Originally Posted by Ztoon (Post 829591)

Great write-up! Really interesting to get your point of view. Never heard of anybody going from a GTR to a 370 for the fun factor! Really makes me want to re-think my plans, as I was considering going to a GTR or older Gallardo 6 spd. for the bhp fix.

The only negatives I've had with my 370 is the oil heating and burning. Will have to do a consumption test next spring.

Originally Posted by Nitrouz (Post 829601)

wow I'm loving your avatar picture. Love the Amuse rear. Do you have any additional pics of your car for some inspiration?

Originally Posted by DIGItonium (Post 829620)

Ah your user name looked so familiar. I remember your Z very much. You're the reason why I'm so in love with the Volk GT-S wheels! That's why I ordered a set of formula silver GT-S wheels for the 370Z. In fact, I used to have Volk LE-37t with the 350Z.

I'm trying to find a shop within a 10 hour driving distance that would install and tune the GTM TT kit early next year. [sigh] For awhile I was thinking about giving up and sell the Z for an '02+ NSX. [shrugs]

Originally Posted by Ztoon (Post 829632)

Thanks man! Love to see your 350 as well, if you've got any pics to share.

Here's a few thumbnails. Got a bunch more on my albums profile page.

Originally Posted by jamaica951 (Post 829674)

Looks another great build to come. Im in for results

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am (Post 829671)

I originally went to buy a GTR and when I found out the price, I bought the Z

Originally Posted by Nitrouz (Post 829679)

can you hook me up with Amuse parts? :yum:

Originally Posted by Nitrouz (Post 829293)

Hello,

I've just contacted my dealership to find me a 370z (no Z's left on their lot) and I will trade in my GTR for it. I'm just debating between black and blue... unsure which color I like more.

The last time I remember REALLY enjoying driving, was when I was driving my stock block 350Z with an APS TT kit. Simple TT kit on a stock block conservatively tuned, nice suspension, simple bodykit, wheels and tires. Nice unique little pocket rocket. Since then, I've spent a lot of money and time and built up the Z into a complete daily drivable show car. Lots of fun, but sometime in the build, it became more hassle than actual, uninhibited FUN. Always had to keep an eye on the gauges, listening to sounds, refilling water/meth, worrying if I want to go for a long distance road trip, etc.

Therefore I went for the GTR. With the GTR, it's an AWD all-season car, to the full extent. Fast, unique, 4 seater, good sized trunk, dual-clutch tranny, easily tunable, etc. Makes sense right? I spent the last 2 1/2 years of my life with the daily driven GTR. Full exhaust, intake, HKS BOV's, Cobb custom tune, wheels, suspension, lip kit, etc. Nice and simple. Sounds amazing. Makes sense in every aspect to keep it. However, I overlooked the most basic and primal factor in driving......the "fun". Don't get me wrong, the GTR is extremely fun on the racetrack, blowing past 911 turbos, GT3's, Lambos, Ferraris, etc. But on the street where I spend 90% of my driving time? Not so much. Fully stable and full of traction, it is not "fun" until you pass 140mph in a high speed corner. Yes it goes from 0-60 in under 3 seconds, but that's as much fun as it gets on the street. For me at least.

Therefore I've decided to go back to basics. 370z, simple GTM 500whp kit, wheels, suspension, kit, some other aesthetics. Simple little pocket rocket where I can have fun at 40mph instead of having to push up to 150+mph to have fun.

Now...I've been researching on this forum over the past few days. Great site btw. Read some of the little problems with the 370z (overheating, etc). Other than that, has anyone here found anything really annoying with the 370z? Not something everyone would KNOW from a test drive...but actually living with the car, any EMOTIONAL disappointments? I'm not looking for the fastest car. I'm not looking for the rarest. I'm looking for something that is rewarding emotionally everytime I get into the driver seat.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Alex

Originally Posted by SVTNate (Post 829690)

That's more along the lines of what happened to me :icon18: j/k

Hrm. GT-R is a great car, but you want something more raw, more dangerous, more exciting. I'm a motorcycle guy first and foremost. I'd keep the GT-R and pick up a Ducati 1198S, MV Agusta F4, or an Aprilia RSV4 Factory. It is simply not possible to get the thrill of a high performance motorcycle in anything with four wheels IMO. Of course, if you aren't an experienced rider already, I'd avoid any of those choices for the next few years :icon17:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 829707)

Yep, hence why the GT-R is a fat pig with a manumatic in my opinion. It posts great race-track numbers, but a simple mustang GT will emberrass one from a freeway roll while your automatic's computer struggles to pick the right gear and the GT has shat and gone and clowned you and if he lets off by 100, you look a fool and end up doing a ricer fly-by to feel better about things once the PCM finally decides which gear to jump into after you floor it.

Might as well pay someone to drive it for you. "Floor it James, now! NOW!"

