Questions, questions and more questions for a potential 370z buyer!
 

Hello everyone,
:hello:

I currently have a 335i and it's lease is up at the end of November. I'm very interested in getting the 370z and wanted to ask a few questions before I go in and test drive one.

I've read about the 370z having lots of NVH but wanted to ask you guys. Is it really that harsh and noisy? I also read somewhere it gets hot under the driver side legroom area, is this true and if so how hot? Also how good would you rate the NAV system and does it work really well with an iPod/iPhone?

Is there anything I should know regarding reliability, issues, etc?

I'll have more questions as they come to me, LOL.

Thanks!

its noisy but bearable...i mean, compared to the 335i its gonna be loud, but hey, its a sports car.

hot under the legroom? i guess it can if you dont have the a/c on...here in TX, we keep it on all the time, so maybe someone else can handle this one.

as far as reliability goes, i've had mine since dec of 09 and i haven't seen any issues so far (knock on wood). the only time its gone to the shop to get something replaced was the rear hatch lift springs, which they had a tsb for and was replaced in about 2 min. i drive my car pretty aggressively on an everyday basis as well, so it definitely hasn't been coddled lol.

I would definitely not describe the ride as harsh. It pretty compliant for a sports car, but as it is with these things, they are pretty relative. Test drive one and see how it feels for you.

It's pretty noisy out back. Doesn't bother me at all, though. Some of that may come from driving an s2000 and a wrangler before though....:tiphat:

NAV works fine with an iPod. On the 09's, there were some non-charging issues, but you won't have those on a 10.

In terms of noise, the stock Bridgestones are very noisy. Part of it is the inadequate noise absorbent material along the wheel well, so you may hear gravel kicking up and hitting the wheel well. I'm used to it, so it is NOT a deal breaker. On certain roads, the tires produce a drone. I'm running Hankooks, and the difference is like night and day. I can actually listen to the radio while cruising at 40mph on the same road.

As for engine noise, I never had an issue. Some say it's gritty, but I personally love this engine sound for a V6. IMO, it's not a wimpy sound. The exhaust, on the other hand, is very tame compared to to the last generation. You literally have to gun it to hear it. In other words, it is pretty quiet and does not drone. If this is too quiet, get an aftermarket exhaust for slightly louder and deeper sound. If you get high flow cats, you'll end up with a bit more raspy sound. Some people like it, and others (like myself) don't.

Footwell heat? I never heard of it or experienced it.

Is the car fun? My last car was a 350Z, so I may be a bit biased. It's not the fastest car, but it is a very fun car. The transmission is much better than an '03 350Z (my old car), and the suspension is much better and more comfortable for daily driving (350Z was bouncy).

For you coming from a BMW this car will be louder. For me though coming from and STi its very quiet...

I have not felt any noticeable difference in temp around the trans tunnel/floorboards.

The only "issues" ive seen floating around here is oil temp issues. Which i personally have yet to see myself. It seems unless you are tracking the car or driving in 90-100+ temps this really shouldnt be an issue.

Dont really have any input on the stock nav but i am fairly certain that you will better off with an aftermarket nav unit.

Just got mine yesterday and it's pretty quiet overall, then again I'm coming from an EVO 9 which is pretty loud out of the factory.

In terms of heat under the driver side legroom area haven't experienced that. I ran the car no a/c and it was normal.

Sorry no navi can't comment on that.

If getting new tires makes it quieter and the engine is not that loud that's awesome. I'm going for a test drive tomorrow.

Does anyone know when 2011 model comes out and if there are any changes? My lease is up at the end of November so I have a little over two months to get into a new car.

2011 brings minor changes, including a rear backup camera for the Nav and Gunmetal paint for this year's special color. '11 models should be available around October.

I've had my 40th since March and it has been infinitely more fun and satisfying than I was expecting - and that is saying a lot. Zero complaints, other than the stock tires not lasting as long as I hoped.

The engine won't sound loud at all, unless you unleash the beast. Above 4000 rpms, this engine will roar unlike any V6 I've ever been around. The sound is extremely awesome in my opinion.

I skipped the Nav, but iPhone/iPod support were critical to me. I added a USAspec module to the factory Bose and am very satisfied for now (in a year or so I'll upgrade all audio).

Road noise is only an issue on roads with poor quality, above 60 mph. There is a stretch of interstate near me that gets on my nerves, but loud tunes quickly remedy that.

I doubt you will be disappointed if you take a test drive. :driving:

I've got a roadster and the road noise is not bad -- some say the partition between the driver's compartment and the trunk make the roadster quieter. As for the Nav, it is very nice as far as OEM systems go. Is it worth the extra money? To me it was because it is integrated very nicely into the cabin. The Nav also has visual touchscreen controls for a lot of different functions like blue tooth, audio settings, stats, etc.

