Z06 vs. 370Z

puckshaw · 10-27-2011, 07:44 AM

The C6 interior is what kept me from getting into a Vette so far. I couldn't justify spending that much money on a car knowing that I hated the interior. Honestly, I prefer the exterior styling of the Z over the Vette as well. I've decided to hang on to the Z until the C7 comes out and then figure out where to go from there. The engine is my only disappointment with the Z. I'm hoping the C7 delivers the whole package for a reasonable price: nice interior and excellent performance.

m4a1mustang · 10-27-2011, 07:46 AM

I think the C7 will be a big hit. GM knows they have to step it up. I'd like to see the Caddy design team working on the interior.

Red__Zed · 10-27-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think the C7 will be a big hit. GM knows they have to step it up. I'd like to see the Caddy design team working on the interior.

Would be nice.

b1adesofcha0s · 10-27-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Would be nice.

ImportConvert · 10-27-2011, 07:49 AM

I'm thinking about going C7, but not until it has been out for 3 years or so and all the little things that go wrong are revised. It happened with the C5 (oil consumption, piston slap), and it happened with the C6 (wheel-bearings, rear-end). It will likely happen to the C7.

I think the 370Z is pretty well ironed out with the addition of the oil cooler. Yes, the engine is said to "sound harsh", but I have never heard of one popping yet, so it can sound however it wants, as long as no breakage occurs, it will have performed as expected in my book.

cossie1600 · 10-27-2011, 08:14 AM

I had a C6 Corvette. I got rid of it because of some of the factors you mentioned

*too fast for the street
*not reliable
*too fast for the track, i was actually quite scared of it
*financially doesn't make sense since I used the car almost strictly for track days/autox and my 2 miles commute and doesn't work in the snow
*while the car drives similar to the 370, but it is bloody hard to drive fast

I didn't want to spend 30K to buy the 370z, but I literally had no other choices given all the cars that were out there in the market. They were either overpriced, convertible, not reliable, too ugly IMO or too slow. Is the 370Z perfect, not really, but I think it beats everything else for the money. I do wish I have an Audi TT every now and then, but it just doesn't make sense given that car cost the same and its less reliable. I really would be paying for the AWD and DSG.

Outside of the track/autox, the 370z is kinda slow to me since I was spoiled by 400HP. Yet I have accepted it and honestly don't think much of it anymore.

The 370 suspension is better than the non Z06 C6, it is firmer and you can squeeze just as much tires. The diff on the C6 is better, way easier to get power to the ground but of course easier to crash. I found the brakes to be better on the 370, but then I only had a regular C6.

DIGItonium · 10-27-2011, 08:32 AM

IMO, if you have the Z06, then a stock 370Z should suffice unless you want it to be nearly as powerful for the streets.

The 370Z interior, although not the best thing since sliced bread, is great! The controls are well laid out and simple. So there's no worry about a myriad of buttons of buttons to do simple tasks. On base models, the double-din audio unit makes it a cinch to replace with a favorite 7" head unit. As for the speakers, save money by buying only front speakers and a sub.

Although a pain to mod at times, it's a great car to mod even when it is subtle. It can look, sound, and feel good

Of course, with the money spent on my car I could've gotten something better... but the Z feels at home for me [shrugs]. If it were to be another dream car to replace the Z, I would probably end up going old school with an NSX (really want an R34 GT-R).

kenchan · 10-27-2011, 09:28 AM

i think even a stock Z is a tad too fast for street to really have fun without gettng unwanted attention. something happens to your head when you mature. it starts reminding you about all the negatives of going fast on street (citations, causing accidents, hurting people, bodyshop, inconvenience, repair bills, etc etc) and it tires you to even think about speeding.

so from that point of view unless you're going to track the car i would say the 370Z is more than adequate for street. if you want to do dyno wars that's you're call but you'll never be able to use it on the streets without offending someone. kinda like running SSD on a slow computer. over kill.

m4a1mustang · 10-27-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i think even a stock Z is a tad too fast for street to really have fun without gettng unwanted attention. something happens to your head when you mature. it starts reminding you about all the negatives of going fast on street (citations, causing accidents, hurting people, bodyshop, inconvenience, repair bills, etc etc) and it tires you to even think about speeding.

so from that point of view unless you're going to track the car i would say the 370Z is more than adequate for street. if you want to do dyno wars that's you're call but you'll never be able to use it on the streets without offending someone. kinda like running SSD on a slow computer. over kill.

