Z impressions from a GTR owner
 

Hey all

Thought I would share my thoughts on the 370Z, as I have taken delivery of a Z to have as a stable mate with my GTR.

Why the Z - I wanted a manual trans, quick car. I always liked the 350Z and when I saw the lines of the new 370 at TAS09, I had to have one (in white). I track my GTR very often, however I am getting nervous doing this without a ton of safety gear. The Z gives me a car that if I take out a bumper, its 300$ not 3000$.

I put about 180 mile on the Z so far. So I have a good feel of the car I think.

Body style - The Z has fantastic curves. Its like a voluptuous woman, and I find the bulging wheel wells and roof line to be very entertaining to look at. This is a stark contrast to the more cyber look of the GTR. The rear view is better. I need to do something about the chin area on the Z. Its almost strange that these 2 cars came from the same builder. The share zero body lines. The Rays wheels are great looking, on par with the GTR's in looks factor. What one is better looking? That is in the eyes of the beholder but I just love the contrast. i enjoy both.

Interior - I got the base with sport package. I like the seats in the base better than the touring. Shoot I like the seats in the Z better than in the GTR!. Minus the no power or heat, these are fantastic seats! Th dash layout I find very good. The actual gauge cluster is a little chinsy looking, but I like the feel. The GTR has a bit more of a "cockpit" feel to it since it has a lot more tech gizmos. overall the GTR has a better quality interior, but that takes nothing away from how great it is on the 370Z.

Motor - I can tell you there is not even a close comparison to the GTR. The GTR is way faster, more responsive, and pulls harder in every rev range. its also much smoother. I felt the 370Z was a bit rough in the higher rev's. The note from the motor is very good however. Much louder than a GTR in stock form. I plan on a Stillen exhaust and high flow cats to give it more growl, and a oil cooler to keep it cool on the track. Good motor. Takes nothing away from the car and pulls well in any gear. Would be perfect with 40 more HP.

Handling - I haven't had the car on the track yet, but I am impressed with the handling of this car. it flicks well, handles off ramps at good speeds and does noe lean around too much. it is good on bumpy roads as well. not as kidney jarring as the GTR. however you can tell the GTR feels more planted and is easier to power of of the corners. I think some coil overs will do this car a great deal of good. Again the GTR is much more harsh, but when you push it it asks for more.

Trans - The 370 is the perfect accessory for any GTR owner. Just when you think you are sick of the semi-auto trans, you hop in the Z and get your kicks with the sublime 6 speed. The trow could be shorter, and I hate the shift knob, but that is all fixable. The clutch is near perfect. You realize however how slow manual trans are in comparison to the GTR however very quickly. I would like to see a hill assist on the Z. Auto blip is a great feature and works near perfectly.

For the $, the 370 is an unbeatable platform. I am looking forward to modding it. It is a great companion to the GTR. Kinda like a Cayman to a 911TT.

Here is some pics of the GTR... I will post pics of the Z wen it stops raining. :(

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...R/IMG_3472.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...R/IMG_3475.jpg

Scott

Thank you for your review. I quite agree on your points. I really hoped that Z would be equipped with hill assist. It's one of my favorite features (currently offered by BMW and other auto company).

You currently have two of the best sports car in your stable. Enjoy the cars! :driving:

One thing the Z has that they forgot on the GTR is AUTO LIGHTS!!! I have no idea how they forgot those.

Thanks for the write up!

Thanks for the insight!

Nice personal review. Having the GTR and Z in the same garage would be all you ever need ;) Congrats!

I hate this review. Just makes me want a GTR. But like you said, for the money the 370Z is great.

Thanks for the review mate - I'm currently thinking about these two options. The first GTR's have just arrived here in the UK and the 370z's are due in July, so this thread is perfect timing for me.

Now you've reminded me of the GTR's hard ride and higher maintenance costs I'm leaning back towards the 370z again, but I saw & heard a black GTR go past my house the other day and I damn nearly had an orgasm - it's a difficult one lol.

