Should I keep my Z?
 

I've been really torn as of late. I want to love my Z. I really do. I love the style. I love the engineering. It's a magnificent beauty of a vehicle. I've wanted one since they first came out. A little over a month ago I finally picked up my baby. Monteray Blue. Touring. Sport. 6 speed.

Unfortunately as of late I've not wanted to drive her as much as she deserves. It's a simple matter really. I can't get comfortable. The beautifully shaped steering wheel makes my arms hurt. Those luscious leather seats put my legs to sleep in just a few minutes. Every little dip and nook in the road gets translated to movement in the steering wheel. I feel like I spend as much time trying to adjust my seat and get comfortable as I do driving. I feel like I have to manage the wheel far more than I should.

And the noise. Holy cow the noise. We have terribly crappy road surfaces in Portland. I mean...bad. I can barely hear myself think in the cabin it's so loud most of the time.

Now I don't expect it to be like a luxury car. I don't expect complete quiet and smoothness. I respect the attention to the road she demands. Still...I don't know if it's something I want to live with on a day to day basis. She deserves to be loved.

Am I the only one that feels this way? I fear that I am.

Worst of all...I fear the crap my friends and especially my wife will give me if I decide I want out of the car after pining over it for months.

Hmm, you must be a big dude to have those uncomfortable problems! Don't take offense, i'm not calling you overweight, but I do know people that are over 6 foot have issues with this car. I have two friends that are 6'4" and they are very uncomfortable in the car.

The car fits me like a glove and it's very comfortable for me, but i'm 5'7, almost 5'8.

There was another thread about a guy who just couldn't bring himself to buy the car, despite loving it, because he couldn't fit in it well enough =(

Hope things work out for ya.. Maybe a 135i/335i would be better for you, fluffier suspension and roomier I believe? The 135i was almost as tight-fitting as the Z though to me.

Jay

if your gonna get rid of it get a g37 coupe perhaps thats more your style. This will also allow some one to save a few bucks by buying yours maybe they want touring and sport but just cant pony up the difference, used would be better for this kind of buyer.

No offense taken. I'm about 6'1" and 220 lbs. Chunkier than I like of course but not massive. I just can't get my legs and arms in a position that I feel well composed in.

I really didn't notice it at first. Driving a stick is fairly new to me so at first I felt that was more of the issue. Now that I am very comfortable with it, I've begun to notice those things that you never really find on a test drive.

Combine that with the road noise and poor visibility and the problems compound themselves. Maybe a sports car just isn't my thing?

I didn't really try out any of the competition. I felt that a 135i/335i would be too much of a stretch for the pocketbook so I didn't look at them.

I'd happily take suggestions for other rides to consider. I was pretty heavily focused in my Z fervor. I'm open to anything.

That is...if I end up getting rid of her. Don't want to lose my shirt obviously. :)

maybe you need an evo X- the car fits me like a glove also 6'2 215lb its nice.. ive taken it on a few 2-3 hr road trips no problem.. i dont have the leathers though.. so i dont know how they feel but the cloth ones are nice.. i do miss the recaros in my evo though

I was under the impression that an Evo-X was a pretty raw car more suited to the track than daily driving. Perhaps I am mistaken? I also really like hatches. The MazdaSPEED3 is pretty hot as is the WRX. I'm a little gun shy though, afraid that they would be of similar livability, though with better visibility. :)


Our other vehicle is an 09 Jeep Wrangler and I find it to actually be far quieter inside than the Z, which surprised me. The Jeep is a hardtop though and they've made some pretty nice improvements tightening then up. It's a stick too and I find that while not nearly as responsive, its stupid easy to shift. The Z is a bit more finicky. With the Z I find it hard to get a very smooth shift sometimes, the clutch feels a bit springy on the release.

well i guess you if you don't want the car that much you could probably sell it. but you should probably test drive your next car extensively some that you don't get the same problems.

i do agree with you on the noise part, it's kinda loud when i go by a place with some rocks. loud fa sho.