I think the 370 is fine for street fun.

The thing I am learning as I age is that I don't like really loud exhausts anymore.

b1adesofcha0s · 10-27-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think the 370 is fine for street fun.

The thing I am learning as I age is that I don't like really loud exhausts anymore.

I'm still in the phase where I want moar powaaaaa!!!!!

m4a1mustang · 10-27-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

I'm still in the phase where I want moar powaaaaa!!!!!

Which is funny because your car goes slower every time you add a mod.

Masa · 10-27-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Which is funny because your car goes slower every time you add a mod.

b1adesofcha0s · 10-27-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Which is funny because your car goes slower every time you add a mod.

It doesn't go slower every time I add a mod, it just seems to asymptotically approach my stock time with seemingly no hope of ever beating it.

Red__Zed · 10-27-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i think even a stock Z is a tad too fast for street to really have fun without gettng unwanted attention. something happens to your head when you mature. it starts reminding you about all the negatives of going fast on street (citations, causing accidents, hurting people, bodyshop, inconvenience, repair bills, etc etc) and it tires you to even think about speeding.

so from that point of view unless you're going to track the car i would say the 370Z is more than adequate for street. if you want to do dyno wars that's you're call but you'll never be able to use it on the streets without offending someone. kinda like running SSD on a slow computer. over kill.

Totally agree. I never found the z lacking for power on the street (which should blow the minds of half of you). The has more than enough guts for anything you do on the street--and for most of us, more than we need on the track.

6MT · 10-27-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Initially, when I came here, I was comparing a Z06 to a 370Z.

WTF?

Why?

HOW!?

Well, we will get to that. The 370Z is a very capable car, but nowhere near as violent in the acceleration department as the 'vette. As you know, I ended up with the 'vette for that reason.

What I discovered:

Power is awesome. Power is nice. EVERYONE should own a Supercar (or for those of you who want to be nit-picky, a car with supercar performance in every aspect) at SOME point in their lives if it is financially practical. It's a blast and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

However, you get used to that power. Don't believe me? Look at how many Z06 owners are throwing FI and/or cam into their cars. They want more. We always adapt and want more. It's human nature.

Well, what good is "more" to me? By the time I hit 3rd I have already doubled the legal limit on most roads in my area. Sure, WOT is fun...for the literally 3-4 seconds that its legal.

Then I find myself cruising on the freeway and thinking "Damn...I wish my stereo were nicer. I wish these seats were a bit firmer. I..."

Oh, but I can knock anything else's **** in the dirt but a ZR1 or a GT2 or the 5.2L R8? Who cares from that perspective (and it never was about that for me), I never see those, and NOTHING has challenged my supremacy in the nearly 1 year/3600 miles I have had my Z06. People pointedly "ignore" me in their SS's and Mustangs and whatnot.

Anyway, I set about planning to move here in the next year (I hate my current state of residence for almost every/any reason you can name), and a little more money in the bank acct. is always a + when planning a move. Also, I want a car with a bit nicer interior, and handling has slowly become more important to me than brute acceleration. Owning pony cars early in life caused me to think 0-120 was all that mattered. Then I went to Spring Mountain Motorsports ranch where a few instructors in stock Camaro SS's made fools of us in ZR1's when we couldn't keep up with them. I learned a painful (to my ego) lesson.

So, fast-forward.

Nissan puts an oil-cooler in the 370Z. The interior is sex. I know it's not as fast as my Z06, but it sure is nicer inside, costs less, and I always did like the car (although I never...and will never...pulled any punches when critiquing it. I also defended it on this forum where due, as well.)

Anyway, I think you will be shocked to see how the two cars compare in every aspect aside from 0-whatever acceleration. This was an eye-opener for me.

When '12 models with NAV/Coupe/6M/Touring combos hit the ground, I'm making the switch.

