Nissan 370Z Forum - Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

- Nissan 370Z General Discussions (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/)

- - Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/4696-top-gear-370z-v-cayman-article.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve (Post 257629)

I was thinking the same thing the other day...what if I had $200k lying around....would I still be buying a Z? I thought about it for a few seconds and decided "yes", but I wold also buy a GT-R and a Benz E-Class. The Z would be my DD :icon17:

If I had 200k lying around, I would have still bought the Z, but the TT would already be hooked up. :)

if i had 200k i would pay off my friggen house and still drive my Z. :p

with 200k that would put the train back on the tracks from the person's that derailed it!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakoye (Post 75058)

This article seems a bit confused. Why would a car reviewer take Nissan's bluster about besting the Cayman with the 370z seriously? Obviously, Nissan *knows* that the 370z is no match for the Cayman. But is it a Cayman minus $20,000? I would think the answer there might be "yes".

So yes, the Z will not match or exceed the Cayman in much of anything. But not all of us can afford 50K sports cars. Better to compare the Z to its "real" competition: that of sports cars in its price range (and that does NOT include the Z4, which is yet another ridiculous comparison).

are u a video game expert too?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750 (Post 75476)

In my humble opinion, the answer would be "no" -- there are too many 'engineering' differences such as weight, engine placement, etc.

No one should ever try to pursue making a car handle like another car; if you try, you might as well just buy the other car :)

All I am pursuing (perhaps dreaming) is to make the Z corner and handle better than what the factory delivered. At the mininum a) upgrade the sway bars, b) lower the car, and upgrade the shocks.

BTW,
If you do not work on cars (valve adjustments, engine drop, tranny drop, 12-14 quarts of oil changes, etc.)..... DO NOT buy a Porsche. Typical tuneup runs about $1,000.00!!! :eek2:

Hey man,

You on Pelican? If so I followed your thread about your Z purchase, btw thoses guys are waiting for a review :) I agree, Working on Porsches is half the fun, but time consuming, alas I sold my 85 911 euro a few months ago. I really have become interested in the z lately, it is A LOT of car for the money. Oh yea, first post, hello everyone.

oldschool, welcome to the forum!

Quote:

Originally Posted by muhrad370z (Post 300084)

are u a video game expert too?

No, but I play one on my TV.

The Z is one of the best handling cars i've ever driven. In the whole scheme of things it must be right up there in the top percentile in terms of handing... I just cannot imagine how awesome a Porsche must be to get that sort of comment from the reviewer... I'll keep my head down, work harder and get that promotion i need to afford one... =)

Test drove cayman 09 and 370z back to back. No question the cayman is more refined, with an incredible feel - a superior automobile.

To me the price difference is substantial. I paid $30k for my 370 sport, $28k for my 09 tsx. That's two very well engineered cars serving to distinct needs for the price of a new cayman.

A few other thoughts, maintenance, depreciation, and a need for a decent everyday driver came in to play. Also, I'm 6'2" and too tall for the cayman - knee's were against the steering wheel.

Oh and I agree - there's a bit of the Euro-snobbery undertone to the comparo as well.

...and one more thought , the guys that do the reviews kill me. they act like 20-30K is chump change. Most people who can afford a 30K car can't afford to by a $60k car.

I know I'm late to this thread but Im long time Porsche guy 3 914, 2 boxsters, 914 race car and Boxster race car. I had my heart set on a first Gen Cayman S and after driving it it felt too much like my old Slow boxsters. Yes they have great handling dynamics but there is something real boring about well balanced mid engine Porsches for me. Also newer Porsches just seem to be missing something.

My 2000 lb 1999 Boxster race car is closer to feel of my fun 914s but Cayman felt lifeless and it's very expensive. I chose 2010 Nismo over Cayman.

Other thing people don't mention is that nissan doesn't carry some of the stigma that Porsche ownership does. I really never feel comfortable driving new Porsches on the street. Maybe it's my Irish Catholic roots haunting me? Lol!

There is just something raw and basic about the 370z. Its also a car that feels like it has lots of hidden potential. My intent with Nismo is to try to build a car very similar to a GT3 in concept. Install fully adjustable suspension, bolt on few more performance parts, try to reduce weight a little more, even thinking of doing rear cage and harness bar in similar fashion to GT3 cars. Just a clean capable street car that has real capability on the track. I might be delusional but I think with right development the 370z could be just as fast as an older 996 GT3 and still be street able.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu (Post 939473)

Dude, ex 914 owner/addict here as well. That is the most fun car I have ever owned. I still find myself wanting to duplicate that driving experience today. Needed more power, but the handling was unreal ( mine was totally tweaked out for auto crossing). I miss the targa top and open air feel that car had, so much so I think I will be going to a convertable of some sort in the future. Nice to see another 914 aficionado :tiphat: