370z Driving Feel

Davey · 10-04-2011, 09:02 AM

I find the Z to be a great balance between liveable and fun to drive/raw/engaging.

Vaughanabe13 · 10-04-2011, 09:24 AM

Is the Z34 the best car ever made? Of course not. It has its faults. But I love driving it as my DD, it turns heads everywhere I go, and it has the power when I want to have some extra fun. It's my first sports car and I have absolutely zero regret. Plus the community is great. Just the other day I drove by a 350Z and he gave me a big grin and thumbs up from across the median so I returned the favor. I'm glad I don't drive another generic mustang.

kenchan · 10-04-2011, 09:43 AM

i fell asleep after about the first paragraph.

shadoquad · 10-04-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i fell asleep after about the first paragraph.

Then you missed his capsule review of charburgers with cheese fries.

kenchan · 10-04-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Then you missed his capsule review of charburgers with cheese fries.

wat the...

nothing there!

shadoquad · 10-04-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

wat the...

nothing there!

daisuke149 · 10-04-2011, 10:06 AM

well cant spend too much time here, (at work)

but i completely disagree with the OP regarding the comparison to the 350z

The 370z to me has better feel for the road and feedback to the driver. But its not as raw as the 350z.

The control and refinement is much much better.

I honestly did not like the 350z at all. Never even bothered to look at the 370z because of it untill i just happened to pass one by the dealership.

Armonster · 10-04-2011, 10:19 AM

OP - I agree on a lot of your points, although I wouldn't go as far as your final conclusion.

The main thing I agree on is that driving in traffic (or anywhere less than 4/10 or 5/10 of the cars potential) is no fun at all. Especially with a manual, this car does NOT want to cruise at low speeds. My perception is that the car is only comfortable under moderate-to-heavy acceleration or cruising at highway speeds. I would blame this on a lack of sophistication in the drivetrain (for example, the clutch feel/sound at low speeds, the engine's general hatred of being below 2000 rpms, touchy brake pedal, quiet exhaust etc).

Having said that, the fact that the car feels so comfortable being pushed hard makes me think that the engineers accomplished their primary goal, and that the lacking sophistication is what accounts for the price difference between this car and a BMW/Porsche/etc.

There are, however, some really good "driving qualities" about this car. The chassis is solid. The suspension feels solid with minimal body roll (compared to a normal car). The steering wheel is responsive, precise, pleasantly heavy (all subjective), and is geared so that you don't have to turn the wheel much to make the tires turn a particular amount. The torque curve is nice and flat above 3k rpms. Getting into the car feels like buckling into a fighter plane or something - nice supportive seat, enclosed space, controls all facing the diver, big tachometer in your face.

There are also some good mods that make the car feel more alive. A stainless steel clutch cable, lighter clutch helper spring, and a more appropriate exhaust go a long way in that department. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives for me.

I have to say, though, that over time the positive qualities start to seem "normal" and the negative qualities start to seem more negative. The solution is to drive another car for a day and get a reality check. I have a 2001 maxima that accomplishes that for me, and if that wasn't enough I borrowed a friend's old Ford Ranger for a couple days to move some stuff. Now THAT was a reality check.

livethefunk · 10-04-2011, 12:06 PM

I've only had my Z for about a month now and as soon as I got it i fell in love. Its a drivers car. It's tricky to drive and it takes a bit of skill and balls to push it to its limit. thats why I like it. Since I've bought mine one of my friends bought a wrx and one a brand new evo. The Z is the sexiest of the tree and gets the most looks while we're out hands down. I get in those to drive and it feels like im driving a toy.

ZzzZz · 10-04-2011, 12:38 PM

Some excellent points you guys bring up. It's nice to see things from a different perspective as well.

I 100% agree that the engineers accomplished their primary performance goal - but is that goal expecting too little?
Yes, Nissan couldn't quite the decide the target market for the car. The business side of things definetly impacted the car negatively.

Maybe it is me and I've outgrown the car. I can't ask too much for $30k.
In the end, it is what Z car has always stood for - a poor man's sports car. Or looking at it differently, a helluva sports car bargain. Can't fault it in the areas it's lacking.

birdmanx1 · 10-04-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZzzZz

Some excellent points you guys bring up. It's nice to see things from a different perspective as well.