Enjoy...

Stand alone Video Player

vs.

Stand alone Video Player

In short, I had to own a Supercar to appreciate what the 370Z and other cars brought to the table. I would NEVER be happy with a 370Z had I not tasted that cake. In the end though, 505bhp has begun to feel like 350 horsepower in my old WS6. We adapt. Sadly, we don't adapt positively to poor interiors, lol. I think I will be able to fully appreciate a 370Z now, whereas before, I never could have.

Yeah..... still at the end of the day the Z06 is still a Chevy.

'nuff said!

ibtl

10-27-2011, 07:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	I think the C7 will be a big hit. GM knows they have to step it up. I'd like to see the Caddy design team working on the interior. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-27-2011, 08:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 43	IMO, if you have the Z06, then a stock 370Z should suffice unless you want it to be nearly as powerful for the streets. The 370Z interior, although not the best thing since sliced bread, is great! The controls are well laid out and simple. So there's no worry about a myriad of buttons of buttons to do simple tasks. On base models, the double-din audio unit makes it a cinch to replace with a favorite 7" head unit. As for the speakers, save money by buying only front speakers and a sub. Although a pain to mod at times, it's a great car to mod even when it is subtle. It can look, sound, and feel good Of course, with the money spent on my car I could've gotten something better... but the Z feels at home for me [shrugs]. If it were to be another dream car to replace the Z, I would probably end up going old school with an NSX (really want an R34 GT-R). __________________

10-27-2011, 07:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
puckshaw Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 620 Drives: 09 PW 370Z Touring Rep Power: 17	The C6 interior is what kept me from getting into a Vette so far. I couldn't justify spending that much money on a car knowing that I hated the interior. Honestly, I prefer the exterior styling of the Z over the Vette as well. I've decided to hang on to the Z until the C7 comes out and then figure out where to go from there. The engine is my only disappointment with the Z. I'm hoping the C7 delivers the whole package for a reasonable price: nice interior and excellent performance.

10-27-2011, 07:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7628	I'm thinking about going C7, but not until it has been out for 3 years or so and all the little things that go wrong are revised. It happened with the C5 (oil consumption, piston slap), and it happened with the C6 (wheel-bearings, rear-end). It will likely happen to the C7. I think the 370Z is pretty well ironed out with the addition of the oil cooler. Yes, the engine is said to "sound harsh", but I have never heard of one popping yet, so it can sound however it wants, as long as no breakage occurs, it will have performed as expected in my book.

10-27-2011, 08:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	I had a C6 Corvette. I got rid of it because of some of the factors you mentioned too fast for the street not reliable too fast for the track, i was actually quite scared of it financially doesn't make sense since I used the car almost strictly for track days/autox and my 2 miles commute and doesn't work in the snow *while the car drives similar to the 370, but it is bloody hard to drive fast I didn't want to spend 30K to buy the 370z, but I literally had no other choices given all the cars that were out there in the market. They were either overpriced, convertible, not reliable, too ugly IMO or too slow. Is the 370Z perfect, not really, but I think it beats everything else for the money. I do wish I have an Audi TT every now and then, but it just doesn't make sense given that car cost the same and its less reliable. I really would be paying for the AWD and DSG. Outside of the track/autox, the 370z is kinda slow to me since I was spoiled by 400HP. Yet I have accepted it and honestly don't think much of it anymore. The 370 suspension is better than the non Z06 C6, it is firmer and you can squeeze just as much tires. The diff on the C6 is better, way easier to get power to the ground but of course easier to crash. I found the brakes to be better on the 370, but then I only had a regular C6.

10-27-2011, 09:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	i think even a stock Z is a tad too fast for street to really have fun without gettng unwanted attention. something happens to your head when you mature. it starts reminding you about all the negatives of going fast on street (citations, causing accidents, hurting people, bodyshop, inconvenience, repair bills, etc etc) and it tires you to even think about speeding. so from that point of view unless you're going to track the car i would say the 370Z is more than adequate for street. if you want to do dyno wars that's you're call but you'll never be able to use it on the streets without offending someone. kinda like running SSD on a slow computer. over kill.