yep, the article means nothing to me either. ive never had issues with the pads or oil temps in my weekend drives.

^ part of the reason I (and everyone else that probably should) pretty much ignore anything C&D has to say. The staff is primarily composed of wannabe car guys with access to test equipment and tracks. They nitpick things that are non-issues to people that actually track (if you track with stock pads, you deserve what you get), and gloss over certain things that are ACTUALLY issues to people that run the cars hard (like the inherent understeer in the Z and EVO chassis.

and then people that don't actually track freak out over things that don't matter to them, like oil temps and brakes.

The 370z is a low-volume enthusiast car, and as such, I think it is much more affected by bad comments in the established auto media that your typical commuter automobile.

I would offer as a counterpoint -- would the addition of a $300 (Nissan's cost in volume can't be the same as retail) oil cooler added to cost of the "Sport" package reduce sales of that package ($3000 vs $3300)?

If it reduces bad press, and it's costs are covered, IMHO, it's a good deal.

It just seems like C&D is beating a dead horse to publish a second article rehashing the same complaints they had the first time around. Yes, the stock and even Nismo pads are garbage. And the oil overheating issue is far from new information. So why keep publishing the same story about the Z?

I can only hope it's aimed at Nissan so they eventually (even if in the next gen Z) fix these issues. Fat chance though as Chevy is still making crappy Corvette interiors and every reviewer has commented on that point for years.

100% agree. Nissan could relatively cheaply install an oil cooler package and a true 'track' brake package and transfer all the cost to the consumer who purchases them. It takes very little R&D to fix either of these issues. Then they'd have a stellar performer that can withstand these road course reviews.

Well there's no doubt Nissan will fix the issue on the next round. But I'm thinking there will be a different version of the motor (still a VQ series) so there will be no need for an oil cooler for the stock motor.

:icon18: this is so true.

I don't really care for C&D much to be honest, I don't agree with their opinions on certain things that are not just relating to this article. They are really just stating the obvious, however I do find it interesting that I know fellow 370z owners that regularly push their stock sport package brakes very hard and have never had an issue.


Also, I would NEVER get a Miata over a Z or even a Mustang.

This is the worst part. The fix is so simple, so why not? It's like settling for an A- because you were simply too lazy to earn an A. In honor of Nissan I made the following.

http://i.imgur.com/WDqm2.png

That said, I never encountered any oil temp issue with spirited driving in my NISMO. It is a non-issue, but very little about why we buy cars is based on need. Like it or not it's driven by emotional and intellectual satisfaction.

Actually,, for what most people use them for the stock pads are pretty good all around street pads. They have good cold stopping time and no dust. They are just crap when they get some heat in them.

I've now read the entire article and find the Z review to at least be accurate. However, C&D isn't consistent with how they judge the good and bad qualities of the cars in the test. The Z gets hammered for the brake feel, fade, and overheating. They call it 'not fun to drive'. Then the Evo wins the test and gets a 9 for 'fun to drive'. But tucked in the review of the Evo is the fact that it understeers and the transmission overheated. How does that make the Z a dog but the Evo a champ? Inconsistent reviewing/judging at best.

What I do like from this is knowing that with an oil cooler and track pads, the Z essentially wins the comparo-test.

I went to the dealer today for an oil change. Asked about a quote on an oil cooler. They gave me a confused look, and said, "There isn't one in there?" We then proceeded to go to the parts department. The guy behind the counter asked, "It doesn't have one in there?" He looked it up, and sure enough said, "Wow, they didn't put these in the new Z's?" They didn't even offer the part. I would have to purchase one and bring it in for install, which they'll warranty. Between driving from Tampa to Orlando weekly, it gets up to 230-240 max. It does concern me for the longevity of the car, and I will be getting it installed in the next month or so.

^^ It sounds like they don't know too much about the 370. I doubt I'd trust them with the install. Anyway, 230-240 is probably nothing much to worry about. Just change your oil more often if you consistently get those temps.

There are few car mags I pay attention to and C&D is NOT one. My Z is proving to be one of the funniest cars I have driven (Vettes, Stangs, 135i, RX8, full tuned 240sx).

The brakes are not THAT bad. This article is not a fail on the Z as much as it is a fail on C&D again. They are biased against the Z.

Of this list, I would pick up the Z all over again, and mod it almost exactly as I have my car set up now.