I had zero visibility issues in my WRX.. very well rounded vehicle.. on a much smaller scale than the Z though.. The Z's just a much nicer car inside and out and better built in my eyes. Although I am bitter, I blew a stock WRX engine with just bolt ons..

EvoXs are bigger inside than the Z for sure.. Again, no where near as nice or luxo as the Z. They exude the "boy racer" feeling and look that I don't feel like dealing with anymore. I'd ONLY get a EvoX if I had kids.. It's probably the most fun to drive, 4 door out there right now.

I'm looking for monterey blue 6spd sport pllus touring (but with nav and gray interior) PM me with specs and mileage and price if you are seriously considering selling

with sports car you shouldn't expect a smooth ride. Just buy a SUV or a M3, a 7 series bimmer, lexus.

Most of the issues you mention are pretty standard fare for a true car...they tend to be tilted toward performance (as opposed to comfort), improved handling, improved feedback, larger wheels (which usually means more road noise unless you use additional sound absorbing/insulating material which of course adds more weight), tight suspension (road noise and vibration and "road feel", etc. etc...as soon as you start compromising on those characteristics you start to loose the performance edge.

I'm not saying you are "wrong"; just pointing out that if all those things bother you as much as they seem to then you sort of bought not just the wrong car but the wrong kind of car.

I love the G37 but despite someone's suggestion you go that route, I would not recommend it...the G37 has less headroom than either a 350 or a 370 so if you are feeling cramped in a 370 you will probably feel more so in a G37 (unless you like to be almost laying down when you drive).

If you can swing it financially, I would recommend you look at the M45 or the FX50...they are nice blend of performance and comfort and will likely fit just about any person's frame.

Financially, you will take a bath to get rid of the car this soon...for your own financial health I'd recommend you hold onto it (unless you can find some kind soul to take it off you hands with a compassionate offer). :)

I speak from some experience here...I'm a big guy; about 5'9" and quite a lot overweight...it's a small car to be sure for someone my size but I get alone quite well whether on the autocross track or on 700 mile (each way) weekend trips...maybe you just need more seat time in the car to lean what seating positions/steering wheel heights, etc work for you?

Try this
 

Gut the car. Dynamat the heck out of it. Spend some cash on an adjustable Recaro seat...........sit back and enjoy the ride.

The G37 is a nice comfortable daily driver. It's a longer wheelbase so it's not as twitchy, the seats are wider and softer. It doesn't follow every groove in the road and it is much quieter.

It's still got the same engine and is still fun to drive spiritedly, you just trade some sport for some luxury.

Seems like this isnt the car for you my friend. You probably want something more akin to the G37.

tvfreakazoid - you kill me dude. You think we're all made of money? A 7-series? MSRP of 80 GRAND? lol

I'm 5'6 and I'm constantly adjusting my chair also. The only way I can get comfortable is sitting improperly(left feet raised up and right arm resting on the center) and I'm constantly adjusting the dials and the lumbar support.

if you're REALLY considering getting rid of the car. i'm not 100% sure what you would completely prefer, but look at the Audi A5. It's gorgeous styling, not as powerful as the Z obv, but there is a nice amount of room in the car, and not an absurd amount of $ more.

that is a decision that you are going to have to make yourself... the fact that you are posting about it probably means you have really thought it over and are leaning towards it. Before you completely decide what you want to do, find a car that you do want and keep an open mind about it. Make a list of the things that you find important about a car and start with that. Also, you have to consider what you put into the car and what you might be able to sell it for. With it being so new, you could be losing some money getting rid of it and be that much harder finding something new. I would say on your next free day, get up in the morning get in the z, and take some time trying to get the seat adjusted right for you(before you drive) then once it is comfortable, go for a long drive... find all types of roads, cruise the highways, city roads, windy roads, everything... Then after all of that consider all the different aspects of what you did/did not like and go from there... I would not jump into anything else too fast... you dont want to regret getting rid of this car or find yourself in the same problem but with a different car... Thats just my 2 cents...

Find someone that will loan you an S2000 for two weeks. After that when you climb back in your Z you'll think you died and went to Heaven.

