Considering buying 370z.
 

What should I know.

I am currently in an E46 M3 and it is just too damn expensive to keep up.

I used to own a 2003 350z and it had clutch and tranny problems that was common in the early year 350z.

Tell me why I should buy one or not.

they suck, they are horrible cars. everyone here hates them.

What's a 370z?

I've owned a ton of cars over the last few years and I always regretted not owning a 350Z. The time came recently for me to get a new car and the 370Z was really appealing. After my STi, I wanted something sportier...

I bought mine about a week ago and (although it is very soon) but I don't regret it. I got a good deal, the car is in great shape and it's just about everything I was looking for.

I read on this forum for a long time about issues and TSB's but honestly, it was worth it. I say go drive a few (if you haven't already) and for an opinion that way. I love mine.

had mine for 3 months now, still get that giggly feeling like when i first bought it..hey where are you located in north carolina??

I've had mine for a year and I still sprout when I drive it.
The only issues that I've had was a passenger side airbag needed to be replaced and I got a speeding ticket :driving:

You should buy one because it looks good, handles well, and rides like it is machined from a solid piece of billet, and the interior is awesome.

You should not buy one because they overheat on the track, the clutch and steering are numb, and 270-280rwhp is so mid 90's done and gone.

This based on test-driving 2 and a friend who owns one.

I went 12.9 on a 6m with intake test pipe exhaust... car is not slow and the steering is far from numb .... this coming from a 2002 g20 driver and not a 370z owner is a bit ridiculous... The clutch is fine for a stock car and is very forgiving...

you say it handles well than you say the steering is numb ...

the power the car has is more than fine, it is as fast or faster than a e46 m3, my buddy has a e92 M3 and drives my car and loves it.. he rants and raves at how good it feels for basically half the cost of his car..

They " overheat " on the track without an oil cooler. But if you go to the track you know it costs money and the first thing you would do is add an oil cooler and its a non issue...

im just saying...

Were the 2 related? ;)

Yes, it has great grip. The steering felt a bit insulated to me, though. My Trans Ams had better feed-back. The clutch wasn't nearly as good as my Trans Am's regarding feedback/engaugement point.

I agree, it is on par with the E46 for speed, but the E46 engine is a masterpiece and I love the way they feel. The VQ is an aging design.

Oh, the oil-cooler voids the warranty on the engine, just so you know.

The 370Z is almost where my F-body was a decade ago, power-wise. It isn't a slow car, but it is not in line with its competators unless you are comparing it to 4-cylinder cars or Kia's. It's definitely meant for corners, not straight-line. If you understand/accept this, it will fulfill your expectations nicely, I think.

If you are used to the interior on your M3, the Z is a good choice, though. It has a very nice interior. The best I have seen/felt in its price range, easily.

Couple updates to Import's comments.

Not only do I enjoy the steering feel, I think it's excellent. Some of the best I've felt.

The oil cooler does not void your entire powertrain warranty. That will only happen if you have an oil related problem DUE TO THE COOLER. Putting on an oil cooler isn't akin to SC or TT'ing your car and just forgoing warranty coverage.

The comment on the Z's power is a bit overzealous as well. The competitors for the Z are the Z4, the Cayman, and your other hodge-podge of the Crossfire, Solstice, RX8 etc. The Z beats many of them on a track save for the Cayman. Thus, the Z is a great package, dare I add 'especially for the price'.

With the same budget, I'd undoubtedly buy mine again.

Huh? :icon14:

Hehe - stirring the pot again, eh?

Maybe FI'd 4-cyl's, yes. Kia? Mebbe I think not (but the Forte coupes look pretty good on the road), if I was gonna spend half on what I did with the Z, it'd be worth a look.

Come on, say what you really want to: the 5.0 is what it doesn't hold a candle to. That V-8 is to die for... but I'm not a Mustang fan...

...and I doubt the OP, orig BMW owner, isn't either...

Solstice is dead. Crossfire is dead. RX8? It makes 240bhp. Cayman and Z4 are in different price-brackets.

Like it or not, the direct price/market competators are the Mustang GT and the Camaro SS.

Yes they are different cars, but they cost the same, and will inevitably be compared. Both have run 12's@110+mph bone stock in various tests.

The 5.0 is a great engine. (Happy now? I said it :) )

The problem is this: The 370 has a different "mission" than the mustang GT or the Camaro SS. However, it is priced identically, and marketed to the same age-group. Also, like it or not, acceleration is something a sports car is judged by. The 370Z is trailing the pack unless we throw the Challenger R/T in there, then it has some company. However, it handily out-handles all but the GT w/track suspension. When the BOSS comes out, it will be right in-line with the Touring package Z price-wise. It will pull over 1G. It will make around 430bhp. It still won't look like the Z, but with Recaro's, it will have a comfy interior for performance driving.

The Cayman and the Z4 are not marketed in the same bracket or to the same audience.

If you are going to compare the 370Z to them, then you need to compare it also to the Corvette Grand Sport and the Shelby GT500 or a 2010 left-over base Z06, because that is the price-bracket you just stepped into.

I guess it really comes down to this: Pick your poison. Every car has strong/weak points and you need to just drive them all and figure out what you are willing to give up, and what you aren't.

All this being said, of the cars I mentioned, I would go with the 370Z. I constantly waver between the idea of the Z and the Z06. Will I get 30K more fun out of the Z06? I know the Z06 is the "better car", but is it "30K more fun?"

Decisions. We all have to make them. Half the reason I beat up on the 370Z so much is that I hope someone here will change my tune on behalf of the Z and save me some serious $.

I agree with many of ImportConvert's points, but ...
I have been shopping for a new toy for awhile and plan to buy an 11' Z in the spring.
For a while I was obsessed with 0-60 times and drove everything under the sun from the 5.0 to an M3 and I keep coming back to the Z, it puts a smile on my face just sitting in it. And when it comes down to it, the Z is really fast on the street, as fast as I will ever need to go. Yes, the 5.0 is about a 1/2 sec faster 0-60, but who really cares. The Z is a really fun car do drive and that's all that really matters.

Buy a z and you'll lose 5 lbs. Race a track and your oil will blow up the car. Don't buy the car, then you're gay.