370Z Takes on Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

kenchan

i dont think he was even born in 1985.

but yah, 50-60lbs of weight at the top of the car is not good for cg.

redline727

As some one who just went through the decision making process and ended up with a 2009 370Z base w/ Sport Package M6. I had a hard decision myself and was shopping against an 06-08 BMW M Coupe. There are many things that help me choose cars that I buy but one that always stands out is HERITAGE! I Choose cars and manufacturers that have history and seem to share the same enthusiasm to make cars as I have to buy them. I don't get that feeling when I hear Hyundai Genesis. Now this wasn't the case for all my purchases some choices have to be made for other reasons...I'm talking to you chevy cobalt and colorado...But even my first Laser was part of something. Not saying Hyundai won't get there, it's just not there now. What made me choose the Z over the M was I hated the interior of the M Coupe but loved the exterior and loved the performance but not the drivability. To me the Z was the complete package. And I think the same could be said about it going against the Genesis.

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280z/300zx

Hell, even in 85 the Z wasn't under 3k lbs. My 84 slick top 300zx weights 3170lbs. The t-top version is about 3220lbs and the turbo 300zx (had t-tops) came in at 3280lbs. Add about 40lbs for automatic versions.

The Z was only ever "light" in the 70's, and even some people think it was the early 240z's that met that as the late model 240z, 260z, and 280z all pushed over 2400lbs.

I agree with your comment. So for a 2009-2011 car with all the crash protection, gigantic wheels (compared to the 14's and 15's back in the day), and gagets the 370z is not doing too bad.

cossie1600

sport pkg weights nearly 50lbs more than the base, who is foolish enough to think the base offers more performance? maybe in a straight line race or wallet race

ClevelandCWRU

Thank goodness you two have uncovered the deciding factor between the two cars: my AGE But you are correct, 1985 is not the year in which I was born.

I'm not complaining about the car's weight, but you're fooling yourself if you think the 370Z is a lightweight by any measure. It's a small, compact 2-seat sports car, yes, but it's heavy for its class. It's heavier than almost all of its true sports car peers, and weighs as much as the bloated, 5 seat Camry or Accord sedans (4-cyl versions). Now, the Z is slick in that it carries its weight very well, better than any other car I can think of and in fact it's rather impressive how well it handles, especially at this price. Nissan's engineers should be commended.

The price is the key here, no sports car can match its performance at anything close to the Z's price. But price is a double edged sword here, and the modular FM platform that allows Nissan to build/sell Z's at such a low cost is the very cause for it's relatively high curb weight for the class. Modular design opens many, many design/production doors, shaves considerable $$ off production costs, but it also forces you to design products "within a box" which does not come without trade offs. The trade off here is more weight than should be necessary, but it keeps the cost down. Weight is the reason the car can only approach, but never equal the dynamics of its benchmark, the Porsche Cayman.

I understand folks like their cars here; the 370Z is a compelling product, and I'm trying to work a deal for one like I stated. But if you start taking an observation (not even a criticism) about the car (ie. its weight) personally, you might have issues....

280z/300zx

Agreed. the Z could lose a bit of weight but what other car that packs 300+hp and costs less than 40k weight's less than 3200lbs? You won't really find one. It's not so much that the Z is light, it's just that compared to some competiors like the Genesis, Camaro, Mustang, etc the Z is on the lighter side. Cars in general just need to lose weight but it costs money as you already pointed out. Still I understand your point about having sedans weight the same or less than the Z (example 2012 impreza at 3150lbs).

Also looking back to the Z's history the 370z isn't doing bad, which is what I was trying to point out. The Z has stayed right around 3200-3400lbs since 1984 dispite consistantly getting larger engines, beefer tranys, heavier differentials, bigger wheels/tires, and lets not forget....being safer in collisions while at the same time being able to play your ipod. I think for being able to keep the Z at this current range of weight for the last 30yrs is pretty decent.

Also to answer your original questions about the sunroof, probably the biggest deciding factor for Nissan was chasis rigidity. Cars with sunroofs, targas, and t-tops have less rigity which affects handling. When Nissan designed the 370z their main target was the porsche. They wanted to make a car that could rival the porsche around the track for half the cost. Having that extra big of rigidity on the roof helps keep the car from twisting which in turn makes the car handle better in turns.

280z/300zx

[QUOTE=ClevelandCWRU;1209761]
The price is the key here, no sports car can match its performance at anything close to the Z's price. QUOTE]


I guess it depends on your definition of sports car but the Mustang GT actually matches the Z pretty well in all areas except acceleration which it utterly destroys the Z. The new mustang GT, especially with brembo and track pack, will get along an auto-x course just as fast as the Z. And it you can get a mustang for slighly less than a Z.

Then again if you are talking about purely 2 seater cars, well then really the Z has no competitor as there is only the miata and cayman and Vette. In the price range of the Z there really isn't anything to compete with.

cossie1600

[QUOTE=280z/300zx;1209796]Easy on the kool-aid, there is a reason why one is a FS and the other one is a CS car. The difference will be small, but I am not sure I would put the money on the Mustang every time.

Methodical4u

[QUOTE=280z/300zx;1209796]
The Mustang does have impressive numbers, but EVERYONE owns one. I don't see the fun in having something that isn't somewhat orginal with all the cars on the road.

Lug

[QUOTE=Methodical4u;1210140]By your definition, this is one of the hottest cars out there!



I've only seen one....on TV!

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keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

cossie1600

[QUOTE=Methodical4u;1210140]VQ engines are virtually in every Nissan cars, you need to lay off the kool-aid too. 2nd gen RX-8s are more rare than 370, I have a tough time thinking anyone would dare to say the RX-8 is a better car. It's a car at the end of the day.

jaxxx

[QUOTE=Methodical4u;1210140]you act like you drive a ferrari, just wait the 370z will just be like the 350z. I see 350z everywhere, not everyone is in a rush to buy a two seater right now. Get off your high horse thinking your special cause you bought a $30k+ sports car and thinking your original.

Methodical4u

yeah ... ummm ok

kenchan

So is this kid really getting a new car it just wishing he is? If I was a college kid I'd just stick with the car I already have or have access to. Graduate, get a real job, then congratulate urself to a nice car or a couple of nice cars after getting a house with garage.

Nikkolai

This is what I did except I do not have a house. I do live in an apartment with attached garage though. I did check out the new 5.0 Mustang. I do not think that car can pry me away from the 370Z. I just do not like the interior.