With the shortened wheel base, this doesn't surprise me at all. I would have the alignment done and have the shop put as much positive caster in as possible. This will help with high speed stability and help the car's tracking.

Some like the luxury and some like to feel the drive.

A sports car is not designed for comfort (period) .... it is designed for performance, a driver's car. Get in and have a bit of fun.

With all respect, you sound like you would get more joy from a BMW.

Me, I choose this car for the rawness, the engine busting loose, the vibration when you get above 5,000 rpm's. The syncro making every downshift sound like I am on a race track.

C'mon UPS where the heck are my Berk Hi-Flow Cats.

:)

I agree with what 355890 stated above.

I know things like this are personal/subjective to the individual. There is no right or wrong just personal preference. You should do what feels right for you and don't worry what others think.

Some of the things mentioned that are problematic for you are some of the things I love about the car. It feels and sounds like a sports car to me. When I am in it I can tell I am in a sports car. It is a bit reminiscent of some of the older 60's sports cars I have driven. Except it is more reliable, in some cases performs better, and has some sweet creature comforts (power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats and a/c lol). I want to drive the car not have the car drive for me. I want to feel the road, hear the engine and all the other sounds. I don't care about the stereo etc... as much as the style, performance and feeling I get from the car. The other stuff for me is just a nice extra perk.

I like the way the car makes me feel like I am preparing to do battle on the race track.

It's all personal preference.

Doesn't the G37 have the same 6MT system as the 370Z w/o the synchro rev? I lurk on the G37 forums and seems like a lot of the members have a tough time shifting smooth also from 1 to 2. If so, going from a MT 370Z to MT G37 would not be a huge improvement unless you get the auto.

Is the interior noise like that of an old truck? Or a budget POS car?
Or is it more "sporty"? (engine noise, speed, etc.)

Definitely a more "sporty" type of noise.

My Z28 on the other hand sounded more like a POS car.

I wouldn't mind "sport" noise, so that's a plus!
I drive with my windows down in the summer in my G anyways so I can hear my exhaust and engine better :P

What? You didn't like the "machine gun in a trash can" sound of the LS1?

Imo...Pure track car yes..But for a road going sports car? Nope..When it comes down to a car's design and creature features etc? It always comes down to it's cost.

For example 911's always had performance and luxury in mind. Try out a 997 Turbo, that sucker is mucho luxury, way more comfortable and quiet than the std carrera. LOL even a Gt3 (esp with pasm) has a better ride than my Z.

Can't imagine ferrari's, lambo's or R8's being any different either.;)

I have owned a car with similar symptoms, and I never got used to it. I wanted to love it, but no matter how I adjusted the driver's seat (8-way) I could never find a comfortable position for my body. I held onto it a bit too long, before it went to a relative as I could no longer tolerate it on long drives.

I've never had the pleasure of a Lambo or an R8 but the Ferrari's I've driven I would not have called "comfortable" :)

I'm having that problem on the Z right now.

Feels like my arm are too short and my legs are too long.

I agree that the older Fcars and lambo's were harsh. But the Modena is pretty cushy to moi, I had the chance to sample a 599 as well and it was pretty darn comfortable. Guess it depends on everyones butt meter eh? :icon17:

Thanks for all the really great responses everyone. This forum seems to be full of reasonable, helpful people. It's like I'm not actually on the internet. ;)

I spent some time readusting and readjusting the seat and wheel last night. It did help some. I'll continue to play with it to see if I can get a better feel for it. It may just not be meant to be, in which case, I'll post her here first.

hey op - i know your pains but just adjust the angles on the seat front and back and that gave me a lot of success. Also you might wanna look into lower seat rails :)

I find the z really compfortable. Infact too comfortable, i find my self often almost dozing off on highway trips.

Its the only car i drive where i dont feel like i am in sudden danger when i go over a bump at 65mph. Civic coupe, altima coupe, all "launch" them selfs mid air over any bump, dip in the road and you gotta stay alert and focus when you plant your self back down to the ground. With the z it just goes right over it like it was nothing.