You might have answered this previously but what car are you going with next?

kenchan · 10-04-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

You might have answered this previously but what car are you going with next?

he already sounds like a bimmer owner.. aka _____

birdmanx1 · 10-04-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

he already sounds like a bimmer owner.. aka _____

hopefully Red doesn't read your post Ken

Red__Zed · 10-04-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

hopefully Red doesn't read your post Ken

shadoquad · 10-04-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

This post has been blocked because birdmanx1 is on your ignore list, along with anyone else who owns a white Nismo.

Can someone tell me what this guy posted?

10-04-2011, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vaughanabe13 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 387 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 15	Is the Z34 the best car ever made? Of course not. It has its faults. But I love driving it as my DD, it turns heads everywhere I go, and it has the power when I want to have some extra fun. It's my first sports car and I have absolutely zero regret. Plus the community is great. Just the other day I drove by a 350Z and he gave me a big grin and thumbs up from across the median so I returned the favor. I'm glad I don't drive another generic mustang. __________________ 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

10-04-2011, 12:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
ZzzZz Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 125 Drives: PG370, MT Rep Power: 17	Some excellent points you guys bring up. It's nice to see things from a different perspective as well. I 100% agree that the engineers accomplished their primary performance goal - but is that goal expecting too little? Yes, Nissan couldn't quite the decide the target market for the car. The business side of things definetly impacted the car negatively. Maybe it is me and I've outgrown the car. I can't ask too much for $30k. In the end, it is what Z car has always stood for - a poor man's sports car. Or looking at it differently, a helluva sports car bargain. Can't fault it in the areas it's lacking. Last edited by ZzzZz; 10-04-2011 at 12:56 PM.

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10-04-2011, 09:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Davey A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,766 Drives: '15 NISMO 6MT Rep Power: 117172	I find the Z to be a great balance between liveable and fun to drive/raw/engaging.

10-04-2011, 09:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	i fell asleep after about the first paragraph.

10-04-2011, 10:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 32	well cant spend too much time here, (at work) but i completely disagree with the OP regarding the comparison to the 350z The 370z to me has better feel for the road and feedback to the driver. But its not as raw as the 350z. The control and refinement is much much better. I honestly did not like the 350z at all. Never even bothered to look at the 370z because of it untill i just happened to pass one by the dealership.

10-04-2011, 10:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Armonster Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 270 Drives: 2010 370z t/sp/6mt Rep Power: 15	OP - I agree on a lot of your points, although I wouldn't go as far as your final conclusion. The main thing I agree on is that driving in traffic (or anywhere less than 4/10 or 5/10 of the cars potential) is no fun at all. Especially with a manual, this car does NOT want to cruise at low speeds. My perception is that the car is only comfortable under moderate-to-heavy acceleration or cruising at highway speeds. I would blame this on a lack of sophistication in the drivetrain (for example, the clutch feel/sound at low speeds, the engine's general hatred of being below 2000 rpms, touchy brake pedal, quiet exhaust etc). Having said that, the fact that the car feels so comfortable being pushed hard makes me think that the engineers accomplished their primary goal, and that the lacking sophistication is what accounts for the price difference between this car and a BMW/Porsche/etc. There are, however, some really good "driving qualities" about this car. The chassis is solid. The suspension feels solid with minimal body roll (compared to a normal car). The steering wheel is responsive, precise, pleasantly heavy (all subjective), and is geared so that you don't have to turn the wheel much to make the tires turn a particular amount. The torque curve is nice and flat above 3k rpms. Getting into the car feels like buckling into a fighter plane or something - nice supportive seat, enclosed space, controls all facing the diver, big tachometer in your face. There are also some good mods that make the car feel more alive. A stainless steel clutch cable, lighter clutch helper spring, and a more appropriate exhaust go a long way in that department. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives for me. I have to say, though, that over time the positive qualities start to seem "normal" and the negative qualities start to seem more negative. The solution is to drive another car for a day and get a reality check. I have a 2001 maxima that accomplishes that for me, and if that wasn't enough I borrowed a friend's old Ford Ranger for a couple days to move some stuff. Now THAT was a reality check.

10-04-2011, 12:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
livethefunk Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 62 Drives: 09 370z Touring Rep Power: 15	I've only had my Z for about a month now and as soon as I got it i fell in love. Its a drivers car. It's tricky to drive and it takes a bit of skill and balls to push it to its limit. thats why I like it. Since I've bought mine one of my friends bought a wrx and one a brand new evo. The Z is the sexiest of the tree and gets the most looks while we're out hands down. I get in those to drive and it feels like im driving a toy.