Wow, a rear camera would be nice. I see the Z's are selling at invoice right now. Is that because it's the end of the 2010 model line? Do you think I would be able to pick up a new 2011 Z around invoice since it's almost winter?

All of the positive comments have me excited to go test drive it now. :excited:

Test drive now! :icon18:

I've driven (friend's) BMW 335i (coupe), and I can say that overall, it's a better car *ducks*. I liken it being carved out of a solid piece of aluminum. It felt solid, more isolated, and that engine is an engineering marvel.

That said, the 370Z is more involving, partially from the issues you mentioned (a bit more noise and ride harshness). Everyone here says it's a sports car, and it shows. There's less between you and the road - plus, it's $15k cheaper. :p

So as much as I'd give the 335i a nod in the "better overall car" department, I find more enjoyment out of the driving experience and prefer driving the Z (plus, here in SoCal, you can't throw your fob twenty feet without hitting a Bimmer :rolleyes:).

Not to rip you a new one but a better overall car? Overall what? Sorry I purchase vehicles based upon a lot of feeling/connection to the car (and of course performance, fuel economy, ride quality, practicality, etc) and too many cars that promise a "sporty feel" or even a "sporty car" are full of crap. 335i is one of those (including the coupe -- not just the sedan). Sure they perform great and have a nice comfy ride but there is no connection between you and the road. The 370z has that great sports car feeling and is a blast to drive. No offense but the 335i is just another sedan with great engineering... (or attractive coupe:tup:). But all the engineering in the world doesn't mean the car feels right. I guess you could say I'm a slow car FAST kind of guy. Oh man I rambled again :ugh2:

:stirthepot:

No offense taken - that's why I ducked. :rolleyes:

Better car? Maybe a too bold and generalized statement.

You have to drive a 335i - it's just "right" on the road. Put it this way: if I have to drive 12 hours straight, honestly, I'd rather be in the BMW. But carving the back roads is fun in both (with a nod to the 370Z in "sportiness").

There is a connection with the road in the Bimmer - its seems a bit more refined. It can be tossed around, and is VERY capable when pushed to the limits. After driving one (for the first time, mind you) - I've gained a great deal of respect for those German driving machines.

But I probably compared apples to oranges; likening it to a comparison between our Z and an Infiniti M37S. Which is a better car? Okay - there's another bold statement that could have come out...

In my opinion, the Z lacks feel. This is due mainly to the transmission, clutch, and throttle response. To me they don't feel like they are all working together. I dunno, this is my personal opinion from driving other cars that have that "sports car" feel. I haven't driven the 335, but the E46 M3 is a very solid machine and I have heard that the 335 is very similar. I would probably stick with that. Plus I hear it's very easy to get to 400 rwhp in those. I personally think you may be a little disappointed going from the BMW to the Z.

BMW is a nice car. If I had 70k, I'd probably buy an M3.

But if we're comparing cars within 10k or so of each other, I like the Z. I can go outside and stare at my Z because of its styling. And in these parts, BMW has a "look at me I'm pretentious" reputation, seeming to replace the "my SUV is bigger than your SUV" trend from a few years ago. And like optiontrader's observation, they are ubiquitous.

I own a 335Xi (Wife's Car) and my 370Z and they are just 2 completely different beasts all together. Especially since the AWD Sedan is 3800 lbs. The steering feel in the BMW is definitely solid and it is extremely well put together, but the fun factor in the Z is a lot higher. The Bimmer is definitely quick and the twin turbo engine is much more torquey, but for the price, I'd get a Z. If I had to haul a family of 4 to soccer practice or to the grocery... the 335i would definitely be an excellent choice.

My view is you'll have to test drive one.

Let me put it this way, my father has an Aston Martin DB9 but once he test drove the Nissan 370z, he actually preferred the Nissan over his Aston. I'd agree with him, after driving both, the Nissan lacks the awesome supercar power that the Aston has but it's just MUCH more fun to drive and there's no squeaking or rattling (unlike Aston).

More to the point, I'd say comparing with your car, yours would be the overall better car for things such as for motorway driving but the Z will be more fun to drive for a quick spin.

My neighbour has a BMW 335i which sounds great & prolly drives great but it's no M3, it's quite boring to look at. Once I get my Z, it'll be parked right next to his Beemer ... muhahahahahahahhahaha :)

Hey guys, I came across this article and it really ruined my day. Have they made any changes to address NVH in the 2010 models? :ugh:

2009 Nissan 370Z Long-Term Road Test Introduction

Honestly, just test drive one. I almost didn't due to shifter and noise concerns, but it wasn't an issue for me.