If you could only buy one, which would you choose?

Thanks for the review. You should try out the 370Z at auto-cross, you really get to throw the car around (there's a local one 2 weeks from now). It actually does better at auto-cross than a GTR due to the smaller size and weight. I will be taking it to the track once I have an oil cooler installed.

not entirely sure about the news, but you might want to double-check the papers before you commit yourself to a 2010 GTR

Warranty Void

Honest review. It'll be fairly easy to add 55 whp as I did... then you should love it just that much more!

Good comparsion review; thanks for taking the time to type it up.

BTW- you GTR is SICK!

Thanks for the review ! My dealer has been trying to talk me into a GT-R while I have been looking at the Z, I can afford either, or both, but it seems silly to buy a GT-R when I know I won't be able to get the most out of it, but at the same time it is a really cool, sexy car. I went in to drive the Z the other day and they finally had a GT-R in the showroom, damn it sure was nice. Has me wondering .....

The only reason I'd get the Z over a GT-R is ripping through the gears and I think I like the looks of the Z better although the GT-R is sexy looking. Its hard to say no to a super car though :)

If I could afford one or the other or both then I would be looking at something entirely different. That gives you about 120K to spend on a car. You are getting close to exotic territory there.

Can someone explain the desire for hill assist in the MT 370Z? If you can hold the car with the e-brake, I don't understand the need for the feature or even how it could be implemented in a MT.

Scott, like everyone else said, thanks for the review.

I like curvaceous, small, light, rear wheel drive cars with manual transmissions, lots of power and a sweet exhaust note. The GTR only fits that description in terms of power only. Once we get some better power upgrades, the Z will be the place to be!

People are lazy? :tup:

Subaru pioneered the technology in MT form many years ago. Basically it holds the brakes for you until you start engaging the clutch.

Personally I don't see the need. I never roll backwards and I don't use the e-brake most of the time, I simply roll my foot on the brake and gas.

Ditto
 

Yeah, that sums its up. Not trying to be mean or anything, but if there is a lack of skillz than get an automatic.

Yes BUT, you would have the advantage of 2 great cars to keep mileage down on each, have different setups for track or street, save money on parts over crazy exotic prices, etc.

Myself, I would probably still take just one.... the new GT3. haha.. :icon17:

If I had endless money that's the exact set up I'd have GT-R and a 370Z. Oh and a nice 240Z and a 510 too... I just haven't told my wife the GT-R is the next car on the list... lets just hope Nissan's put 'er on a diet by the time I can afford one :)

GTR no question and without hesitation.

Whatever floats your boat man.

Hill assist is a great tool when in traffic on a hill. I had a 335 that had it and was a fantastic gizmo. Ebrake works but this happens without thought. The GTR has it and works very well. No rollback.

I wasn't really refering to your deal. You already have both. You must be doing well for yourself and that's cool. I was just calling some BS on those that say they could afford both, but can't decide on which one. We are talking a $40,000 car and an $80,000 car. If you like the styling on the GT-R and you can obviously easily afford it, then I don't think there is much of a choice. You definitely buy the GT-R. If the GT-R isn't your thing, but you have 120K to spend then take a look at something along the lines of a Porsche or a Corvette ZR-1. I love my Z, and it is definitely the best sports car that I can afford, but it is a relative "everyman's" car. I don't think there are too many people in the 6 figure car market that are strongly considering the Z.

Amen ..... one of the first things I learned as a teenager was how to master a hill with a manual transmission........ without using the emergency brake!

John

Some people probably like 6spd manual Nissans. It's up to them. Just because YOU wouldn't, given the chance, doesn't mean that someone else in the 6-figure league wouldn't either. Whatever floats their boat.

I love that feature. I can do the gas/brake on a hill but it's def a cool technology to have. I hope they adapt this for the Z.

