Roadster question

[Mt Tam I am]

After reading this this morning, Thank you very much:



Positive new Motor Trend Review 4/1/11


Positive new Motor Trend Review 4/1/11
Did not see that this has been posted yet, M/T gave it a pretty good review overall with some discprepancies! Of course there are tons of hater comments in the personal comments below...oh well.

6spd touring tested
4.9 sec to 60
13.4 @ 105.2
1.01 g skipad

2011 Nissan 370Z Touring First Test - Motor Trend






I read this December Motor Trend article blurb and wondered a couple of things.

One; does the roadster actually, have worse visibility with the top up than the hard top.

Two: Referring to the super powered seat heaters and, (I do not like the seat warmer set higher than low) the normal seat coolers? What are they saying about the seat coolers? I would think that the seats sitting in the sun would need super cooling.

[IDZRVIT]

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

One; does the roadster actually, have worse visibility with the top up than the hard top.

Two: Referring to the super powered seat heaters and, (I do not like the seat warmer set higher than low) the normal seat coolers? What are they saying about the seat coolers? I would think that the seats sitting in the sun would need super cooling.

Having owned a '09 coupe, the rear visibility is about the same or slightly better in the roadster with the top up. The seats circulate ambient air temperature in the cabin but aren't air conditioned per se.

[Kirkster]

Originally Posted by IDZRVIT

Having owned a '09 coupe, the rear visibility is about the same or slightly better in the roadster with the top up. The seats circulate ambient air temperature in the cabin but aren't air conditioned per se.

I agree with the above. I guess way up there the seats do a better job of cooling than they do in the 99 degree weather of the DC region, but they are better than a hot leather slab while you bake in the sun in rush hour traffic.

I personally don't have a problem with the blind spots.

[axeman71]

The cooler does actively cool the air it blows through the seat. It is fairly noticeable on a warm day (say upper 70's or low 80's) but on a hot day (90's) it really isn't powerful enough to keep your back side all that cool. The heater, on the other hand, will burn your butt (not really but it is quite warm even with temps in the upper 50's). I think this difference in heating/cooling power is what the review is talking about.

As for visibility with the top up, it is bad. I went ahead and installed a backup cam myself to help out. But, all convertibles have similar problems. Neither of my 2 previous Miatas had good visibility either.

[Kirkster]

Originally Posted by axeman71

The cooler does actively cool the air it blows through the seat. It is fairly noticeable on a warm day (say upper 70's or low 80's) but on a hot day (90's) it really isn't powerful enough to keep your back side all that cool. The heater, on the other hand, will burn your butt (not really but it is quite warm even with temps in the upper 50's). I think this difference in heating/cooling power is what the review is talking about.

As for visibility with the top up, it is bad. I went ahead and installed a backup cam myself to help out. But, all convertibles have similar problems. Neither of my 2 previous Miatas had good visibility either.

You sure about that active cooling as I have never noticed it at all...

I just ordered the backup cam mod myself. I can deal with the blind spots when driving but when backing out of a parking spot with all the other crazy drivers it is kind of major suckage. Will be doing the install when it comes...

[Mt Tam I am]

Thank you. I will rep you all.

[axeman71]

Thanks Mt Tam I am.

Kirkster, I am pretty sure the seats cool. Both from reading the manual and from experience, though I admit sitting here thinking about it, I can't picture a way they could cool the air without some kind of compressor and coolant like an A/C unit. On a not to hot day it does make my back and legs feel cool but maybe that is just air movement.

A backup cam really helps, though I wish mine had a better side to side viewing angle. I don't need much help straight back but to the sides would be nice.

[onzedge]

I don't understand why we need all of these creature comforts in a sports car -- especially a roadster. Isn't the whole point to be out in the elements, a little, when one has a ragtop? It is part of the charm, part of the mystique. It cracks me up when I see people driving their Z3's or whatever with the top down and the windows up, for example.

Come on, it is a sports car and a convertible. Abandon your heated/cooled seat concerns and your road noise worries.

Put the top down, throw on a ball cap, slip in some AC/DC and hit the road like you should. Geez.