I recently got mine (2010 370z base 6sp w/sp pkg) 2 weeks ago and it's been a blast. Car is just pure joy to drive. I've been getting nothing but compliments on this car.

Ride quality is surprisingly good and better than expected but the cabin could be a little quieter. Some forum members are using dynamat to improve the noise level with success tho with a few hundred bucks. See this thread.
http://www.the370z.com/audio-video/2...treatment.html

However, if you are concerned with the noise level and ride quality, maybe this isn't the car for you. Not that its noise and ride quality is unbearable like the article says but my daily driver is a 03 Acura CL type-s and the noise and ride quality is noticeably better than my Z. But I didn't buy the Z for its ride comfort and how quiet its cabin is.

With A/C off, I did experience some legroom area temp issue but it's been over 104 degrees here recently. With the A/C on, no problems.

I am curious tho what made you consider the Z after owning a 335i. My friends have 335i's and they're great cars. I don't see them selling their bimmers to buy the Z anytime soon. :) Unless you want to save some money for other things.

Reliability-Excellent (It's a Nissan)
Road noise-There but tolerable
Service requirements-minimal and affordable
Ride-Somewhat harsh but acceptable for a sports car and not as bad as others
Price-Excellent because if your a good shopper and a smart negociator, you can buy these cars "right"---meaning under invoice.

Reasonable on Fuel (Over 30 mpg on a trip and over 20 mpg in town if driven sensibly)

Only gripe: Paint is soft and chips and stains and scratches way to easily. Gotta' buy a clear bra at delivery.

If you are test driving, try a base first and then go to a touring/sport...........totally different feel to me. Good Luck

I came from an Audi TT to the Z and the difference in road noise was huge. The Audi was really quiet and its interior was better but I wanted the faster better performance of the Z. However on road trips there is alot of noise from certain roads and it can get annoying when talking with the wife but when Im alone I blast the music. And my FI CBE makes a very nice loud rumble toblock some of that noise.

So you have to ask yourself........... Did I want sporty or comfort? Well do ya?

I think they kinda overblew their opinion of the NVH issue. You do hear some road noise, but it isn't eyebleed territory. After a full day of it, though, I can imagine it getting a bit tedious.

But definitely test DRIVE one - you'll find out it's a great car to do just that. There is a difference between your 335i and Z, and only you can make that choice.

Z comfort is achieved thru heated seats. I don't even notice to slapping noise from the Yokohamas when the touring seats are baking.

Quite frankly, I think that not having cooled seats on the coupe was a poor decision. That would be very nice. A lot of us live down south where it gets hot, and when you sit in a leather seat that has been in a car parked outside for a few hours, you get the back of your shirt sweaty, at least, I do, before the A/c cools things off.

+1 here. The seats are available, and circuitry designed. They should have just included the same seats in with the coupe.

I completely agree. I have chosen to live in an area of the country that would benefit from both heated and cooled seats. I find the faux suade to be better than all leather in the summer. But cooled seats would be, well, cool.

"This is a fantastic car. Don't let others convince you it's too loud and too rough. This is a sports car, a man's sports car, and after driving it those 500 miles this week I'm convinced that the 370Z is just right how it is. If the NVH levels aren't to your liking, dig around in your purse and pull out some ear plugs, but don't ask Nissan to neuter one of the final remaining sports cars that is actually tuned for the male of the species."

^This

<o></o>Go to any car forum and see for yourself Corvette, BMW, Porsche, none conjurer up the enthusiasm, excitement, passion this car does by its owners IMO. <o></o>

This car has that indefinable quality “Soul “if you will, not found in cars costing much more.

For me it’s the right car, at the right moment, in time with the right performance and design, for the right price.

Sorry for the rant, but I guess you can tell I have strong feelings for this car by now.

Alex
P.S. I forgot to mention it’s a hell of a chick magnet as well!! :happydance:<o></o>
<o>
</o>

I think that is a good statement. At certain points in your life, according to your income and all, different cars are the right car at different times. As I get older I still want a sporty car but not a Fast and Furious looking car and with my income increasing as I get older Ive been able to go from cheap family cars to nice sports cars and will be able to afford a 60K car for my next car.

Mixed feelings...
 

I finally went and got behind a 370z sport yesterday. First off I really love the look of the car, especially it's profile. I found myself staring at it for quite a while.

I had to go to three dealers until I could find a 370z sport. At the first dealership no one greeted me or asked if I needed any help. I had to hunt a sales guy down who gave me a look like I was interrupting his conversation with the other sales guys. Being I'm in my 3rd BMW I can't remember the last time I was ignored at a dealership. I guess I have been spoiled. :rolleyes: The sales guy tells me they don't have one in sport and that the other nearest dealer won't either. Knowing dealers are mostly full of sh!t I called the other one and they said they did indeed have one. I arrive at the second dealer and then when we go outside to the car the sales lady notices it isn't there. We later find out one of the sales people took it home for the weekend.

