2012 Official LineUp Changes

ImportConvert

I drove the Z06's at Spring mountain and found the car to be VERY forgiving at my skill-level (which means I didn't push it for crap, lol).

I am strongly considering the 370Z in a year or two when I move. Depending on the value of my Z06 and the + equity in it. I could use the extra $$ per month as I plan on buying land and a house, and it sounds like I gain interior, lose power, and break-even on handling.

What's the deal with everyone wrecking their 370Z, though? Noone on the 'vette forums has this problem unless they get T-boned or something by a drunk. You mention the progressive nature of the 370Z's loss of traction, and it makes me wonder what's up.

How does VDC work? Is it anywhere near as good as PTM in the ZR1, or does it compare more to the yaw control in the Z06, or is it worse than both, or better than both, what? I love the nannies in my Z06. I have NEVER FELT them kick in, but I know they have, and that impresses the hell outta me in a 3100# 500+ horsepower car. VERY well managed.

FL 4Motion

I really think most of these accidents with the 370z have as much to do with young kids/first manual rwd sports car people/immaturity/stupidity as much as anything else. Average age of vette owners is a bit higher and therefore, generally speaking, a more mature crowd of folks (I said generally).

As far a VDC, I can't compare it to the vette's tcs, BUT I'm very confident in guessing that you'll find it intrusive and if you do track the Z, you'll have to turn it off like most everyone else on here that tracks does.

that said, for the price and what it is, if you can live w/o the 500hp, you should enjoy the car.

Mike

I did spring mountain too, and owned a widebody 05 C6. For me, the Z also feels lighter and nimbler, despite being similar sized (370z vs. std C6: C6 is .6" wider and 7" longer in wheelbase and track, and 24 lbs lighter, so they are pretty similar).

In an earlier thread you mentioned the Z06 being stuck to the road or something like that and forgiving, which is true. The Z is not so much without VDC, especially setup like I have mine to be neutral. But that is what I want in a car, something challenging and fun to drive.

However, keep in mind, I only use mine for the track, and mostly used the corvette for the same.

As for interiors, I actually loved the corvette interior. I stepped up from a 350Z to the C6 and it was a great improvement.

370Z VDC is very similar to 350Z. Its very intrusive. Sometimes I think it could get you killed if you try to pull into traffic too fast. I loved the Comp mode on the corvette, I used it all the time on track. I'd never dream of leaving the VDC on in the Z, even in the rain. (which is extremely challenging in the Z)

__________________
NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

ImportConvert

Thanks! Yes, even with ALL the nannies on in the Z06, it's very well modulated. At no time did it cut in on me at Spring Mountain.

The 370Z sounds like some of my older cars where VDC/TC basically means "If you spin the tires, I'll kill the power, screw you!"

I like the lay-out of the Z06's interior just fine, it's just the crap "leather", the noisy panels (door panel is my main complaint), and the stereo is worse than what is in my 2002 G20 by a long shot.

It's a Cobalt interior in a Supercar.

I didn't buy it for that, though.

What it really boils down to is I have my 500+hp Supercar, it's fun, I love it, now I want land and a house and the power is something I will give up, but not the handling.

In a year or two, I will be pricing the '13 370Z unless the C7 is the same price as the C6 and is out/coming out.

Pharmacist

Funny how you say that. Most people say corvettes are very hard to drive and dangerous near the limits. Their rear ends tend to fishtail wildly, partly due to the tremendous torque of the engine.

VDC on the z is not a go fast item, but a safety item. Keeps you from spinning out on the snow or rain. But will ruin your laptimes if you leave it on while lapping. Expect to lose 3-4 seconds a lap.

__________________
2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

ImportConvert

The Z06 has GREAT electronic nannies and will keep all that from happening. You can get 90% of what the car has to offer with EVERYTHING turned on.

When we pulled the ABS and other modules, the car was also very predictable, wet or dry. No crazy fishtailing unless you wanted it to. The main thing people cite is that Randy Pobst article where he complains about it. Well, he's used to driving an AWD Volvo. I never saw any of the instructors or students have any issues with "unpredictable fishtailing" at Spring Mountain. Pobst (*sp) needs to stick with his Volvo.

Red__Zed

Ladies and gentlemen, importconvert...the man more skilled than Randy pobst.


Ever wonder if the reason he saw behavior you didn't was because he was driving at the cars limits and you were maybe at 7/10?

Simply put, the dynamics of a car change dramatically as you approach the limit of the car and the track. The dynamics of the z06 at the limits have been a complaint of many...

Pharmacist

A lot of guys think they're going fast but if they timed it may be disappointed to find themselves at least 3-4 seconds slower per lap than what a professional driver can do. Being so much off the pace, most cars would be a walk in the park to drive. It's when you try to shave off those 3 or 4 seconds, that's when car handling rears its ugly head and you have to wrestle with the car to avoid crashing.

__________________
2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

Mt Tam I am

ImportConvert RE: I didn't push it for crap, and You can get 90% of what the car has to offer with EVERYTHING turned on.

If you were at 90% then you did not push it for crap and then mention Randy Pobst fishtailing. Can you explain this incongruence please?

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ImportConvert

When did I claim that?

We did have people there who could show Pobst up in a 'vette any day of the week, though. That's why they race the corvette professionally and Pobst does not.

The PS2 tires go a long way toward fixing its nervousness at the limit.


In attendance (instructing) we had at least one pro driver there who raced LeMans and ALMS for GM who DID know how to push the cars. Never once did they experience or whine about experiencing this sensation Pobst talked about. I never once claimed that I PUSHED the car that hard, in fact, as you noted above, I stayed well within my limits, which are far below those of the car, and a lot of why I am considering the 370Z.

Other than in a straight line, now that it has an oil-cooler it will do anything I want it to do. I am hoping by the time I buy, Nissan will have done a little for the straight-line performance, too!

The only reason I listed students in the group who did not complain is that without the skill-set that a professional driver has, several people did things that un-balanced the cars in the corners, myself included at one point. It never stepped out. Very forgiving for a noob.

ImportConvert

Yes, right on. It felt like I was going fast as hell (really PUSHING the car!), and I was in a Grand Sport (drove all trim levels while there) and was upset that the ZR1 ahead of me was getting away. I thought *CRAP!* I am not able to keep up. My car needs more power.

Then I realized the instructor leading us was in a stock Camaro SS with PS2's on it and I had not caught him--or the ZR1 following him--yet. It was a very humbling experience and I learned a ton about driving there.

ImportConvert

consolidated below

sixpax

Sorry this is old ... but I recall being at Watkins Glen in 2007 for the World Speed Challenge with Team Cadillac (as a supportive fan and CTS-V owner at the time) and seeing Pobst win every race for the weekend (GT win in a GT3 Porsche). Still to this day a record, I think. From his bio:

"Won historic three World Challenge races in one weekend at Watkins Glen (one GT win with K-Pax/3R Racing Porsche GT3, two TC wins and two poles with Tri-Point Engineering Mazda6). Record for both World Challenge and Watkins Glen International."

Anyway, he has plenty of success and seat time in RWD cars to be considered somewhat knowledgeable.

Back on topic, I had read in some other posts about 2012 oil cooling issues. Was there a change in that versus prior years ?

ImportConvert

What issues?

Yes, in 2011 they went to the same type of cooling system as the 370Z has for 2012. the ZR1 used it from the get-go in 2009.