370Z Takes on Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

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!

__________________
keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

ClevelandCWRU

[QUOTE=Lug;1210573]That's one hell of a spy shot, the rumored 2013 refresh?

I admit I haven't driven the new Mustang GT with the 5.0. I did check out the Camaro SS and gave it a big X. The exterior is simply gorgeous IMHO, the interior, however, does not cut it for me. It feels cheap and looks bad to me. What's worse is it's like sitting in a bunker. Never sat in one? You can have a similar experience by putting a cardboard copy paper box over your head and look out through the handle cut out. The SS is surely a fast and capable car, but the experience is vague compared to the 370Z and GC. I could get over that, but not the interior or lack of visibility.

Maybe I'll check out the 5.0GT, but I'm pretty sold on the Z for now. Just need to find the time to get back to the dealership...

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.

hansoac

[QUOTE=cossie1600;1210590]statistics backing this? I feel like i see rx-8's EVERYWHERE around here.

cossie1600

[QUOTE=hansoac;1212172]You are right the 1st gen RX-8 sold well, 2004-2006 specifically. The 2nd gen sold terrible because the update came three years too late. You can't sell the same sports cars for nine years straight with no power change. Also gas is $3.50 a gallon not $2.50.....

The Eight Slowest-Selling Cars - Mazda RX-8 - Automobile Magazine

mjd77

[QUOTE=cossie1600;1212973]Tell me about it...gas was $1.60 when I bought my 8 in 2004. The 18mpg wasn't a big deal back then, but it sure blows now.

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.

AlphaSnacks

Considering that Nissan sold 65K 350Zs in only 2 years...and only sold just over 30K 370Zs in 3 years...that's not going to happen.

Methodical4u

THANK YOU very much and the ones who have an issue with what I said can or SUCK IT!