So now I'm pissed, I just want to drive the car and the suspense is killing me. I call up the third dealer and they have one. I get there and FINALLY jump in for a drive in a black on black sport. Sweet.

First thing that struck me is I could hear the engine, very prominent in the cabin but in a civil way. After a little driving I noticed that the majority of the noise was the drone of the tires as I had read about. It's not too loud but has a low frequency to it that I could see getting under my skin. I really wanted to drive on concrete roads but all the streets were black top where we were. Then, out of the blue I go over a bridge that is paved concrete. Wow, I thought it was very noisy. It was a short span so I didn't really have time to fully judge it but it felt and sounded loud.

My other impressions of the car is it's bouncy yet compliant. Being so short in length makes it that way but at the same time I was impressed that it wasn't a hard ride. The steering feel was really good. Almost on par with my BMW, but not quite. I heard some squeaking in the trunk area over bumps, sounded like plastic and was very annoying.

I thought the car had very good off the line pull. More than what I expected for a naturally aspirated car. Exhaust note to me was very loud in a good sporty way. I heard some saying they wish it was louder etc. I think it's just right, not too loud or muted.

My lord does this thing put out some serious heat. After a 15 minute drive I get out. Standing next to it by the drivers side quarter panel I can feel the heat emanating off it. I never got a chance to got WOT, streets were too busy. Never really got more than half way down on the pedal. So at this point I feel cheated.

I will be going back today for another test drive. I really need to take the car on the expressway and on concrete roads. I need to go WOT at least once. Right now I'm on the fence but after one more proper test drive I'm sure I will know if this car is right for me.

heat from the drivers side quarter panel?

never felt it.

Never noticed heat from a Z. N/A motors pull GREAT! off the line. Tiny one's with poorly geared drivelines don't. The Z has a tiny one, but the gearing is VERY aggressive in the first few gears. It hides this deficiency in torque very well.

The only shortcomings I have found based on riding in, driving, and viewing what others have to say is that the Z is lacking in power with the new Camaro at 426, and the mustang at 400+, and the price is nearly that of a base corvette if you load the Z out.

The Z has great quality, but the things I didn't like:

Clutch is an on/off switch.
Engine has very limited mod potential without FI, and is weak compared to the competition.

Things I did like:
Interior lay-out
Ride quality
shift feel/effort
nav system and electronics are very user-friendly

Reason why I have not bought one: only 332bhp (280whp).

That's it.

Make it fast, and I would be instantly sold on it. If 280 whp is enough for you, I say go for it!

Why ask for more power rather than performance?

The 370Z keeps up pretty well with the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 according to reviews like C&D, which isn't surprising given the weight difference. Overall I would prefer a faster and nimbler car to one with more horsepower, and I think the 370Z is that car.

Now, add a few mods and I wouldn't be surprised if the Mustang is faster, but it won't get lighter, and the Z can pick up a nice boost with some parts too.

Like everyone else has said, the road noise is subjective really. Its not going to feel/sound like your BMW though. Stock tires are rather noisy, but then again its a sports car not a luxury sedan.

Never felt the heat issue around my feet.
And also like has been said, best bang for your buck car.

tag824, have you considered the Infinity G coupe? Same platform, more creature comforts.

Next test drive: take a corner that'll scare your salesman (Well, maybe it won't some of those guys drive pretty nuts). You'll find the short wheelbase quite an advantage in the twisties. ;)

I DO feel a bit of the heat after driving the car, by the quarter panels as you mention and above the hood. But I'm trying to remember if it's any more than I felt of the G35 6MT.

Have you test driven the G37S coupe? That'll return a lot of the "civility", if you're looking for a more refined drive.

Maybe upgrade the Bimmer and get an M3. :tup:

Plenty for me here (for now). A coworker's thinking of getting a Camaro 2SS (he's so on the fence, he's literally a post right now). My buddy who's "so-in" to his 335i asked to race (he's a bit naive). I told him we'd BOTH get our a$$es wiped. :p

While it is true that the Z is lacking in straight line performance, I think there is a lot more to the overall package that makes it an easier sell-- especially the short wheelbase. I never thought I would see another reasonable performance car with a 100" wheelbase (I miss the S2k's 94.5" wheelbase so much). This thing somehow manages to be tossable on the backroads-- which is a far greater accomplishment to me than laying down a little more power.

The Z has a nice, fairly linear power curve, and doesn't have any surprises in the rev range that will get you in trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I'd take a few more ponies, but I value a well-balanced car over one laying down a ton of power. If I ever wound up with another s2000, I would leave it laying stock power and just enjoy the balance of the car...

fail.. yea it gets hot...