Welcome to the forums. How much 09s are going for now? (if you don't mind disclosing, that's totally fine)

Hi. I don't mean to be confrontational. I would just like add some insight, because I've probably lived through situations and seen things that you haven't. I totally disagree with your statement.

I'm a medical doctor, nearly 40 years old and well into the "fat" part of my career. I'm single and no kids or alimony to pay for. I can afford going into exotic territory, but I choose not to. A lot of people in southern California live to the very maximum of what they can afford so they can be flashy, be players, meet hot girls, etc. My friends drive Porsches and AMG Mercedes and tease me, saying "I bought a car that is a socioeconomic class below me." The same guys teased me about my last car, which was a Corvette, calling it my "redneck car".

The universal truth here is that cars are not an investment, they are a depreciating asset. On the used car market, you see (multiple) 2005 Lambo Gallardo's or 2006 911 turbo's for $90,000. The seller of the lambo is losing $90,000 in depreciation in 4 years. The Porsche sellers are losing $50,000 in 3 years, plus you're losing $1,000 a month to the bank on the interest for a loan that big. Then, Lambo owners are replacing the SMG clutch at like 15k miles at a cost of $7000. The total cost of 4 years of Lambo ownership (on a new car) is going to run you $120k-140k.

It will take a LOT of desire to get me to spend that much on a car. But desire is a weird thing. Like the girl that was so hot that you'd spend your entire pay check on her, just to keep her happy? If they didn't scrap the program, I would have spent $180,000 on a Lexus LF-A. I want one that badly. The C6 Corvette (ZR1) and 997 Porsche (turbo or gt3) are coming to the end of their life cycle and make them less desireable. The Maserati GT is not fast enough. The GTR is ugly and too heavy.

By buying a 370z, I get a car that is beautiful, light, great handling, has stylish interior and makes good economic sense. Even with mods on this car, I'll probably only lose $20,000 on it. And, if something new and hot comes to market that I just "have to have," like a Porsche 998 or C7 Corvette, I'm still in a financial position to do it, plus I end up having a lot more money in my bank account, which makes you feel "safer," especially when the economy is in the tank.

So don't neccesarily write everyone off as a fake or a braggart just because they say they can afford to buy an $80,000 car but choose not to. It's how their priorities are set up. Based on your comment, if you had the means, you would get an $80,000 car because that is your priority, but not everyone thinks that way.

-Phim

Interesting. I pretty much agree with whats said, however, as others have said the R35 GTR is not really even comparable to the Z as it's miles in front in all areas....especially price.

I think the 370z is the first car to come along in a long time that is actually fun to drive.

If you want huge HP and 10 sec quarters, then get an older GTR and modify it. 10sec quarters are not very hard at all. The RB26DETT is one of the best base motors to tune...ever.

My mate Dave's old GTR - 608kW at the wheels
YouTube - Fangartists - Leewah's R33 GTR

BUT

If you want a new, fun, daily driver get a Z.

I strongly agree with the first sentence. I always tell my friends that line whenever they look at cars that they can't afford. Car is a depreciating asset. The second you walk out of the dealership, you lose thousands of dollars. You must do it right and don't over do it. You MUST keep your car payment LESS than 10% of your income. Without revealing ANY figure, I can tell you my car payment is about 7% of my total monthly income. I love cars and I will continue to buy them and enjoy driving them.

Okay, lets get the thread back on topic. Any plan for the 370Z Scott?

You have to admit your Z has a much nicer headliner! :-)

Boston isn't too far from New Jersey I invite you to bring it to the Thunderbolt or lightning track in millville as a guest on a member day. PM if you're interested...

I guess it's all personal preference...my M45 and my 370 both have auto-headlights and I never use them!