Originally Posted by SVTNate (Post 829767)

Well ****, that's fantastic. Personally I don't have a need to own a really exciting car when a great motorcycle is in the garage. When I want to hit a great canyon or mountain road, I'd rather be on two wheels 100% of the time.

What sort of riding do you do on the 1198 (and the 848 you had)? I've been thinking about the new 848 EVO, but I think pure sport bikes are too uncomfortable for a proper 400-500 mile day ride. I'm going to pick up a white 2011 Speed Triple with flyscreen/belly pan/Arrow low mount when they are released early next year.

Originally Posted by SVTNate (Post 829787)

V Twin vibration is only bad because you're in that committed riding position I suspect. I think the vibes of a twin or triple are generally not as bad as an I4.

We have some great roads here in Southern California, but most of them are an hour's ride (on the freeway) from where I live. I'm looking at 3 hours of seat time minimum for a day ride long and aggressive enough for my tastes.

Originally Posted by Nitrouz (Post 829765)

I don't agree with you there. I wouldn't go that far. It's an engineering marvel, I must say. Having owned it for 2 1/2 years, you'd be hard pressed to find a GTR owner that drives it in auto mode most of the time. We're always in manual mode. Best combo is in manual mode, Trans=Race / Susp=Comf / VDC=Normal for daily driving. Haven't had any Mustang GT's beat me yet. :)

Originally Posted by jamaica951 (Post 829936)

alot of high end sports car are now coming in a DCT. DO people think its less of a sports car cause of that?

Originally Posted by Cyberium (Post 829999)

Question... what the F do you guys do for work?

Originally Posted by Cyberium (Post 829999)

Question... what the F do you guys do for work?

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 829981)

Certainly not, and I will be the first to admit that a manumatic is going to shift faster than me, but that's missing the point for 99% of the users who actually drive the car for fun and not because they have to have the biggest pecker or because they compete for $$ or whatnot.

You don't drop near 6-figures on a car because you think it will beat another car by .1 second to 60 mph (well, some people might, I guess.). You drop that kind of money for the smile it brings to your face when you drive it. To me, being insulated with all these technological gatgets and widgets, I would be better off just paying a pro driver to drive it for me. No, I smile when stabbing a clutch and jamming some gears. Flicking a lever, not so much.

The GT-R is of course a fast car that lays down great numbers. It just doesn't need any help from you to do it, and that's kindof taking the fun out of things. It's like owning a rifle that aims itself. Cool trick, but going to the range or hitting that big buck just wouldn't make you feel so good after a few times.

Originally Posted by Nitrouz (Post 829641)

I remember you too. From my350z. Yeah I was the first in the US to have the GTS wheels. Went through 3 sets of them. Being sponsored by Rays helps lol...

Originally Posted by Jeffblue (Post 830021)

The shifts in a GTR with its dual clutch transmission is so much faster than what your friends mustang GT was, its a totally different animal. I'm a stick shift guy too, and i wouldn't get a car that doesn't come in stick (at least for right now) but honestly, go drive an F1 car or a lemans car, and tell me how bored you are.

I think you're preaching to the chior though. the OP came in here stating that he was bored of the GTR and wanted exactly what you are talking about

Originally Posted by BennytheBlade (Post 830013)

Lol.
Some of this doesn't seem appropriate on a forum dedicated to the best bang for ur buck sports car around, does it?:icon17:


More on topic- while I thought all the technical stuff on the gtr was amazing, and offers some amazing track/driving abilities (the launch of the gtr almost had me sold right there) it does give a little insulation or disconnect from the driving experience as a whole... My limited experience of course.

Originally Posted by DIGItonium (Post 830043)

:tiphat: Yup been there since JManZ days... getting old HA!

The 370Z is definitely a fun project car. The biggest gripe for me is that it lacks punch under 3k RPM, so it doesn't "feel" fast. Beyond 3k it pulls all the way to redline. The 350Z, on the other hand, had great neck snapping low end response. It came alive around 4k RPM, but it did not pull as hard as the 370Z. Well... that's how I felt :driving:

I seriously debated skipping TT, selling everything, and look for an '02+ NSX because I wanted a more raw feeling. It's probably not the fastest, but it probably feels fast and is more fun to drive. I've never been in one so I can't say much. On the other hand, MC's GT-R is such a great deal as well for roughly the same price as a used NSX, but I would prefer to keep the manual gear box.

Originally Posted by BennytheBlade (Post 830063)

Just the punch of awd and the great ability/adjustability of the car for 0-60 ( and just about everything else for that matter).

As for the warranty, I'm not worried about that on any car that isn't my DD.
Heck the salesman was the one who showed me how to turn it off. Granted he told me not to rev up and to take it ez but he was thinking about selling me the car at that point. Almost worked too.

Originally Posted by Reality (Post 830072)

Can't wait to see how you transform her, Alex!
-I am looking at a blue one myself.. should have another z by spring..:tup:

Msn coming your way!

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 830066)

I don't want my "fun" car sitting .