QUOTE=semtex;38339I was actually considering the G8 GXP as well as the 370Z. Then I read that the G8 has the annoying skip-shift feature that GM puts in so many of its cars. That right there told me I needn't bother with a test drive, because that's one 'feature' I wouldn't tolerate.

[/QUOTE]

GM's skip shift is very easy to defeat/disable. At least it has always been that way on the Camaro/Firebird, Corvette, and GTO. That alone should not keep you from considering the G8 GXP. The price, on the other hand...

FoxMan · 03-04-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Yes, but what about those who rule out even going for a test drive because of something they read in an article? You're assuming they make it as far as taking a test drive.

Then they're idiots and get whatever comes their way. If the reviewer was making half the payment, I would value their opinion. Otherwise, it's just a fun read as far as I'm concerned. I don't care if the entire city hates it as long as I like it.

Lug · 03-04-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxMan

Then they're idiots and get whatever comes their way. If the reviewer was making half the payment, I would value their opinion. Otherwise, it's just a fun read as far as I'm concerned. I don't care if the entire city hates it as long as I like it.

+1 Screw those guys that don't like my fine fine ride!

03-03-2009, 06:52 AM	#18 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	You know, truth be told, I suspect that Nissan gave R&T a pre-prod test car to use, so really it's Nissan's own fault. I just finished reading the comparo of the Z with the RX-8, 135i, and Solstice GXP in Car and Driver, and in the article they specifically referenced the 'test car' they were using. Sure enough, it too is missing the black inlay around the LEDs. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I got graded on a rough draft of an essay instead of the final draft and I lost marks for spelling mistakes, I'd be pretty pissed (assuming those spelling mistakes were corrected in the final draft). But if I had submitted the rough draft instead of the final one, I'd have only myself to blame for the poor grade. That all having been said, I wonder how often this happens. Like how many of the reviews written up by car mags are actually based on pre-production versions of vehicles? Because these write-ups influence people's buying decisions. And keep in mind that the inaccuracies can go either way. Like in this instance, they slagged Nissan for an issue that's been addressed in the production vehicles. Well, they could just as easily heap praise on a test vehicle for an attribute that is subsequently removed in production vehicles, with the buyers getting 'bait and switched'. It's a little unsettling. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

03-03-2009, 02:44 PM	#23 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	So, you only read articles about cars you already own? __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

03-03-2009, 05:37 PM	#26 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	^LOL. Whatever works for you, dude. I'm pretty much the opposite. I read about cars that I'd never want to buy, just for the sake of reading about cars. When I think I might want to buy a certain car, I start reading through all the reviews as part of my preliminary research. I'd never make a final purchasing decision based on reviews alone, mind you. Really I'm just looking for preliminary red flags. If I see a red flag, then I know not to waste my time with a test drive and dealing with salespeople. I'll give you an example. I was actually considering the G8 GXP as well as the 370Z. Then I read that the G8 has the annoying skip-shift feature that GM puts in so many of its cars. That right there told me I needn't bother with a test drive, because that's one 'feature' I wouldn't tolerate. But like I said, whatever works for you. Different strokes, different folks. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

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03-02-2009, 11:03 PM	#17 (permalink)
Epik Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: U.S. Posts: 25 Drives: 07 535i Rep Power: 0	Should use a picture with the car turned on for comparison. Nice, though.

03-03-2009, 12:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
FoxMan Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Harvest, AL Posts: 25 Drives: 2010 370Z T/S 6SP Rep Power: 16	If the review was important to a buyer, you would think they would check the issues\praises when they had a test drive. Anyone that relies on a magazine article as the final say on a car they are interested in purchasing is an idiot.

03-03-2009, 12:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
MaximumPwr Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 78 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16	The article should of said it is hard to read 10% of the time. I don't see why people are having trouble seeing this. I looked down, check the fuel level and check the water temp and look back up. I've only noticed the sun really impair the gauge once. One thing I do like is that when you have 43 or 42 miles left in your gas tank the entire gauge lights up letting you know. You can't miss it.

03-03-2009, 03:47 PM	#24 (permalink)
enenen Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 30 Drives: 06 Nissan Frontier Rep Power: 16	my only real gripe with the 370 is that goofy gauge/screen and the clock. i liked the little computer thing on the 350, and wish they hadn't gotten rid of it. and i would prefer traditional gauges on the left pod. although I have a feeling this will be one of the changes a couple years in, but I don't think I'll be willing to wait that long for something so small. If that does happen, hopefully it is something that can be swapped out in the earlier cars.

03-03-2009, 06:38 PM	#27 (permalink)
zsport1 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: TEXAS Posts: 224 Drives: 300 Rep Power: 16	Interesting.

03-04-2009, 10:43 AM	#28 (permalink)
MikeGTO Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 18 Drives: '04 Pontiac GTO Rep Power: 16	[QUOTE=semtex;38339I was actually considering the G8 GXP as well as the 370Z. Then I read that the G8 has the annoying skip-shift feature that GM puts in so many of its cars. That right there told me I needn't bother with a test drive, because that's one 'feature' I wouldn't tolerate. [/QUOTE] GM's skip shift is very easy to defeat/disable. At least it has always been that way on the Camaro/Firebird, Corvette, and GTO. That alone should not keep you from considering the G8 GXP. The price, on the other hand...