New Car and Driver review of the 370z... oil temp fail!

spearfish25

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.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Zaggeron

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.

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2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport
2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

AppleZ

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.

SPOHN

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.

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christian370z

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.

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spearfish25

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.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Zaggeron

^^ 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.

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2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport
2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

Endgame

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.

XwChriswX

Even though you never come out and let us see any of your cool mods... :P

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Endgame

DUOHH!! I swear I am trying... The guys at Intense and my brother in laws say the same thing... "You never come out!"

One of these days man........

kent370

C&D certainly can be biased in some cases, but this story of theirs really doesn't state any 370z weaknesses that haven't been discussed before on this forum and elsewhere, so it's tough to make the 'bias' charge stick in this instance.

I knew about the oil temp issue before I purchased, and it didn't stop me from deciding on the Z. But, that doesn't mean it isn't a problem. Myself and many others here have experienced it first-hand, and not just on the track. I run synthetic oil to help mitigate, but I know the real solution is to add a cooler. It's just irritating that a car of this class with an optional "sport" package, doesn't include one, despite years of evidence showing a propensity for high oil temps.

Cheers,
Kent

Endgame

My gripe is that they rate the Z so low in the fun to drive when it, in reality, should be at the top of that list. Like another poster mentioned, they some of their editors obviously LOVE it; and I have never heard of the Z not being fun to drive. They are biased. The oil temp issue is well known, but I have not had any of the problems as noted on this forum at times.

The point is this: The Z is still well above par in the fun to drive, cool car for its catagory. With a few 'small' tweaks (oil cooler and brake pads if you must....) it is almost perfect in its class.

Bear in mind I do LOVE the Stang, and am considering an Evo (4 doors...), but the Z is still superior in my book. That said, everyone's book is different...

FromG2Z

Item in bold above should be funnest just in case folks mistook your message

Agree

Agree 100% again.

Although to be fair, purchasing my Z was a close toss up between the 5.0. Funny that I am considering it again because my kids and the ability to bring them in the back seat.... we'll see.

But yes, as previously mentioned, would have been nice to be able to get an oil cooler as a dealer installed option, along with track pads.

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Dark Regent

Somehow I don't see how the brake pad and oil overheating problems in the 370Z, which generally only present themselves in track situations, compare to the Getrag MT82 transmission problems many Mustang GTs are having. While I think Ford's done a good job with the new 5.0, I think they really shot themselves in the foot with that Chinese POS tranny they opted for. Speaking of cutting costs.
Overall, I think the Z still wins.

BrickyardZ

Interesting that Road & Track does a much better job driving and reviewing the Z. Perhaps the folks at Car and Driver simply don't have their $#!t together.