I suppose that's because I always drive with my headlights on and have for many years...I think the only time I wouldn't do so is if I had a car with "pop-up" headlights such as was on the C5 "Vetts and fourth generation Firebirds since I don't think I'd want those lights up all the time (plus they were liking putting up air brakes on a jet plane). :)

Sorry for the ignorance here, but what's "hill assist"?

Woops... nevermind. Just saw ChrisSlick's response later in the thread:

"Subaru pioneered the technology in MT form many years ago. Basically it holds the brakes for you until you start engaging the clutch."

Well, the first part of that is certainly true for myself and my wife. Because I am married and could care less to be a "player" and all that boloney, I don't fit the bill on the second part whatsoever. But we do definitely live right up to the limits of our means!

This is true... that's why I am currently spending over 200K on my complete backyard remodel and not buying a Lambo or Ferrari. I guess if I had Oprah money, I would do both :p


I don't think they scrapped it. I could be wrong but last I read, it was on!


You obviously haven't read the latest C&D or Automobile mags... the GT3 is brand new and better than ever (my secret favorite car ;))



Sadly, I agree.

Agreed again. I guess if you were to add up all for of my vehicles (new) which consist of a Porsche Boxster, a Mitsubishi Outlander, a Jaguar XF and the 370Z, it would add up to a lot more than the cost of a GTR. But with 4 kids, a wife (who owns the Porsche & Jag), I just don't think one GTR would make much sense for us.

Awesome review.
Thanks! :driving:

Honestly, I have 2000+ track miles on my GTR. Dealer or Nissan has never given me greif about the mods I have done (extensive). They encourage it even.

To address the weight, again I track the car, and I can tell you the only thing that bears the brunt is the brakes. Besides that, the GTR is a dream to own, and is blindingly fast. Its hard to make a comparison between the Z and the GTR in terms of thrust.

As to the looks... to each there own. I think the GT3 looks like a VW beetle with a big ricer wing on the back, and the ZR1 is gods gift to mullets... ;)

Fact
 

The statement about the RB26 is true fact. Ive owned 3 Skylines. The inline 6 twin turbo is bulletproof. Change injectors, swap stock turbines for some HKS 2530's, exhaust, and cpu tune and youve got a 10 second car.

Pricing and road laws are two things that limit most of us here in the U.S. I really enjoyed my 15 years in japan..............simpley because R's are not that expensive over there and most of your daytime police are out running wan-gan with you at night.

But not to be a hater, Im happy for the guy who started this thread comparing the two. My wife will tell you, Im an R fanatic, but I wouldnt own the new 35. Doesnt appeal to me in the least. Too many things that differ from the 32 and 33 that make me lose interest. I really wasnt a big fan of the 34 either, but I wouldnt turn one down thats for sure. I hope you treat her right bro. But, $1800 routine maintenance fees/paddle shifters(which I think belong soley to video games) and not being able to do my own work since its a rolling cpu have turned me away. Im a twin turbo kit away from having a 370 with 500hp to the ground that will be a blast to drive..........and I can even do my own maintenance.
The paddle shifting comment might cause some of you to be bitter.....sorry, dont mean to be an azz. Just dont like it. Im just hard headed I guess and wont change what I love as far as the spirit of driving.

hey whats up man. nice ride. i too have both the Z and a GTR. picked the GTR up like 2 weeks ago and already put 700 miles on it. u already know it, but for those that dont, both cars are awesome! and i use both as daily drivers. as said before, the GTR is a beast and is blindingly fast. the Z is so much fun because its RWD (i love spinning tires) and its MANUAL! big thing. I dont mind that the GTR doesnt come in manual becuase i wouldnt be able to shift fast enough to keep up with that thing.
the reason i got the GTR over things like a ZR1 and porsche turbo and viper are...well theres alot.
im a big nissan fan, every **** with money buys a porsche (although they are great cars...my brother had one), i never like corvettes (and not a huge fan of the way american cars are in these times). plus, the GTR is new, fun, and cheap to mod.

anyway, congrats to a nice stable