I had to laugh at this comment, because matches just what I was thinking. If you want small, go for an S2000. If you want *that* to feel roomy, try a Miata on for size...

I'm not at all trying to criticize - that really sucks that the car isn't working for you. I'm just representing the other end of the spectrum. To me, getting out of a 2200 lb. MR-2, this car is roomy, luxurious, and silent ;). After my first test drive, I was worried it didn't feel as connected or sporty as I wanted. And man, it feels to me like it tracks straight no matter what - the MR2 with track tires was a handful.

I also understand that cars are like shoes - some just aren't designed for you. I sat in S2000s, Miatas, WRX (can't do the pedal position) RX8s, 911s, and Caymans, sometimes multiple times for each car, to figure out what would work best for me. I say give it a little more time - you'll probably get used to the wandering wheels and some of the other sports car things, to the point where you might miss them if you ever get in a luxo-barge. If it still doesn't work, there's no shame in it not working, just a financial bummer. But car ownership is just generally about throwing good money after bad, no matter how you slice it ; ). Good luck!

Chibell

Some really good input here from other members.
Here's my $02 for what they're worth.

I've had my Z for about 30 days. It's a daily driver for me.
My previous daily driver (past 3 years) has been an '06 Lexus GS430 -- so you can see I've gone from one end of the daily driving experience spectrum to the opposite other.
I'm 6', 235 lbs. After 30 days, I have no real regrets or concerns, but have -- and still do -- think about some of the particularities of this vehicle that amplify how different this vehicle is than most any other in this class, and certainly how different this is than entry, mid or high-end luxury. Here's how I'm dealing with some of the same topics you list as concerns.

The first thing I"d say -- is don't give up the ghost. Hang with this vehicle for at least another 60 days.

Next...

Comfort.
1. This may sound trivial, but I've found to have the greatest impact on my seating comfort; take larger items out of your front and rear pockets before driving. Particularly, if you carry a wallet in your rear pocket -- store it somewhere. Sitting on a wallet -- however skinny (like mine due to lack of funds) -- can be a real pain in the A$$ in these seats. If you carry a large bundle of keys in your pocket -- store those as well. Made a huge difference for me.

2. Work the seat adjustments. Really....work 'em...and experiment with the seating positions. In my GS, I liked to sit a bit further back from the wheel -- but still in command. In the Z, I'm finding that I like to sit just a little closer than usual -- relaxed....but fully in command. Adjust to the clutch, shifter, elbows, and proper height.

3. My vehicle was delivered with nearly 45 lbs of cold pressure all the way around in the tires. That's not necessary. I've aired them back to 38 (nitrogen), and find that this has helped singnificantly ease what was a rock-hard ride -- to a softer and, frankly, more confident ride.

Road Noise.
1. Sorry.....I think this is just one of those things that you'll have to live with -- and is part of the experience. We have some asphalt pavement around where I live on a couple of key highways -- that when driving along -- sounds like jet planes tailgating me. Oh well. Makes hitting more finished pavement just that much more enjoyable.
Turn up the tunes -- or just run through some gears and hear that engine run.

Or, just turn up your favorite tunes, roll the windows down, and enjoy some of those fantastic roads in Oregon. I've been on them -- and some are just plain world class.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I2D

im curious what color combination you have, also if anyone is interested in selling I would discuss it with them. my email is alanhanger@mts.net

Thanks In2Deep. Really wonderful suggestions. I think I've tried most but will be sure to take stuff out of my pockets. :D I haven't had a wallet in my backpocket for years. Apparently sitting on your wallet causes a lot of hip issues in men (second to tool/gun belts I believe).

If anyone wants to see what she looks like, I have a lot of pics up on Flickr.

Tinted the Windows on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monteray Blue
Touring
Sport
Black interior
Floor and Trunk Mats
Illuminated Kick Plates

The only things its missing are the splash guards and the nav. I couldn't bring myself to pay close to $2k for a nav that is hard to update.

Beautiful car...