So how is everyone pleased with their Z performance wise?

SeattleLion

I think it is a little odd to talk about sports cars in terms of 0-60. It could be just the way times are changing. I certainly had no interest in drag race quarter miles when I went Z shopping. Of course I don't track the car. In my view the Z excels in:

1. Plenty of power to accelerate in spirited driving.
2. Wonderful handling at any speed I dare drive (so far that is 110mph)
3. Easy and forgiving in evasive moves. An 18 wheeler didn't see me in the left lane and nearly ran me over. But the Z responded instantly to an 80mph hard left to the shoulder.
4. Lots of fun to drive.

I wouldn't add any power bolt-on's. It's fine for me as is. I did add a backup cam, SS brake lines and DOT 5.1 fluid, and a very good radar detector.

cames4

Along with all of the obvious important elements i.e. speed, handling, interior, looks, etc I also gave careful consideration to long term costs (out 5-7 years). I hate to beat down an American industry that has already been slapped around for years but I still have not seen the level of improvement in US cars that is possible and is expected. I was very disappointed in the US cars I reviewed in terms of "fit and finish", fast depreciation, and expected maint. costs (as compared to the industry average). I am not proud to say this but I have not owned an American car since 1992 because of quality concerns.

Not trying to sway you or anyone else away from American cars, just my opinion and one that I REALLY hope changes soon by being proved wrong by the industry very soon. As for the Stang, sweet looking and brings back memories but I have to agree with another poster, Z06 and 370Z would be to top of the list. My budget was 35K or less and that was my OTD price for the 370Z I wanted. I am 6'3 and to be honest, I could not easily get in and out of the Vette so never seriously considered one. Personal choice as they say.

Good luck in your research and choice.

ImportConvert

2010 Nissan 370Z True Cost to Own ratings at Edmunds

You picked the car that costs the most to own within its market segment besides it's Infiniti twin.

cames4

Thanks for the info ImportConvert. Just a couple of things however that I noticed are skewed. I do not own a Touring, I did not pay 40K, the Challanger SRT8 is NOT 33K, and raw quality counts more in the bottom line than XYZ picks from a reviewer who drove the car for maybe a month. I am presuming that premium fuel is part of the review and the base cars they show do not require them as another example. I am not arguing with your point, just the data. I also give discounts on the costs based on FUN FACTOR. Soooo, it is like Nissian is paying me to drive thier car.... :-)

ImportConvert

All I saw was *justificationjustificationjustification---I bought what I wanted--justificationjustification*

If you bought what you wanted, who cares how much it cost? I'm not paying for it, and noone else on this board is either--you got what you want. Period.

Red__Zed

I gotta be honest, many of the American cars out now are just as nice, if not nicer, than the Japanese or European competitors. This is partially due to American manufacturers stepping it up, and also due to a drop in quality in imports. People that continually parrot the belief that imports are superior in that regard are generally mislead. My the road noise and creaks in the Z are worse than most American cars. The new Civics and Sentras and what-not have tons of funky noises and problems.

You can ask most of the guys that have made the switch to the stang how they feel-- I think the stang is actually put together better. The Z06's that I have been in felt to have better interior quality (in terms of build) than the Z, just as an aside.

As far as the original question--I think you've just got to drive them and see what speaks to you. The best car on paper isn't always the best car for you.

Endgame

I disagree some with your comment.

1. My Z does not creak at all. The 350 creaked, but not this car.
2. The Stang and the Z06 are both as loud as the Z IMO.

The US automakers have had to step it up to remain competitive, but rest assured, cuts were made somewhere. It is just a matter of time before those Accountant cuts start to come to light.

To that point, you are 115% correct. The best car on paper is not always the best car for you. Go drive them and make the decision.

BTW, I read a technical article on the VQ37VHR and WOW, the is a lot of technoloy in that engine. Much more than the new Coyote 5.0 or Z06 engine. I also understand why the Z's engine is loud. In the same way the Honda engines go insane (in great way) when VTEC kicks in, the Z's engine goes insane when the VVEL goes into full effect at about 5000 RPM.

ImportConvert

They did cut costs. The new mustang uses a lot the design that the '05 did. The 'vette remains majorly unchanged since '05, and Dodge. Well, I don't feel like talking about them, Chrysler stuff usually is sub-par in most "quality" categories, and the one car that wasn't, died this year.

Nissan spent money re-doing their car. Ford and GM just spent a little money re-vamping the old, except for Ford's Coyote engine, which is just the 5.0 "cammer" plus a few tweaks that has been around for over a decade.

Yes the Nissan engine has more technology. Yay for it. It also makes the least power of the 6.2L or the 5.0L, gets worse gas mileage, and isn't any more reliable than its competators.

m4a1mustang

As I've lived with both let me tell you that both the Z and Mustang have their creaks and squeaks and bumps. My Z had some really annoying hatch rattle, passenger door rattle, and ECU whine. So far the Mustang only has a little rattle from the rear over bumps.

Stock for stock the Mustang is MUCH quieter than the Z. There is a lot of sound deadening built in. So much, in fact, that they had to use some silly sound-tube contraption to pump engine noise into the cabin.

I'm not saying this is a plus/minus... just stating that, stock, this thing is almost as quiet as a Lexus.

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waaaasabi

Hey if you don't mind, could you please share the article (if its on digits)? I love reading those sorts of things.

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Endgame

Interesting.... if I were considering your list it would be:

1. 370Z
2. Z06
3. Stang

The Stang is bad, but you have two cars that stand out. If you want 'muscle' and the stand out status, pay to play and get the Z06. If you want a good performer that stands out, and is cost effective, get the 370Z.

Amoung the group you have listed, the Stang would be the compromise IMO.

NewlyIMPORTed

from what i have noticed.. the Z is faster than it feels. thats just my two cents but other than that yeah it's still not the fastest on the road but every time I get in it I smile and that makes it worth it.

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ImportConvert

The 370 has a very flat torque curve and good gearing. It is a lot faster than it feels, I agree.

zman1910

A new 7AT 370Z will absolutely demolish your previous G and can also handle pretty much any other Z or G on the road today.

The only problem is ...well it's a 7AT.

The manual is much more fun to drive but the auto is just so much faster...that it's kinda annoying. A lot of people may think I'm nuts for saying this but it's the truth. I've seen enough at the track now to draw my own conclusions and without having to trust the mags....even though they are correct on this one

I want a Z

I am still shopping but I think I have settled on the Z
- I never looked a vette, I have no desire to give GM any more money then I already have
- The 5.0 drew me in on performance
but when I got down to it, I justed liked being in the Z
I am never going to the track so I could care less if the vette or 5.0 are faster, the Z is really fast enough for me and it puts a smile on my face